The Magician (I)
The Hand as the central motif, with the Serpent and the Dragon and the Vessel in a secondary part. From The 1909 tarot.
What is happening
Waite, 1911 “A youthful figure in the robe of a magician, having the countenance of divine Apollo, with smile of confidence and shining eyes. Above his head is the mysterious sign of the Holy Spirit, the sign of life, like an endless cord, forming the figure 8 in a horizontal position.”
Waite, 1911 “This card signifies the divine motive in man, reflecting God, the will in the liberation of its union with that which is above. It is also the unity of individual being on all planes, and in a very high sense it is thought, in the fixation thereof.”
Key · 3 motifs
Tap a motif on the picture, or a line below. Its note opens under the line, with the reading its author gave it.
- Primary motif
- Secondary motifs · 2
The picture
A young figure in a white robe and red mantle stands at a table bearing a cup, a sword, a pentacle and a wand; the right hand raises a white wand, the left points to the ground; the lemniscate above the head, a serpent belt at the waist, roses and lilies around; the Hand as the central motif, the Serpent and the Vessel by eye. By eye
Decoded: every motif is marked, and each mark carries the reading its author gave it, quoted from the text, or says that it is observed on the picture and not read. The composition, the picture read whole in our own words, comes with the entry.
An open right hand, a sign on every finger and one in the palm. Hall calls it the hand of the philosopher, extended to those who enter the Mysteries.
By eye The central motif, raised with the wand, and pointing to the ground.
Waite, 1911 “In the Magician's right hand is a wand raised towards heaven, while the left hand is pointing to the earth. This dual sign is known in very high grades of the Instituted Mysteries; it shews the descent of grace, virtue and light, drawn from things above and derived to things below.”
Waite, 1911 “The suggestion throughout is therefore the possession and communication of the Powers and Gifts of the Spirit.”
No entry yet for this motif. The wall gathers every work that carries it.
By eye A secondary motif, the belt at the waist, eating its tail.
Waite, 1911 “About his waist is a serpent-cincture, the serpent appearing to devour its own tail. This is familiar to most as a conventional symbol of eternity, but here it indicates more especially the eternity of attainment in the spirit.”
No entry yet for this motif. The wall gathers every work that carries it.
By eye A secondary motif, the cup on the table.
Waite, 1911 “On the table in front of the Magician are the symbols of the four Tarot suits, signifying the elements of natural life, which lie like counters before the adept, and he adapts them as he wills.”
Also carrying the Hand
3 works, 1 with it as the central motif. The symbol.
Also carrying the Serpent and the Dragon
11 works. The symbol.
Also carrying the Vessel
7 works. The symbol.
In the same series
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