Bard of the Card: Lucky Devil

Two of my favorite decks are the Oracle of Mystical Moments and the Tarot of Mystical Moments, both by Catrin Welz-Stein. I believe I pulled "The Devil" first and then "Oh Sunny Day." Initially, I was a bit stumped by this pairing because the "The Devil" isn't a "sunny" card.

"Oh Sunny Day" is meant to represent luck and the booklet notes the images of the ladybugs. It also represents new beginnings and optimism. "The Devil" represents temptation and getting trapped much like the function of a spider web.

Both cards feature a dark-haired woman. I began to wonder if they could be the same woman. One with her back turned looking serene and protected by her umbrella. But what if once you got close she turned and revealed herself to be the spider woman. The story of Coraline immediately came to mind. Sometimes what we think of as good luck can quickly turn into a nightmare. We have to be very careful what we wish for.

The idiom "Lucky Devil" also came to mind. This perspective became a little bit lighter. I love using idioms in my songwriting because I just enjoy "reading between the lines." "Lucky Devil" is an idiom used to congratulate someone else on their luck, however there is a hint of envy or jealousy. You may find yourself as the lucky devil or realize you are trapped in the envy of the good fortune of others.

Now my mind returns to the meaning reflected in The Devil Card traditionally. The Devil represents the limiting behaviors that we impose on ourselves. So considering this card pairing, it could emphasize that we check our envy of others or we need to stop relying on luck to change our lives.

Both of the cards also feature red mushrooms, which are toxic. The lady in "Oh Sunny Day" doesn't seem like she will rest on her mushroom or luck forever. Seems like she is taking a moment of happiness and calm before she moves onto the next item on her agenda. In "The Devil" card the lady has become the mushroom...trapped in the toxicity. Though she has spider legs, she could scamper off in hopes of transforming into something else.

Either way, both of these cards remind us to take action. What can we do to change for the better? To create a new, beneficial pattern? We always have the chance to start anew with a fresh outlook.

What message to you find in these cards?