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Okay kiddies, it is time to grow up. To a Qabalist, although this Key 15-The Devil traditionally exhibits grotesqueness and terrible aspects, it is an idea that contributes to Mirth. Without the horrible character to fear, the exoteric dogmatism that created such falsehood, wouldn't have a control mechanism. Fear is the foundation of the survival mind of the Animal-(subconscious) and it is attributed to the "nightmare" creating subconscious in the human psyche that has been profaned by indoctrination and dogma and thereby, usurping the soul's control of the body.

The devil is a concept that creates laughter in an enlightened person, who knows of the "false Ego" and/or the "mind virus" that has profaned our subconscious concepts of self. A deeper understanding also shows the devil represents the delusion of outward appearance. and worded identity. Here is the Scapegoat image, which relieves us of our mistakes by saying," The devil made me do it". The "devil" is really our "dark side" of self-absorbed survival emotions, which have become infected with a "mind virus" parasite, whose only ability to exist is off the light/energy of the person it preys on by staying hidden and unobserved by our awake Self-Consciousness.

The Ancients claimed that the devil is God inverted, a trickster, believing in the concept that of matter bondage as opposed to the freedom of Spirit. However, the Truth is that they are both aspects of the One Thing/Energy, as so graphically shown by the interlocking black and white triangles, or one side of the face white and the other black both images familiar to any student of occultism (occultism means hiddenness).

Denial of the trickster "mind virus" and its influence on your daily existence, showing up as self-destructiveness, gossip, or as drug or alcohol addiction, smoking, depression, zealotry, bigotry, fear of the unknown, etc. etc. Often there is finger pointing at the virus in others and thereby, failing to see that we are merely transferring what we deny seeing in ourselves. This dogma produced "devil" within is easily banished by self-introspection, where the awake consciousness observes it. For it is "anti-consciousness"-Anti-life created by dogmatic "divide and conquer" programing designed by the Patriarchy to weaken your identity. However, just as when matter was produced so was anti-matter, and/or motion and entropy. Will is spirit, and it controls mind, but by willfully delegating our instincts to the realm of darkness and evil, we have divided ourselves by subverting our inner strength: our willful spirit to the compliant weakness of slaves.

I would highly recommend Paul Levy's book-Wetiko (Healing the mind virus that plagues our world).

Above all things, know thyself!

In Barbra G. Walker's Book [ THE WOMAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHS AND SECRETS] which has been honored by the London Times Educational supplement as 1986 "Book of the Year", the provenance of the word devil is noted as Persian. She states." The Words "devil" and "divinity" grew from the same root, Indo-European devi (Goddess) or deva (God), which became daeva (devil) in Persian. Old English divell (devil) can be traced to the Roman derivative divus, divi: gods. Thus, it seems that, from the beginning, gods and devils were often confused with one another." She goes on to explain such an enlightening scholarship that I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks an honest education. What may surprise the perceptive reader, is that our Angelic Will to be, is now considered our Devilish will to destroy! All because of the divisionism of the institutionalized word hypnosis in our brains!

There is another fact here that may hide from reason, and that is the combination of the words Devi (Goddess)and Lingam ( Male phallus), is Divya Linga ( Sanskrit word for Divine- lingam) and has also been interpreted by propagandists of Christian past, as the word Devil, which actually bespeaks of the "Son/Sun of God" as the Solar Phallus, which is much the concept of the Roman, Lucifer. which means bringer of light! A similar moniker applied to the Christ. Much to study here as most of our "knowledge" is propaganda-based misconstructions designed to manipulate our subconscious mind and/or the brain creating a false ego run by "the few who wish to rule the many"!

The difference between a comedy and a tragedy is that in a comedy, the characters figure out reality in time to do something about it.

--Bennett W. Goodspeed

In the Tarot, of Sacred Kingdoms-Key 15- The Devil is shown as a goat headed form of light being confronted by a man standing on a cubed altar like stone. Here is one who is feeling trapped by his own desires and/or addictions and must now confront them. We are all the great and the awful and must not deny that. We aren't inherently evil or good. We are a combination of greatness and awfulness: of angel and devil if you will. We are a "gray area" in the Universe.

Hence, the second Sephirotic Being on the Qabalistic and/or Western Magic Tree of Life is Chokmah, the Will to Force, whose color is gray and is called Wisdom. This is because, error and correction, pain and pleasure, life and death, are neither good nor bad. Error corrected becomes Wisdom, pain corrected becomes pleasure, Life transforms and expands by dying as the old must be deconstructed to be reconstructed. There is no evil here, only learning by doing and/or knowledge experienced which is again an intralegal part of Wisdom. We are the Spirit that operates a physical experience in our name of I AM as a way to experience Identity. Without the body, we would never prove a theory, or intimately experience our self-concepts. The body is a great wealth to the knowledge of Self.

