Guiding words/ideas:
An invitation to look within; asking who and what are your demons; asking what internal voices are ruining your life; listening to the “tender being in a devil’s costume”; ask these voices/demons what they truly need; go about this work lightly.
Channeled guidance:
This card is somewhat frightening to look at. And it is challenging to work with because it is about the monsters and the demons that one carries with them on the inside. This plaque on the heart of a human, the defensiveness, the adaptations and the reactivity make it so hard to be open and connected with others and even with parts of oneself.
Look closely at this image until you can see a tiny face, a miniature head on the lobe of The Devil’s ear. Imagine their voice whispering negative provocations into the ear; reasons for mistrust and betrayal. Imagine that The Devil is the monster created by that voice; red, angry, teeth bared and ready to devour; ready to harm, to rip and tear any fabric of goodwill that has been woven. This monster, The Devil, will tear things to shreds.
And so the Devil card is an invitation to look within and to listen deeply. Who and what are our demons? What small, internal voices are ruining our lives and creating, just for us, a carefully curated hell on earth?
Ask these voices what they really need, and then listen to the answer. Can you meet those needs? Not the selfish ones, needs born of anger that are potentially punishing to oneself and others. Those are just protections and poorly-established boundaries. Listen instead to the soft voice inside, the tender being in a devil’s costume; a being that might say something like “I need to feel safe.” Or, “I need your undivided attention.” Or “I need your love.” One is also encouraged to go about this work lightly. Remember that there is a tender being inside.
Plant and metal guidance:
Weld (dark yellow flames): Our energy is dense, warm and saturated, bringing with it a feeling of solidity and calm.
Madder root (dark red devil): We are warm and gentle, and we hold and assist you as your tempo slows.
Acorn cap (light brown/tan background): Like a gentle pat on the head, we offer up slow-moving energy to open the senses and awaken the mind.
Note from Jorie: I noticed when transposing these channellings, that the plants used in this card have guidance of gentleness and calm. This may seem ill-matched for The Devil card. But I believe that this supposed juxtaposition points to the suggestion that the Devil is simply a masking of our most tender selves. The plants are encouraging us to look deeper than our strategies and adaptations as we heal and become whole.
Magical Nature Tarot 
