From: "Andrew C. Plotkin" <ap1i+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: TAROT: I _The_Magician_
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 15:02:26 -0400

If the Fool is the enlightened man (who has passed beyond worrying
about enlightenment, tarot symbolism, etc), then the Magician is the
preceding stage. This is, well, the magician. One who has learned lots
and lots about the universe, who has gone through the entire spiritual
spectrum and learned to do lots of neat tricks -- but has not yet
realized that the tricks are really beside the point.  (The Magician
has learned to walk on water; the Fool has forgotten that he wanted
to.)

I would love to continue posting my idiosyncratic interpretation,
backwards through the deck, as JWB126 does. Unfortunately, I never got
things clarified for a lot of the cards, so maybe I'll pick it up
again around 12 or 13. :-)

--Z 
===

Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 22:02:00 EDT
From: <JWB126@psuvm.psu.edu>

I The Magician

     The Magician stands before a table on which are the suit symbols
     of the Minor Arcana: a sword, rod, a cup, and a pentacle.  Above
     his head appears the figure eight, ancient occult number ascribed
     to Hermes and the symbol of eternal life.    Around him is a garden
    of lillies and roses.  The Magician holds in his upraised hand the
     phallic wand of creativity.  With his other hand he points downward.
     This dual sign suggests that all creation on earth is derived from
     above.  The Magician possesses the ability of utilizing the diverse
     objects on his table for success in thought, word and action.

Divinatory Meanings:  Originality.  Creativity.  Ability to utilize one's
     capabilities in order to accomplish a task.  Imagination.  Self-
     reliance.  Spontaneity.  Self-confidence.  Ingenuity.  Flexibility.
     Masterfulness.  Self-control.  Deception.  Sleight of hand.

Reverse Meanings:  Weakness of will.  Indecision.  Ineptitude.  Insecurity.
     Disquiet.  Delay.  The use of one's skills for destructive ends.

First off, it is important to know that this card is represented in
native american decks as the coyote, the Great Trickster.  IMHO, the
most fitting symbolism is the aspect of "masterfullness".  The
magician has "mastered", more like comprehends fully, the aspects of
life.  He has learned to control his external forces, and with that
control, comes understanding.  Creativity has been inspired by this
control, and the magician manipulates his surroundings.  He also
represents versatility.  At the slightest moment or need, he can draw
upon his resources.

With the major arcana symbolizing spirituality and physical forces,
The Magician (IMHO) signifies the end results or culmination.  In
regards to spirituality, he has achieved a balance, and has gained the
experience that The Fool is searching for.  Representing physical
aspects, The Magician seems to represent mastery and dexterity.  In
other words, using your talents and resources for creative purposes.

As a final note, I find it interesting that on my card, the belt he
wears is made from a snake; its mouth holding on to its tail.  Another
aspect of ingenuity and masterfulness.

I *hope* my interpretation makes a bit of sense...
===

From: Baird Stafford <bstafford@bstafford.ess.harris.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 23:45:34 GMT

[quoting the end of the above article about the snake belt]

The serpent eating its tail is a very old symbol of Infinity, and of
eternal life.  It has been called Orouboros (I hope I remembered the
spelling correctly), and was also the girdle of Isis.  The "8" turned
on its side is, of course, the mathematical symbol for Infinity, and
has been called the "cosmic lemniscate."

The card is associated by the Golden Dawn with the planet Mercury
(hence thievery and deception, and hence also Trickster), and with the
Hebrew letter Beth (house).  The magickal title of the card is "The
Magus of Power."  The Ciceros describe him as "the director of
channeled energy as well as the energy that is being channeled"; Tabby
illustrates this in her deck by depicting the lemniscate either
emerging from or sinking into the mind of the figure.

One of the meanings I assign to the card, derived from those already
mentioned but not quite the same, is "professional skill."

(You know, this could be fun!  I've already learned a couple of
things, and been reminded of others I'd forgotten.)  
Baird Stafford
(bstafford@bstafford.ess.harris.com)