In the context of psychology and metaphysics, both the personality and the ego are significant concepts, but they refer to different aspects of an individual.

1. Personality:

   • In psychology, personality encompasses a set of enduring traits, patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make each person unique. It's the way an individual consistently interacts with the world.
   • Personality is shaped by a combination of genetic factors, experiences, and environmental influences. Psychologists often use various theories, such as the Big Five personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), to understand and categorize personality characteristics.

2. Ego:

   • In psychology, particularly in psychoanalytic theory developed by Sigmund Freud, the ego is one of the three parts of the mind, alongside the id and superego. The ego is responsible for mediating between the instinctual, impulsive desires of the id and the moral and social constraints of the superego.
   • The ego operates based on the reality principle, seeking to satisfy the id's desires in a way that is realistic and socially acceptable. It helps individuals navigate the external world and make decisions that balance their internal needs with external demands.

In summary, while personality refers to the overall pattern of characteristics that define an individual, the ego is a specific part of the mind responsible for managing conflicts between internal drives and external demands. The ego is a component of the broader personality structure. Understanding both concepts can provide insights into human behavior and thought processes. The subconscious has two aspects, ego and personality. Both are profaned by indoctrination and dogma. These two partners in cooperation of the body, have been divided by dogma, propaganda, and indoctrination producing a false battle between personality and the ego who are fighting each other for control of the brain.

The black background of the RWS-Key 15-The Devil represents the darkness of ignorance. The inverted pentagram on the brow of the RWS Devil symbolizes mental inversion and/or "upside down thinking". It is also the sign of man in reverse position and thereby, representing falsehood and delusion. This is because the Devil represents the "Dark Son"/The Trickster/the mimic deceiver and/or "false ego". Whereas, the half-cube pedestal, this laughable R.W.S. figure sits on, represents an imperfect understanding of the physical World, that is represented as a cube.

The Devil featured on both cards are personifications of the self-conscious and subconscious aspects of the divided Mind. Traditional Horns and hoofs indicate that delusion "bestializes" human consciousness. The chain which holds them to the block of delusion, represents Bondage, which is a mental result of indoctrination and dogma, and the mind virus which is also attributed to Key 15. The Devil and Lucifer somehow became the same being in the ignorance of the church dogma. Lucifer is Latin for "bringer of Light" and was often the name for the Planet Venus.

In history, the Knights Templar were accused of worshiping the Devil in the form of Baphomet. Again, a divide and conquer ploy used by the Roman Catholic Church to destroy a rival concept of Spirit.

The Baphomet, often associated with the Knights Templar, is a symbol that has evolved over centuries and carries a rich tapestry of symbology and metaphor.

Historical Context:

The term "Baphomet" came into prominence during the trials of the Knights Templar in the early 14th century. Under torture, some Templars confessed to worshipping a deity named Baphomet. The confessions were likely coerced, and the descriptions of Baphomet varied greatly, suggesting that it might have been a fabricated charge.

The Symbolic elements of Baphomet are:

1. The Goat:

• Head of a Goat: The goat's head, especially with its horns, has been historically associated with fertility gods, like the Greek Pan. In medieval Christian symbolism, goats were often linked to the devil and sin.
• Goat of Mendes: This concept combines aspects of the goat with ideas of duality and balance, stemming from ancient Egyptian mythology and later interpretations.

2. Duality:

• Androgyny: Baphomet often appears as an androgynous figure, embodying both masculine and feminine characteristics. This represents the unity and balance of opposites.
• "Solve et Coagula": The Latin terms for "dissolve and coagulate" on Baphomet's arms signify the alchemical process of breaking down substances and recombining them into a new form, symbolizing transformation and the pursuit of enlightenment.

3. Pentagram:

• Inverted Pentagram: The inverted pentagram on Baphomet's forehead has been interpreted as a symbol of the material world and earthly desires. In some contexts, it's associated with the subversion of divine order and the embrace of the physical realm over the spiritual.

4. Torch Between the Horns:

• Illumination: The torch symbolizes enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge. Positioned between the horns, it signifies the merging of animal instincts and higher consciousness.

Metaphorical Interpretations

1. Gnosis and Esoteric Wisdom:

• Baphomet can be seen as a symbol of the quest for hidden knowledge and the integration of diverse aspects of existence. This aligns with the Templar's rumored secret teachings and their role as custodians of esoteric wisdom.

