posted April 14, 2003 04:34 PM         

One of my favorite cards!

In Astrology, The Magician represents Mercury, and as such, functions as a go-between or intermediary between the Above and the Below. It states the prime Law of the Universe by it's very posture: "As above, So Below".

Like Mercury, The Magician represents the focus of attention, or concentration. What we focus upon, or concentrate upon, manifests; from the thought, to the actual physical appearance.

Spread out on the table, or altar before him, are the four suits of the Lower Arcana: a Cup, a Wand, a Sword and a Pentacle, representing the four elements of the Alchemist (or the Astrologer). This implies that we are given all the tools we need in order to be co-creators with God.

Numerologically, the number one represents the masculine principle, that which is active, outgoing and aggressive. One is a straight line, connecting that which is above to that which is below. It is the symbol of individuality, where the self confronts the Self. Here we see the symbol of self-consciousness; the great I AM.

I always take this card as a positive signal that the querent will achieve their desires, if they continue to focus on their goal. In a reading for a female, The Magician can be said to represent her ideal male.

In a reading The Magician symbolizes right-mindedness, the ability to remove the Ego or the lower self, and allow knowledge and power to flow in a direct line from the Higher Self, or that aspect of us which is in touch with God. Here we see an opportunity to use our creative skills to shape our destiny in whichever manner we choose. Now is the time to plunge in, make a new beginning or be creative in some self-expressive endeavor. Opportunity knocks, can you hear it?

When The Magician is reversed we see how our own misuse of will has caused the delay or loss of an opportunity. We have allowed our Ego to get the better of us, and now we reap the fruits of our stubborn pride. Under this influence we may find that our ability to concentrate is dissipated, that we are scattering our energies, both mental and physical. In terms of health, have we allowed our bad habits to compromise our physical well being? Now is not the time to go ahead with new projects, but to review what has led you to this point; the situation is not a total loss, but it will require focus and determination to turn it around. Remember, even now we only have to make the connection!

These are some of my thoughts... and you?

Blessings in the Light..
A

posted April 21, 2003 06:28 AM         

You're welcome and thank you!

I love talking about Tarot... it's really so much more than meets the eye. Like an onion, it has many layers. One could spend lifetimes plumbing the depths of its universal symbolism. And I think several of us have!

posted August 31, 2003 05:34 PM         

To the top!

Next Installment of Tarot Class starts with Higher Arcana 1: The Magician.

Pax et Bonum...

A

posted August 31, 2003 05:46 PM         

Here are some further musings on Higher Arcana 1: The Magician. I had originally written this document and "borrowed" some of the above quotes from here, sorry for the repetitions, but as we will discover in Key 2, The High Priestess, repetition is a good way of creating memories!

1 – The Magician
Astrological Correspondence: Mercury

In this card we are immediately presented with a contrasting image to that of The Fool. Here, the central figure is a more mature man, surrounded by the creations of both man and God. Where The Fool was out walking in nature, The Magician appears to be in an enclosed courtyard with his tools laid out at the ready on a wooden table before him. He appears to be engaged in a magical operation, drawing energies from above to create something below. Here we are reminded of the universal law: As Above, So Below. As Within, so Without.

Garbed in a white robe, with a live snake devouring its tail girding his waist, The Magician holds aloft a wand in his right hand as he gestures to the ground with his left forefinger. A circlet of white surrounds the Magician’s long, black hair. On the table before him are a fresh cut wand, a pentacle, a sword and a cup awaiting his use. We see in the foreground to his right two white lilies in full bloom and a third as yet unopened, while to his left we see a red rose blossom and an additional rosebud not yet fully developed. Above The Magician’s head we see a white figure 8, lying on its side, and again his figure is repeated in the ties that bind his red hooded-cloak at his throat. Though we see a yellow tinged sky over his head, The Magician seems to be standing in a courtyard defined by a turreted wall.

Again the white garment signifies purity of spirit and wisdom. His black hair is the color of the illusion of separation, yet the pure, white band of wisdom and knowledge of truth encircles it. Could this signify that the more we learn, the more we experience, the more we realize the less we know? The white lilies signify the spiritual plane, while the red roses denote the desire nature and the physical plane. The four tools of The Magician represent the four elements, the four seasons, the four suits of the Tarot deck and the four Archangels: Raphael, Michael, Gabriel and Uriel. These Archangels are said to stand guard over the four corners of the earth, ever at the ready to guide and protect us. We have all the tools we need at our disposal; we have only to reconnect to the source, to use our abilities in slightly different ways in order to be conscious co-creators on the material plane. The green snake devouring its tail is the symbol of eternity, and the blending of masculine and feminine energies. His cloak is red, signifying action and desire; the tools with which we create our reality. The horizontal figure eight is called a cosmic lemniscate and reminds us that we are never separated from the limitless life power that is God.

