The Magician and the Mercury

Once again, it has been so long since I wrote my last blog.

I have been meaning to write about the Magician card and the associated planet Mercury, but it took me some time with breaks here and there to put it together.

I have mentioned Mercury in my previous blogs in different occasions.

I know that its retrograde motion is very popular and creates some fear factor for some reason, maybe it is valid since it is happening on average 3 times per year? Well, I don’t think so…Ideally, it should be normalised rather than being in the headlines more than any retrograde…And with an exception in 2022 the 4^th one will be starting at the end of December.

Having said that, I will make some quotes from my previous blogs about Mercury in astronomy, mythology and astrology and then I will move on to the connection between the Magician card and Mercury.

“Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver.” says Wikipedia. No chemistry, I promise I will make the connection now now… ‘Quick’silver or ‘Civa gibi’ as it is in a Turkish expression to describe swiftness. Let us see why.

Mercury is the Roman God of commerce; winged feet, mediator sometimes a trickster, as we also see in the Greek counterpart Hermes. And astronomically, it is the smallest, FASTEST, and nearest planet to the Sun. Winged feet Mercury, symbolises some interesting characteristics in astrology as well. Communication, ideas, swift action, short trips, dexterity, trade…And it is the ruler planet of Zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo.

However, in addition to many traits, Mercury is thought to be a ‘psychopomp’ as well.
Looking at the etymology, it means ‘spirit guide’ coming from Greek word psykhēpompos.
(https://www.etymonline.com/word/psychopomp)
I investigated other sources about the duty or definition of a psychopomp in mythology or other cultures, and following info popped up: “A psychopomp is a guide, whose primary function is to escort souls to the afterlife, but they can also serve as guides through the various transitions of life.” (https://www.psychopomps.org/what-is-a-psychopomp.html)

I will come back to psychopomp as per the Magician card.

So, what are the first associations that come to our mind when we think about the Magician card?

In simplest terms, alchemy, using the tools in hand to make the best out of them, the will power…

However, are we limited to these definitions? Not at all…

The symbolism in this card is very rich starting from the Magician (the hat – the belt in the shape of *ouroboros- red and white opposites in the clothing and the hands saying ‘as above so below’, and the infinity sign over the head) in addition to the symbols carved on the side of the table (a dove which might be a symbol for the fifth element, seaside for water and a symbolism for fire as mentioned in the book ‘The Tarot History, Symbolism, and Divination by Robert M.Place) finalising with the ‘red’ roses and ‘white’ lilies (might be a symbol of oppositeness)

*Ouroboros, emblematic serpent of ancient Egypt and Greece represented with its tail in its mouth, continually devouring itself and being reborn from itself. A gnostic and alchemical symbol, Ouroboros expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ouroboros

And we have the tools representing all the suits, all the elements on the table as cup (water), pentacle (earth), sword (air) and wand (fire).

If we look at the card, the Magician is not dealing directly with any of the tools, more stands like a guide standing in front of the table displaying the options to us…

Coming back to the psychopomp, we might take into consideration that there is support provided or role of intermediary by the Magician to go through stages or transitions in life as well…

As the index finger is pointing to the ground, it may also tell us that depending on the context ‘I will help you or guide you to complete a particular stage or go through a certain transition in your life’ probably serving as a catalyst – like in the psychopomp.

I feel that the Magician reminds me much of the whirling dervishes, too.

It is like on one hand there is logical, swift thinking side of Mercury, on the other hand there is this sense of connection with the spiritual realm.

Thinking about all these, I think that the Magician is Mercurial, but with the ‘ouroboros’ symbolism and the sense of transformation it passes, it is also a bit Plutonian although as not dominant as in the Judgement card.

I hope that you enjoyed this brief The Magician – Mercury association blog, in which I added more insight to my understanding of this card.

As always, if any questions, please do not hesitate to drop an e-mail to tpastrotarot@gmail.com or please pay a visit to my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/amethystastrotarot/.

Stay well and keep safe until next time,

Teri