The Magician in the Rider-Waite Tarot

Images and Symbols

A magician stands pointing his wand at the sky and pointing with his other hand to the ground. Red and white flowers mirror his red cloak and white robe. On the table are a sword, a wand, a cup, and a pentacle. The infinity sign is shown above the magician's head, or in some decks, incorporated into the magician's hat.

Numerology

The Magician has number one. The first integer, the primal force of creation, of unity. Everything about this card is about one-ness. His wand is upright like the number one. He alludes to unity and one-ness in how he points, 'as above, so below'. All four suits are present on the table, together as one. It represents the creative spark that announces the first step on a new journey.

Interpreting The Magician

The Fool has begun his journey and meets The Magician. He must make a decision and select a tool from the magician's table to take with him on his journey. These four tools relate to the four suits of the minor arcana, and being card number one, The Magician relates to the Aces in these four suits.

The seed of all possible outcomes are contained in this card. It all hangs on The Fool's decision. This card relates to yang, the active masculine energy (thought the red and white of the flowers, and of The Magician's garments allude to the unity of both yin and yang energies). It's about being consciously aware - The Fool's choice will have consequences.

Quite literally, this card can speak of trade or commerce. The goods are on the table, The Magician has something to sell - maybe a physical thing, or maybe an idea. Or perhaps The Fool is being reminded to work on his own sales patter, and 'sell' himself in the best possible light to the world during his journey. One should be aware of the possibility that this archetype might refer to a charlatan or con-man in the querent's midst.

However, it may refer to a person who really understands the querent and the querent's need, whether material, spiritual, psychological, or emotional. Perhaps the querent should turn to that someone who satisfies all four needs.

Whether read upright or reversed, (I tend to integrate both significations, regardless of how the card appears, and invite the querent to search themself for which aspects apply to them) this card has both positive and negative connotations for the querent. Pick a tool and use it to make a new mark on the world, and accept the consequences.

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