The Magician; Number One
Part 2
From “The Tarot; A Spiritual Art, Twenty-two Steps to Enlightenment” By Raymond Castrogiovanni
The first act; an act of being. The infant who becomes the master, born out of the “BIG BANG”. The fool dreamed, hoped and prayed to be more than he was. He aspired to create and to master his world. To understand everything under the Sun. The Magician can be seen as Mercury, both the planet and the God Hermes, he of classical Greek mythology, the messenger and communicator. Both have winged sandals, winged cap and caduceus.
The planet Mercury, being the planet closest to the Sun, travels quickly through its orbit. It creates the illusion of traveling retrograde (a backward motion). It does this several times a year. We therefore view the planet closest to the Sun on its eternal and infinite journey, orbiting the centre of our solar system.
Hermes the Magician is the link between the Godhead or spiritual world and the world of humanity.
The Appearance of the Magician
You can see the Magician appearing in most Tarot decks, as a young man wearing a floppy hat. The large brim suggests a shape that resembles the symbol of infinity or the number eight set on its side. In other decks the infinity symbol floats above the Magician’s head (the wing helm of Hermes).
In his right hand you can see a wand or caduceus, that he holds up above his head, an action of pointing at the sky, drawing down the power of the Sun and universe. He is depicted wearing white robes and a red coat. The white representing innocence, the red coat or cloak showing his ego, strength and power to bend nature to his will. The duality of colours is a Hermetic suggestion of good and evil, the struggle to conquer the elements and be the alchemist. To transform, evolve and change, in essence to perform miracles through science or through traditional alchemy. At his waist he wears a belt in the form of a snake, eating its own tail. This is again the symbol of infinity, or of regeneration, as something dies it is reborn. The suggestion being out of death comes new life, the next generation.
The Magician’s Table
You can most frequently see the Magician standing behind a table or alter, with a wand in one hand, raised skyward; whilst his other hand is pointing downward to the earth. The imagery suggesting that you should set your sights high, yet keep your feet on the ground. On the table before him you can see several artefacts, in some decks these are cobbler’s tools, hinting at the origins of the Magician; an artisan, cobbler, minstrel or a Conjurer. In most modern interpretations of the Tarot, the table is adorned with the suits of the minor Arcana, a wand, a pentacle, a sword and a chalice. Representing the four elements respectively; of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water (we present these in this way to reflect the alchemy and astrological order).
Who is the Magician?
In Tarot decks of the medieval and renaissance, the Magician was seen with some suspicion. Parallels between travelling showmen, entertainers and vagabonds who often performed tricks and were sleight of hand. They were also seen as quacks and viewed by the establishment as troublesome. They lived in the shadows; outcasts and beyond the pale, spreading heretical and even seditious ideas. This character is therefore part Fool, part Wiseman. It was chosen by the original creators of the Tarot major arcana, to be card one. One being the leader and the number of positivity. Activity, creativity and individuality; the one who stands alone. The Magician is the enquirer, the individual consulting the Cards or consulting the Reader of the Cards.
Why the Magician is Number One!
The rest of the major and minor arcana is seen as the journey each and every one of us has. Your trial, tribulations and the quest! A long quest to fulfil or rediscover the meaning of life. The Magician carries the wand of light and of consciousness with him on his path of discovery. Following on from the Fool card, the Magician represents the beginning of the one, self-awareness, consciousness in existence.
The child into the world; to learn through experience, joy, pain, failure or success, the temptations and the pitfalls as well as love, hope and charity. Through these elements, he must discover how to live in the world; to master and utilise the elemental weapons at his disposal. He must grow and become empowered by both mind, body and soul. To express power, authority and wisdom. Once this is mastered he is the essence of the Magician. He can then progress to the next stage of his odyssey.
The Magician is now the Alchemist, who has to manifest the Divine in the physical and into the material world. The wand or caduceus that he holds high, represents the flame of spirit within his essence of mindfulness. This enables him to execute control over the external elements. The four elements; symbolised by the paraphernalia that adorns his alter, the Wand, Pentacle, Sword and Chalice of the Tarot suits. The symbol of infinity above his head being the representation of the Holy Spirit, the Magician is emanating the divine, the spark of humanity charged with the energy of the Universe.
Meaning
Strength of will, expansion of personality, a willingness to expand your boundaries and grow as an individual. You are willing to take risks and initiate situations that create success, those that lead to triumph against insurmountable odds. To be able to adapt, evolve and learn new ways and show versatility. To express diplomacy and astute confidence. Also indicating the beginning of new and important cycles in your life. The Magician often suggests that little bit of magic or good fortune that we all need from time to time.
One dream, one soul, one prize.
One goal, one golden glance of what should be.
It’s a kind of magic’
One shaft of light that shows the way.
Roger Taylor
Queen
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