THE MAGICIAN

The Magician stands before a table on which are laid a Wand, a Cup, a Sword, and a Pentacle, representing the Minor Arcana and meaning Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. He is about to draw power from above to materialize his desires. Over his head is the cosmic lemniscate, shaped like a figure 8 on its side—a symbol of eternal life and dominion, indicating the harmonious interaction of the conscious and subconscious, idea and feeling, desire and emotion.

About the Magician’s waist we see the well-known symbol of eternity—a serpent devouring its tail. About his head is a rose vine with red roses, representing desire. In front of him are more red roses intertwined with the white lilies of abstract thought. His inner garment is the white of purity; his outer robe, the red of desire, activity, and passion.

The hand holding the magic wand is the ego-consciousness reaching up for power while the other hand points to earth, as if the Magician wills earth’s forces to be subservient to him. Or, it might be said that with one hand he reaches up to take the hand of the Infinite for accomplishment in the higher realms, while he reaches down with the other to encourage the evolution of the lower kingdoms—thus uniting Spirit and matter in eternity.

The Magician represents Man’s will in union with the Divine achieving the knowledge and power to bring desired things into manifestation through conscious self-awareness.

Divinatory Meaning:
Will, mastery, organizational skills, creative talents. The ability to take the power from above and direct it through desire into manifestation.

Reversed:
Indecision, weak will, ineptitude. The use of power for destructive ends.

Dascent Deck