The Magician is a representation of will,
Skill,
And the harnessing of available resources to manifest intentions.
As card number one in the Major Arcana,
It symbolises the pure,
Pioneering spirit required to bring about tangible results.
Associated with Mercury,
This card also emphasises intellect,
Agility,
And creative or technical prowess.
In this Active Imagination exercise,
We will engage with the energy of the Magician,
Aiming to deepen our relationship with it,
And exploring our ability to direct our will,
Utilise our skills,
And apply our resources effectively.
So just making sure you're comfortable,
Eyes closed,
Taking a couple of deep breaths,
Do this just to use the body,
As a way to calm and access the mind,
Just allowing it to relax naturally,
And allowing your breath to return to a natural rhythm.
And now,
Keep your attention on the breath,
For now.
Essentially what we're doing here is just using our will to just cultivate the mind,
To a state where we can access the imagination more readily.
Just set your intention that anytime the mind wanders,
That's no problem,
Just bring your attention back to the exercise.
And now,
Imagine yourself in a space that represents potential and creation,
And equipped with various tools reflecting the Magician's attributes.
This could be some kind of workshop,
Studio space,
Any other kind of abstract environment.
In this space,
You notice the appearance of four different tools.
The first tool represents your willpower and energy.
The second tool represents feeling and your emotional state.
The third tool represents intellect and your mental faculties.
And the fourth tool represents your material and financial world.
In the Tarot,
These four elements are represented by wands,
Cups,
Swords,
And discs.
You can certainly use these four symbols if that works for you,
But if something more abstract comes to mind,
That's fine too.
Everything and every detail you experience in this exercise reflects some aspect of your mind and your relationship to these four dimensions of consciousness.
And now,
In this space,
A figure begins to form.
This figure is the Magician,
That part of you representing will and the ability to bring about your creations.
Examine the Magician more closely,
Taking note of their clothing,
Their demeanor,
And their general stance towards you.
How does the Magician appear to you?
Do they generally appear friendly and cooperative?
Or is there some resistance to this archetype?
You're now going to engage the Magician in a conversation,
Surrounded by the space that you're in and the various tools that you've examined here.
You're going to ask the Magician a series of questions.
As you do,
Simply state each question to the Magician and see what manifests by way of an answer.
Now,
The answer may well come in the form of words,
But just allow whatever needs to appear to appear.
It may also come in the form of their behavior or even changes to the space or the tools surrounding you.
Ask the Magician,
What talents and skills do I possess that are currently underutilized?
How can I align my intentions with my actions to manifest my goals?
In what ways can I become more self-reliant in realizing more of my true self?
What is the next step in my development that you are guiding me towards?
Now having asked these questions and witnessed the response,
The Magician invites you to engage in a free-form conversation.
You can use this space to deepen your relationship with the Magician,
However you need to.
If there is any conflict between you or any resistance,
You can use this opportunity to hear the Magician out,
Understand its needs,
Where it's coming from,
And use your intention to bring about a reconciliation with this figure.
Whatever it is you need to say,
Take the next minute or two to have a conversation with the Magician,
Remembering that everything you experience is a part of your own mind and your own wisdom.
As this conversation with the Magician draws to a close,
The Magician invites you to reflect once again on the four objects representing the four modalities of consciousness situated nearby.
The Magician prompts you to take these four symbols and craft them into an entirely new symbol.
So with the Magician's help,
Take this time to combine these four symbols and transform them into an entirely new symbol.
Imagine yourself producing this transformation now.
Once this process is complete,
Take a look at the new symbol you've created.
Examine it in detail.
Perhaps pick it up.
Feel its weight,
Texture,
Its material.
This symbol may or may not make sense to you at this time.
Either way,
That's fine.
Trust that your psyche understands the symbolic language.
Simply by having this experience,
Progress has been made in deepening your relationship with this part of you represented by the Magician.
It's a good idea to journal this experience after the exercise and continue to reflect on it over the coming days and weeks.
But for now,
Thanking the Magician for their wisdom and guidance and just allowing the scene to fade.
Bringing your attention back to the space around you now.
Noticing whatever you happen to notice.
Whether it's physical sounds,
Sensations,
Perhaps any feelings that are present.
Taking a deep breath.
And in your own time,
Opening your eyes again.
