The Magician – As Above, So Below
The Magician Tarot Card: Feminine, Mythic, Irish
The Magician by Anna Matykiewicz 2025
In my last blog post , I began revisiting my journey with the Tarot—a path that started over twenty years ago with my university thesis on Tarot, Jungian psychology, and Gnosticism. At the time, it was purely academic, an intellectual dive into symbolism and archetypes. But with the clarity that comes from lived experience, I now see it was more than research—it was a map I was unknowingly drawing for my own spiritual unfolding.
As I return to the cards through my art, they feel alive in a new way. Each archetype now carries personal resonance. In this post, I want to take a closer look at The Magician—a figure I once studied with detached curiosity, but now meet with deep recognition.
1. The Magician – The Power of Conscious Creation
The Magician (I), from the Rider–Waite tarot deck
The next station is the first Major Arcana – The Magician.
This card is considered a principal archetype, overarching all the other Arcanas, and initiates the school of spiritual practice. The Magician may be created by God or by man—as the first cause of infinity, the principle of unity and action, the union of opposites, the Logos, the Word of God, the life-giving Spirit hovering over the waters of chaos at the moment of creation.
In the Tarot, he is a figure of confidence—through him, we become responsible and mature. He symbolizes higher powers that we often don’t realize exist within us.
The Magician is depicted as a young man wearing a refined hat. He stands at a table holding a cup, wand, sword, and coin—symbols of the Minor Arcana. There are also cobbler’s tools referencing craftsmanship, or the practical work of manifesting in the world.
Also known as The Master, The Sorcerer, or The Magus, he likely represents a traveling conjurer, like The Fool—either alone or with a troupe of actors and musicians. He would have played the role of a fortune-teller or a peddler of ineffective potions.
Despite that trickster lineage, the creators of the Tarot elevated him to a strong, self-assured figure—an independent archetype, standing alone. He may also be interpreted as Prometheus.
Prometheus, the Titan who defied the gods to bring fire—symbol of knowledge and civilization—to humanity. By stealing it from Olympus, he broke Zeus’s command and accepted responsibility for his actions. His punishment was to be chained to a rock, where an eagle devoured his regenerating liver daily. Prometheus became a symbol of rebellion, conscious consequence, and sacrifice for a higher cause.
The Magician is a young soul, open to receiving and learning about himself and the world, gradually becoming aware of his own “I.” Following The Fool, the Magician marks the first step into conscious existence—the awakening of self-awareness, like a child learning to live in the world and use its primary tools—its senses.
“Traditionally, the Magician is an adept who has explored all aspects of his being, striving for conscious balance between the physical and the divine.”
The wand he holds represents his burning will, through which he controls the four elements—symbolised by the four objects on the table: Sword (air), Cup (water), Wand (fire), Coin (earth)
Le Bateleur, from the Tarot of Marseille
The symbol above his head denotes the presence of the Holy Spirit, signifying that his inspiration and emotions flow from his true Self.
In Gnostic thought, the Magician may be seen as a messenger from higher realms, a conscious link between the spiritual and material worlds. He doesn't fully detach from the mundane, but withdraws just enough to focus on what matters most—the development of our personality and soul.
His white robe symbolizes inner purity and balance; his red cloak, the fire of action. At his feet, the lily stands for aspiration, and the rose for achievement. He is a teacher who appears when the student is ready, a master of wisdom, guiding The Fool through the hidden paths of the soul.
Jakob Böhme wrote of a tree “which, in its youth, bears little fruit because it grows in wild, untamed soil and contains too much moisture. Even if it blossoms beautifully, most of its apples will fall—unless it grows in excellent ground.”
This connects beautifully to Jung’s idea of initiation into maturity and ego development:
“Liberation from the Self and the devouring powers of the collective unconscious,” leading to true autonomy.
The goal is to think independently, rather than replicate inherited patterns. The Magician is one who uses intellect to transform the world—not content with what is—constantly seeking meaning and alternatives. This path becomes his initiation into the secrets of existence.
“When reversed, the Magician becomes a juggler, a showman who plays with life, relishing the effects of his small manipulations on lesser mortals. His goal then is no longer wisdom, but power. If he successfully summons the elemental forces, he becomes a sorcerer—an instrument of demonic powers he once sought to control.”
My Interpretation :
1. The Magician – As Above, So Below
In creating this piece, I felt deeply connected to the powerful energy of Brigid and The Morrigan—two iconic Irish goddesses representing fire, transformation, and prophecy. Their ability to manifest change, bridge spiritual and earthly realms, and command unseen forces aligned perfectly with the essence of The Magician tarot archetype.
The Magician by Anna Matykiewicz 2025
Reimagining The Magician Through the Feminine and the Celtic
This artwork is my personal interpretation of The Magician tarot card, viewed through a feminine lens and rooted in Celtic mythology and the wild beauty of Ireland's landscape. Rather than the traditional male figure at his table, I envisioned a strong, intuitive woman drawing her power from ancient goddesses and sacred symbols.
The central figure in the piece channels the essence of Brigid (Bríde, Bríg)—goddess of: healing, poetry, smithcraft, fire and transformation, divine inspiration and manifestation.
Brigid, known for bridging the material and spiritual worlds, perfectly mirrors The Magician’s role as a conduit between realms. Her creative force, symbolic of turning thought into form, inspired both the palette and the energetic composition of this piece.
Symbolism and Visual Language
Her hands are key: one raised, one pointing downward—embodying the Hermetic axiom, "As above, so below". This classic gesture symbolizes the channeling of universal energy into physical reality, a cornerstone of both The Magician and Celtic magical tradition.
The color palette—gold, sepia, and deep black—evokes Ireland’s mystical atmosphere, from golden twilight skies to ancient earth and shadowed stone. Swirling Celtic motifs around her neck and chest suggest eternal cycles and spiritual connection.
Gold leaf accents shimmer throughout the piece like alchemical fire, representing insight, clarity, and hidden knowledge made visible. The layered textures and watercolor washes reflect the fluid boundaries between the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes.
A Celtic Feminine Magician
This Magician is not just a figure of power—she is deeply rooted in the myth and magic of the Irish landscape. She is the weaver of will and nature, embodying sacred knowledge and feminine strength. This is a modern sorceress drawn from ancient lore—commanding, intuitive, and transformative.
*Recommended Links *
Related Blog Post:
👉 My Journey with Tarot: From Thesis to Spiritual Practice
More About Brigid:
🔗 Brigid’s legacy: From folklore to feminism and fire.More About:
🔗 What Does "As Above, So Below" Really Mean?
