Arcana 1: THE MAGICIAN, THE CONJURER or THE PRESTIDIGITATOR, in the act of creating, in the act of exercising the Great Work. The magician is standing in an attitude of exercising the power of his will at the moment of taking action, at the moment of creating. The hat on his head hides the sign of infinity (∞), completely visible in the original Egyptian tarot. This sign of the infinite —the horizontal number eight— encloses, defines and links the magnetic currents of the higher mind with the lower minds. In his left hand holds a scepter, which rises toward the sky, in order to indicate his aspirations for wisdom, science and moral strength. His right hand points to the scepter —and the sky— to explain he is prepared to master the matter, in order to aspire to the magic scepter. In front of him a table, which represents or conceals a cube —image of absolute solidity— or rather, it hides the “cubic stone” of the Egyptian tarot. On the table —which allegorizes the altar— three prestidigitator glasses face down. In other Marseille tarots are represented by a glass or a cup for dices, and in the original Egyptian tarot there is a sacred cup. It symbolizes our own cup, and may be fulfilled with human passions or with the “elixir of the wise”. In other tarots of Marseille we see a knife, which is the equivalent to the sword in the Egyptian tarot. Symbolize the willpower, the weapon of the brave who fight against error. Finally, we see one or several coins, emblem of the reward given to voluntary work. The Ibis on the original Egyptian tarot cube —which typifies surveillance— has been represented here by a small bird. Symbology The mysteries of the sacred Bull Apis. It is related to the Hebrew letter Aleph (א) (Álef), first of Hebrew Alphabet. Kabalistic Sephiroth: Kether (Kéther) Interpretation According to ancient traditions, it represents the Unity, the Principle of Light, the Father; the world as His manifestation; the man as a living unit, complete in itself; the foundation of the reason of all acts and facts; the synthesis of everything; the initiation into the mysteries and the power to decipher and use them; the volitional power. It means what is started, what begins, what is sown. Every beginning is difficult, one has to work hard, has to sow to be able to harvest. It gives aptitude to solve the problems. It confers power to awaken and to dominate the passions in the physical world. It tends to the organization of the natural elements and to the domain of the forces in movement. It gives aptitude to acquire, dispose, model and apply. Astrology Sun in Leo. Spheres of manifestation ● spiritual, it is the One, the sum of all what exists, the initiation into occult, esoteric mysteries, and the ability to penetrate and use them wisely. ● mental, it means the power of the creative will, metamorphosis and coherence. Gives talent to solve problems and dominate emotions. ● Physical, tends to the ordering of the elements of nature and the control of forces in action; and gives the ability to buy and sell, create, train and use. Applicable Maxim “Be in your deeds as you are in your thoughts.” Prediction Promises dominion of material obstacles New social relationships Happy initiatives... The confluence of faithful friends who help in the development of projects, and jealous friends who obstruct them Creative will Mysterious events in the process of formation Predictive synthesis Victory, but struggling, due to karma. The sword of willpower must be used. It also announces power. A firm willpower and confidence in yourself, guided by reason and love for Justice, will lead you to the object of your ambition, and will save you from the dangers along the way.
