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The Magician
Commonly associated with: Shaman, witch, wizard, prophet, priest, doctor, scientist.
Examples: Cassandra, Marie Curie, Morgana, Pythia, Tenzin Palmo
The Magician is a universal archetype common to all cultures. Throughout history, shamans, wizards, seers, prophets, and priests have all been associated with this archetypal pattern. In modern times, doctors, scientists and inventors also fall under this rubric. This is because Magicians are concerned with the movement, channeling and transmutation of energy. Where a traditional shaman may work with the flow of spiritual energies, a scientist works with the ebb and flow of energy in atomic physics and an inventor with the flow of electricity in wires and gadgets.
Transformation
Magicians ultimately seek to transform the world and themselves with their own hard-won knowledge. In learning to harness energetic movements, they develop an ability to positively affect their environment. They seek to synthesise disparate aspects of existence into a coherent whole. Their thinking is symbolic and intuitive, allowing them to perform ceremony and ritual in a purposeful and meaningful way. Above all, the Magician seeks inner truth gained through personal experience and they make a conscious, irrevocable choice to live outside the boundaries of "ordinary" existence.
The Magician's Challenge
The Magician is perhaps the most challenging archetype to find yourself identifying with at midlife. This is because our broader culture is intolerant of the more mysterious, intuitive dimensions of reality. Therefore, you may find yourself skulking on the outer limits of society, as if you now live in an alternative reality - as indeed you do. It is important to remember, however, that being an outsider, while uncomfortable, is often a positive and liberating experience. Thus, if you develop a yearning to explore such things as shamanic healing, meditation, tarot or one of the many other esoteric disciplines,this must be honored and embraced. You are not becoming deranged or readying yourself to join an alien space - cult. Quite simply, you are hearing the voice of your spirit.
The Journey
If the Magician calls, you will be drawn to explore other realities such as shamanism, various healing modalities, visionary experiences, meditation, yoga, the Gnostic gospels or The Enneagram. Authors and spiritual teachers such as Gurdjieff, Eckhart Tolle, Michael Harner or Daniel Pinchbeck will also have appeal.
References:
Celeste Adams, http://www.spiritofmaat.com