Astrologically, The Magician is Mercury, planet of thought and communication. In this card it shows us the need to concentrate and focus our attention to achieve results. Here we are reminded that only concentration allows us to penetrate the “mysteries”, whether they be the mysteries of people, situations or nature. I find it interesting to note that we have five flowers pictured in the foreground of this card. Five is the number that astrologers associate with the planet Mercury.

Numerologically, the number one represents the masculine principle, that which is active, outgoing and aggressive. One is a straight line, connecting that which is above to that which is below. It is the symbol of individuality, where the self confronts the Self. Here we see the symbol of self-consciousness; the great I AM.

In a reading The Magician symbolizes right-mindedness, the ability to remove the Ego or the lower self, and allow knowledge and power to flow in a direct line from the Higher Self, or that aspect of us which is in touch with God. Here we see an opportunity to use our creative skills to shape our destiny in whichever manner we choose. Now is the time to plunge in, make a new beginning or be creative in some self-expressive endeavor. Opportunity knocks, can you hear it? Take advantage of this influence to begin an educational endeavor, write that book, or make that contact, you are very likely to succeed at this time.

When The Magician is reversed we see how our own misuse of will has caused the delay or loss of an opportunity. We have allowed our Ego to get the better of us, and now we reap the fruits of our stubborn pride. Under this influence we may find that our ability to concentrate is dissipated, that we are scattering our energies, both mental and physical. In terms of health, have we allowed our bad habits to compromise our physical well being? Now is not the time to go ahead with new projects, but to review what has led you to this point; the situation is not a total loss, but it will require focus and determination to turn it around. Remember, even now we only have to make the connection!

posted September 23, 2003 10:05 PM         

First I have to say that your quote really speaks to me cause I'm a French major at the University and we're currently studying The Little Prince and Saint-Exupéry

Now... the Magician. I feel this as a powerful card! First thing I noticed was how confident he was. I remember looking at this card and saying "Boy, this is a guy sure of himself". And I think that's true. He's about to perform some magickal act, a spell maybe, and he's asking for power from above. But he's also smart enough to ground himself (I see that by the way he's pointing to the ground), cause all that power could be dangerous unless he's got some grounding.

He's got all the material he needs on the table (which later I realised that we could see all four suites, wands, cups, swords and pentacles), and he's ready to go.

I think in a reading I'd interpret the Magician as "You wanna do this, now it's the good time, go and do it". Cause that's how I feel this card. It's like he's saying "Hey, now who can stop me?". ANd I think it's this kind of confidence I get from the Magician. So I usually say in a reading. "Whatever you're thinking of doing, go ahead and do it. It's a good time for you".

posted September 26, 2003 05:13 PM         

What good observations... I had not actually seen tha Aleph is first letter, Fool is first card connection until you mentioned it.

However, it is my understanding that the number on the Higher Arcana Key and the number of the letter in the Hebrew Alphabet have different purposes.

For example, that one-to one correspondence would work up to a point, but after Yod, each number is a power of 10 or 100. For example Kaph is numbered 20 for Gematria but associated with Higer Arcana 10, The Wheel of Fortune. In fact Yod is numbered 10 for Gematria, but associated with Higher Arcana 9, The Hermit.

The pictures of the Tarot are numbered in a particular sequnce for one purpose. The Letters are enumerated for Gematria for a different purpose. However, if you wanted to spell a Hebrew word out with the Tarot Keys, you could do that, and it would be very interesting and informative! But then the numbers of the Key are not so important.

Hope this helps a bit. Please let me know if I have not addressed your question appropriately.

In the Light...
A

posted September 30, 2003 12:51 AM         

Yes, the 22 Paths between the Sephiroth are numbered in such a way as to imply what Qabalists call the Path of Return.

It is of interest to me that these Paths are traditionally worked in REVERSE order from Malkuth to Kether, which is the opposite of the way that the Qabalah describes their emanation; taking us from the Spiritual to the Material and back again.

One author, who relies quite heavily on Aleister Crowley's work, proposes redistributing the 22 Higher Arcana and their corresponding letters to suit this backward traversing scheme. I can't say that some of his theories don't provide interesting food for thought, and is that not the purpose of Holy Qabalah?

The book I refer to is called Q.B.L: Or The Bride's Reception by Frater Achad. Perhaps that would be of interest to you.

Peace and Light...
A

posted October 08, 2003 02:17 AM         

To the top for the next leg of our journey through the Tarot.

I will be heading off to Hawaii for vacation soon, and should have a bit of free time to pop online and discuss the other Number 1 cards in the Tarot, the Aces.

And so let us begin....

In the Light...
A

posted November 04, 2003 03:20 PM         

In the interest of trying to Keep the Number One cards together...

To the Top!

In the Light...
A

------------------
"Aum bhoor buvah svaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasaya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo naha prachodayat." ****Gayatri Mantra****

posted December 10, 2003 02:36 PM         

seeing that "1" does not bend into a "0" . . . seems the energies must be structured in a particular in order to move into the direction of "so above, so below."

ideally, one would have all the tools they need in order to do the imagine and ordaining magick right???

hmm