The Magician

With such a trump card in hand, you can start the game! The time of waiting and inactivity has clearly passed, it's time, it's time! New opportunities arise to solve old problems, achieve set goals, and rapid development of events is expected. The Magician is a very energetically charged and positive card, and it calls for equally energetic and creative action on the part of the querent ("you wanted it — you did it"). The Magician says — you have power. Right at this moment, you are given the ability to control the course of events and manage your environment. Strain your will and mind — and you will be able to subdue the elements in the game, people, resources, driving forces. Don't you want this? Carpe diem! This is a rare opportunity to transform the situation, move to a qualitatively new level of being, surpass yourself, master new spheres of life, reach new heights (material, intellectual, romantic, creative, spiritual — any). The Magician, as the first card of the first septenary, always signifies the beginning of a new period in life, when nothing has been decided yet and no mistakes have been made.

The Magician says that the entire process about which the question is asked is under the direct control of the querent, he is the main actor, and therefore it is up to him to decide in which direction to turn the situation. As a rule, the Magician's card indicates that the present time is a period of relative safety and success, when one can create favourable conditions for oneself and generally take something under control. The card gives the understanding that there are all opportunities to transform and improve one's life. With the Magician, changes usually come from the querent himself, although it happens that life is transformed by some external factor (hinted at by the surrounding cards).

The Magician reports an excellent opportunity to embody the conceived into reality. He predicts success and announces the physically tangible beginning of actions. He can indicate the beginning of an enterprise no worse than the Fool, a sudden insight, enlightenment. If the energy of the Fool is chaotic, then the energy of the Magician is a very purposeful and orderly impulse. What will happen next with this impulse and what it will lead to, the surrounding cards will show.

The main thing that the Magician does is to make changes to bring about the desired results. He can do this as an artist, a commander, or a doctor. Moreover, the Magician asserts himself and transforms the world to his liking, and suggests that the querent do the same. As a rule, a person is well aware of the area of life in which he needs to be active and take the initiative. Perhaps he has long resisted this and does not want to take the bull by the horns. But it is the Magician who says: all the necessary resources are available for implementation — a plan, material prerequisites, time, people, skills, personal qualities, mature karma — call it what you want. Everything is accessible, everything works for you, you can do it. All you have got to do is add initiative and enterprise, and the deal is done! The Magician has one purely esoteric feature — his actions echo far. They always have consequences. Sometimes it looks like real magic — you did a little thing, made a very small change, and the processes went unimaginably and the consequences poured like from the horn of plenty (not necessarily the ones the person expected). Well, that's exactly how magicians worked (and still work), making changes in the magic circle and causing other changes far beyond its limits. So the Magician is a kind of warning that now actions (including at the level of intentions, desires, and imagination) will have increased effectiveness. Life is full of miracles. And not least, one must learn to control one's thoughts, because now it is the consciousness that determines being.

In the Tarot, there are many Arcana that mainly emphasise the power of the unconscious. The Magician emphasises the power of consciousness. The Magician is characterised by originality and creativity, intelligence, resourcefulness, an active life position, an independent spirit, willpower, self-confidence, the ability to control one's actions and influence other people, the determination to see things through. The Magician knows no fear.

He is a fearless daredevil – this is his distinguishing feature. He does not know what it means to tremble, avoid, and postpone, which is why his biography risks becoming a bestseller during his lifetime. Intellect, skills – everything is with him. He is capable of igniting with some idea and inspiring others. And what seems unattainable to ordinary people, the Magician sees as just another "peak" on his path. The Magician is a master of communication. What he knows how to do is communicate. Unlike the rigid and uncompromising Emperor, the Magician is more flexible and cunning (and as a rule, he does not reveal his strategy to anyone completely). He can influence other people not only in an imperative way, and his dominance is not so straightforward, and therefore may be less noticeable, but he can easily try to take power into his own hands. His actions are never random, chaotic, and illogical – he KNOWS what he is doing. But he does not always fully understand what he is doing...

Some authors unequivocally interpret the Magician negatively, as a fraudster who should not be trusted (a similar negative distortion is found in the case of the High Priestess). Apparently, this is the result of some personal observations, and it cannot be considered the only correct one. The Magician is capable of strongly influencing reality, pursuing his goals, that's all we know about him. These goals can be quite honest and noble, and the methods of influence – delicate and ethical. Although, of course, this is not always the case, and sometimes such an ability can corrupt a person.

