The Magician is the 1st Trump in the Major Arcana representing yang energy and the masculine power. The Magician is also represented by the planet Mercury - ruling communication, wisdom, will, and action in all forms and phases. The Magician is often symbolic of having strength of will to create your own life; to make the magic real for you. This card symbolizes the ability to communicate and control your environment, to focus your energy and concentrate. The Magician is about making your will into reality, manifesting your hopes and dreams into your life. 

The Halloween Magician is reminiscent of a classic stage conjurer pulling rabbits out of hats.  He is surrounded by representatives of each suit - a bat, a ghost, a pumpkin and an imp.  He has all the elements he needs to create a magical and amazing experience for all those who watch.  He is a gifted showman who is able to disguise his truly magical nature in the guise of slight of hand.

The Bohemian Gothic Magician is a darker, more mysterious figure.  He also surrounds himself with the elements he will need to work his magic but he is not interested in entrancing and entertaining an audience.  His goals are of a more personal, selfish nature.  His nails appear to be much longer than usual - as though he does not have time to focus on such trivialities because he is focusing all of his energies on his great work.  The silvery light of the moon offers some illumination in this dark chamber but it is apparent that this Magician does his work in the darkness because he is not seeking the approval and adulations of others.  He is focused and determined to manifest his desires through this work.  Of course the smoke rising from the brazier is a sickly yellow that obscures part of the view; making it difficult to see things clearly.

As I considered these cards and their message to me could be interpreted one of two ways.  The first is that I need to focus my energies internally before I will be able to manifest that magic in my life.  I need to get things clear in my own mind; settle the disquiet that I sometimes feel about taking such a focused and directed stance about things.  The second is that I need to be sure is that my own fears are not causing me to focus my energies in a direction that isn't in my best interests.  I need to be sure I'm not letting the smoke from the brazier obscure the truth.

One of the things I like about The Magician is his sense of self-assurance and confidence.  He knows what he wants to achieve and he is not afraid to use whatever power and talent is at his disposal to manifest it.  I sometimes let my own self-doubts and fears overwhelm me.  I'm famous for "what if".  What if I try to become a professional Tarot reader and no one wants a reading?  What if I do get clients but my technique is terrible?  What if (fill in the blank)?  I think I suffer from a classic case of fear of success.  There have been so many times when I have actually manifest things in my life that it spooks me a bit.  For example there might be a book I really want but I can't find it immediately.  If I am meant to own the book I often find that when the time and price are right I will find the book.  Or perhaps there is a doll I really love but I can only find her at a price that isn't feasible for me.  When I am meant to own this doll I will find her at the right price.  These are just minor events, but they do make me a bit nervous sometimes.  On the positive side, if I can learn to harness that energy and will to manifest positive and transformative opportunities in my life, then why not take advantage of it.