In the context of enlightenment, all experiences are good, since both good and bad experiences evolve consciousness. In fact, we learn more from adversity than from fortune. Every adversity is a blessing in disguise, which is why the figure in the Adversity card winks at the observer.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. So does adversity. Hence, the Adversity card signifies our adverse emotional reaction to ordeals represented by the Trial & Temptation card.
The body of the blesser in disguise is a combination of a human torso with a male and a female breast, bat wings, a goat’s head, and eagle legs. This symbolism hints at the sense of separation and the failure to see the wood for the trees. 15, the number associated with this card signifies this, too. The essence of 15 is 6 (1+5=6). Six is the number of the Relationship/Lovers card, which stands for the faculty of differentiation and disposition. If we misuse or fail to use differentiation, we get the sense of adversity.
The sense of adversity is like a puzzle incorrectly forced together. Think of the Adversity card as a caricature of the Relationship/Lovers card.
Remember, the Relationship/Lovers card is the patron of science? Science dissolves the veil of adversity. Storms are not the punishments of a deity, they result from an unbalanced atmosphere. Enemies are not evil people. Instead, wars are the consequence of politicians’ inability or refusal to negotiate conflicts of interest. The opposite of science is superstition, blamestorming, and scapegoating, which an inauspicious Adversity card may indicate.
The silly creature in the picture crouches on a half cube, which symbolizes half-truths. Intelligence differentiates and perceives, but may assemble its perceptions into illusive representations of reality. Mind that half-truths are much more dangerous than outright lies. Politics is muddied with half-truths.
Usually, adversity takes the form of a loss, the threat of a loss, or resistance. This card represents the reason the querent has come to the Tarot reading.
The Kübler-Ross model specifies the states of mind we go through every time we experience adversity. These phases are: shock → denial → anger → bargaining → depression → acceptance → integration. The adversity card stands for the first four stages (shock to bargaining). You may want to explain this to your querent and find out which Kübler-Ross phase she is working through at the moment.
The respective power of consciousness is judiciousness. Judiciousness is the ability to penetrate the hypnotizing appearance of adversity and judge the meaning of an experience. This leads to a renewal of the mind. Renewal is the epithet ageless wisdom assigned to this card.
The man and woman in the picture represent desires and thinking. They are chained to half-truths. Accordingly, an inauspicious Adversity card may signify bias, ideology, prejudice, favoritism, intolerance, entrapment in common sense, taking things at face value, and lazy perception.
The chains also signify consumerism and materialistic inclinations. The seeming reliability of the (ever-changing) external world is one of the most stubborn verisimilitudes. The truth is that only the higher self is 100% reliable. Take note that the chains are loose, and the man and woman could lift them at any time. They are bound by illusion only.
An important attribution of the Adversity card is humor. This doesn’t mean that adversity is funny — well, sometimes it is ;-). It means that it’s important to face challenges with a healthy sense of humor. Remember, adversity is a holographic projection of a weakness or inner demon? If we face adversity with humor instead of anger, we distance ourselves emotionally from adversity. This distance makes all the difference because it allows us to have a good look at ourselves.
Life in close up is a tragedy and in long shot a comedy. – Charlie Chaplin
On a side note, this card stands for what we are here for. The soul world is a paradise, and we incarnate to experience adversity. Incarnation is an ad(versity)venture. Adversity fascinates souls. Adversity tempers souls. Adversity evolves souls.
The original title of this card is Devil. This is a blind with deep psychological significance. The word devil comes from the Greek diabolos, which means slanderer (the sense of separation) or accuser (blamestorming). Similarly, the Hebrew Satan, which means adversary, he-who-opposes (resistance), and accuser (blamestorming).
An auspicious Adversity card may indicate that judiciousness, i.e., the rational analysis of the meaning of experiences, will allow the querent to overcome her challenge.
When adversity overwhelms people, their thinking may turn dark. Hell is a state of mind. An inauspicious Adversity card may hint at negative thinking, pessimism, cynicism, defeatism, victim mentality, fatalism, blamestorming, doomsdayism, and/or angst.
Last but not least, an inauspicious Adversity card may indicate superstition, that the querent is fighting windmills, or that she’s wrestling with effects rather than dealing with the causes of challenges.
On the Tree of Life, the path of the Adversity card connects the 6’s and 8’s spheres, Self-consciousness and Intelligence. The yellow halo represents the higher self. This signifies the rational analysis of the (hidden) causes of adversity and resistance and a renewal of thinking. This, in turn, renews our self-understanding and upgrades our sense of responsibility.
The titles and the five core meanings of the Adversity card are:
Enlightenment Tarot title: Adversity
Traditional title: Devil
Power of consciousness: Judiciousness
Constructive use: Impartiality
Unconstructive use: Partiality, blamestorming
Auspicious state of mind: Renewal
Inauspicious state of mind: Trauma
On the spiritual-intentional level, the Adversity card stands for spiritual adversity, which we encounter on the path of enlightenment.
On the creative-feely level, the Adversity card stands for creative adversity, like a creative block or procrastination.
On the intellectual level, the Adversity card stands for our day-to-day adversity, like problems, challenges, and conflicts at work or at home.
On the bodily-practical level, the Adversity card represents bodily reactions to adversity, i.e., emotions like anger, anxiety, and traumas, symbolized by the reversed and wasteful-burning torch. An inauspicious Adversity card may also indicate, in particular in children, sensitivity to the following afflictions: arthritis of the knees, eczema, erysipelas, and rheumatism (see body zone below).
More Attributions:
Number: 15
Letter: Oyin, meaning eye. This signifies appearances — looking instead of seeing.
Astrology: Capricorn
Color: Blue-violet
Body zone: knees and skin