You chose card no. 3
~ XV The Devil ~
An attractive woman in opulent finery invites you to her fiery lair. She is alluring and mysterious, with feet of a goat, wings of a bat, a head dress of peacock feathers and ram's horns, a cheeky red tail.
Oooh, this one is a biggie! Are you ready for this? Summon up all your emotional resilience, the Devil card is one that holds a lot of push and pull, attraction and resistance, a yang to our yin. She evokes some strong emotions, passion, surrender, enjoyment, denial.
Are you aware of your weaknesses? We all have them. They are so easy to observe in others, but not always so easy to observe in ourselves. However, true healing can only start from within. What areas of your life keep you feeling small and trapped? Where do you feel ready to strengthen and grow? What have you outgrown? What needs to be released and brought back into balance?
As challenging as this card may be, do we really want to keep brushing these issues back under the carpet or hidden away in a dark closet? Or is it time to clear out those cobwebs and give those dark corners of our mind a thorough spring clean?
The ram's horns symbolise a tendency to react without mindfulness or reflection of the consequences. In this card, a naked woman and man sit on the Devil's outstretched open hands. They are not in her clutches, as we might imagine. They are perfectly free to go whenever they choose. They are not imprisoned except for the self imposed shackles of their own minds.
By choosing this card, you are presented with an opportunity to honestly review your choices for what they truly are in the plain light of day. There is no fault. No one is to blame, but simply seemingly irresistible life choices that throw you into a dramatic dilemma of 'bad' and 'good'. In the clear light of wisdom, it is neither bad nor good, only what your mind chooses or has been conditioned to believe.
It may feel challenging to work with areas we feel seduced by and where we seem to have no power. We can become fiercely defensive of them as they remind us of our vulnerabilities, but this is precisely where conscious transformation has potential to grow.
The peacock's feathers may represent vanity and pride. On the other side of the coin, they are also symbolic of spiritual wisdom, in this case one that comes from an awakening and desire to liberate yourself from habits that keep you playing small. What is causing inflammation and irritation? What are you in denial of? If you're not sure, tune into your higher self for the answer.
So what are your vices? Is it time for a fresh look at them? Perhaps their grip is not as tight as once imagined. In the shadow of night they may appear attractive, but on closer inspection things are rarely what they seem. Perhaps this devil is not the demoness she is made out to be, to be feared and reviled as much as our own ignorance? Is it even possible to grow without going through trials like these? Bring them on!
A Herb to Help Release Addictions ~ Wood Betony
Allowing for positive change physically, mentally, emotionally may call for humility. Thoughts and feelings of shame and regret may arise initiating another self-defeating cycle of negativity. Take the passion you currently hold for your addictions and self-limiting objects of desire and channel that resolve into training your mind in the areas of your life that you are ready to give strength to.
In the mean time, nervous system tonics, such as Wood Betony, in your tea blends or tinctures may ease the effect of these thought processes through the transitional period towards inner strength and freedom. This herb promotes a grounding effect in the body. It nourishes the nervous system and helps us get out of over thinking and headiness.
Your strength is forged through the temptress' tests. It's time wake up to your weakness and reclaim your power.
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I hope you have enjoyed your reading and find it supportive in moving forward into the next cycle.
I'd love to hear how this resonates with you. If you have any insights, connections, recollections, I
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Love & healing blessings,
Fiona Morris
Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader
