The Magician Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Magician Keywords 

• Upright: action, purpose, manifestation, resourcefulness, direction, motivation, creativity, inspiration
• Reversed: untapped potential, self-doubt, restlessness, lack of direction, stagnancy, low drive

The Magician: Description and Symbolism

As number “1” in the Major Arcana, the Magician inspires you to connect with your purpose and create something. The infinity symbol above his head and his wand raised to the sky support this, reminding you of the infinite potential behind your ideas. 

The Magician in tarot motivates you to take action. His right hand pointing towards the ground symbolizes the ability to ground ideas into worldly outcomes. The four emblems from the Minor Arcana are laid on the table in front of the Magician to represent the tools and resources he has at his disposal:

• Pentacle: physical resources
• Cup: emotional resources
• Sword: intellectual resources
• Wand: spiritual resources

The Magician has the capacity to bring physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual forces together to transform his ideas into tangible results. He has the passion and humility to do so, symbolized by the red and white he wears. The Magician’s pure intentions and connection to the spiritual world will carry him far, supporting his faith in himself along the way. 

The Magician Upright Meaning

When the Magician appears upright in a tarot reading, you are encouraged to trust your skills and capabilities to carry you far. You have the capacity and drive to create something that will inspire others, so long as you trust your direction. 

The Magician applauds you for having a creative vision and urges you to take action to make your ideas come to life. Once you find an outlet for the inspiration coursing through you, everything else will fall into place. 

Love Meaning – The Magician Upright 

The Magician’s advice in love is to stay hopeful and confident in your worth. It’s a good time to reach out to someone who’s been on your mind or plan a date with your partner that allows you two to connect in a new way. With the Magician on your side, your actions are likely to propel your relationships forward the more you lean into your spark.

If you’re single, the Magician suggests that there is potential for new beginnings in love. Whether you’re healing from a recent breakup or eager to meet someone new, it’s a lovely time to get out in the world and see who you could meet.

When describing how someone feels, the Magician symbolizes someone who is passionate and driven to make a move. The Magician’s intentions are clear, so there’s no need to worry about their motives. You could receive a message or run into the person that you have been thinking about lately.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Magician Upright

The Magician is an exciting card to pull in the context of career and money. With his talents and resourcefulness, he encourages you to make the most of the tools at your disposal. Perhaps you’ve wanted to start a passion project or monetize your skills as a new side hustle. The Magician reminds you that the possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to act on new ideas in your work life.

In a financial context, the Magician suggests you are ready to invest in new ideas. There is no need to have a lack mentality when this card appears, so try to trust yourself as you put your money towards what keeps you inspired.

Health Meaning – The Magician Upright

When the Magician appears in a health reading, it’s a great time to get active. Perhaps you’ve wanted to start a yoga class or make a habit of going on walks. You will show up for yourself best if you get on your feet and find a fulfilling outlet for excess energy.

In a health context, the Magician could also be encouraging you to take up a new creative hobby. This card suggests that you have a lot of ideas whirring through your mind, so it wouldn’t hurt to explore different avenues that inspire you.

Spirituality Meaning – The Magician Upright

The Magician in a reading about spirituality encourages you to lean into manifestation work. It could be a great time to use your spiritual practice to clarify your purpose. You have all the tools you need to bring your vision to life; it’s just a matter of reaffirming that truth for yourself.

Consider meditating or starting a manifestation journal to actively use the Magician’s energy within your practice.

The Magician As Feelings Meaning – Upright 

As feelings, the Magician represents someone who feels passionate and driven towards a vision. He is motivated and, therefore, hopeful of positive outcomes. As someone else’s feelings, the Magician shows someone excited about the connection.

The Magician As Actions Meaning – Upright 

The Magician knows how to back his words and ideas with action. He does not settle for keeping a thought theoretical – symbolizing an ambitious energy. The Magician keeps it moving, asking you if you’re willing to keep up. 

The Magician Reversed Meaning

When the Magician appears reversed in a tarot reading, you could be experiencing doubts about your current direction. Perhaps recent events haven’t gone according to plan, or you’re starting to rethink a past decision. Whatever’s on your plate, you’re encouraged to shift your focus to actions and priorities that connect you with your purpose. 

