sitemap

VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

Temporary, for editorial feedback only - please do not bookmark or download

+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+
I - the Magician
+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+

A man stands behind a table surrounded by birds and animals. He appears to be conjuring the animals, or perhaps blessing them. On the table are symbols representing each of the Minor Arcana suits. An infinity symbol floats above his head.

My Interpretation: Knowledge is power. Empowerment through understanding of our own abilities and the world around us. Intelligence and initiative. Pragmatism, the ability to make the best of a situation. A risk must be taken, and a choice made - this is the time for a new start, the beginning of something significant. (Reversed: Beware of deception in your midst. Cowardice, fear of change. Possibly mental illness. Disgrace and abuse of power.)

Edit notes to self: Quite different to the Rider-Waite card, but probably still recognisable to RWD readers. Although the "magic" of speaking with animals is not traditional to this card, it is a personal interpretation of my sense of the meaning. I have also included the traditional table containing symbols to represent each suit of the Minor Arcana and the symbol for infinity above the character's head. I have used very modest, everyday versions of the cup, coin, wand and knife, as this card has always had very down to earth, practical connotations for me. Still to do - Pretty happy with it. Maybe add shadows of items on table?

Sources:

Base Pic: Master Bertram, German painter (b. cca. 1345, Minden, d. 1415, Hamburg); Creation of the Animals, Panel from Grabow Altarpiece 1383 Paint on wood Kunsthalle, Hamburg.

Additional Owl and Falcon: Unknown Illuminators, England; The Aberdeen Bestiary (Aberdeen University Library MS 24), written and illuminated around 1200. Aberdeen University, Scotland.

Plants: Giovanni di Paolo, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. cca. 1403, Siena, d. 1483, Siena); Madonna with the Child c. 1432 Tempera on wood, 56 x 43 cm Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Table and Earthen Jug: Duccio di Buoninsegna, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. cca. 1255, Siena, d. 1319, Siena); Wedding at Cana 1308-11 Tempera on wood, 43.5 x 46.5 cm Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena.

Knife: Master of Frankfurt, Unknown Flemish painter (active around 1500 in Antwerp); Portrait of the Artist and his Wife 1496 Oil on panel, 38 x 26 cm Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp.

Coin: Master Theoderic, Bohemian painter (active 1350-70 in Prague); Painting of a Saint 1360-65 Tempera on Wood National Gallery, Prague.

Wand: Guisto de' Menabuoi, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1320, Firenze, d. 1391, ?); Adam and Eve 1376-78 Fresco Baptistry, Cathedral, Padua.

Cup: Master of the Housebook, Rhenish or Dutch painter/engraver (active 1475-90); The Last Supper, late 1400s Wood Staatliche Museen, Berlin.

Infinity Symbol: Hungarian Miniaturist, (active in 1330s); Legend of Saint Ladislas (from the Anjou Legendarium) 1330s Tempera on parchment, 283 x 215 mm Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vatican.

Groundcover Plants: Dieric Bouts the Elder, Flemish painter (b. cca. 1415, Haarlem, d. 1475, Leuven); Paradise 1450 Oil on wood, 115 x 69.5 cm Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lille.

Parchment Text Panel: Unknown Illuminators, England; The Aberdeen Bestiary (Aberdeen University Library MS 24), written and illuminated around 1200. Aberdeen University, Scotland.

Gilt Border: Conrad Witz, Swiss painter (b. cca 1400, Rottweil, d. cca. 1445, Basel); King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1435 Panel, 84 x 79 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin.