The Magician

I am in the process of learning to read Tarot cards. This is something I've wanted to do for what seems like forever, but other things always seem more important. Not to mention, I have always steered clear of psychics and card readers - mostly because my Christian upbringing seems to have instilled a fear of anything having to do with divination. It's not that I don't believe in psychics, I do believe some people are more sensitive to the world we can't see, but I just haven't had much experience with them, and I've never had my cards "read."

But since I will no longer be defined by fear, I thought I would check out Tarot. Learning for myself seemed like the best approach.

No time like the present. I ordered a book by Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega, Power Tarot. The book suggests starting out by picking out one card, writing down the meaning in a diary, and taking time to study how it might be represented in an actual spread. Each day you pick another card, until you learn what each card represents. From the book:

"Spreads form the heart of tarot. They create the stories the cards tell and depict recurring patterns that are both visible and invisible, known and unknown, obvious and hidden."


"Some spreads work best for specific questions, others describe general situations and conditions, and still others answer questions that haven't been asked yet."


It is also suggested that one handle the deck, shuffling, holding, touching, etc., until one feels ready to start. So I've spent the last several days doing just that. I found a spot on my coffee table, and picked them up often. I was ready to begin.

So my first question: "What is the most important card to me in this deck right now?" I cleared my mind, said a positive mantra I always say, asked for the answer to my question, shuffled, felt the cards slip through my fingers one by one and finally, after a minute or so -  eventually chose one.

The card?

The Magician 

"He consciously creates reality through his will and imagination. As an alchemist and transformer, he epitomizes the ability to translate ideas into action. He relies on self confidence, power, and determination to see him through. 


The astrological counterpart of the Magician is Mercury, the planet of mental agility and quickness. He symbolizes creative intelligence, psychic discovery, new beginnings, and the realization that with desire, intent, and focus, all our dreams are within our reach."


Hmmm, sounds a little bit like my belief system already. This may prove interesting.