Major Arcana
The Magician stands before a table bearing all four suit symbols — wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — one hand raised to the heavens and one pointing to the earth. He channels divine energy into material reality. Above his head floats the lemniscate, the symbol of infinite possibility.
Upright
Reversed
Quick meaning
The Magician represents the Magician stands before a table bearing all four suit symbols — wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — one hand raised to the heavens and one pointing to the earth. He channels divine energy into material reality. Above his head floats the lemniscate, the symbol of infinite possibility.
Use the symbol
In a yes or no tarot reading, The Magician is best read through its condition. Upright, it points toward Power, Influence, Willpower, Resourcefulness. Reversed, it suggests Manipulation, Greed, Unused ability, Untrustworthiness. The answer depends on whether the situation is moving with the upright lesson or stuck in the reversed pattern.
As advice, The Magician asks you to work with the card's main lesson rather than react from fear. Start with the upright meaning: When The Magician appears in a Tarot card reading it is a sign that you have all the skills and abilities you need to be successful.
As feelings, The Magician can describe someone experiencing the card's emotional tone. In love readings, its upright energy is: The Magician in the context of a love Tarot reading is a positive card.
Reversed, The Magician points to what may be blocked, avoided, or expressed in a harder way. Use the reversed meaning as a prompt to slow down and address Manipulation, Greed, Unused ability, Untrustworthiness.
Energy in motion
When The Magician appears in a Tarot card reading it is a sign that you have all the skills and abilities you need to be successful. The universe is aligning to bring positive changes your way. This Major Arcana trump card shows you that you must use your intellect, concentration and willpower to make things happen. The Magician usually signifies a time in your life when you have the power to manifest the outcome you want. If it is referring to other people in your life it usually refers to someone you can learn from whose ability and wisdom will impress you.
The Magician in the context of a love Tarot reading is a positive card. For those in relationships, The Magician Tarot signifies the relationship moving to new and deeper level where you can expect stronger commitment and happiness. If you are single The Magician indicates that now is great time to meet someone new. Your partner will be serious about you, has good intentions and will treat you well.
In terms of money and career, The Magician Tarot points to a new opportunities presenting themselves. They will require you to make a brave move and to put your original ideas into practice. Play your cards close to your chest with certain people as The Magicians never give away their secrets. It’s a good time for promotions or starting a new business venture, you will be feeling powerful and self-assured. Big things are coming your way! You might be presented with an opportunity to mentor someone or be mentored by someone who will give you the benefit of their experience. Your finances will be improving or you will have a great opportunity to make extra money when this card appears.
Your strength and good health may be making a comeback if you have been ill recently or feeling drained. If your illness or ill health is not improving you may benefit from trying alternative therapies. In a health context, The Magician Tarot can indicate that an experienced, powerful healer may be needed to give you the healing boost you need.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
The Magician Tarot card in the context of spirituality indicates that now is a good time to begin some form of spiritual development. If you’ve had an interest in a spiritual subject but never made the time to pursue it, you would do well to concentrate on this pursuit in the near future as your ability to channel magical energy will be increasing dramatically. You will be surprised at how much you will benefit from this spiritual development if you concentrate your energy. For those interested in psychic development, The Magician is an excellent card to get as it points to strong latent psychic abilities coming to the fore.
Energy under tension
When The Magician reversed Tarot card appears in a Tarot reading it is a sign that you will need to be careful not to miss the opportunities coming your way. Don’t allow self-doubt to stop you from seizing the moment. If it refers to a person, The Magician reversed can mean that a person in your life who presents themselves as knowledgeable and trustworthy may actually be trying to use you or manipulate you. Watch out for deceitful and greedy people and be careful who you trust with this Major Arcana card in reverse!