2. Balance and Harmony:

• The dual nature of Baphomet (male and female, light and dark, human and animal) embodies the concept of achieving balance and harmony within oneself and the universe. It challenges the dichotomous thinking of good vs. evil, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of morality and existence.

3. Transformation and Transcendence:

• The alchemical motto "solve et coagula" encapsulates the transformative journey of the individual. Baphomet represents the potential for personal and spiritual transformation through the reconciliation of opposites.

Modern Interpretations

In contemporary occultism and popular culture, Baphomet has taken on various meanings. For some, it remains a potent symbol of rebellion against orthodox religious structures and the embrace of individual freedom and enlightenment. For others, it serves as an icon of occult wisdom and the mystical path to self-knowledge.

Conclusion:

The Baphomet associated with the Knights Templar is a complex symbol blending historical accusations, esoteric traditions, and modern interpretations. It embodies duality, transformation, and the pursuit of knowledge, serving as a powerful metaphor for the journey toward enlightenment and the integration of opposites within the self. It is us; we are all Baphometic wisdom.

In the more Qabalistic Key 15 cards, the Devil is associated with the Hebrew Letter Ain. The Path of Ayin, means Eye, a sigil for the All Seeing "I" of the One Mind and if we believe in only what our physical eyes show us, we lose our inner "I" sight, shown as the third eye, that is usually on the forehead of the Tarot-key 15 Goat (scapegoat) and as the point of the inverted pentagram on the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. Inverted pentagrams represent "upside down" thinking and/or reversal of true knowledge. and in this case, reversal of false knowledge. The enchained figures on the Rider-Waite-Smith card are shown horned indicating their servitude; However unwittingly, to this comical Bogeyman the woman figure sports a "fruitful" tail, implying she is sexual-Fecund (Will to Form) and the male figure's tail is aflame, implying sexual- expressive force (Will to Force).

The misconception of reality is symbolized in two ways on the DEVIL card. First, the smirking mouth, and second, the Goat-Head represents the humorous figure of the childhood nemesis the "Bogeyman"; this "Bogeyman" is more of a demonic character on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. The Rider-Waite-Smith and many traditional tarot cards emphasizes the knowledge that our belief in the illusion of matter (Matter is only .4% visible as our bodies are 99.6% space) is laughable while implying that laughter is a humorous approach to our lives and is a tool which will help our consciousness to transcend the illusion of "fearing it to believe it" even though our self-image is a story we tell ourselves.

Mirth is the first great corrective and helps us not to take our perceptions of the material world seriously, which only means "fearfully". Therefore, the Devil Card cautions us not to believe everything we think or "feel". It pays to note that the Survival Mind of the animal (subconscious), is profaned by the Devilish tempter that is the medial controlled false ego which tricks us into believing we are as Moons who are at the mercy of Forces rather than the Magus (The Sun/Son) who manipulates them. This doesn't mean the subconscious is evil, it just means it is the creator of survival thoughts and instincts that once profaned by indoctrination and dogma often bedevil us throughout the delusions of material life and the admonishments of culture.

THE DEVIL represents Raw Power (Mars) of consciousness; "Raw" because it is the force that brings about the transmutation of THE TOWER (key 16) and is in the sign of Capricorn (also shown as the Goat headed or Goat like image on the Waite Tarot), which is where Mars is exalted-in the Survival Mind. Capricorn is a weighty, even blind sign of Earth and symbolizes the highest and lowest states of individual personality. Yet it is considered a sign of initiation, or release from matter formed limitations, thereby showing us the positive side of the mind rather than the virus that torments us.

These material limitations of time are suggested by the astrological rulership of Capricorn by Saturn, the Planet of Binah, The Great Mother that governs the limitations of form, including Time-Space, as does the Greek- Saturn. These limitations are of both the enclosure of matter or of time, the artificial system by which we meter and enclose all activities. Thus, THE DEVIL also represents the average person's misconception of "reality"; a perceptive belief that the material eyesight and/or-sensual condition of measurement is "Real". The Qabalist knows the physical-material world as the "1%" world, and realizes that the other invisible "99%" (often called "the other side of the Mirror") is the unseen Real Self that is behind all creation:

All is Mind! 

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- key 15 (ATU-15) is named the Devil-key 15. The Goat headed image represents the old Goat headed God and the Sign Capricorn as well, which is only appropriate since this is the sign attributed to this card. Capricorn is a sign attributed to the element earth and therefore, a horned being is often shown.