The Magician reversed could also suggest that you are feeling overwhelmed by many thoughts and ideas. It might be time to choose one path to focus on and let everything else go. You are more likely to feel stuck or burnt out if you don’t validate yourself for the actions you’d like to take now.

Love Meaning – The Magician Reversed

If the Magician appears reversed in a love context, you could be going through a period where you’re rediscovering what you want from a relationship. If you’re healing from a recent break-up, you will receive answers and healing from surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones. Dwelling on the past could be more overwhelming for you now, so doing self-care activities and staying connected with people will go a long way.

When in a relationship, the Magician reversed suggests that there could have been a recent conflict or disconnect with your partner. The best way to get through this period together is by taking time to reflect on the support each of you needs. You may need to speak up about your needs or pause to listen to your partner’s feelings to get back on the same page. 

If describing how someone feels, the Magician reversed symbolizes someone who needs time to clarify their intentions. Give the person you are asking about time to reconnect with their wants and needs before taking action.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Magician Reversed

When the reversed Magician appears in the context of career, you could be going through a period where you’re overworking yourself. Before you get caught up in too many commitments, it’d be a good time to take stock of your resources and energy. 

Another interpretation for the reversed Magician is that you could be overlooking the potential of your talents and ideas. It’d be a good time to reach out to friends and advisors to consider what career moves would feel the most fulfilling.

In a financial context, the Magician appearing reversed encourages you to take a moment to budget. If you are feeling unsure of a new investment, it’d benefit you most to hold off for now.

Health Meaning – The Magician Reversed

When the Magician appears reversed in a health reading, you could be feeling more overwhelmed than usual. If your nerves and stress have started to build up, it’d be a nice time to lean on your support system for advice. You could use an outlet for everything that’s been on your mind.

The Magician reversed could also suggest that you’ve wanted to take action but don’t know where to start. Consider picking up a fun, creative hobby or taking a class to help reconnect you with your spark.

Spirituality Meaning – The Magician Reversed

When the Magician appears reversed in a spiritual context, you may feel stuck or confused about your purpose. Perhaps your work or daily commitments have drawn you away from your sense of direction. When this card is drawn, you are encouraged to face your feelings and doubts with self-compassion.

The Magician As Feelings Meaning – Reversed 

The reversed Magician in a tarot reading suggests feelings of doubt and confusion. Whether you’re asking for yourself or someone else, time is needed to reconnect with the feelings that have been suppressed.

The Magician As Actions Meaning – Reversed 

The reversed Magician as actions suggests that someone is feeling stalled or directionless. If you resonate with this, you either need to take some weight off or redirect your energy towards meaningful activities. You have the spark within you; it’ll just take a little soul-searching.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past 

When the Magician appears in the “past” position, it suggests that you’ve gone through a situation that taught you to take action. You learned that you had the tools and skills you needed to make your vision come to life, and that lesson informed your present situation.

Present 

If the Magician appears in the “present” position in a tarot reading, you are being encouraged to get on your feet and “make it happen”. You have everything you need to succeed if you choose to get started. It’s worth trusting your purpose to guide your actions now.

Future 

With the Magician in the “future” position, you are likely going through a situation that will remind you of your capabilities. Your current experiences are shaping what will inspire you down the line. 

Yes or No Meaning of The Magician

• The Magician Upright: Yes
• The Magician Reversed: No

When the Magician appears upright in a reading, he gives you a ‘yes’. With the Magician’s enthusiasm about his ideas and motivation to follow through, the situation you’re asking about will likely go well.

When the Magician appears reversed, he gives you a ‘no’. His usual creative spirit feels blocked, signifying a difficulty seeing through the current situation.

Advice and Message of The Magician

When the Magician is drawn in a tarot reading, he inspires you to trust your creative vision. It’s time to put your ideas into action. He asks you: Why do you desire a particular outcome, and what resources do you have to make it come to fruition? You deserve to answer these questions for yourself.

Summary of The Magician Tarot Meaning

The Magician reminds you of the skills and resources you have to ground your ideas into reality. There is a creative spark that he pushes you to connect with. When reversed, you could be feeling lost or doubtful about your direction. You have the capacity to find your way by leaning on your support system and engaging in creative activities that give you an outlet. Upright and reversed, the Magician guides you towards new beginnings by reminding you of your potential.