78 Weeks: Magician: RWS, TdM Convos, Alchemical Tarot Renewed
TdM CONVOS
The Magician holds a wand in his left hand, is standing at an oblong shaped table containing what looks like coins, small knives, two cups, abd a blue and yellow bag or pouch (can't quite make it out). He stands on rocky ground, white background behind him - he could easily be up on top of a hill or mountain. This Convos deck has stark white backgrounds for every card. His hat is shaped like a lemniscate or infinity sign. He's looking down, and to his right, with a serious expression. His clothing is colourful, dark blue, pale blue, red and gold/orange. Some small green shrubs are seen near his feet. Red shoes. The wand in his left hand seems to float on his fingers, he doesn't seem to be holding it, it is balancing there.
Symbols:
Lemniscate: or infinity symbol, the Lemniscate symbolizes the endless, infinite nature of energy which can't be created or destroyed, and the Magician is intimate with this knowledge. The infinity symbol above the Magician's head shows that he understands that the energy of his thoughts always leads to infinite consequence.
Tools: Cups, knives (swords), coins (pentacles) and wands. Water, air, earth and fire. The four elements, which make up all of the created world. Importantly, the Magician is the master of the blending of these elements to CREATE. The lemniscate on his hat signifies the creative power of his thoughts in blending these elements leading to creativity and manifestation in the material world.
RIDER WAITE
Here, the Magician is standing. He's facing straight ahead, a wand in his right hand, pointed upwards, and his left hand pointed down towards the ground. A lemniscate hovers above his head. He looks strong and masterful, determined and competent. He wears white with a red robe, the background of the card is yellow. Floral boughs adorn this card. His table appears square, and holds a wand, a sword, a pentacle and a cup. The orobouros belt around his waist is another symbol of energy constantly flowing in and out of itself, like the infinity symbol above his head. Energy flows from his raised right hand and wand, down through him, through his left arm and grounded. Above and below. From heaven to earth. A sort of bringing together of opposites, in order for creation to occur.
ALCHEMICAL RENEWED
Here, the naked Magician stands on rocky earth, the sea behind him, a fire to his right, cloudy sky behind him. Again, the four elements but this time in their natural state. He holds a Cadaceus in his right hand, with two snakes intertwined and meeting at the top - red and white. He wears the winged helmet of Hermes Mercurius on his head.
"Hermes, The Messenger,
Known by Many Names,
God of the Marketplace and the Patron of Thieves
Father of Alchemy,
Psychopompus, Guide to the Underworld,
And Hermes the Divine Herald.
Hermes, the Greek god also known
as the Roman god Mercury."
Comparisons:
Of the three decks, the Alchemical Magician stands alone. He's very much more a 'God' type figure than either of the other images of the Magician. He looks as if he's come from the clouds! The Convos and RW Magicians are quite 'earthed', clothed, feet on the ground. Our Alchemical Magus even has wings on his helmet! Naked and barefooted, and connecting with the four elements in their natural raw state, and not using representations of the elements as do the other Magicians, somehow make him a little more powerful in my eyes.
The Convos Magician is holding his wand in his left hand, my RWS and Alchemical Magicians hold their wands in the right hand.
All three suggest great power at their disposal, but the power is not coming from them, it comes through them, and through the wand held in the hand. They are the custodians of this power, and act as a conduit to bring heaven and earth together in creation.
In practical terms for us, the Magician means thinking straight. Knowing what you want, taking the necessary steps to get there, being positive and confident. Bringing ideas into manifestation by action.
