The Fool's Journey - 15 The Devil- Learning The Tarot

Fool's Journey Day 16

With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card.

The next step on our journey is 15 - The Devil

This side: The Devil crouches on top of a rough pedestal. Chained to it stand The Lovers (card 6).  The Devil, part human and part beast with bat wings symbolizing his dark essence.  Goat legs depict his beastial nature. 

In a reading:  You need to seriously examine things right now. Which are you in this scene? Devil, with the power or are you the vulnerable person?  Look closely at your behavior and see what badly needs to change. If you are bound, you need to break those chains and if you are in servitude to something... addictive behavior, bad habits, bad relationship... you need to let those things go. Find help, someone to talk too. 

That side: Is very much the same as the first side. The Devil is the Devil, he does not change.  He awaits new arrivals now. Behind him burn the tributes he demands from those who serve him.  Burning book - the Devil hates knowledge. But there is a lotus that perhaps The Devil is unaware of.  The flower born from mud, represents the spirit that can rise from the deepest inferno.

In a reading:  While the meaning is much the same as the first side, it also says The Devils attentions are elsewhere for the moment.  You have a chance to escape what has kept you trapped. Take the hope that flowers before you.