One of the biggest lies people can ever tell others (and themselves) when they do something wrong is that the Devil made you do it.
The truth of it is that the devil doesn't make you do anything at all. I mean, sure, he can suggest, nudge you and tempt you, but in the end you make the choice of whether to do right or wrong.
It's a sad fact in humanity, and it may be a growing trend although there may be evidence to the contrary, that people are learning more and more to fail to take responsibility for the actions they take. The blame is not always placed on the Devil as it can also be placed upon a boss, the children, the spouse or even the weather.
The Tarot's Devil card has often been misrepresented, especially in popular culture such as Hollywood movies, as being a card of evil. This is perpetuated further, and just as falsely, by others who "reason" that it proves a so-called Satanic connection of sorts.
Regardless of whether you believe the Devil to be an actual entity or not, it is generally accepted amongst most Tarot Consultants that the Devil card is mostly about ourselves and our choices than it is about some "demonic presence".
Many texts, old and new, state that the Devil card represents an enslavement, fear, and temptation. This is the same meaning that I believe it takes and the same message I give if it comes up during one of my Intuitive Consultations.
If you look closely at the picture of the card, you will see it shows two people, a man and a woman, chained to the Devil. The chains are around their neck and, if you look even closer, you will notice that those same chains are loose. Similar to the elephant I mentioned in another blog post, Ask Me About The Elephant, the chains are so loose that they can escape if they so choose!
The key word here is choice.
These chains in our lives can take many guises, whether it be a bad habit, alcohol and other addictions, self-defeating belief systems, toxic relationships and other types of behaviour. All of these things can be chains to hold us down. Just like any other problem in life, the first step to helping yourself to recovery is to acknowledge that you have the problem.
When you do acknowledge it, however, you do so as the first step towards recovery. NEVER use it as an excuse to hold you back like that chain (which is so big it would fall off you if you just shrugged a little more).
First comes taking responsibility for yourself. Then comes the treatment and help before freedom.
Taken in this context, the Devil Card is a very self-reflective card that allows us to look at our lives and to recognise the things holding us back so that we can deal with them better. The card itself is not a source of evil but the things it represents are self-destructive and detrimental to our physical, mental and spiritual health.
What chains are holding you down in life and how can you get rid of such negative things?
We bring these things on ourselves and the great part is that we don't have to fix it by ourselves. If the Tarot, as a self-improvement tool, teaches us anything it is that we can not make it through life's journey alone.
If you need help, acknowledge it and seek it. Then rid yourself of your slavery to your temptations and excuses.
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.
ESPecially best wishes,
Chris Johnson
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