15 The Devil

2nd Chakra - base desires

This card represents the polar opposite of the one preceding it – Temperance. We touched only lightly upon the negative aspects that can occur when we allow ourselves to be intemperate, to give in to base desires. This archetype embodies all that can befall a person who allows pure materialism and sense pleasures to rule in his or her life, as is depicted by the naked couple - representing sense pleasures, and fastened to a heavy block - representing materialism. Second chakra sense pleasures by the way are not 'of the devil' in themselves – sex is a part of our lives and may be enjoyed completely when some discernment is used in choosing a partner. This couple however is chained to darkness. The Devil sits upon the anchor they've attached themselves to, holding it fast, and he is seen in a ruling position over the couple, but who are quite willingly participating in this threesome. This type of gratification cannot sustain itself throughout a life. Even a dive into an all-night binge may be fun for awhile, but we will breathe its dark breath in the morning. When prolonged, it will, of its very nature erode the spirit, as the spirit has become attached to material sources of pleasure, and all material things are perishable.

This card however is not just about sense pleasures; it embodies all realms of gross materialism. At it's core lies greed in all its forms: fear, hatred, creation of enemies; all forms of self-inflation through the denial and non-caring of others - is at the root of this elemental malaise of the spirit. It's a personal decision, it's not 'The Devil' that made them do it, it's they who've willingly stepped forward and allowed 'The Devil' to become their master. The greatest transgressors are usually institutions and governments that acquire power and fortunes through deceit and violence. This is at the radical end of the spectrum, but is, alas, quite common. It's a seductive path for one to take and is an almost incurable disease once it sets into a human heart. One who commands and rules by way of these means may gain massive adulation - it's still the way of the world to idolize such powerful figures - but at the core, such beings are wrought with paranoia, enmities, anxieties, suspicions, all products of living a life based upon destroying others for their gains.

So when we adopt these ways, even tangentially in supportive roles and jobs; even in going along with destructive government policies, we create and cultivate within ourselves the substance of that malaise – which then grows like a mold inside us. At this point the angels of goodness have little access, as walls of defenses, both physical and psychological have been erected to block divine entry. At the center of such fortresses, karmas are held at bay by these institutional walls; armies and nations can roll like a juggernaut for a long time before they eventually meet their demise.

So let's bring this down to a more ordinary day to day perspective – most of us have not given in to the evil forces of darkness. We do however live somewhat in between both worlds of the celestial and the underworld. We may be subjected to depressions, fits of anger, clouds of jealousy, or a general lethargy that can't be easily shaken. If so, all we can do is to try to locate and examine the causes and reasons for our mood shifts and gradually find ways to raise and stabilize our level of happiness. For what is 'The Devil' but the absence of the inner joy that is our true nature? Joy is our natural state.

By Ananda G. Brady copyright 2011