The Magician stands as the first numbered card of the Major Arcana, representing the initial act of conscious creation following The Fool's leap into existence. In the Western Mystery Tradition, he is the Magus—the archetypal figure who channels divine will into manifestation. Assigned the Hebrew letter Beth (ב), meaning "house," The Magician represents the vessel or dwelling place through which spiritual force is directed into form. Beth is the first letter of Bereshith ("In the beginning"), making The Magician the initiator of all created things, the Word made flesh.

On the Tree of Life, The Magician traverses the twelfth path connecting Kether (the Crown) to Binah (Understanding). This path carries the undifferentiated light of pure being into the womb of form, where it will be shaped and given structure. His right hand raised to heaven and left pointing to earth demonstrates the Hermetic axiom "As above, so below"—he is the living conduit between worlds, the vertical axis of the cosmic cross. The four elemental weapons upon his altar—Wand (Fire), Cup (Water), Sword (Air), and Pentacle (Earth)—represent his mastery over the four worlds of Qabbalistic cosmology: Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah.

Under the planetary influence of Mercury, The Magician embodies divine intelligence, the power of communication between realms, and the quicksilver nature of thought itself. The lemniscate (infinity symbol) above his head signifies eternal consciousness and the continuous cycling of energy through manifestation and return. His robe is white for purity of intention, his outer garment red for will and desire properly directed. The garden of roses and lilies beneath him represents the cultivation of passion (red roses) and purity of spirit (white lilies) that results from balanced magical work. In readings, The Magician announces that all tools are at hand—the querent need only align intention with action to achieve their aims.

Upright: Conscious creation, divine will channeled, mastery of elements, skill and cunning, focused intention, the Hermetic arts, transformation of thought into reality, alignment of will and purpose.

Reversed: Manipulation, misuse of power, scattered will, trickery, untapped potential, confusion between planes, failure to ground inspiration, the charlatan.