“As we have seen, Levi’s image of Baphomet is not a representation of the Christian Devil but a symbol of the astral light, the dual current of occult force behind all magical work. This force may be employed for either good or evil ends, but is neither good nor evil in itself. Perhaps if Mr. Waite had understood this important point, he wouldn’t have demonized the Baphomet image in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.”
Heaven forbid Waite made the card as a blind or preventative measure against the stupidity of the masses.
It’s not like it’s understood by everyone with vaguely masonic traditions that the devil is the reason why we have the capacity for reason in the first place.
No, clearly Waite demonized the image intentionally.