Tarot De La Santa Muerte Meanings: El Diablo / The Devil

Card: El Diablo / The Devil
 
Numerical Value: 15

Symbol: Capricorn

Depiction: In the Tarot de la Santa Muerte, "El Diablo" depicts the black cloaked Santa Muerte holding a scythe in one hand and a near-ended hourglass in the other. Beneath her, a bright red goat-man looking devil with horns crouches on the floor controlling a marionette with one hand and using the other hand to poke needles into a voodoo doll. 

A series of nine yellow stars can be seen at the top of the scene, and the background is consumed by fiery clouds red, orange, and dark gray.

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Symbolism: El Diablo represents a period of struggle or bad luck in your life that may be due in part to black magick and ill wishes against you - but the card also represents the potential for salvation from those struggles. The Santa Muerte in this depiction is wearing a black cloak, which represents power over and protection from black magick and spiritual attacks. The hourglass she holds in her right hand is a symbol for the fact that nothing lasts forever, including bad luck and periods of sadness. In her left hand she holds her infamous scythe, with the blade downward, as if she's in mid swing and aimed at the devil.

Whatever it is that you're going through, whether bad luck or black magick, the devil himself is the personification of your struggles, while the marionette and voodoo doll represent you, being poked by pins and controlled by negative outside forces. 

The five pointed star, among other things, is a symbol for protection. Here, a line of stars form an arch over Santa Muerte, to further represent the ability of Santa Muerte to protect her devotees from the devil's mischief. The fact that there are nine stars is also significant, because the number nine itself is a symbol for absoluteness and completeness. So here, the nine stars here represent the Santa Muerte's absolute and complete ability to protect.

Dark clouds are generally symbols of trouble and uncertainty, while the bright burning shades of red and orange are colors that represent heat, intensity, and high emotions. 

In a reading upright, El Diablo represents triumph over black magick, bad luck, and a general reversal of bad fortunes. Whatever trouble you think you're experiencing in your life, no matter how intense it might , know that the Santa Muerte is closing in with her scythe swinging to chase away the devils you're struggling with.

In reverse, El Diablo represents black magick being worked against you, a period of struggle or sadness, and general negativity. Beware of traitors and back stabbers, and take steps to protect yourself physically and spiritually.
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