Alternate names: The Magus, The Alchemist, Moses; Merlin, Existence, the Transformer, Shape Shifter, the Juggler, Le Bateleur (Bearer of the Baton), El Mago (Dali)
BASIC DESCRIPTION: The Magician has all the tools of the trade.
Double-ended candle raised in right hand; left hand pointing to the
earth. The six cardinal points are covered. Roses and lilies. He has
mastered even the dimension of time. He is the ancient architect?
I see the Magician as Moses. He was raised in Pharaoh's house, and
probably got one of the best educations in magick of anyone.
According to the story, it was YHVH's power backing him up. (Isn't it
always?) He's raising his rod in his right hand and bringing the
Creator's power to bear on the earth through the combined will of
them both. As I recall, and I haven't looked it up, Moses was always
stretching out his hand and raising his rod when he performed
miracles. (Wait...Ok, I looked it up. Skimming through Genesis I
found 10 references to this.)
I see in the Magician one of the definitions of magick: "Magick is
the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with
Will." He's got all the directions covered, with the four tools on
the table representing North, South, East, West (among other things),
his hands indicating above and below (and all that entails) and
the...what's it called...the infinity symbol--he's mastered even the
dimension of time. This card also brings to mind MANY stories of
angels/gods/heroes who brought to earth many of the secrets of
heaven, including metal working, writing, etc. He is a teacher, but
also a student, for there's no end to knowledge. COLORS: Yellow. "...clothed in the robes of
Thoth: a red mantle over white robe with an indigo nemyss. Upon her
breast is the magic seal of Mercury..." description of
Thoth-evocation ritual in "Women of the Golden Dawn," Mary K. Greer,
p.171
FIRST THING THAT STRUCK ME: "power tools"
NUMBER OF CARD: 1--I, the self-consciousness; singleness of
purpose
TIME: spring (equinox to Beltane/May Day), i.e. April
TRADITIONAL MEANINGS UPRIGHT: Skill, diplomacy, address, subtlety; self-confidence,
will; the Querant, if male.
Originality, creativity, ability to utilize one's capabilities in
order to accomplish a task. Imagination, self-reliance, spontaneity,
ingenuity, flexibility, masterfulness, self-control, deception,
slight of hand.
ALSO: power to tap universal forces and use them for creative
purposes. Primal forces of creativity are yours if you claim your
power and act with awareness and concentration. A signal to act, and
act now, provided you understand exactly what you want and are
committed to getting it. Magickal and occult powers. Communication.
Using skills of writing, speaking, persuasion. You are well blessed
and your fervent attitude will bring about what you need. You are
going in the right direction.
TRADITIONAL MEANINGS REVERSED: Physician, Magus, mental disease, disgrace, disquiet.
Weakness of will, indecision,
ineptness, insecurity, delay, the use of one's skills for destructive
ends.
ALSO: Remember, thoughts are real. Abuse of power.
Manipulation for selfish desires. Lack of willpower, cannot seem to
cope with obstacles. Not applying yourself in the right way. Cannot
achieve anything unless you change your attitude.
BIBLICAL: Moses, Jesus, the
Word-instruments of YHVH's will and able to perform miracles
(causing Change to occur in conformity with Will)
MYTHOLOGICAL: Mercury (Roman), Hermes
(Greek), and Thoth (Egyptian)--messengers of the Gods therefore
having wisdom; also the *Atlantean* (she generalized, instead of
trying to list them) in many legends who came out of the waters after
the flood to rebuild the earth.
ASTROLOGICAL: (1) Mars, the "energizer."
(2) Sun--illumination, self, ego; (GD) Mercury--messenger of the gods
ANIMAL/INSECT: ibis, dragon; dragonfly
PLANT: papyrus; roses and lilies!
CRYSTALS: Opal, Lodestone, pipe stone, tiger eye
BOOK: Black Elk's Vision in "Black Elk Speaks" where he is given
similar tools.
MUSIC Wagner.
OCCUPATIONS: electrician, salesman, gambler; chef, auto mechanic,
surgeon, trial attorney
PERSONAL THOUGHTS: The tools of spirit, body, heart and mind can be created/used to serve my true and free will, to "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. Love thy neighbor as thyself." One Love All Love. At-one-ment.
QUOTES FROM OTHER SOURCES: With the Wand createth He. With the Cup preserveth He. with the Dagger destroyeth He. With the Coin redeemeth He. "The Book of Thoth"
Robert Wang, in his book, The Qabalistic Tarot, writes;"...the energies of this card [Magician] are at once active and passive. The mystery of the Magician is that it is both that which transmits and that which is transmitted." (Pg. 241).
OTHER: East, wands, fire, brother; lightning, electricity
"co-creation"--"Where the attention goes, energy flows."
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This page is excerpted from my original contributions to an online
Tarot course discussion of this card graciously sponsored by
Pandora's Bookstore.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/major/Magus/01IMHO.html