If the Fool, without realising himself, identifies with the Creator – then the Magician's card suggests a clear vision of himself, and a vision that is extraordinary. This is the first card in the Tarot: any path begins with self-awareness and self-determination. The Magician loses the absolute freedom of will of the Fool, but adds knowledge to the will, making him a master of his craft. He is full of creative masculine power. He can be associated with the Sun and Mercury. Mercury in its high hypostasis is a symbol of Will, Knowledge, and the Word-Logos, creating worlds. In ancient times, Hermes (Mercury) was considered the patron of soothsayers and secret sciences, he served as a messenger of the gods, conveying their will to mortal people, but the same Hermes is a deity of cunning, and the businesslike ancient Greeks turned to him when they undertook some commercial venture, especially not very legal. The winged messenger may report the receipt of some important information – this is another meaning of the card. The mediating, borderline role of Hermes-Magician is noted by Banzhaf and Akron (referring to another author): "In borderline situations and systems that have reached their limits, the archetype of Hermes-Mercury manifests everywhere: he can cast a fog, disorient. His liberating laughter shakes the system. In times of social cataclysms, revolutions, and uprisings, a great many cunning and sly people always appear."

The Magician is not without reason the first card of the deck. At the very beginning of the journey, it indicates that everything created is nothing but a dream, the existence of divinely created elements, and life is a continuous exciting game. The seeming miracles of nature are simply the deeds of a cosmic magician. In fact, the Magician is similar to God. The lemniscate above his head personifies access to higher knowledge and the Hermetic principle "as above, so below". In his raised hand is not a sword, but a wand. Wands are the embodiment of will and thought, controlling the elements (the spirituality of the cup or cross, the pentacle of the earth or the square of the freemason, and the energy of the sword). The image on the Arcana says that the Magician is the master of the four elements of the world and a tributary of the four principles of magic: to know (cups), to dare (swords), to will (wands), and to be silent (pentacles). The Magician embodies the power of consciousness and confidence in his abilities (partly rooted in ignorance), power over the forces that move this world. For him, there has been a touch with previously inaccessible wisdom, and as a result, an increase in realisation power.

Although the card indicates a high potential of consciousness, this does not mean that the potential of other, subconscious forces can be neglected at this time. On the contrary: the readiness for action, for success, which the Magician indicates, is based precisely on the harmony between consciousness and the subconscious. Only thanks to self-confidence, arising from this harmony, can we really move mountains. The Magician's right hand is raised and absorbs the power from above. The right hand is controlled by the rational left hemisphere of the brain. The wand in the Magician's right hand attracts creative energy from the heavens, consciously focusing it (in this sense, it is a "magic wand"). Although it can be assumed that the Magician's inspiration, creative vision occurs outside of logic. And through the left hand, directed at objects, controlled by the irrational right hemisphere, his influence descends on manifestations in the world. The cards also often advise drawing with the left hand so that the process is carried out not so much logically as intuitively. The Magician's body in this case represents an energy channel for the embodiment of ideas, a kind of tool. Through him, what wants to be created rushes into the world. This magical gesture, which allows consciousness to project itself into the world, symbolises the principle: "as above, so below".

The Magician is a young free demigod, his thought is material, the universe in his mind becomes the universe in reality, what he thinks, that will come true – the question is what. This is individualistic creative self-expression, not yet fully restrained by responsibility. A stage in spiritual development at which the personality is formed through creative abilities, the self-willed subordination of all aspects of life when mastering the key, there is great potential to manage oneself and the world. But in fact, the Magician is still naive and presumptuous. He sees the world as his playground, he sets about his demiurgic work with gusto, but with the childish approach of Alexander the Great – to reach the edge of the world, why should that be difficult at all? The Magician does not yet know that his power over the world will end with the card where there will be only the World, and he himself will not be. The Magician embodies the childish presumption and power of the Atlanteans, who used their energy and gnostic abilities right and left, until the planet went off the rails. So there is always a specific risk here. There is a risk in any Major Arcana, at any stage of development. For the Magician, this is the risk of "making a mess he won't be able to clean it up".

Speaking of the Magician's youthful presumption, the LHC – the Large Hadron Collider – comes to mind. A picture in the style of Bidstrup: a cloud hovering over the collider, two Elohim sitting, dangling their legs and looking down curiously. One says to the other:

• Listen, what have they built there?

• Well, they want to understand how ALL THIS is made! They are looking...

• Ah!... and what are they looking for?

• Some Higgs boson...

• Well, well...

The Magician really rules over the inner and outer world, and therefore at this stage there is a temptation to believe that the goal has been achieved (although in fact this is just a "playroom", the first step on the path of growth, the formation of abilities through object activity, and the Magician is a Student). This is the God complex at the childish stage of spiritual development. A powerfully presumptuous personality with a sense of limitless ability to influence reality. Iron will, courage, and a sense of omnipotence – a rather adolescent set of self-assertion at the stage when one first manages to show independence. But if suddenly there is an overkill, life will force one to master much quieter, more precise, and careful behaviour ("think long and hard before taking action" – but this is already for the next Arcana, the High Priestess).

