Introduction

 The Magician Tarot card is a great symbol of an abundance of untapped potential and the ability to bring some magic into your life. He is, after all, the very first card of the Major Arcana – the part of the Tarot deck that carries an overarching theme – and is said to represent the creative forces in our lives, the ideas and ideals we have about ourselves and about bringing about change, together with the inner power that is necessary to translate those ideas into manifest reality. This is why, to many, the Magician is seen as a consummate mentor figure who can serve as a gentle and reassuring reminder that we seem to have arrived pretty well-endowed with all we need to bring our hopes and dreams to reality.

The Symbolism of the Magician

 Each image on the Magician has many layers, and working with the symbology leads to a fuller meaning and message. A quick guide to interpreting the card can be gained by exploring the imagery on it.

The Table and Tools

 In the middle of the Magician card is the Magician him or herself, standing in front of a table on which sits a wand, a chalice, a sword and a pentagram – that is the four suits of the Minors, the elements of fire, water, air and earth. A Magician is said to ‘be on the same wavelength’ as that which he or she wishes to manifest in the world. Here, making use of the tools of art, matter, health and magic shows that he is aligned with his humanity, physically a part of the world, able to write his desires upon the fabric of reality in any way he chooses.

The Magician’s Pose

 His stance in The Magician’s pose is active and commanding, his right hand pointing upwards towards ‘the sphere of the fixed stars’ and spirit, his left hand pointing downwards towards ‘the element of earth’ and body, emphasising the Hermetic maxim ‘as above, so below’: ‘thus the spiritual force works within the soul’ as ‘downward from heaven, earthly forces pour and descend upon the magician as happenings and events, which he empowers in both thought and deed’.

The Infinity Symbol

 Eternal life, unbounded vaticity, a free and limitless humanity — the infinity symbol (also known as a lemniscate) above the Magician’s head was a reminder that his power was not beholden to the boundaries of space or time. And it flashed a promise, too: that the Magician’s infinite potential was available to us, too.

The Snake Belt

 The snake belt around the Magician’s waist, often depicted as an ouroboros, or snake eating its own tail, suggests that he is forever in the cycle of life, death and rebirth and so in a state of fresh, renewed energy and focus. This twelve-ringed snake, self-devouring and yet always fertilising the ground from which it comes, is the ultimate symbol of autarchy and the astronomic vision of eternal return.

The Upright Magician: Manifestation and Mastery

 The Magician upright in a reading is a sign that you’re the master of your own fate, that you can make ideas come true: you’re in a cycle of life where your thoughts, skillset and resources can perfectly work together to achieve your goals.

Key Interpretations:

 Creativity and Action: This upright Magician depicts a sudden creative burst, with the energy of action. It’s a good time to begin new endeavours, particularly short-term ones, as you are clear and motivated about your goals.

 Competence: Confidence in yourself: upturned faces on The Magician show that you have the ability, knowhow and confidence to deal with the matter at hand. Be assertive and active.

 Via: vaemingpei/FlickrYou have the available resources – internal, external, whatever – to achieve your goals. You have the knowledge, tools or support to get the job done. TakeawaysYour will, wish and desire, along with your logistics, are in harmony. Via: Glenn Carstens-Peters/UnsplashYour will, wish and desire seamlessly intertwine with your logistics. Via: Ted Martens/ADAC/CORBISIf you prefer my longer paraphrasing style: Resourcefulness: You have the resources – internal, external, whatever – to achieve your goals. You have the knowledge, tools or support to get the job done.

 Manifestation: The Magician is the expert at manifestation. Direct your mind and will, and you’ll see your dreams become reality.

The Reversed Magician: Warnings and Challenges

 Conversely, if the Magician comes up reversed in the spread, this can warn, or indicate places you might be having difficulty. The reversed Magician may indicate misuse of power, feeling lost, or lacking the ability to manifest your desires.

Key Interpretations:

 Dirty Tricks: The reversed Magician can let you know when someone (or you) is engaging in ‘dirty tricks’ – manipulating or deceiving another in some way. Tell the truth! Tell the whole truth!

 It is my lack of focus and my inability to concentrate my vitality on my purposes that may limit my energy. I might better use that energy if I brought myself to focus again and clarify my intentions.

 Abuse of Power: The reversed Magician can indicate letting your skills or resources get twisted. Be careful how you use power, and make sure it is for good. 

 Creative Blocks: Maybe you’re blocking yourself; you might be trying to do something that’s not really aligned with why you’re here.

