Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Major Arcana: XV Devil


Major Arcana: XV Devil

meaning of the card facing you: bondage, addiction, sexuality, materialism
meaning of the card facing away from you: detachment, breaking free, power reclaimed

It probably seems pretty obvious why I chose Voldemort to represent the Devil card, but I'm going to explain it anyway. I just want to clarify that I don't hink that Voldemort is the Devil or is supposed to represent him (and in this case I mean the Devil as is Lucifer, Satan, etc.). This card, is about the meanings that are above and what i will explain below, and nothing else. There is no religious meaning behind this that I know of.

Voldemort can represent addiction in the way he interacted with and used Horcruxes. It is said that most wizards, should they chose to split their soul in order to be immortal, usually stick with one or two Horcruxes, more then that would be excessive. Voldemort, however, decides to create seven apart from himself. Voldemort is not addicted to Horcruxes, but to power and the idea of unkillable.

Bondage is represented not in Voldemort but in his actions. He basically binds his followers to himself. The loyal ones are marked with a Dark Mark that he can use to summon them. They can never be free of this mark, even if they decide they do not want to follow him anymore. Along with that, Voldemort binds himself to Quirrell in order to grow stronger and get the Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone that would help him be immortal. (Not completely sure if this counts as binding, but) Voldemort also using blood from Harry and his own father's remains to regain his body. This might have deepened the mind connection that Harry and he share.

I don't think, and don't want to think actually, about Voldemort's sexuality. In his school days at Hogwarts, though, he was said to be very charming, charming enough to get the Grey Lady to share her secret with him. Also, from the time he was in school to when he got older and more snakelike, Bellatrix Lestrange basically falls in love with him. It is more an obsession and power-hungry kind of love, but it is there.

Voldemort's power is reclaimed by Harry and the rest of the Light side. His most trusted servant, Severus Snape managed to find his own way to break free from Voldemort's clutches along with Draco Malfoy. They both ended up working (sometimes without meaning to) in a way that helped Harry out.