The Magician

The 1st Key

Colour: Yellow
Sound: E Natural
Planet: Mercury
DOUBLE LETTER: Life / Death

This is the Path that connects Understanding with the Crown. The energies of this card are at once active and passive. It is both that which transmits and that which is transmitted. The channel through which the energy of the Fool is organised and brought down in a purposeful and willful way.

Attributed to this card is House. It is the dwelling place of the Spirit, symbolised by the Fool. The Magician directs and encloses it. The Magician is the one that is able to pronounce the Diving Name.

Also attributed to this card is Mercury the messenger. Mercury (Roman), Hermes (Greek) and Thoth (Egyptian) are for practical purposes the same deity. Hermes is associated with word and Thoth is said to have invented hieroglyphs through which messages could be recorded and transmitted. Words transmit ideas from person to person just as the Magician transmits the idea of self-creation of the One from above. These words are transmitted via sound, intelligent vibration. The Magician is the first vibration through which the One Spirit begins the process of manifestation.

Beth symbolises the first in creation, the beginning of the beginning. The first matter. He initiates the process of life and death as indicated by the infinity sign above the head of the Magician representing a closed circle of energy in the Universe.

As Case describes, all created will are but a reflection of the will of the Magician. This will is directed by the wand in his hand. Here the Crowley card's depiction of the Magician as the wand is profound. He is the messenger and the message.