He directs his attention with his left hand pointing toward his work table. This allows his will to be used as a hollow channel for the Will of God. The Magician has sublimated his reproductive forces. In our study, this means you need to place your attention on the Source of Life, which is found within you. This means that you recognize that all the power you use comes from our Creator. His right hand, the hand of power, lifts up a hollow wand with a bud at the top. So based on this he accepts Eternity as the framework within which he acts.
The serpent swallowing its tail wrapped around his waist is a symbol of Eternity and regenerative force. The figure eight over his head symbolizes infinity in the rhythm of involution and evolution. We are the mediator between our inner and outer aspects of Life and this is exercised primarily through our desire nature. This activates the implements on his table. When he is doing Magic he must put on his red robe. The identity of the Magician is the self-conscious mind – you are the doer. His red robe represents his desire nature and indicates action, courage, strength and physical energy. His main magic consists of what he can do just by wanting to do it. The identity of this card is intellect and self-consciousness.
The wings on the band refer to the rhythmic motion of Air and of Mercury, the winged messenger of thought. His headband is also white, holding back the dark locks of ignorance and inertia. How has he prepared himself? His undergarment is white, signifying purity of spirit needed for this work. These are represented by his stance and his attention to the magical tools on the table. The primary functions of this Key are attention, beginning and concentration. But then we’re just beginning our journey into manifestation. So as you can see, we’re still operating at a high level of consciousness. It also represents the element air and Mercury, the ruling planet of this card. The background is yellow, the same as the Fool card, again signifying mental equilibrium and intellect at the superconscious plane of mental activity. Key 0 the Fool is everywhere throughout the deck! Therefore, Key 1 the Magician is considered the actual beginning of the Tarot deck.