My Favourite Devil

U.S. Games Systems

The adversary. It's the inner devil who is the cause of most of our problems. We are bound by our fears and must question our beliefs. Are you attracted by the temptations of materialism or power or bound by guilt or obligation? Are you being controlled by someone or something else? 

5. El Goliath

This is a real evil looking Devil card. With blood dripping from his jaws, the ram confronts us with his direct stare. It reminds us that no ties are necessary to bind if the power lies within the mind. He almost doesn't need his slithering little snake of a friend to back him up but his presence brings to our attention that evil will always welcome company. 

4. Deviant Moon

A naughty little Red Devil with a forked tail. It seems like this could be a cartoon image of the Devil but Patrick Valenza's art brings him to life in a crazy and scary way. The metallic wings remind us that the Devil is a fallen angel but there is nothing else of his previous heavenly existence left. The hot geysers behind him spit out burning steam. There's no doubt the situation you find yourself in when you're in this guy's company will not be comfortable. 

3. Victorian Romantic

Now this little green Devil looks like he's turned up in the Garden of Eden to encourage Eve to tempt Adam. She's ashamed and hides her face with her hair but makes no real effort to repel his gentle touch on her arm. Because of the beauty of this deck, this Devil presents a respectable face of gentle temptation. Everything around her looks good, so the future consequences of her actions appear minimised. How bad can things really be with all these beautiful trees and flowers surrounding us? A dangerous illusion. 

2. Dark Mansion

This is the closest to the traditional RWS layout with our wicked Devil flanked by her two submissive little skeletons. She tempts us with the wine and shows her power over her prisoners with the unbound chains they could easily escape from. She demonstrates her wide scope of influence with those impressive wings. And that red dress says, "I'm in charge. Surrender to my will." However, her church looks dark and cold and just as unwelcoming as the burning planet in the Deviant Moon.  

1. Lili Black

Here we have a handsome Devil holding someone in a gentle embrace. The Devil is evil, scary, biblical and powerful but he is at his worst when we can't see him. When he blends into the background, when he looks good and makes us feel good. The Lili Black version of this card is even more effective than the Lili White counterpart due to the clear contrast between the pale blue shading of this modern image and the crisp clear background. It reminds us that the Devil can be found anywhere and at anytime. 

Decks

• Universal Waite by US Games Systems 
• Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems 
• Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems 

​5. The El Goliath Tarot Deck, Second Edition by Goliath 
4. Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza, US Games Systems
3. The Victorian Romantic Tarot by Karen Mahoney and Alex Ukolov, Baba Studios
2. The Dark Mansion Tarot by Magdalena Kaczan and Krzysztof Wastuk, Taroteca Studio 
1.  Lili Black Tarot by Celia Melesville