spinningspider
After much meditating on "Temperance" yesterday, it's very clear to me that the "Devil" represents the exact opposite of Temperance (and happily that was what Robin said, as well, in her book!) If Temperance is all about balance, that balance is out-of-whack with the Devil. I'm reminded of a saying where even too much of something generally good for us can turn ugly when excess reigns or overindulgence rules. Case in point: I love a joyous birthday celebration, complete with buttercream frosted cake and icecream. As a kid, I once ate all the icing off the cake and knew what it meant by "too much!" I ended up being beyond sick. 'course, as one grows older, the balance that gets upset can cause problems of a much more serious sort than just a sore tummy.
I really, really like that Robin depicts this card with human images, rather than some evil, non-human, creature. Speaking for myself, I'm more than capable of tipping the balance...thank you very much! And, I appreciate Robin's description of the monkey trap, as pictured on the lid of the chest. I had never known how a real monkey trap works and it is the perfect analogy for what's going on with the people depicted on the card. It's obvious that if the couple weren't gluttonous, they both could walk away with some riches, since the lid is somewhat propped open. But no, they want it all. And even worse, they each want it solely for themselves...and thus will wear out in the effort of undermining each other.
When balance is off-kilter, it does seem as if one is existing in a dark tunnel.
Luckily, there's a light at the end of this tunnel, as shown in the card, and if we just stop and think clearly, we can find our way to it. After all, the figures are not that far from freedom, if they but choose it or get help to aid the journey towards it (ie. addiction, illness...)
Thus far, in my journey of studying and using various Tarot decks, I feel Robin's is the most understandable and useful rendering of the Devil card I had ever seen. I never have a problem seeing the warning issued, no matter
where it falls in a spread or what question is asked.
I really, really like that Robin depicts this card with human images, rather than some evil, non-human, creature. Speaking for myself, I'm more than capable of tipping the balance...thank you very much! And, I appreciate Robin's description of the monkey trap, as pictured on the lid of the chest. I had never known how a real monkey trap works and it is the perfect analogy for what's going on with the people depicted on the card. It's obvious that if the couple weren't gluttonous, they both could walk away with some riches, since the lid is somewhat propped open. But no, they want it all. And even worse, they each want it solely for themselves...and thus will wear out in the effort of undermining each other.
When balance is off-kilter, it does seem as if one is existing in a dark tunnel.
Luckily, there's a light at the end of this tunnel, as shown in the card, and if we just stop and think clearly, we can find our way to it. After all, the figures are not that far from freedom, if they but choose it or get help to aid the journey towards it (ie. addiction, illness...)
Thus far, in my journey of studying and using various Tarot decks, I feel Robin's is the most understandable and useful rendering of the Devil card I had ever seen. I never have a problem seeing the warning issued, no matter
where it falls in a spread or what question is asked.