Description

The phrase “Devil’s Advocate” translates as one who goes against the consensus, or one who takes an opposing position against the majority. When we view this definition through an archetypal lens, we recognize that there does indeed exist a part of ourselves who simply cannot follow the status quo, who simply cannot submit to popular opinion, because it is not aligned with our individual truth…

As an archetype, it distinguishes our individual selves from the All. It embodies the most basic principle of duality, which can be understood as a force that creates great struggle through separation from the whole, yes, but also reveals true genius through this same separation from the hive mind.

The Devil’s Advocate is the force within that lures one to go on an alchemical journey in the first place, knowing that it is not easy. It is not easy in the sense that all transformation requires a certain degree of destruction, just as the caterpillar must dissolve (solve) back into the prima materia, before recombining (coagula) into the stellar butterfly it was destined to become.

Symbolic breakdown:

Two goat heads oppose one another, both with a human sentience, representing the Devilish, controversial, non-dual figure of Baphomet. The torch ascending from the crown blazes with the light of consciousness, a symbol of cosmic illumination. The red third eye wide is open, ready to see all of our shadows in the dark. Baphomet traditionally represents the union of opposites, often depicted as a nonbinary figure, with the head of a goat, the body of a man with female breasts, with one hand pointing up, and the other pointing down. This figure signifies a melding of the dual forces of nature. Closely tied to Capricorn’s mountain goat who is the master of the elements, and the archetype of the Devil, Baphomet is closely tied to the connection between illusions and fears.

The role of Baphomet, is to create fear within us so that we may overcome it. When we overcome our fear, we unlock the Devil archetype that already lives within all of us, who is not bound to the binary’s of black and white, good or bad, light or dark. This archetype is guided by a different perspective, one that sees the larger objective picture represented by the opened 3rd eye and the torch ascending from the crown, igniting the light of cosmic consciousness.

Red Poppy flowers spring from the soil of the deep earth, and with them the potential to be used medicinally for pain relief, and just as likely to be abused for this quality. They represent the edge between life and death, and using poison as medicine and medicine as poison.

The overlaying pentagrams at the center, both right side up and inverted, ask us to consider outside perspectives, to see all sides of a situation, before coming to a conclusion. What is believed by the majority? What might this perspective be missing?

The crescent moons oppose each other in color and stance beside the Baphomet figures, as a symbol of the light and shadow, the left and right hemispheres of the brain, the conscious and unconscious in equal balance, but tilted up towards the illuminating fire of the cosmos.

A pine cone at the top of the staff represents worshiping of the earth element, but specifically the pure potential held in the protective casing of fear.

The 2 serpents opposing in color and direction spiraling around the pine cone caduceus symbolize the reconciliation of the opposing forces throughout this piece.