The Devil

Tarot card: The Devil
Anime: Spirited Away
Character: Yubaba

In the hidden world of spirits stands a little resort town. In the middle of that resort town stands a tall, beautiful building, and at the crown of that beautiful building sits Yubaba, the owner of it all. But do not be fooled; although the resort offers good food and fun, and the building offers amazing spa treatments, there is a price to be paid for all of it. Yubaba is running a business, after all, and nothing comes for free. But Yubaba's way of doing business, while strictly and technically fair, means no good for anyone but herself. If she can cheat you within the rules to get the better end of the deal, she will. Buyer beware!!

Here we see her in her office, offering a contract which will be magically binding to the one who signs it. The signer also seems to be the writer, but Yubaba smiles nonetheless because she knows that no matter what terms are written down, she will be the one getting the better end of the deal. After all, once she has your name, she can (and will) steal your identity.

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Meanings at a glance: Bondage, corruption, deceit, despair, cruelty; a bad deal

Reversed: release, freedom, insight, a Learning Experience

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It's interesting how many bad deals we make, both with other people and with ourselves. Why do we do this? There are probably more answers than there are people, but in the end the situation is the same - we have agreed to create or stay in a sticky situation that keeps us from being our best selves. Fortunately every problem (as the cliche goes) contains its own solution. Sometimes we need to start thinking about things in a very different way in order to find that solution. But even this isn't enough. Many times we already know the solution to our problem, but we just can't seem to change. Maybe we're too afraid of change - afraid of what it will do to us, or to other people. Maybe we're addicted to something that is bad for us. Whatever the situation, we are required to recognize and face the darkness in our own selves that tricks us into making these bad deals. We must show courage and creativity to face and defeat our inner Yubaba.

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Artist's comments:
This is another card I've had planned for a long time. Slowly learning more ways to get Photoshop to make things look the way I want. Faced a devil or two of my own while doing this card - it's amazing how the act of creating a tarot card can draw the energies of that card into your life. Accordingly, call me a coward, but I don't really want to dwell here too long and ask for even more trouble. Hopefully I can get the next card done fairly soon, and (because it is also an Uncomfortable Card) get right on along to the one after that.