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Description
NOTE: SHAMELESSLY REPOSTED FROM FURAFFINITY SINCE FA ISN'T EXACTLY BRONYLAND COUNTRY

Name: The Devil
Keywords: Shadow, materialism, bondage, delusion
Depicted Image: Discord
Corresponding Elements of Harmony: Self-control, humility

Archetype: The Shadow, The Other
Hebrew Alphabet: Ayin/Eye/70
Astrological Correspondences: Saturn at dark side
Planet: Moon
Zodiac Symbol: Capricorn
Derived from: Screenshot of "Return of Harmony, Part I"

This is probably the only one I will put out for the time being that is distinctly in this style. I may put up other cards, but this will be the only one inspired by the Thoth Deck.

I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself. Recently, I watched the first two episodes of Season 2, with the Mane 6 defeating Discord. Coincidentally, I had started studying Tarot divination at around the same time, naturally starting out with the Major Arcana.

The correspondences I soon started to find were startling; of all the episodes so far, this set was probably the one set that makes you think, and think HARD.

Here are some things I noted:

First of all, the very first scene takes place in the Canterlot Sculpture Gardens. The individual statues all are supposed to represent various Equestrian virtues, including friendship and victory (the only ones explicitly named, not including Discord). A classic case of fridge logic; only after the correspondences had been made did I return to this idea, as explained below.

Second, when Discord separates and messes up the ponies in the labyrinth one by one, it reveals negative aspects of the elements that no one could have guessed; for instance, in Applejack's case, the truth can be hurtful, so lies are easier to cope with, and in RD's case, oftentimes by being loyal to one cause she betrays another, especially if there's no third option. It later reminded me of how Tarot cards can have opposite meanings when reversed, or at least reveal negative aspects the same way.

But what really was striking was the motif in the stained glass picture shown 6 minutes into the episode. For your benefit it is duplicated here, but notice the positions of the image. The goat-like head of Discord, the puppet strings controlling the three types of ponies, and even the pit of FIRE are all elements portrayed in the Rider-Waite Devil card; all we need now is an inverted pentagram; what the hay, maybe even the star above his body might count.

One description I found pertaining to the Devil card goes like this: it gives a gamut of meanings, but particularly putting excessive emphasis on appearances, always wanting more, valuing possessions more than people or relationships (sound familiar, Tom?), allowing base instincts to govern life, selfishness (Flutterbitch), attributing your own dark impulses to outside forces or other ponies.

As for its correspondence to an Element of Harmony (in an upcoming fanfic I am conceptualizing, it is revealed that there are 22 elements rather than only 6), it is associated with either the Element of Humility or the Element of Self-Discipline. The Devil serves as a warning and a lesson, as does Discord; by placing himself above others and freely exercising his powers without restraint, he suffered nasty consequences as a result (Lucifer fallen from heaven, Discord turned to stone)

So I had my brother make this by taking three separate screenshots, merging them into one picture, erasing some of the border features and finally placing them into the borders of one of the Thoth tarot cards. That deck is one of the latest in my collection and I LOVE IT. It's 20% cooler than the Rider-Waite system and has a whole rainbow of meaning and artwork; it's like a Modern Art gallery in my pocket! The similarities between this and the Thoth card are less prevalent, but I found the style (especially the purplish "gridlike" patterns in the background) as reminiscent of the Thoth deck, hence the borders.

I wonder what the people on EqD will think of this...

Anyway, goodnight!

Original Submission: [link]

Description
NOTE: SHAMELESSLY REPOSTED FROM FURAFFINITY SINCE FA ISN'T EXACTLY BRONYLAND COUNTRY

Name: The Devil
Keywords: Shadow, materialism, bondage, delusion
Depicted Image: Discord
Corresponding Elements of Harmony: Self-control, humility

Archetype: The Shadow, The Other
Hebrew Alphabet: Ayin/Eye/70
Astrological Correspondences: Saturn at dark side
Planet: Moon
Zodiac Symbol: Capricorn
Derived from: Screenshot of "Return of Harmony, Part I"

This is probably the only one I will put out for the time being that is distinctly in this style. I may put up other cards, but this will be the only one inspired by the Thoth Deck.

I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself. Recently, I watched the first two episodes of Season 2, with the Mane 6 defeating Discord. Coincidentally, I had started studying Tarot divination at around the same time, naturally starting out with the Major Arcana.

The correspondences I soon started to find were startling; of all the episodes so far, this set was probably the one set that makes you think, and think HARD.

Here are some things I noted:

First of all, the very first scene takes place in the Canterlot Sculpture Gardens. The individual statues all are supposed to represent various Equestrian virtues, including friendship and victory (the only ones explicitly named, not including Discord). A classic case of fridge logic; only after the correspondences had been made did I return to this idea, as explained below.

Second, when Discord separates and messes up the ponies in the labyrinth one by one, it reveals negative aspects of the elements that no one could have guessed; for instance, in Applejack's case, the truth can be hurtful, so lies are easier to cope with, and in RD's case, oftentimes by being loyal to one cause she betrays another, especially if there's no third option. It later reminded me of how Tarot cards can have opposite meanings when reversed, or at least reveal negative aspects the same way.

But what really was striking was the motif in the stained glass picture shown 6 minutes into the episode. For your benefit it is duplicated here, but notice the positions of the image. The goat-like head of Discord, the puppet strings controlling the three types of ponies, and even the pit of FIRE are all elements portrayed in the Rider-Waite Devil card; all we need now is an inverted pentagram; what the hay, maybe even the star above his body might count.

One description I found pertaining to the Devil card goes like this: it gives a gamut of meanings, but particularly putting excessive emphasis on appearances, always wanting more, valuing possessions more than people or relationships (sound familiar, Tom?), allowing base instincts to govern life, selfishness (Flutterbitch), attributing your own dark impulses to outside forces or other ponies.

As for its correspondence to an Element of Harmony (in an upcoming fanfic I am conceptualizing, it is revealed that there are 22 elements rather than only 6), it is associated with either the Element of Humility or the Element of Self-Discipline. The Devil serves as a warning and a lesson, as does Discord; by placing himself above others and freely exercising his powers without restraint, he suffered nasty consequences as a result (Lucifer fallen from heaven, Discord turned to stone)

So I had my brother make this by taking three separate screenshots, merging them into one picture, erasing some of the border features and finally placing them into the borders of one of the Thoth tarot cards. That deck is one of the latest in my collection and I LOVE IT. It's 20% cooler than the Rider-Waite system and has a whole rainbow of meaning and artwork; it's like a Modern Art gallery in my pocket! The similarities between this and the Thoth card are less prevalent, but I found the style (especially the purplish "gridlike" patterns in the background) as reminiscent of the Thoth deck, hence the borders.

I wonder what the people on EqD will think of this...

Anyway, goodnight!

Original Submission: [link]