Aspect of Consciousness: Self Consciousness
Knowing one thing at a time by limiting the field of attention through
the act of concentration. The act of attention. Inductive
reasoning. The normal human waking state of mind.
Hebrew Name: Beth (House)
Beth means "house", and what self-consciousness does is build the
"house" of personality. What you focus and concentrate on, you
eventually will manifest in some form. This is the magical power of
concentration: it transforms and creates. Since the Hebrew letter Beth is
a "double letter", it has associated with it the pairs of opposites
"Life" and "Death". What you pay attention to,
you give life to. What you ignore, withers from your consciousness.
It is dead to you. Self-Consciousness both creates and destroys.
Early versions of the letter "Beth" were represented as an arrow head,
and thus were symbolic of concentration and its ability to penetrate.1
Cabalistic Intelligence: Transparent
Intelligence
The Intelligence of transparency implies that Self-Consciousness is a clear
channel for the Super-Conscious energy Above to enter the field of attention,
Below. Thus it is really super-consciousness, represented by Tarot
Key 0 (The Fool) who is the doer. Self-Consciousness merely serves as a
channel, vehicle, or step-down transformer for the One Will to act on the lower
mental, emotional, and physical planes. 2
Astrological Correspondence: Mercury
Mythologically, Mercury or Hermes was the messenger of the Gods. He
was thus "only the messenger of a divinity higher than himself -
merely the transmitter, not the originator - the channel rather than the
source."3
Astrologically, Mercury is the planet of mental activities, communication, and
intellect.
Number: 1
"Beginning, initiative, originality, unity, singleness, isolation"4
, focus, single-mindedness; all properties of
self-consciousness. "True concentration is perfect
transparency, in which personality becomes a free, unobstructed channel for the
passage downward and outward of the super-conscious radiant energy."5
Color / Note: Yellow / E Natural
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P.F.Case)6
The Scene: A man is poised in an act of attention.
The Magician: Symbolizes force intensified by concentration and projected towards a mark. He acts as a "transformer" to direct energy from above to below.
His garments: Red robe = action and desire. White undergarment = truth and wisdom. Serpent belt = eternity.
His white wand: Phallic symbol for the purified libido. He is skilled in the proper direction and usage of the desire-force.
His right hand: Raised upwards and holding the wand, it is used to establish contact with super-consciousness (K0).
His left hand: In a gesture of concentration, directing power towards the garden below.
The lemniscate (infinity symbol over head): Symbolizes dominion, strength, control, and the Limitless Life Power.
The Table: The field of attention. In order to make magic (manifest change), he must limit his field of attention to the task before him on the table, and use the four mental tools thereon.
The Wand: Fire. Initiating Will. The initial idea for something.
The Cup: Water. Imagination, and emotion. Brainstorming and the flowering of an initial idea into many.
The Sword: Air. Discriminating action. Discerning conditions and setting limits on the ideas in order to manifest them.
The Pentacle: Earth. Manifestation. Physical work and the resulting products from the idea.
The Arbor of roses above the Magician's head: Simple form of shelter or house, meaning that the Magician is building the "House of Personality." Red roses indicate that the power which is drawn down from above is modified by personal desire.
The Garden below: The subconscious mind which is cultivated by acts of attention.
The challenge is to consciously apply the principle of Attention to everyday life:
 | Alert Watchfulness: Be alert. Remember all the power you can direct comes from a higher level. Your place in the big picture is to act as a transformer of energy. |
| Self Direction: You know what you want! |
| Focus: You focus on what you want and eliminate those things which distract you. |
| Induction: Through concentrated acts of attention, you come to know the true essence of the object of your desire. |
In "Living
the Tarot", Amber Jayanti
provides some suggestions for integration and application of The Magician:
| The Imagery of the Magician can be used as a reminder to:7 Focus on your goals and objectives Be alert, awake, and aware. [Be aware of what you're paying attention to. ] |
| Ask yourself the following questions:8 What goal am I manifesting through my concentrated efforts? In what area can my communication skills - listening, writing, and speaking, be improved? Where can I direct my attention to become more aware: family, work, friendships, or physical health? [What areas of my life are screaming for attention?] |
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.