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The Magician of the Tarot

This article was written by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke on November 30, -0001
posted under Magician

The Magician is the first Major Arcanum

Image: a magician standing behind his altar upon which there are various magical tools

Hebrew letter: Beth

Divinatory meaning: will, intelligence, communication, skill

Path on the Tree of Life: the 12^th path connecting Binah to Kether.

Qabalistic Description. The 1^st Key, the 12^th Path. The Magickal title is the Magus of Power. The Path of the Magician connects Kether to Binah and is the beginning of material production. The letter Beth means house, and the Magician himself is the house in which the Divine Spirit dwells. He is the director of channeled energy.

Card Description. It represents the union and balance of the elemental powers controlled by mind. The Adept is dedicating the minor implements on the Altar. The paths of Beth and Mercury link Kether, the Crown, with Binah. The Magician, therefore, is reflected in the Intellect which stores and gathers up knowledge and pours it into the House of Life, Binah. The number of the Path, 12, suggests the synthesis of the Zodiac, as Mercury is the synthesis of the planets. The colors yellow, violet, grey and indigo, point to the mysterious astral light that surrounds the great Adept.

Interpretation. Skill, wisdom, adaptation, craft, cunning, etc. The exact application always depends on its dignity. Sometimes it refers to Occult Wisdom.

Psychological Value. This card may be used when you need to be focused to accomplish a single purpose or intention. The Magician develops acuteness, internal vision and insight, gives you the capacity to do something about the circumstances of your life to gain control over what is happening at any given moment.

This Arcanum represents your higher consciousness and the Power of the spoken Word. It can help you to develop your ability to express yourself in public, as well as the ability to think clearly. It helps you to develop your intellectual mind, your creativity, your writing ability, your love of science and books, and your effective use of memory. (According the Divine Tarot of Aurum Solis -  Divinity: Hermes;  Greek Letter: Epsilon.)

Source: Slate, J. & Weschcke, C.: The Llewellyn Complete Book of Psychic Empowerment, 2011, Llewellyn.