You Have The Tools - The Magician
Following on from The Fool who is at the beginning of his journey, we have the Magician. The Magician is at the beginning of understanding, he has all the tools he needs to embark on a journey and create whatever life he desires. However, he is still only at the beginning of understanding the tools he has available to him. This is similar to when we start therapy, we may already hold the skills and tools within us but we may need some support on how to use these tools effectively, support to help us recognise our skills and strengths and time to put all these into practice.
The Magician's Tools
The Magician has many tools he can use, some that are commonly seen in the cards imagery include a Wand, Cup, Sword and Pentacle (which correspond to the Tarot card suits). The Wand could be interpreted as our goals and ambitions and the drive and passion we have. The Cup could be interpreted as our emotions which can sometimes take over if not regulated or can help fuel our passion and purpose. The Sword could be interpreted as our thoughts, some of which can be very beneficial while others extremely harmful. Finally, the Pentacle could be interpreted as either the physical or material things we have or need to help us. Everyone possesses these tools within them and has control over how to use them. However, these tools can be heavily influenced and controlled by our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences which are important to consider and in some cases manage or overcome.
Our Thoughts
This card conveys how our predominant thoughts and feelings may contribute significantly to the life we are experiencing. For example, someone starting a business who is overcome with negative thoughts and self-doubt may be less likely to start that business or not manage well with setbacks. Whereas someone with self-confidence and realistic thoughts may be better equipped to deal with the challenges of starting a business and may view and experience this entirely differently to someone with self-doubt. Therefore, the Magician asks us to explore what are predominant thoughts are and how are these impacting our life? He also conveys the importance of overcoming self-doubt and embracing our true self in order to get to where we want to be.
Our Strengths
Everyone possesses these tools but we all have different experiences of these tools and different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, the Magician asks you to consider what are your strengths? What tools do you already have? What tools and skills would you like to develop? What could you bring into the world with these tools?
Overall, the Magician could symbolise the importance of our inner resources that are unique and personal to each one of us. He highlights how we have the tools within us to create and change our lives and that you are the creator of your life and therefore you know what is best for you. These skills, resources, strengths and tools have the potential to bring something great into the world or create a life or version of ourselves that we are happy with – you just need to tap into them, develop them and start learning how to use them. This card reminds us to challenge self-doubt to find our true self and our strengths and ask ourselves what life would you like to create with your tools?