The Magician is the first trump in the Tarot deck. He may seem like a really cool dude and totally in control… but was he always seen this way?
1. The Magician character was known as ‘Il Bagatto’ in the early Italian Tarot decks. Bagatto relates etymologically to ‘bagatello’ (small sin/sleight of hand)… Essentially, this archetype was seen as a trickster type prestidigitator – definitely not unskilled though not someone having valuable skills. This makes sense if we consider that the ‘trionfi’ got more powerful in numerical sequence and this was the first (least powerful) card.
Unlike the giocolare, the bagatello (as the name expressed) was considered a character of little value, a nothing [nonnulla], who used tricks and illusions to make money at the expense of the participants. In his “marvels” what seemed to be true in reality was only appearance and falsehood. A game of skill and dexterity that meant mischief and deceit. To demonstrate being able to turn in an instant into a whole piece of fabric that which was first divided into many parts, betrayed something magical. The bagatello was a magician [mago] of skill, but as we know, the Church condemned all forms of magic, including those utilizing tricks… (read the full article HERE)
2. The Magician corresponds with the planet Mercury (Hermes), messenger of the Gods.
3. The Magician is traditionally often used the male significator or main love interest if the Seeker is a woman. If reversed or poorly aspected, beware – This could be someone you are better off avoiding if truthfulness is important to you!
4. The highest potential of the The Magician in terms of our spiritual journey is to help us define who we are as the starting point for further exploration. This is the type of self-awareness that helps us understand what our talents are, as well as how to use our willpower in service to our Higher Self rather than to base desires. The shadow Magician is a trickster and very good at manipulating facts to suit his own purposes.
5. Questions to ask yourself when the Magician shows up as a challenge are: ‘Am I speaking my truth?,’ ‘Am I lying to myself or others?,’ ‘Which talents can I use to overcome this obstacle?’ and ‘What action can I take now to align more fully with my Higher Self and close the gap between my dreams and my goal?’
6. Archangel Raphael is the ruler of the Planet Mercury.
7. If you were to live your life like the Tarot Magician for a day you would find yourself…
- Being creative and innovative
- Talking to complete strangers just because
- Doing some writing
- Taking stock of your gifts and talents
- Being aware of the axiom ‘as above, so below’
- Manipulating the world around you
- Being a messenger
- Questioning the messenger
- Focusing on a goal
- Telling a white lie
- Doing magic
- Walking your talk
- NOT practising what you preach
- Starting a new project
- Feeling motivated
- Taking charge
- Acting on your desire
- Performing miracles
- Misguiding someone
Remember, all Tarot cards contain the full spectrum of light and dark…
Often we are caught in a mental trap of seeing enormously successful people and thinking they are where they are because they have some special gift. Yet a closer look shows that the greatest gift that extraordinarily successful people have over the average person is their ability to get themselves to take action.
~ Anthony Robbins
Love,
Lisa