According to The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite, The Devil is described as the following:
The design is an accommodation, mean or harmony, between several motives mentioned in the first part. The Horned Goat of Mendes, with wings like those of a bat, is standing on an altar. At the pit of the stomach there is the sign of Mercury. The right hand is upraised and extended, being the reverse of that benediction which is given by the Hierophant in the fifth card. In the left hand there is a great flaming torch, inverted towards the earth. A reversed pentagram is on the forehead. There is a ring in front of the altar, from which two chains are carried to the necks of two figures, male and female. These are analogous with those of the fifth card, as if Adam and Eve after the Fall. Hereof is the chain and fatality of the material life.
The figures are tailed, to signify the animal nature, but there is human intelligence in the faces, and he who is exalted above them is not to be their master for ever. Even now, he is also a bondsman, sustained by the evil that is in him and blind to the liberty of service. With more than his usual derision for the arts which he pretended to respect and interpret as a master therein, Éliphas Lévi affirms that the Baphometic figure is occult science and magic. Another commentator says that in the Divine world it signifies predestination, but there is no correspondence in that world with the things which below are of the brute. What it does signify is the Dweller on the Threshold without the Mystical Garden when those are driven forth therefrom who have eaten the forbidden fruit.
The Devil card isn’t necessarily evil. It may represent the things in your life that may require some form of rehab.
You may have been feeling like you're trapped lately. Or, it's as if something's been holding you back. Only you can identify what it is that’s no longer serving a good purpose in your life.
Although seeing The Devil card doesn't immediately bring the most positive feelings, it is a sign that there is still hope. Go deeper inside the message this card brings. You'll see that it indicates the possibility of rehab and recovery from whatever mental or physical blocks exist in your current life. It is showing you that you can always find a way out of the dark.
Why do you need rehab and recovery?
The theme that this card brings to light today is your bad habits and addictions, whether you're aware of them or not. It also suggests a need for some rehab to heal and recover from those unhealthy behaviors.
The Devil card tells you to look deep inside yourself and figure out what has you chained up in a mental prison. Perhaps it's your inner demons, and you may be feeding them without even realizing it.
It also suggests that you haven't yet realized that you're the only person keeping yourself stuck there. You aren't yet aware that you are fully capable of leaving if you wanted to.
What addictions may require rehab?
Addiction is the need to continue consuming something or excessively engaging in a specific activity regardless of how it may negatively affect yourself or the people around you. Most people don't know that addiction can go beyond smoking cigarettes or using drugs and alcohol.
Other things people may be addicted to without realizing it are gambling, Internet or video gaming, sex and/or pornography, food or sugar, caffeine, and even shopping.
The Devil is asking you to take a look at your habits and routines. Are any of them not serving you well? Could they be holding you back from being your best, healthy self? It wants you to think about what you can remove from life that is holding you back from positive growth.
How to begin your rehab and recovery journey
No matter how big or small your addiction or habit is, The Devil is here to push you in the right direction so that you can truly live a life of freedom. Here are a couple of things you can do to begin your healing journey.
Start a habit journal and keep track of your progress.
Get a notebook or journal and dedicate it to writing down and keeping track of your addiction or habit. Journaling your thoughts and unhealthy patterns is an excellent self-therapy technique. Begin by writing down your thoughts and feelings about your habits or addictions and what triggers them. It will help you build a better understanding of yourself.
You can also go back and read past entries to gain insight into your thought patterns. Recording your progress will also raise your self-esteem, and it will give you a sense of accomplishment when you look back and see how far you’ve come.
Reach out and get help if you feel like you truly need it.
Talk to a trusted friend or family member. They will gladly support you on your journey to wellness. Even if you feel like you're alone and have nobody, help is always around if you seek it.
If you feel like you need professional help, don't hold yourself back from receiving it. There are plenty of resources available in your community, online, or even over the phone. Trying to deal with it in silence can make it even harder to reach wellness. Getting the help you need will ensure that you're on the right path to living a healthier life.
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