Good Morning and Good Monday!

I don't normally touch on the traditional meaning of each card, but today, because our card is one that is often very misunderstood, I've included a bit about the traditional meaning at the end. <3

Because this week our card is......

The Devil

This card asks us to look at where we are holding ourselves back - or being held back by others. The chains in the picture might be actual physical restrictions, but more often they represent expectations, patterns, thoughts and beliefs that have been running our lives, and that are not in our own best interest.

Did you notice the horns on the two human figures in the picture? The Devil card reminds us that we are a little wild and magical too, and seeks to light a fire under us that can motivate us to free ourselves from old and inherited limitations.

This card isn't about being chaotic, though. It's about being curious.

This is a week to question your expectations & limitations, and to play around with breaking the rules.

"Who made this rule?" the card asks. "Do you believe in it? What might happen if you just... ignored it?"

As you move through this week, keep those questions at the front of your mind - especially when it comes to rules that hold you back from moving forward in the direction of your goals & dreams.

Here are some things you can do to align with this guidance:

The Practical:

Let me introduce you to one of my very favorite tools for self-inquiry: The Thought Model

The Thought Model (also called the CTFAR model) is a tool designed by Brooke Castillo of the Life Coach School. It's an incredible tool to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are creating your life circumstances, and why you might not be getting the results you want. You can read the official breakdown here. Or, if you want to hear me describe it, watch this video from Better Balance.

The reason this tool is so powerful is because it helps you to get curious about your own thoughts, and how they are controlling your behavior (what chains you've tied yourself up in, if you will) which is the first step toward breaking them.

Do this model at least once a day with a different thought and see what happens!

BONUS - Going through the Thought Model can be tricky the first few times. If you're still not sure where to start, or would like someone to facilitate it for you, USE THIS LINK to book a free mini session with me!

The Magical:

You can try this ritual to release old beliefs and thought patterns, and bring in new ones. Think of it like an affirmation, but with an extra magical POW! of energy.

On small slips of paper, write down the beliefs and thoughts that are holding you back. On the other side of each paper, write a better-feeling thought that you want to call in. What would you have to believe is true in order to do what you want to do?

Burn each paper in a fireplace, or safely in a fire-proof bowl or container, and ask the fire to transform your old, limiting beliefs into your new, chosen beliefs.

When you're done, if you have ash left in a bowl add some water and pour them into the earth outside.

Let me know if you have questions about this one, and keep reading for a little bit about the traditional meaning of The Devil in tarot!

The Devil Card (traditional meaning):

In this card the devil is shown in his most well-known form, as a satyr with horns. He's also got claws and bat wings, and looks terribly scary. The humans in the painting are chained, and have horns and tails as well - almost as if they are turning into demons themselves, and their expressions look sad.

This card traditionally signals that you are feeling trapped by forces outside your control - it might be addiction to some pleasure or other or just a circumstance you can't seem to find your way out of.

The devil card shows that you are not in control of yourself, for whatever reason. If you'd like to learn more about what this might mean in different facets of your life, Labyrinthos has a great guide!