The Magician in Love and Relationships

 The upright and reverse Magician has much to reveal about what’s going on in a relationship of love, and what you can do to shape it to your liking.

Upright Magician in Love

 When the Magician is upright in a love reading, this gives you the feeling that you can be and do anything if you put your mind to it. This upright position shows that you and another can create a mutually satisfying relationship. If you’re single, it’s a good omen: signifying your ability to attract a partner that embodies the qualities you’re searching for. And if you’re already in a relationship, this is about taking the initiative in getting to know each other more intimately and improving communication.

Reversed Magician in Love

 If the Magician is reversed in a love spread, you can be sure that something is awry. Whether it’s trust between you, one partner being dishonest, manipulative, or just filled with a lack of clarity about the relationship, the reversed Magician stands in for an unbalanced dynamic between you and your partner. It could be a warning to pay closer attention to the truth in your relationship, or to the agreement and ‘energy flows’ that make your pairing soar.

The Magician in Career and Finances

 The Magician is a very positive card, associated with success in career readings, to symbolise the coming opportunities for growth and professional and financial success, innovation, and new ideas. This card indicates that it is time to leverage your talents and resources to achieve professional and financial advancement. 

Upright Magician in Career

 And when it is upright in a career reading, it means that you are in a place where you can master the direction of your work. You have all of the tools – the intelligence, the skill, the confidence – that you need, and there will be new possibilities. This is a good time to seek out a new project, to step into leadership, to branch out for yourself.

Reversed Magician in Career

 Reversed Upward Path magically signifies no career advancement (ie, a lack of direction), underutilised talents or co-worker problems. Maybe you’re not using all of your abilities or something is blocking your path? Step back, find the missing link or work harder.

The Magician in Personal Development

 Personal development and self-mastery are tied to the Magician card – unearthing the hidden powers within you and using them to craft the life that you want.

Upright Magician in Personal Growth

 In an assignment to develop yourself, the Rider-Waite upright Magician indicates that you are currently a time of empowerment and self-discovery. You’re learning more about your gifts and talented side, and how to use them during this lifetime. This could be a time to set big goals and simply trust that you’ll be able to reach them.

Reversed Magician in Personal Growth

 A reversed Magician in spiritual growth can mean a sense of weakness or indecisiveness, being confused about what you want to do with your life, or heading in directions that don’t reflect your full potential. It’s a signal for some self-examination, a review of one’s aims and motivation.

Practical Steps to Embrace the Magician’s Energy

 The Magician invites us to achieve success with a clear mind, backed by skill and self-assurance. Here are some ideas to learn from the Magician and bring its energy into your life. 1. Watch where you are focusing your energy and intention. 2. Make a conscious choice to focus on where you are aiming, rather than on mistakes or obstacles. 3. Make a conscious choice about your belief in yourself: are you affirming success as you work toward it? 4. Make a conscious choice about the actions you take, determining whether they are aligned with what will help you succeed. 5. Notice what feels right, and how that feeling can be a source of clarity and direction in your actions.

1. Develop a Clear Vision

 The Magician stresses the need for clarity about your wishes. Take time to imagine what it is that you want to accomplish. Write it down and imagine that it has already happened.

2. Cultivate Your Skills

 But to succeed at all this, you need the right implements. The Magician prompts you to develop your talents, cultivate your tools or methodologies – study, practice, acquire new skills. Make a venture, it says, and invest in your abilities. 

3. Take Decisive Action

 The Magician is the card of action. But once you have seen the vision and built up the requisite skill, now is the time to take action. Don’t wait for everything to line up just right; make your move, and trust that you have what it takes to succeed. 

4. Align with Your Inner Power

 The Magician informs us that power, real power, exists within. So have good intentions, act according to who you are and operate in line with your spiritual values. Whether it’s the keystone to your highly successful business venture or it helps you ignite your inner fire, your power to manifest is increased when you’re acting from a place of integrity and authenticity.

5. Stay Focused and Persistent

 Manifestation takes time and concentration. The Magician’s energy is about steady, focused effort over time, rather than a quick fix. If you know what you want, maintain your focus and have a plan, despite the setbacks. Things can take time to manifest. 

Conclusion

 The Magician Tarot card is one of the most powerful cards in the major arcana, symbolising creation and manifestation.Whether reversed or upright, The Magician has important lessons about how to channel your inner magic and make your ideas come to life. Turn up the power of The Magician and manifest your deepest desires and goals with skill and panache.