"As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul..."

~ Hermes Trismegistus

The Magician Tarot Card Meanings

The Magician Keywords 

UPRIGHT: Manifestation, creation, resourcefulness, inspired action, willpower, skill, wisdom

REVERSED: Unused talent, manipulation, stagnation, poor planning, deception, cunning

THE MAGICIAN DESCRIPTION

Although it is the second card in the Major Arcana, The Magician is numbered One and is also associated with the planet Mercury. The number One represents new beginnings, opportunity, and initiation. He has one arm holding a wand, pointed toward the heavens, and the other is pointing down to the earth. The position symbolizes his connection between the spiritual and material realms, essentially acting as a messenger between the two worlds. The Magician uses this knowledge of the Universe to create and manifest his goals in the physical plane. His white robe symbolizes purity, and his red cloak represents his power, passion and energy.

In front of The Magician there is table which holds a pentacle, cup, and sword. These three items represent the elements of earth, water, and air, respectively. The wand in his hand represents the fourth element of fire. He has all of the tools he needs to successfully manifest all that he desires in the material world. Atop his head is an infinity symbol and around his waist is a snake biting it's own tail — both of which represent his unlimited potential. At The Magician's feet is an abundance of foliage and flowers, which symbolize the growth and development of desires and goal.

The Magician Upright

Everything you need right now is at your disposal, as The Magician brings your manifestation powers to the frontline. You possess the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional resources to achieve and manifest all of your goals and desires. These combined forces will propel you into a powerful state in which you can initiate with ease and confidence. Just as the alchemist transforms materials to create something magical, you also transmute all that exists within and outside of yourself. 

This is signifies the perfect to act on inspiration. You have cultivated the necessary skills and knowledge and they are ready to be put into action to bring your ideas into reality. 

As you go about manifesting your goals and desires, a clear plan and vision is imperative. Not only is it important to know what you want, but also so WHY you want it. Having a purpose behind your ideas will infuse a sense of intention and commitment to your endeavors. This commitment is essential, so that you do not become engulfed in distractions and move away from all that you want to achieve. A well thought out plan can help dispel and diversions and aid in concentration. 

The Magician Reversed

 There is some hesitation about moving forward, as you are unsure if you have everything you need and you may also be uncertain as to how to progress. While The Magician reflects your knowing of what you wish to manifest, the reversed position suggests that you are not yet taking action.This is a time to tap into your intuition and remain open to the opportunities and ideas that are presented to you. Keep an eye open for any signs from the Universe or your own mind. 

If you have already taken action, The magician reversed may indicate that there is a hinderance or possible stagnation. Your ideas aren't progressing as fast as you'd like, and you are struggling to find success. It is possible that you do not have a clear or specific idea of your desired outcome, leaving you unfocused and unsure about what actions to take in order to manifest it. There may also be a lack of connection to your goal and you are not quite in tune with the 'why' of your desire. This reversal can also propose that there is a misalignment between yourself and your end goal, and you may need to reassess. 

Apart from being an obstacle, The Magician reversed can also signal manipulation or trickery. You have mastered obtaining that which you desire, to the point of detriment. You may employ devious tactics for your own personal gain, at the expense of others. This isn't to say that you are doing this intentionally, but sometimes we become overconfident or desperate times may cause opportunistic actions. 

There is much talent and skill within you, however, you may not be using it to your full potential. Maybe you find yourself in a job that isn't utilizing your full capabilities. Or perhaps you have not sought out opportunities that provide you with the environment to nurture and hone your skills. How can you put these abilities to good use?