Major Arcana

The Magician

Ted, the Magician, dexterously juggles four objects representing the four metaphysical elements corresponding to the Tarot suits. We chose to depict them using objects we happened to find in our living room. For Wands, the element of Fire, there is a crystal wand, fashioned from orange calcite. Orange calcite is Ted’s favourite mineral, because it resembles the colour of his fur. He likes to call it Teddite, although sadly that is not an official designation. For Coins, the element of Earth, we used the bimetallic United Kingdom two pound coin, although we changed the face of the sovereign to that of a teddy bear. Swords, the element of Air, is represented by a Swiss army knife, a very small one designed to slip easily into a pocket or purse, but nevertheless fully functional and very useful. Finally, Cups, the element of Water, is depicted by a teacup, in this case one from a very ornate miniature teaset that usually sits proudly on top of a chest of drawers.

Ted’s skill at juggling the symbolic objects represents his skill at manipulating the elements. He can achieve anything that it is possible to achieve in the physical world, by working with the elemental forces that emanate from the higher planes of existence.

But the Magician has another face: that of a stage illusionist. This is represented by the time honoured trick of producing a rabbit from an apparently empty top hat. But tricks can go wrong: and here, the little green rabbbit, Minty (short for Araminta), has popped up to put in an appearance before it was time to do so.

Sometimes a true practitioner of magic may present themselves as a simple illusionist, in order to protect themselves from persecution as a witch or wizard, a persecution that is likely to arise from lack of understanding. In this card, the true Magician seeks to hide his magical prowess by concealing his work beneath the tablecloth. But it is not easy to keep secrets. The tablecloth has been pushed aside revealing a growing plant, created by the magic known to all good gardeners; and the snake coiled around the table leg, resembling the caduceus, the ancient symbol for healing powers.

Divination

Skill, dexterity, mastery. Power, energy, control. Taking a situation in hand and making it work harmoniously for you, without fear; “going for it.” Organizational and communicative skills. Diplomacy: “all thing to all men.” Everything is possible if you attune yourself to the powerful divine forces of the Universe. Occasionally this card may signify a person, in this case it would be a young, unattached man, one who is successful and highly personable.

For experts

• Hebrew letter Bet ב
•  (Double letter: Planet Mercury ☿)
• Tree of Life Khesed to Khokmah

You can see these cards at their best in the finished deck of Ted’s Tarot. Buy it here.