Devil's Machinations
13 cardsCategory: General Predictive Spreads
A spread about hidden obstacles, temptations, and traps on your path.
Overview
This spread is universal — it can be used to look at both male and female infidelity. If the spread does not confirm the fact of infidelity, it will still be useful, pointing to problems and ways to solve them. The spread layout is built on the image of the Major Arcana Devil from the classic Rider-Waite Tarot deck — for easy memorization of positions and their meanings. Use a full deck — the deck can be classic or any other erotic deck. Spread author — Victoria Voigt.
Spread Diagram
Card Positions
Devil's Head
Circumstances of infidelity or what raised suspicions of cheating. The situation, event, or behavior that caused alarm and served as the reason for the spread.
Devil's Insatiable Belly
Was there actually infidelity (was the Devil fed). The key card answering the main question — was there physical infidelity or are these just suspicions.
The Chain
General characteristics of the relationship in the couple, what still holds this couple together. The bond, commitments, feelings, or circumstances that prevent the couple from breaking apart.
Woman's Head — intentions
The woman's intentions. Whether she intends to preserve the relationship with her partner or wants to break up, whether she is ready to forgive infidelity if it happened. If there was no infidelity but relationship problems exist, whether she is ready to overcome them.
Man's Head — intentions
The man's intentions. Whether he intends to preserve the relationship with his partner or wants to break up. If there was no infidelity but relationship problems exist, whether he is ready to overcome them.
Woman's Tail — mistakes
Mistakes she makes in the relationship with her partner that led to problems or infidelity. Behavioral patterns, words, or actions that destroy the bond.
Man's Tail — mistakes
Mistakes he makes in the relationship with his partner that led to problems or infidelity. His contribution to the destruction of the relationship.
In the Woman's Heart
The woman's feelings toward her partner. True emotions she experiences — love, resentment, indifference, attachment, or desire for freedom.
In the Man's Heart
The man's feelings toward his partner. True emotions he experiences — what he actually feels, even if he does not show it.
Woman's Feet — advice
Where she should move, how to act. Advice for the woman — specific actions or change of attitude that will help resolve the situation.
Man's Feet — advice
Where he should move, how to act. Advice for the man — specific actions or change of attitude that will help resolve the situation.
Outcome
Whether the couple can be saved or they will have to part. In this position, up to 3 cards can be laid out for a more detailed answer. The final assessment of the relationship's prospects.
Devil's Right Hand
Additional card — laid out only if the spread confirmed the presence of a lover. If the spread denies the fact of infidelity, this card is not laid out. Shows what actions the lover will take, what influence they may have on the couple's relationship and on the outcome of card 12.
How to Read
Shuffle the full deck while focusing on the question of infidelity or problems in the couple. Draw 12 cards (or 13 if a third party is suspected) and lay them out following the Devil arcanum image: card 1 (head) at the top, card 2 (belly) below it, card 3 (chain) in the center with cards 4 (woman) on the left and 5 (man) on the right. Below: cards 6 and 8 (woman's tail and heart) on the left, cards 9 and 7 (man's heart and tail) on the right. At the bottom: card 10 (woman's feet) on the left, card 11 (man's feet) on the right, card 12 (outcome) in the center. Start with card 2 — it answers the main question: was there infidelity. Then examine card 1 (circumstances). Next, analyze each partner separately: intentions (4/5), mistakes (6/7), feelings (8/9), advice (10/11). Finish with the outcome (12).
Tips & Advice
Card 2 (Devil's belly) is the most important in the spread. If it denies infidelity, card 13 is not laid out, and the spread is read as a diagnosis of problems in the couple. Pay attention to symmetry: compare cards 4 and 5 (partners' intentions) — if they align, the couple has a chance. Compare 6 and 7 (mistakes) — often partners' mistakes mirror each other. Cards 8 and 9 (feelings) may strongly contradict cards 4 and 5 (intentions) — this is normal, as the heart and head don't always agree. In position 12 (outcome), up to 3 cards can be laid out for a more complete picture. Court cards in position 5 may point to a specific person — a third party in the relationship.
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