The Magician

The Magician is the second major arcana card. The image depicts a man in robes, standing before a table. A serpent-cincture (a serpent that appears to devour its own tail), loops around his waist. He has a lemniscate (infinity symbol) above his head. In his right hand he holds a small double terminated (pointed at both ends) wand, pointed toward the sky, while the other hand gestures toward the ground. On the table is a stave (or wand), cup, sword, and pentacle, which are the symbols of the minor arcana cards. Roses and lilies also adorn the card.

This is a card about creation and transformation. He has all the tools (the symbols displayed on the table) he needs and by working with the powers of the universe, he can create what it is that he desires. He only needs to begin.

When this card appears in a reading, it is often a sign that the questioner needs to actively work to make things happen. And that he has the power within to do it. He has personal power…the tools needed, as well as the desire and drive to accomplish it.

On the flip side, the magician can be all things…good and bad. He can be an illusionist…a trickster. With the power to change things, one must consider the ramifications for good and bad as he moves forward.

The Symbols:

Lemniscate (infinity symbol): This symbol hovers above the magician’s head to represent his connection to universal principles and his infinite spiritual potential

Rose: Red roses represent desire and passion. That he is pointing a wand up to them shows that he is striving for what he desires.

Lily: White lilies represent pure thought.

Serpent-cincture: The serpent appearing to devour its own tail is a symbol of eternity.

The Number One: This is a masculine number and it can represent a lot of things. Independence. Leadership. Authoritative. New beginnings. The start of a journey. New inspiration. Focusing on the self.