Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 1
Star Sign: Gemini and Virgo
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Other Names: The Magus, The Juggler
Key Meaning: Use Your Skills
The Magician Tarot card signifies that now is the time to use your skills and make things happen.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
The Magician Keywords
🥰 Upright: Go for it, magical powers, skills, focus
😒 Reversed: Lack of confidence, negativity, wasted talent
The Magician Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. A magician prepares to demonstrate his skills to an unseen audience. He stands behind a table adorned with all the tools of the Tarot deck, a cup, wand, sword and pentacle. He holds a wand in his right hand and points it towards the sky, and his left hand points down towards the ground. You can see his concentration and we expect some real magic to take place.
When the Magician turns up in your reading, it means you have all the skills, tools and talent at your disposal to make your dreams a reality. So, start now and make it happen! The Magician’s stance is a reminder of Hermetic writings which state ‘as above, so below’. This means, if you can be inspired by an idea from Above, then you can make it reality down here on Earth.
The Magician signifies the power of true magic (spelled magick), and the ability to cause and influence events. This card is a symbol of that power which we all have within us. That power is thought, no more and no less, which is why the appearance of the Magician in a divinatory spread refers to your state of mind. If the card falls upright, it means that all is well. You are ready to focus, and create something wonderful. When reversed, however, it shows that your mind is in turmoil and you are not recognising your talent or abilities.
What Zodiac Sign is The Magician?
Mercury is the planet assigned to the Magician card. In mythology Mercury is the messenger of the gods. He is the messenger between the worlds, sometimes called dimensions or planes. He translates ideas from the world of thought into the world of action.
In astrology, Mercury’s action is to take things apart and put them back together again. It is the planet of ideas, communication and sharing information.
The Magician card, like the planet Mercury, rules two zodiac signs, Gemini and Virgo. It also corresponds to the element Air.
How is The Magician Connected to Witchcraft and Spiritual Development?
This section is only for those who are on a spiritual path of development, and are focused on manipulating energy for the purposes of healing, precognition or mediumship.
The Magician knows that by tuning into the spiritual plane, he can create the circumstances he desires. When a connection is made, he can draw down on Godly light force and allow it to flow through him. In such a way his body is transformed into a vessel.
The Magician has a variety of ways to make this connection, he could for example use spells and witchcraft. The altar in this card looks very much like a witch’s altar. There is a sense of ancient knowledge here, an understanding that power comes from harmony. Creation must involve opposites, light and dark, heaven and earth, asleep and awake, ebb and flow. One cannot exist without the other. We create a powerful spell when we combine the power of opposites and get them to work in harmony. You can do this by calling on both Light and Dark or Night and Day, for example, when casting a spell.
Alternatively, the Magician may choose another route to connection, for example: advanced meditation, trance or astral travel.
Remember though, to the Magician, knowledge isn’t something to be gathered and stored for its own sake. It is meant to be shared, which is why he has an unseen audience in this card. The best insights are methods, the idea here is gain skills or ideas that are repeatable and predictable, just like a scientist.
Romance: What does The Magician Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Magician turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? This card means, yes you will. Most likely he or she will be your twin-flame, soulmate or someone you knew from a past life. There is a strong spiritual bond.
💖 Does he or she like me? Absolutely! The connection is amazing. The romance angels are helping this relationship along.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? This card means, ‘make it happen’. So, whatever you want to happen, you can make it happen. You just need to be clear what outcome you want, and then allow Higher Powers to direct you.
💖 Can I fall pregnant? This card says yes, you are fertile. Any child born under the influence of the Magician will be a very spiritual, intuitive child.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Magician, then here is your guidance:
⭕ Use your spiritual gifts in your job or business. Trust your gut feelings more. This card often means making spirituality your full-time job.
⭕ If you feel you don’t have talent, then think again. Most likely you have missed what is obvious because it does not appear ‘special enough’.
⭕ This is a good time to study wisdom of a spiritual, healing or occult nature.
⭕ Finish any lingering projects. It’s important to deliver results before moving on.
⭕ Whatever you want to manifest, a successful business, promotion, book deal or college placement – your goal is within reach.
Careers associated with this card include: stage magician, sales, demonstration, speaker, psychic, medium, healer, writer, artist, childcare, midwifery, fertility expert, business consultant, mathematician and teacher.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
Hire the candidate! This is the ultimate yes card when it comes to recruiting someone. It means the Gods approve, this should prove fortunate for all concerned.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Magician in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the Magician, it can mean:
💲 You have the power to manifest money. This card is connected to the Law of Attraction, so if you feel you will earn or win money, stick with that feeling!
💲 Your finances will (continue to) improve when this card turns up.
💲 If you are hoping to buy a house or some other big-ticket item, your dream is underway. Even if you can’t see any results yet, believe it is so.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“The Magician combined with The Star” – Fame and fortune
“Combined with 5 of Swords” – Standing out from the crowd
“The Magician combined with 8 of Pentacles” – Mastering a new skill or completing college successfully
HEALTH: What does The Magician Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, the Magician signifies excellent health. If you do have any lingering problems, or low energy, then consider visiting a qualified alternative healer.
Health conditions associated with this card include: headaches, migraines, sinus, ear infections and vertigo. It also rules: the brain and central nervous system.
YES/NO: Does The Magician Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The Magician Tarot Card Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The Tarot card represents May 21 – June 21, or failing that August 23 – September 22. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – perhaps up to a year later, same dates.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The Magician Tarot Card Reversed?
When the Magician is upside down then all his tools fall to the ground. This may mean:
✔️Skills or talents going to waste, or not being identified. See: What is my life purpose?
✔️You are hiding your talent because you fear standing out.
✔️You are working in job, or studying something which is not what you really want to do.
✔️ Your energy is blocked, causing depression and an inability to make decisions. (Consider going for Reiki healing)
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: deception, indecision, manipulation, pranks, propaganda and evasiveness.
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The Magician Symbolism
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Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
