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On the Old Path Tarot, we see a Horned, animal skin covered Shaman/magician casting runes. The Horned God or Ceraunos, the Celtic version of the Phallic-lightning god, so familiar to all cultures, is being implied by this Shaman's accoutrement. Thus, the Shaman is a wild and powerful magician. The Sword he holds is representative of the Arcane element Air, which like the Mind flows wherever the currents decide, but here, he is in control of the Sword and has earthed it, illustrating his powerful control over the Alchemical Four elements, as a cup (Water) and Fire (Spirit) are also present in the card. The flat stone which supports the cup represents the earth.

Sylvia Gainsford is the artist of the Tarot of The Old Path, who is excellent in her old-world depictions. In this card she shows the magic abilities of the Shaman as Animal forms.

1. The Wolf for instance, is a master of transformation, turning ideas into action. Also sharp of hearing, (Clairaudience) keen eyesight (Clairvoyance). The Wolf shows us that the Magician is a master opportunist, who quietly observes his surroundings, calculates, and then uses his abilities for maximum benefit.
2. The Goddess is present as the Full Moon, The Feminine Principal symbol. For a true Magician is Husband to the Goddess and is Keeper of Her Property (Forms) which is the Anglo-Saxon meaning of the word.
3. The Unicorn is Purity of Spirit.
4.  While the ancient stone circle implies old earth magic and knowledge of the Zodiac, as seen by the star splattered sky.

• The Shaman is shown casting runes which are a letter of an ancient Germanic alphabet, related to the Roman alphabet.

  • a mark or letter of mysterious or magic significance.

  • small stones, pieces of bone, etc., bearing runes, and used as divinatory symbols.

    "The casting of the runes"

The planetary meaning of the card is Mercury.

The implication of The Magician is that of a Messenger (Mercury) of the Gods, who with focused will is able to concentrate his mental power, thus utilizing his knowledge. Here Knowledge focused, gives birth to action and manifestation. He is the channel through which Divine Will manifests in the physical world.

Although I use the Thoth Tarot in my professional Tarot readings and Teach Master Tarot Classes using the Thoth Tarot (It is the most informative Western Hermetic Qabalah deck). I began my readings using the B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum) tarot cards and the Rider-Waite-Smith Traditional Tarot Decks. This Tarot philosophy is based on the premise that the True Universal Collective Mind doesn't use language to communicate; rather it communicates in image and/or symbolism. Since it is the True Parent of your Soul, it behooves one to use proper communication techniques to make their life more "magic" and less tragic" than the common herd. In other words, Tarot aids one in claiming their Universal Inheritance as a Celestial Being.

The imagery in both the Rider-Waite-Smith and The Gold Foil Tarot, are the same, although there are subtitle differences. The title of Magician refers to humankind's ability to direct the force by which one transforms their consciousness, thereby reaching the stage Metaphysicians, Parapsychologist, Occultist call initiation. The number 1, which is often symbolized as "the point", which means concentration, will, attention, and/or a limiting of the field of activity. Simply put, this is an activity of focus that every aspirant absolutely must learn if they wish to seek the "Truth of Self". Until one learns to concentrate and focus on their Vital Life Force, they cannot perform the Great Work of "As above so below" and thereby turn dreams of Self into living reality.

In both the Rider-Waite-Smith and the Golden Foil Tarot, the red roses of the arbor symbolize desire. The wise know that desire is the motivation of or for evolution. One can clearly see that the central figure draws his/her power from the above, through their raised wand. This is the central doctrine of Western Hermetic Magic since each of us is the "bridge between" the above and below." That is, a bridge between the Macrocosmic Mind and the Microcosmic mind. A person cannot even begin to use the subtle forces of nature until they realize they can do nothing of themselves but simply act as the Channel of the Primal Will of the One ("I Will Be") through which the "Will to Form" and the "Will to Force", i.e., the Will of Life Force expresses itself.

The Magician has found the table of Life on which are his magical tools of wand, sword, cup, and the pentacle. The white lilies are symbols of purity. The flaring red cloak of individuality surrounds him as well as protects him as s/he reaches out and masters the elements. The bright white lemniscate (horizonal figure eight) above his head, is the symbol for infinity and the flow of the united forces of female and male divinity and/or the 2 who = 1.

On both Cards:

1. The magician's uplifted wand symbolizes the ability to direct natural forces with which a magician/magus works. This ability is known as the Hermetic axiom of "That which is above is as that which is below". This is also known in the Zen of Tao as " If it is here, it is there, and if it is there, it is here. If it is not here, it is not there, and if it is not there, it is not here."
2. The horizonal 8 (The Lemniscate), over the magician's head represents, dominion, strength, and control while also being the symbol for infinity that is called the lemniscate (Greek for-Ribbon) in Western Magic.
3. The magician's left-hand pointed down to the ground in a gesture of concentration. 
4. On the Rider-Waite-Smith card, the black hair bound with a white band, symbolizes the limitation of ignorance by knowledge.
5. The red robe represents action and desire (information becomes in-form-action).
6. On the Rider-Waite- Smith Card, the White undergarment, representing wisdom is encircled with a serpent that symbolizes eternity; Ouroboros, the serpent that eats its own tail. There is also a white undergarment on the Modern Witch Tarot Card.
7. The altar is made of granite or is granted stones and is covered with the magician's tools, which represent Fire (Wand), Air (Sword), Water, (Cups) and Earth-(Pentacle). 

1. The Workbench/table/flat stone represents the Magician's field of attention/observation. This worktable is shown on the lower right of the Rider-Waite-Smith card and as a flat stone on the Golden Foil Tarot.  
2. The implements are:
3. The Wand-element of fire (Will).
4. The Cup-element of water (Imagination and of the Silver Metal representing the Moon).
5. The Sword-element of air (Action, with golden handle as a symbol of the Rauch/Intellect).
6. The Pentacle-element of earth (Physical embodiment).

The garden is the Unconscious aspect of Mind, which is cultivated by the acts of attention of the self-conscious and/or awake conscious -self. From this ageless garden spring all powers of the Universal Collective Unconscious.

The white 6 petaled lilies besides representing purity also represent the abstract perception of Truth, as well as the cosmic laws and principles by which the Multiverse is sustained. 6 is also the number representing the Sun/Soul, central to the manifestation of SELF.

When the Magician is thrown in a divination it implies:

• Assertiveness.
• Self-Realization.
• Activity.
• Strength of Will.
• Vital energy.
• Command over the subconscious and Unconscious.
• Drive.
• Impetuous.
• Energy.
• Bringing lofty dreams down into reality.

If reversed:

• Aggressiveness.
• Egotism.
• Misuse of power.
• Mental disease.
• Disquiet.

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.

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