Tarot Study: The Magician (priests, Earth, mystic, eternity)

[MaddLlama]

It's now time to move on to the next card. For those of you who just saw the first thread (since I only moved it today), have no fear. You'll have time to catch up, since I won't be posting the High Priestess until the end of this month, as I'll be away for a week.

So, here is our next card:



As with The Fool, post your observations, thoughts and impressions, and after a few people have responded I'll throw in some standard meanings and associations

[Reverend Rick]

My favorite card. See him up there for all to see a proud ceremonial magician. He applies his tools of the trade. The pentacle, dagger, chalice, and wand. Not seen should be incense, bell, and candle. All of the four elements are represented. Earth, wind, fire, and water. A sacrifice is in order before the magician invokes the spirits of the four quarters. He points to above as well as below to symbolize balance. He is in command of his world and all around it. If he so chooses he may decide to evoke,(outside the circle) instead of invoke, (inside the circle) and be protected inside a triangle instead of a circle. He knows the circle can protect as well as contain.

He is very polished and practiced and proud as well as capable.

[Inky]

The first thing that this card makes me wonder is whether he is alone or with others. The border of climbing roses makes me think of a secluded garden, as if he wants to practice his arts with no interruptions. But, the way he is looking directly at the person holding the card and the way he's holding up the thing in his hand gives a feeling that he has an audience, and is putting on a show in a way. There's a conflict between magic for personal discovery and private understanding, and magic to impress or help others.

The four symbols on the table (cup/wand/sword/pentacle), the infinity sign above his head, and the number 1 at the top of the card make me think of fusion and unity.

The infinity sign also reminds me of pictures of priests or deities with haloes. The Magician's "halo" is a mathematical symbol (I think it might have been an alchemical symbol before that, but I'm not sure). Often I think of the methodical sorts of magic (think potions where it works as long as you follow the instructions) or alchemy as a combination of mystical and scientific thought. Maybe he is this sort of magician?

[Bishka]

The first thing that I noticed was the dramatics, the "flashiness" I guess you could call it. Perhaps I am wrong, but the Magician seems sure of himself, knowing what he is doing, but also wants to make people notice that he knows what he is doing.

[Mike182]

i view the Major Arcana as being the Fool on a journey, in this card the Fool is taught his first knowledge, he learns the basic principles of Magic and the Cosmos, and more importantly, in this card, the Fool learns to balance.

on the Magician's alter we have a sword, a cup, a staff and a pentacle, representing the 4 elements, and the Magician himself has one hand held high and the other held low representing himself as having a balance of the elements within himself.

the figure of eight above the Magician's head represents eternity.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Mike182

the figure of eight above the Magician's head represents eternity.

Good eye Mike. I did not notice that.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

As above, so below. The magician is aware that he is an ego playing to an audience, which is the world. But it's all for naught, because only flowers watch his show.

That's all I got for this card.

[Guitar's Cry]

The flashiness of the magician is an illusion, but a powerful one nonetheless. The symbol of infinity is eternal because it comes back to itself. The magician is eternal because all of his magic begins and ends with him.

[Isabella Lecour]

Study of the Magician:
Regal, proud, confondant, knowing his place between the words.
Infinity above his head...the power of the great "what if"
His stance repersence "as above, as below," unity, and balance between the worlds
His robes of white is purity and of red, passion and fire and desire..
In his hand the phallic wand of life...of thought made creation..double edged and pure.
The table bears the altar with the tools of the magician. Each of the elements are on the table with a few missing. I've wondered about that? Why? I think he repsents a generel ceremonial magician instead of particular pratice.

The greenery about him...roses of perfect love and passion and lillys of purity and death and rebirth. I see a balance between life and death with the sysmolism of the flowers.
He is at the begining of the ritual. Posed in the moment that gathers energy to performe the task at hand. He is hopeful and sure of himself as he has gathered all things to his cause. He undertakes a great task and a great duty. The colors and sysmbols repeat..life and death..with the red and white...his ritual must be focused on this, the Greater Mystery.