15 Entrapment (Devil)
Caught in the web,
No matter, if the cause is without
The answer to freedom lies within
Free yourself of negativity
Find your strength and claim your power
Entrapment is the Devil in traditional decks. It represents the web that traps one in stagnation and negativity. There is an illusion of powerlessness. The individuals feel incapable of changing their circumstances and unable to make choices to disengage from the situation. This card represents those things that generate fear and hold us in bondage. The feeling may become so strong that it evokes a sense of despair that nothing will ever change. Entrapment may be the result of a pattern of making poor relationship choices, addiction, co-dependency or being cowed by another.
In Tarot of Empowerment a man and woman appear to be trapped by a spider web. However, there is an escape that they can find if they stop blaming others or giving their power away. Each person has the choice to stay entrapped or to leave the web.
Upright: When this card comes up in a reading, you are being reminded that the stagnation and lack of power you feel is only an illusion. The Entrapment card reminds you to explore what resources are available to empower you to escape your web. Review the choices you have made, and take responsibility for those choices. Just by asking the question about what has entrapped you, and looking for solutions, you change the energy of the web. When this card comes up in a reading, draw another card to learn how to make your escape from the web.
Empowerment: You are empowered by acknowledging that you will find a way out of the web and by committing to take responsibility to free yourself from the illusion.
Reversed: When this card is reversed, it suggests your own self-talk is trapping you in a mindset or situation that is not healthy. As a block, Entrapment suggests you have given away your power out of hesitation to take action.
Numerology: Entrapment is assigned the number 15, which reduces to 6. The number 6 is about responsibility and harmony. Choice is the other 6 in the deck.