The Devil ~ first card in a spread

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Nov 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ros	13 Nov 2004
I was just wondering what most people think when the first card they turn over is The Devil. I think I have a good understanding of this card but when it comes up for people I don't expect it to, The Devil throws me off guard. I did a spread recently and the situation was The Devil crossed by Page of Swords rx and the 4 of Cups rx. I told the lady " your instincts will help you see clearly any new possibilities being offered to you." I wanted to go about The Devil but left it at that. I always feel discouraged when The Devil shows, even if the rest of the spread ends up positive. So how do you feel when the first card you turn over is The Devil?

Shalott	13 Nov 2004
Normally, especially in any kind of "past-present-future" spread, fairly relieved as he's in the past! But for clients who may not be familiar with Tarot, and that even negative-looking cards have good aspects, I can understand how seeing that first would be unsettling, like "Great, now I have to explan THIS!"

Imagemaker	13 Nov 2004
Ros, I'm curious about this reading. I've been practicing on 3 card readings, trying to make a story or sentence out of them. Can I try on these? From your statement, you seemed to interpet the Devil as the woman's instincts? Hmmmm. I see the card as something that "bedevils" the querent, or a way in which they feel trapped or caught in a situation that's making them crazy. Were there positions for these 3 cards? I'm interpreting without any, which may be totally wrong. But say if the Page of Swords is a chatty young person, or a message, the reversed might be frustrating or unwanted silence. If the 4 cups is not seeing opportunity (or possibly moody pouting or apathy), the reversed might be seeing opportunity and not being able to take it (or being ready to get up and go after a time of indecision). So could these 3 say: you're bedeviled by not getting a message you want so that you can move forward as you want to? Of course, this may have no relation to the situation or question your querent asked. :)

ros	14 Nov 2004
This came from a 15 card spread. These were the first three cards. The Devil was #1. There were no placements just groups of three. I usually draw and extra card for every reverse and read the first three upright. Imagemaker your interpetation matches the client. The spread ended out on a positive note and all about success in business. The only other time I had the Devil for the first card was for someone and they were money hungry, very rich and into themselves. This spread was for a different person that seems humble so it surprised me. Anyway I hate when the first card over in a spread catches you off guard when you think you know a person!

Imagemaker	14 Nov 2004
Quote: I hate when the first card over in a spread catches you off guard when you think you know a person But each archetype in the tarot has its reflection in each person, doesn't it? A moment of devilish humor in the most serious person, a nurturing moment in the hardest businessman, etc. Is the 15 card spread 5 rows of 3 (with variations)? Have you ever posted it on AT?

ros	14 Nov 2004
This spread has been posted before but I read it my own way. 5,9,13................4,8,12 ............2,1,3.............. 6,10,14..............7,11,15 1,2,3 ~ situation and obstacles 4,8,12 ~ more information. Usually by the time these three cards are read the client begins to join in. 5,9,13 ~ one path that is showing 6,10,14 ~ second path showing These two groups actually connects with 1,2,3 . 7,11,15 ~ things you can not control in your life at this time I read 1,2,3 upright (most of the time) For the other groups of three's I let the client draw a card for each card that is reversed. These reversed cards are blocks in one's life so the extra card is information to help unblock the issue showing. After the reading I group the cards Majors, Cups, Pentacles, Wands and Swords. Then I look at what's missing & repeated numbers and the balance within the cards. This takes a while but I find it's fun to work with for just a general reading.

ros	14 Nov 2004
... and yes "devilish humor" I look back at the situation and she was being a little devil at the time of her reading. Thanks for the input!

full deck	14 Nov 2004
. . . or maybe not. It is more a matter of context, i.e., where is it within the spread and what is the question about. There is an excellent discussion on "The Devil" from one of the forum's previous threads as well: http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=22765&highlight=Devil

Imagemaker	14 Nov 2004
Wow, interesting spread. Perfect for 3 card sentences, will try it!

The The Devil ~ first card in a spread thread was originally posted on 13 Nov 2004 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.