It seems though that Crowley thinks that this is a part of our nature that we need to embrace and not view as negative. So in that case he has natural feelings of lust and desire? Maybe he does feel the need to control and manipulate, but that's just part of his baser instincts, because we as humans want to have our way, and to us sometimes the end justifies the means. Or am I way off base here?
I agree that it seems part of human nature to 'feel the need to control and manipulate' , but this need not be only part of the baser instincts .... think of science ... even , magick . I am not sure if the devil represents that part of human nature. As 'Pan' (read the Book of Thoth about the Devil so you understand Crowley's intentions with this symbolism) he is entirely different, and the 'fear' of the devil, and the 'fear' of nature are things that beset modern man.
In ways, Atu XV can seem the opposite, its more about nature and natural law. Pan is the God of nature, I dont see him as some part of human nature that is separated off and given a separate existence .... seeing Pan as a part of human nature is far too restrictive.
Lust and desire ? Maybe , noting more natural than that , especially in springtime. But 'Lust' , remember, 'Thelemically' is also a different concept.
" The formula of this card is then the complete appreciation of all existing things. He rejoices in the rugged and the barren no less than in the smooth and the fertile. All things equally exalt him. He represents the finding of ecstasy in every phenomenon, however naturally repugnant; he transcends all limitations; he is Pan; he is All."
That old Christian / RW devil seems pretty entrenched ... still ! Thats okay if it suits you better, but maybe those ideas are best applied to the RW and Christian 'ethics' based decks ?