The Magician can also mean initiation – the rite of initiation of the uninitiated. This is an extremely important threshold in every person's life.

The Magician predicts the conquest of new heights in some business, usually interesting to the person himself. This is not a case where one drags their feet to work, feeling gloomy and cursing everything in the world. The Magician is a fan of his business and is usually brilliantly knowledgeable in his field. An indicator of a competent specialist, a master. The Magician emphasises professionalism, skill, possession of many knowledge and skills, competitive advantages. Readiness to transform the world, the ability to use one's talents to accomplish a task. Confidence in one's professionalism. Creative abilities. The ability to manage – people and events. In business, it usually means a call to active action, to seize the initiative, to firmly defend one's positions.

Sometimes (if a person cannot identify himself with the Magician in this situation at all) it indicates intrigues, complications, and, naturally, a strong competitor capable of causing a lot of trouble. Perhaps someone is trying to seize power, control over the situation.

The Magician often indicates writers and men of letters, so the table in front of him, on which the "elements of the world" are laid out, can often be considered a writing desk, and the wand in his hand – a pen. He acts as a demiurge, and creates reality (and, by the way, sometimes faces the fact that something from this happens in reality). In general, the table often plays an important role in the Magician's work (and can quite be an operating, laboratory, teacher's table, and sometimes even as a starting platform). This is amazing, but the elements of the image on the Arcana sometimes should be understood absolutely literally – it works.

Dexterity, ingenuity, skill, the search for new non-standard solutions. According to the Magician, creative, intellectual, and creative professions are more likely to go – builders, architects and designers, writers, artists, advertising and public relations specialists, managers, and, of course, teachers. Usually, the Magician leaves the imprint of his individuality, his professional approach on everything he does. Magician often signals about doctors and various kinds of therapists (including psychotherapy and all kinds of extrasensory approaches). Traditionally, the Magician has a special relationship to medicine and chemistry (historically, he is an Alchemist, after all!). The Magician is a scientist and a naturalist, and what exactly he studies or on whom he practices, other cards will prompt (especially the Figurative Arcana). In addition, he usually is a skilled negotiator.

The Magician indicates all kinds of trainings and coaches who know how to speak publicly, change faces, and adapt to the audience go. The Magician, naturally, shares knowledge, but not all, and does not do it for free. Radio and television workers, all kinds of presenters, professionally media personalities are also often described by this card.

The Magician reflects concentration of attention, acuity of perception, quick reaction, lively and inspired mind, therefore it is very favourable for educational issues. Successful passing of exams, tests, all kinds of qualifications and certifications. There are the right ideas, and there is enough energy to bring them to life.

The Magician speaks of ideas, beginnings, making plans and projects, recognising existing opportunities (for example, market ones), creative actions, and the implementation of projects.

The Magician speaks of making a profit through enterprise and the use of one's abilities. Nothing will fall from the sky for free, but knowledge and skills will be appreciated and will help earn money. This is a classic indicator of business, entrepreneurial activity. The Magician helps to take the initiative in dealing with financial issues, to take finances under control. He also says that a person understands how the world works, where money comes from, and what needs to be done to achieve the result.

In any case, the Magician says that now there is an opportunity to transform the situation in the desired direction.

The Magician is an ambiguous card in love.

On the one hand, he has earned himself the fame of a sign of powerful, bright, confident male sexuality. One is the archetype of the male number, and the Magician's wand is a phallic symbol. A partner described by the Magician is a bright personality, sexual, masculine, self-confident, possessing the fullness of physical and spiritual abilities. Not so rarely — a subtle dictator and manipulator, regardless of gender. The Magician knows how to charm and bewitch. He knows how to take the first step or attract without taking this step, but motivating the other to do so.

With not particularly favourable surrounding cards (the crown here, of course, is the Devil), the Magician emphasises issues of power, control, and confrontation of the parties ("in that duel of wills, who was the ball in whose hand?"). When the Magician's motto "I want!" collides with the motto "I don't want!", sticky power relationships ("you will be mine!") are formed, serious games, confrontations, struggles of wills, sometimes "till victory", after which the universe cannot be restored. The Magician is a very enterprising and strong-willed comrade, and in essence, he rushes like a tank, eliminating all obstacles in his path (although externally this may look far from straightforward, but very veiled, especially when it comes to female Magicians). He is characterised by exceptional self-motivation (precisely "self" — the second side may not motivate and even resist in every possible way), and he doesn't rest until he achieves his goal. Sometimes it is indicated that he is used to getting everything right here, right now, and patience is not his strong suit, but this can be argued. The Magician focuses on the task with all his will, "with all his thoughts, with all his understanding" (which is why the Magician is an excellent card for training like medical, during which a person is ready to go through everything and dedicate oneself to the set goal). In general, his "professional advice" is to give body and soul to the cause. In this case, the "cause" becomes the conquest of another person. Therefore, as the great Bulgakov would say, be trustworthy. If this is truly his goal, he will find the means.

