Week 2: Tha Magician

[Rowan Pendragon]

Week 2 (ssshhh...let's pretend)
The Magician

How do you see The Magician? What sort of messages does this image, or the image of your version of the Magician, give you? How do you see the connection between the Fool and the Magician?

One of the things that I would like you to consider in your discussions as we move through the Major Arcana is how you see the Fool interacting with each of these characters as he encounters them. Remember that the Major Arcana essentially follows the journey of the Fool through life, so consider the Fool in relation to each of these cards.

Also, if you're using a different deck, please feel free to share your image of your cards with the group when you post about your specific deck and imagery so we can all see how it differs if we aren't familiar with your deck. :)

Blessings,
)O( Rowan

[Amanda]

In the deck I use, The Magician makes things happen. When he shows up in my reading, it represents a pivotal moment in my life. This is when everything changes. With this card comes a knowing of myself. This card usually means that I have to stand alone and independent with focus and attention before I can continue on my path. Basically, I have to rip off my blinders and take a good look around. No one can make me see things, I have to figure them out by myself. This card comes with a warning, and misuse of power is cautioned against. "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it."
It seems to me that the next step in the Fool's journey, would be to open his eyes and take a look around. Once he realizes whats been going on, then he can make educated decisions about what path he wants to take, instead of just trudging along. The Magician is lighting the way on the path that the Fool is meant to take. So once the blinders are off, then the Fool can head down the path he was meant to be on.
I'm hoping that this makes sense! I tend to think faster than I type, so I have to go back and retype somethings and sometimes I confuse myself when I do that. Oh, and I attached a picture of the Magician from my deck also.

[Rowan Pendragon]

I've taken out my Paulina Tarot for this...

The Magician in general to me represents using our power and our resources to make things happen. There is a need for balance between thought and action; I gather this impression from the directions of the hands...one up in the air (thougths) and one down at the earth (physical action). This position also shows pulling the balance of earth and sky energy and blending them for our needs. You also have the 4 suits represented and often represented in the form of the 4 traditional magick tools (chalice, wand, athame/sword and pentacle). One of the things that I love about this card in this particular deck is the representation of everything being animated. The plants and flowers are all little creatures with faces too; there is the idea here that there is live in everything and energy for us to pull from and work with all around us. If we close our eyes, focus our energy and go for it, we can make things happen.

I see the message that the Fool would gain from the Magician being one of power. Know that you have the power within to do whatever it is that you wish but you also have to take responsibility for what you do. If you're out of balance the only person that can bring you back into balance is you. I see it as the Magician teaches him about the outer work and when he meets the High Priestess next she'll teach him about the inner work.

[Sally Austin]

What pops into my head when I see the Rider Deck magician is someone selling something. Commaning someone's attention to the things on his table. Giving the fool a heads up perhaps or convincing him to do something with them.