TITULO ÚNICOS - DE LA APELACIÓN, Y LOS PROCEDIMIENTOS EN LA APELACIÓN

Astrological Influence: Mercury

Key words and phrases: Using initiative. Free spirit. Taking action. Your potential talents and qualities coming to light. Doing what needs to be done. Being creative. Knowing what you are doing. Experiencing power. Using your talents. Ability to convince others. Self-confidence. Carrying out plans. Willpower. Making a strong impact. Opportunities. Originality. Manual and intellectual ability. Flexibility. Organisational skills. Making magic. Individuality. Focusing on a goal. Mastery.

Symbolic Meaning

A youthful male figure dressed in a robe is depicted on the Magician card in the Waite deck. Above his head is a horizontal symbol of infinity representing the Holy Spirit, and around his waist is the alchemical symbol ouroborus, the serpent devouring its own tail. He stands raising a wand with his right hand, and his left hand is pointing down below, which indicates that he is

transferring sacred energy from above to the world below. On the table are the four symbols of the four Tarot suits, signifying that he has control of the four elements of natural life and creation, wands represent fire, cups

represent water, swords represent air, and pentacles represent earth. There is a bower of red roses above his head, and in the foreground below they are mixed with lilies.

The robe suggests status and power. The red robe represents power, strength, dynamism and sensuality, and the white robe represents

innocence. The Anglo-Saxons believed that the colour red protected them from evil and provided them with magical powers.

The symbol of infinity is shaped like a figure eight and is an ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life.

The ouroborus is the ancient Greek symbolic serpent with its tail in its mouth representing the cycle of life, eternity, totality, and the inseparable self-

supporting character of Nature.

The wand represents the authority of the Self. It symbolises the “magical” powers that influence us, and to be aware of any external forces that needs controlling. The wand describes the movement from above to below, from Heaven to earth, from the nadir to the zenith and vice versa, it embraces spirit and provides a link between the higher and lower worlds. The Greeks

considered the wand to represent destiny and fate. Numerically it is related to the number one.

Roses are a symbol of the heart, of perfection, and of sacred, romantic and sensual love. The rose also has a connection to the centre of the Wheel of Life, the endless cycle of life and death. The centre or hub is the point of liberation, and it symbolises a spiritual journey as a movement from the edge of the wheel to the centre, much like the purpose of meditation.

Lilies represent purity in alchemy, and are linked with courage and perseverance. They are identified with Christian devotion, purity and innocence. Older traditions associated lilies with fertility and erotic love.

On the whole the Magician signifies the divine will to attain liberation and union from above. However, it also suggests that we may need to look at the nature and the intentions of the people that come into our lives. Are they being honest or are they deceiving us? It could also be that we may need to look at whether we are being deceived into a false sense of security by our own illusions and have become attracted by something or someone that is

false. The Magician can also represent the need to take an original approach to a problem, or maybe organise things in a unique but powerful way.

Probably the most famous mythological magician is Merlin. He is credited with building the Round Table, and of course the creation of the magic sword, Excalibur. It is said that he transformed himself into a knight, named Jordans, of the court of Gorlois. Merlin did this to help Uther Pendragon to seduce Igraine, by changing him into her husband, Gorlois. However, he would only do this if Uther promised that he would give Merlin the baby son that was born between them. This was the future king, Arthur, and Merlin took the boy and fostered him with Ector. This story is one of deceit and guidance. The deceit involved was in the seducing of Igraine, but good came from it through Merlin’s guidance to steer Arthur to the throne for the good of the country.

The Magician is a teacher and a guide and urges us to control our path

through life by gaining knowledge, and by using our creativity and willpower. It is suggesting that we develop our potential and direct our talents and skills in a positive, suitable and sensible way. We may have to deal with many tasks at the same time, so we must use our ingenuity and integrity when making our choices, and have responsibility and control in the action we take.

This card’s number is one, which is the number of masculine power, and is a symbol of beginning, creation, unity, creative power, individuality, initiative and Self. It represents the ability to start something new in a powerful and decisive manner. It refers to ambition, vigour, enterprise and leadership that are

combined with a powerful will and great potential.

The astrological ruling planet of the Magician is Mercury, which is the planet of communication, intellect, reasoning and teaching. This planet influences us to concern ourselves with our children and our personal local environment. It is the mental attitude that governs many important patterns of behaviour, such as deciding where to live, local schooling, local travel, and everyday business

matters. Mercury influences the mind, communication and general mental capacity, and it governs how the mind works and how we are able to translate thoughts into actions.

In Roman myth, Mercury was the herald and messenger of the gods, he was also the god of art, commerce, eloquence, fertility, games, luck, roads, thieves, tricksters and wisdom. He is depicted wearing a winged hat and sandals, and carrying the caduceus, a magic wand with wings and entwined serpents, that is said to have transformative power to change male to female and vice versa. The caduceus symbolises the mediation between opposing forces and is now interpreted as an emblem for homeopathic medicine. Mercury is credited with the invention of fire, the lyre from the shell of a tortoise, the shepherd’s pipe, astronomy, musical scales, and measures.

The Magician indicates that we all have the power we need within us, it is basically how we do things and how we learn through our experiences and lessons in life.

Interpretation

When the Magician appears in a spread you should expect a new beginning and a fresh start, so use your initiative, skills and creative abilities to their full potential. The time is right to put your plans into action and start on new projects. There are choices to be made and you must be decisive and determined as to which direction you take. If you focus your mind, your own intuition and wisdom may guide you in the direction that you need to go in. Be original, use your creativity and imagination, and use the special skills and talents that you have gained to reach your goals. You have the ability to convince others of what you can do, so promote yourself and show them. Approach any problems from a different angle, you have a natural power and great ability to overcome conflict, so assess your abilities and start making some decisions.

You are good at developing positive relationships and can expect a change in your love life, perhaps a new romance will start up or an existing relationship starts to go from strength to strength. If you are thinking of starting a new relationship make the first move, because it doesn’t always come and sit on your lap. Business affairs look promising too, you may have luck in securing a new job, employment opportunity or starting your own new business.

Whatever the situation you will be successful financially, in new projects, ventures, creative pursuits, new partnerships, and any effort or enterprise you do on your own.

The Magician card can also signal the beginning of psychic awareness. However, don’t commit yourself to any venture too quickly because the Magician can be a trickster, so be aware of any trickery, exploitation or manipulation around you. In the end, this card is suggesting that you are a true leader and an original thinker, and your talents and qualities are coming to light. It is advising you to be creative and there will be many happy

surprises in store for you. In other words, you are the master of your own destiny.

Negative

There may be unfortunate changes in your career or upsets in your family, through your own restlessness or a lack of intelligent planning. There may also be malicious gossip, bickering and altercations going on in your domestic life. You seem to be hesitating and becoming impatient about something. Perhaps someone has been lying to you and put you in a tricky situation. Maybe you are finding it hard to put your plans into action. You feel that you are doing all the work and being taken for granted. This makes you feel lacking in willpower, inspiration and energy, and makes you feel

unappreciated. Someone or something may be preventing you from moving forward. Look into other people’s motives because there might be some trickery going on.

People

Those who are open-minded, inquisitive and dynamic. Those who start or achieve something new. Those who are starting a period in their lives where they can exert their free spirit and willpower. Those who increase their knowledge through education or travel. Entrepreneurs. Teachers. Inventors. Guides. Magicians. Artists.