At the same time, the Magician is a thorough individualist. One is one. His individuality is so strong that he does not feel a special need for complementation. He is selfish, smart, not particularly sentimental, and endowed with the strongest will to act, for example, to end relationships that do not suit him, or to start relationships that he now needs. He is not always inclined to pay attention to the moods and feelings of other people (rather, he takes them into account insofar as it is in his interests).

As in everything else, the Magician says that it is in our power to transform the situation in the desired direction — to find the other half, divorce the first half... In short, to create an ordinary miracle. The advice that the Magician can give in love is to solve problems! Forge new, unprecedented happiness with your own hands, learn and teach, build relationships as you want, create your masterpiece day by day, a garden where once was desert.

Actually, if we believe the direct symbolism, the Magician embodies vital force and clearly says that a person is in excellent shape.

Traditional interpretations are for some reason very negative, possibly due to the close association with the healer, and if the healer has come, then something has happened — trouble, misfortune, suffering, sorrow, disorder, illness, ailment, weakness, longing, pain, doctor, healer.

In modern interpretations, it is believed that the Magician predicts a favourable outcome if the question concerns health problems (the doctor will be able to provide the necessary help, while it should be taken into account that physical health and mental health are closely related).

The reversed Magician strongly emphasises mental imbalance (possibly because in the natural state his mind and will are at their peak — here their blockage occurs or a painful manifestation develops).

Before the Fool — strong stress, the danger of losing reason, possibly because both cards symbolise the descent of information from above into a weak human mind.

With the Seven of Swords in old interpretations — you will not get sick, it's for the better.

The reversed card can indicate two different phenomena: a blocked flow of energy or its improper application. In the first case, it is a weakness of will and skills, impotence, lack of self-belief. It can signal indecisiveness and insecurity, a dismissive and unfounded attitude towards oneself (as a personality) and towards one's abilities. Nevertheless, there are authors who assure that the Magician card is always positive – a person simply underestimates their control over the situation, the volumes, so to speak, of realisation power. In the reversed form, the Magician can mean that the moment of choice has already been missed, that events have begun to unfold according to their own laws, so now all that remains is to wait for the result.

In the second case, the reversed Magician indicates the use of skills for destructive purposes, abuse of power and authority, selfishness. As the wonderful author Mary Greer writes, "The reversed Magician reminds me of a teenager who, having committed a misdeed, shouts 'It wasn't me! I wasn't even here.'"

Cunning, unprincipledness, and treachery, playing on the weaknesses of others (for example, a fraudster, a blackmailer, a predatory recruiter). Moreover, this is the case when someone, perhaps, outsmarted themselves — the goal was achieved and it turned out that this is not at all what is needed. Sometimes it may indicate that the goal is good, but the means chosen are unsuccessful (for example, an office romance in this company is not the best way to build a career). Other cards in the spread will say more about this.

Sometimes it is indicated that there is a possibility that someone is performing magical operations against the querent.

Cards that enhance the action of the Magician in the spread include Judgment (predicting final success and the most positive changes in life), Eight of Pentacles (development of skill), Eight of Wands (element of insight, comprehension of mysteries), Two of Wands (attainment of power). Undoubtedly, enhancing resonant action can be expected from other cards, for example, the Emperor, Strength, the Sun, Six of Wands, Three of Pentacles.

The Star or the Moon next to the Magician speak of the benefit of developing intuitive abilities and the need to listen to one's inner voice. It makes sense to act on intuition, even if from the outside it contradicts common sense.

The cards opposite in energy are the waiting introverted High Priestess, the inactive, bound hand and foot Hanged Man, the time-out Four of Swords, and the languishing from helplessness and confusion Eight of Swords.

The eloquent combination is the Magician and the Devil ("beware of your desires") and the Magician and the Tower (and here's the bill).

This is Hermes Trismegistus, the Alchemist. He has comprehended everything, alpha and omega, and above his head soars the symbol of infinity, the fusion of consciousness and the subconscious, the main Hermetic principle (as above, so below...).

Thoth

Merlin

Adam

Daedalus (brilliant ancient inventor)