Ever anything positive about the Devil?

Personally I've never had a devil in a reading that turned out well but curious about others thoughts? For example I know there is a Pagan devil (who isn't actually a devil) who appears on some decks representing fertility ? Most decks seemed geared up to the christian devil - temptation, bondage to bad things etc Anyone else have any ideas experiences of the devil?

This is a personal interpretation, but within the Christian framework (albeit from a highly unorthodox perspective), the Devil could stand for subversion of established order. This might be grasping at straws - as a Capricorn, I don't want to be associated with a thoroughly negative card.

I think the only time that the Devil appeared as a positive card in a reading was when it was reversed - I interpreted it detachment in the face of material bondage.

yes, it's all up to you - it's your choice and you have to live with the consequences. So, try to make the right choice.
For these reasons I never see the Devil as bad because you can turn things around. Change.
I think the Tower is bad and what is broken is broken and you have to make a new beginning.

TomTom

Well, the Devil for me is quite a positive card actually. I love it when it appears in readings.

Sure, it's all about materialism, and all about being bound to situations, ladeeda ladeeda la la.. but sometimes, at certain times, you really couldn't give a hoot about such things.

The Devil represents our indulgences. He in a way is like the feast you treat yourself to after a strict diet. The joint of pot you smoke after a super rough day. The orgasm we receive after watching a large amount of erotica on DVD (or those 30 second internet clips... how do I know about those? ) after spending an amount of time being single or celibate. Sometimes even the hedonistic orgy after being single or celibate.

Get my drift?

Now the thing about The Devil is that he isn't oh so generous about such things. Honey, this dude's a capricorn, and since when have capricorn's been known for their generosity?

(note: I am one, and trust me, this statement has levels of truth to it)

You see, there is always a catch. You can't have your cake and eat it too. There are consequences to going overboard in such indulgences. How? Well, let's look at the above examples.

The feast after a strict diet - Sure, that's something that we do deserve (trust me, I'm goin through this phase), but if we keep on binging afterwards, eating junk food daily etc etc, all that weight's gonna come back to us, and then some.

The joint of pot you smoke after a super rough day - Ever heard of Miss Barrymore and Kurt Cobain? I rest my case.

The orgasm we receive after watching a large amount of erotica on DVD - Yes porn can be so gratifying and addictive. It is cheaper than dating after all, and you don't need to wax your legs. But seriously, can you cuddle or spoon with it afterwards? Or plan a family with it?

So you see, the devil is quite positive, but it's we humans who get "tempted" to the extremes. The trick about making the devil more positive is, well, indulge in him once in a while, but for goodness sake, don't go overboard with him

There is a reason why he comes after Temperance and before The Tower you know.

Think about this

Love and Blessings

Sweet_intuition, well said! I too see the Devil as a great card to pull (and the Tower is always a "good card" for me), because these cards indicate movement - it means that something I've been working on is going to gain some clarity and momentum, and no matter how tough the transition, change is always welcome.

so are you saying the devil is ok if you can handle him? I thought the point was that you can't - like the heroin addict saying he can handle it or more down to earth a smoker saying they love smoking when they're actually bound to doing something self destructive. Usually crops up with bad men when the sex is good...?

"The Devil," and the aspects that the card represent, are alive in each of us. We all decide our own sense of "right and wrong" -- and with that, we decide how much of what and when.

I don't think The Devil only represents indulgences, and I don't think that The Devil only speaks to "negative" or "bad" things. In my experience, The Devil might just as easily be calling out a project, relationship, or perspective that is old and ready to evolve, just as soon as it might point out a draining habit or an unhealthy pattern.

I think that The Devil can represent our own, malleable sense of what we really want in life, what is really necessary, we're willing to put up with, and when enough is enough.

For me, when enough is enough, The Devil might be one card that would be inclined to point it out.

For me the Devil represents the persons who hurt me as a child and gives me the opportunity to face what I fear and let go of misplaced shame and guilt.

the postiveness of the devil

there are many things about the devil.

that we have the strength to overcome our weakness
that our focus on money and other indulgneces are good but for what price.
that we can face our worst fears head on.
that the fear of black magic , is keeping our mind closed to the ways of truth and light

even the devil reversed,
that the heroin addict can overcome his addictions once he is ready,
that people can change once they are helped.
that things are not what they seem.
that those who hate will be faced with what they hate most , and thus change (those groups who think they are better )

the ego will be faced and overcome with love .

I have to say I don't see anything completly bad in any of the cards....I think it is all about where they fall and what they are saying....the devil doesn't spook me