One arm raised high, one pointed to the ground, the Magician forms a conduit between heaven and earth, channelling cosmic energies into his work. It’s a powerful stance, and it’s often adopted by true masters of their profession at the top of their game.
In July 1986, during the live tour that followed their incredible show-stealing performance at Live Aid the previous year, Queen connected the masses with the ecstasy of the divine. Whatever you might think of their music, you can’t deny that Freddie knew how to engage a crowd. “What you must understand“, he once told another singer, “is that my voice comes from the energy of the audience. The better they are, the better I get”. Freddie got it.
A lot is often made of the fact that, on the table in front of him, the Magician has a wand, a cup, a sword, and a pentacle—all of the tools necessary for him to perform his work. But in a broader sense, the Magician himself is the machine that transduces creative energy into his desired effects in the real world.
It’s important to note as well that this card happens at the very beginning of the major arcana, kicking off the Fool’s Journey. A lot more is going to happen to the Fool before he’s done, and he’s going to undergo death, rebirth, transformation, and transcendence in ways that aren’t even dreamt of by the Magician here. Mastery over the physical universe is only the start—but what a start.
Mastery over the physical universe can take many forms. Actual magic is not required. What’s important is that the capacity to control the elements is complete, and total, and immediately relevant to the daily life of the person involved. I’m always glad to see this card turn up inna reading: it’s usually a reminder that the querent has much more power over their situation than they think.
The journey begins. It won’t end the way it starts, but for now, we could do much worse than to employ the skills we already possess.
…At this hour
Lie at my mercy all mine enemies.
Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou
Shalt have the air at freedom. For a little
Follow, and do me service.
The Tempest, Act IV, scene i
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