The Devil

The 15th Key

Colour: Indigo
Sound: A Natural
Sign: Capricorn (Cardinal Earth)
SIMPLE LETTER: Mirth

This Path connects Beauty with Splendour.

It is one of three paths that lead into Beauty together with Temperance and Death. Each representing a trial and conferring a unique power. They are different perspectives of the same thing. The Devil, the Angel in Temperance and the skeleton in Death are all aspects of the Higher Self.

That which the Devil symbolises is raw power, but it represents the average person's misconception of reality. The belief that our material condition is actually real in the true sense. This is suggested by the inverted pentagram on the Devil's head. The sacred symbol of mankind being turned upside down indicates that our vision of the world is also upside down.

To this card is attributed eye and so we are encouraged to reorganise our vision of things we see in the sensory world as real and the greater vision which comes through the inner eye. To accept only what our physical eyes tell us is to be subject to illusion. This illusion is illustrated by the chained figures on the card. The Devil is an adversary, a tempter and the Master of manifest form which must be faced and conquered. This is accomplished by the right use of the intellect and disciplined meditation.

It is only by focusing on each part of our body, considering each organ separately that we can understand how they work together. We can then reintegrate our overall view of their interaction and actively apply new knowledge. The process is analytical, intellectually separating the component energies of ourselves and the Universe into 22 parts on the tree of life.

It is considered an initiation, a release from the limitations of matter. Limitation is suggested by the rulership of Capricorn by Saturn. Capricorn in this sense governs the limitations of form, any artificial system by which humanity measure and enclose all their activities. It is suggested that we don't take our perception of the material world so seriously and therefore laughter is a good practice when working with the Devil.

The Devil is also referred to as the prince of the powers of Air which points us to the Astral currents. This Path develops the ability to reverse the currents of the Astral Light. It is only through the forces of the Devil that we come directly to the Light of God. The eventual ability to manipulate the Astral Light is accomplished through a process involving the four elements. A dissolution, re-integration, activity and grounding. The elements are depicted on the card by the torch of fire, the eagle claw for water, the wings for air and devil's body as earth.

It represents the transition from the intellect of normal waking consciousness to true spiritual consciousness.

The Emerald Tablet states all things are from One by the meditation of One. Suggesting that there is nothing in this universe which is not of God and that includes the Devil.