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This misconception of reality as observed by indoctrination and dogma, which is symbolized on the Devil card by the upside-down pentagram on the entities head. The upside-down pentagram indicates delusion as our ideas of spirituality and reality are upside down as it is positioned over the "Third Eye" of Inner Sight. Aleister Crowley stated the upside-down pentagram represented the Bodies rulership over Spirit, which is indeed a delusion, as a mortal being has no real power to rule the immortal Spirit, who is the Power of Life and Death of the material All. One must be fooled by their pleasure/pain-controlled senses (the objective of dogma) into believing the body is powerful and separate from spirit and thereby be able to supersede spirit programing our brain to seek "a false spirit" (religion) whose definition is controlled by the Patriarchy. Hence, the devil often is shown as the "trickster" who falsely rules the physical form. Belief is easy, it requires no action. However, knowing is only acquired by doing/experience and is often found only beyond comfort zones. Fearing pain and/or discomfort keeps us from acquiring knowledge.

Due to fundamental religions, what has been called "evil" ("live" spelled backwards) has found little value in self-awareness and is relegated to the Dark Emotions of survival thinking. However, what is called "evil" is essential to the process of the individual-knowledge of Self. Knowledge is neither good nor bad. "Evil" being a word for "error" and which is often ignored is that 50% of all Wisdom is at first "Error" and the other 50% of Wisdom is correction of that error. Hence, the observation of the "false ego"/mind virus aids us in obtaining wisdom!

Everything is a failure until it isn't. There can be no light without darkness, no form without shadow; there can be no Perfected Self, without Imperfect Self: no Christ without Antichrist; there can be no resolution of dualities of consciousness without encountering the black waters of discord. However, our true power lies in our shadow self, for it is the place of all dreams, illusions, and fantasies, all which contribute to Willful creation! For therein lies our Imagination-The Creatrix of all Forms! This Creatrix called imagination, is the womb of all ideas, and therefore, the "Few who wish to rule the many", had to divide us against seeking knowledge, which became evil and the downfall of man in the false genesis story of "eating of the fruit of knowledge" that was the propagandized downfall of man. caused by woman being responsible for the heinous act of curiosity. Knowledge is why you have become a Spirit who operates a body in the name of God(dess)...the name of "I AM".

Assigning Capricorn to this card, the sign of cardinal earth, is apropos for this card since the devil represents enslavement of consciousness by the illusions of matter. Hence, the bound figures shown on the Devil card. Simply, one must be immersed in the material condition to this extreme before release is possible. Without the sensual intimacy, that the body human gives us Psyches of Spirit, we could not experience data as information, this becomes in-form-action, as we emote this data as "emotional thoughts", and thus enacted through the sensual body, information, becomes knowledge. Knowledge experienced becomes learned Wisdom. A Spirit with a body of matter, soon learns what is dysfunctional and functional thought, by the body's reaction to each thought. Hence, a lesson here is obviously, "don't believe everything you think" for there be boogeyman there! We came to expand and liberate life as "knowledgeable creators" and not the self-destructive Moron of indoctrinated fame!

There are so many examples of this boogeyman theme throughout history; The Christ in the desert being tempted by the Devil and descending into the depths of hell, which is a well-known Christian allegory, and the Alchemical principle as the blackness of putrefaction from which gold emerges. The boogeyman in the closet of the story tellers or Hollywood fame is a more modern popular theme. Simply put, those who wish to rule found out that when you control the survival mind's-fears and concerns you control the people.

This just proves that historically cultures have symbolized the same important psychological (and archetypal) process. Any way you look at it, the Devil, is a key archetype of the collective unconscious and/or "group soul" of the race. It is unquestionably irrational, anxiety-creating, and stress filled.

However, it is found to be less stressful to deal with the figure of Archetypal Shadow, which embodies the most negative and inferior qualities of our own egocentric personalities, simply by observation of its existence in our subconsciousness. Awake Conscious observation of the "shadow self", releases it of any false power it was formerly assumed to have by making the subconscious more conscious. We find that emotional focus is "power", and what we focus with the most passion, becomes our life motion.

When the Devil Key 15 card is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• Strong instinct and suggestive power.
• Lust for power. 
• Black magic (fear-based magic).
• Ritualized sexuality.
• Ego transformation through group rituals.
• The encounter with the shadow.
• The Subconscious is considered the Shadow of the Unconsciousness.
• The sum of unlived possibilities.
• Perception of the truth.
• Complete self.
• Lucifer as the bringer of Light.
• Determining what is the cause and what is the symptom.

If reversed (shadow):

• Fateful entanglements.
• Self-destructive tendencies and/or drives.
• Hell within.
• Dark power.
• Collective hysteria.
• Getting caught up in fear and worry.
• Addictions.

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