1 The Magician

Number one - 6th Chakra - inner vision

This is the aspect of 'manifestation' onto the physical plane from the formless; the manipulation of objects and events out of the 'nothingness.' The nomadic ‘Fool’ has become familiar with the changing ground beneath his feet. He has no fixed home, so he must continually invent out of the unfamiliar space he finds himself in. The 'Fool' is an allegory of course, one doesn't have to literally be a homeless gypsy rover to perceive the reality of the ever-changing present – the home-dweller has the capability of seeing life afresh, each day, as if for the first time. Within the ‘nothingness’ of space exists the building blocks – the elemental and atomic infrastructure by which all things are born, so someone with sharp insight has the potential and the opportunity to create from inspiration as a magician, something from 'nothing', miraculous inventions and such.

    But lets take a fresh look at this very specialized term – 'magician.' We tend to think of a 'magician' as someone with special powers, above and beyond the normal range of abilities common to us all. This is good as an accepted term, and there are certain great minds who fit this description. But let's rethink it a bit, and give ourselves some credit. As human beings, we all have and use this 'mystic' power everyday - we want an omelet, so we get all the ingredients together to cook it up. We are all magicians - our commonly shared powers are so commonplace that we take them for granted, not realizing the utter uniqueness that we possess. No other creature but human is able to visualize, then manifest and bring into reality a given 'vision' apart from the instinct it is born with – a monkey is very smart and even has an opposable thumb, may pick up and break an egg, but will never make an omelet. Humans – the magicians – can do this and a billion times more. The same exact principles as frying an egg apply to inventing a computer's motherboard or a jet engine, mending a garment or jotting down a note. From the most complex to the simplest, first comes the idea of it then the mind and body goes to work to pull the necessary ingredients and components together to bring it into being. Some even find a way to pull a rabbit out of an empty hat, which by the way is no simple trick.      
   The Magician card brings into focus the creative aspect of our lives and helps us to define and refine the capabilities that are innate within us, only requiring our imagination and attention. The focus of the mind is the one factor needed to produce anything; first we visualize then we think, then we take the actual steps. 
      Any card in the Tarot has as its primary function and source of value, the quality of defining – by means of an image – some aspect of our lives. We look at a card, focus our attention, contemplate its meaning, and clarity emerges, perhaps in ways never considered before. But keep in mind, you are the one who provides its meaning. It's your life, and you, as the Magician, interpret the card – just as you interpret all you see – and take from it the relevance that arises for you. This is the 'magic' of the Tarot.

   This and other guides may be useful, but ultimately, you are the alchemist, the conjurer who will choose your ingredients to synthesize and shape the physical and metaphysical world you live in, and in so doing will shape your life.
    Through it all keep in mind that real magic, the only truly valuable magic lies in the ability to bring happiness to oneself and those around. Nothing else is worth more. 

By Ananda G. Brady copyright 2011