This painting is the second in my tarot series. This card drew me in for a few reasons, not the least of which is my close friendship to a follower of the chaos magic tradition. I also see this card as a unifying card that ties a tarot deck together given its connection to all the suits and its role in expressing a connection between the material world and spiritual world. This painting is also full of symbiology and is just a beautiful card in general.
The card features a Magician before an altar where he has gathered the four suits of the tarot. These may be items he has crafted himself or not, but he is definitely in this moment imbuing them with power and purpose. He is calling on the four elements under the full moon to charge these four suits with his intent for them. His forefingers point both up toward the heavens and down toward the earth representing the connection which he serves between the two. In his upward stretched hand he holds a scroll from which he is reading. The scroll is a symbol of ancient knowledge that the magician uses to work his will.
The painting has a purple sky, symbolizing the void and source of magic and green earth below for the earthly, physical realm of humanity. The moon is full as many believe this is a time of greater power. The river represents water, the mountains represent earth, the clouds represent air, and the torches represent fire. The four elements are also displayed two other times, first on the magician’s belt and second on the front of the altar with the four triangular representations. Above the magician’s head is a cloud forming the infinity symbol which represents unlimited possiblity, dimensions, and power.
Behind the mage is a Hawthorn tree which is often associated with magical enchantment, dualism, the union of opposites, protection, and several other relevant concepts. The tree also represents life and growth from the earth toward the heavens. The river in the background flows toward the alter from the mountains representing the flow of energy from on high to the magician below. The mountains climb higher to with the up-pointed hand of the magician. This is the earth reaching for the heavens, wanting to be united with the void.
Upon the altar, lay the four suits, which could also be associated with the four elements, though that is not their primary symbology. The cup, which is associated with water, is imbued by the magician with the emotions of humanity. The cup speaks to how we feel, our love, and our relationships. The coin/pentacle, which is associated with the earth, is imbued by the magician with the practical concerns of humanity. The coin speaks to our material needs and financial considerations. The sword, which is associated with air, is imbued by the magician with the challenges of humanity. The sword speaks to the conflict, efforts, and trouble we face during our lives. Finally, the wand, which is associated with fire, is imbued by the magician with the inspiration of humanity. The wand represents our passion, creativity, and cleverness. These four suits sit in front of a black and which candle which is used to represent the darker and lighter side which exists in each suit as well as being a focusing tool for the ritual on the altar.
The painting is traditionally marked with roman numeral 1 and is titled in Latin, “Magus”, meaning “The Magician”. The painting is completed by my