The Magician reversed in the context of a love Tarot reading for those in relationships, can indicate that you need to be more open and honest with your partner about your needs and desires. If you are tempted to try and manipulate your partner to get what you want, don’t. Honesty will get you much further than trickery. It can also indicate that partner/lover who appears to be trustworthy, may be using their influence over you to manipulate you for their own selfish reasons. If you are single, The Magician indicates that you may be becoming cynical about love and your future love life. You may feel like you will never attract anyone good to your life. Don’t lose faith. If you stay positive and send love and light out into the world you will eventually attract the same back to you!
In terms of money and career, The Magician Tarot reversed suggests that you are not using the skills and abilities you have to make the best of the opportunities available to you. Again you may be experiencing feelings of self-doubt. You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential but feel afraid of the risks involved in giving a new venture a go. Take the time to figure out and resolve why you are finding change so difficult, what is holding you back? It is just fear of disappointing? The Magician reversed can indicate deceitful people around you so if you are holding back on a new venture because you are unsure you can trust the other people involved, this may be an indicator that you are right to be concerned. If you are stuck in a financial rut you will need to take a proactive approach to change your circumstances.
In a health context The Magician Tarot card reversed is still generally a positive card indicating that you need to believe in your ability to heal in order to manifest that healing. However, for mental health issues involving any sort of hallucinations, psychosis or paranoia, The Magician reversed indicates that you should seek the help of an experienced professional sooner rather than later.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
The Magician Tarot card reversed in the context of spirituality indicates that your old spiritual path may not be suitable for you anymore. Now may be the time to explore a new spiritual path and clear out any old belief systems or practices that no longer work for you. You may have a particular spiritual skill that you have yet to discover/explore. It is also a warning to only use your spiritual power for good.
Cards in conversation
Together, The Magician and The Fool blend the lesson of the magician with the energy of the fool. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the fool stands at the edge of a cliff, knapsack over his shoulder, gazing upward with youthful abandon.
Together, The Magician and The High Priestess blend the lesson of the magician with the energy of the high priestess. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the high priestess sits between two pillars — boaz and jachin — at the threshold of the sacred temple.
Together, The Magician and The Empress blend the lesson of the magician with the energy of the empress. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the empress sits on a plush throne amid lush gardens and flowing water, crowned with twelve stars and robed in pomegranate-patterned cloth.
Clarify the card
When The Magician appears in a Tarot card reading it is a sign that you have all the skills and abilities you need to be successful. The universe is aligning to bring positive changes your way. This Major Arcana trump card shows you that you must use your intellect, concentration and willpower to make things happen. The Magician usually signifies a time in your life when you have the power to manifest the outcome you want. If it is referring to other people in your life it usually refers to someone you can learn from whose ability and wisdom will impress you.
When The Magician reversed Tarot card appears in a Tarot reading it is a sign that you will need to be careful not to miss the opportunities coming your way. Don’t allow self-doubt to stop you from seizing the moment. If it refers to a person, The Magician reversed can mean that a person in your life who presents themselves as knowledgeable and trustworthy may actually be trying to use you or manipulate you. Watch out for deceitful and greedy people and be careful who you trust with this Major Arcana card in reverse!
The Magician in the context of a love Tarot reading is a positive card. For those in relationships, The Magician Tarot signifies the relationship moving to new and deeper level where you can expect stronger commitment and happiness. If you are single The Magician indicates that now is great time to meet someone new. Your partner will be serious about you, has good intentions and will treat you well.
In terms of money and career, The Magician Tarot points to a new opportunities presenting themselves. They will require you to make a brave move and to put your original ideas into practice. Play your cards close to your chest with certain people as The Magicians never give away their secrets. It’s a good time for promotions or starting a new business venture, you will be feeling powerful and self-assured. Big things are coming your way! You might be presented with an opportunity to mentor someone or be mentored by someone who will give you the benefit of their experience. Your finances will be improving or you will have a great opportunity to make extra money when this card appears.
The The Magician is best read by context in yes or no questions. Upright, it points toward Power, Influence, Willpower, Resourcefulness. Reversed, it suggests Manipulation, Greed, Unused ability, Untrustworthiness.
Put this symbol in context
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