The Magician is definitely in control, able to transform and change his surroundings.

He is ruled by the Number One, and due to this, I do interpret the Magician as Self-Serving, but because he is a Major Arcana Card, not totally narcissistic.

When he appears in a spread, someone in the reading is seeking strength, knowledge and control.

As the Fool moves through his journey and learns to use the tools of the universe to work within his environment.

The Magician is knowlegeable, due to the infinity sign over his head, he is powerful, and he is wise.  The white robe indicates that he can work for purity and truth, the red indicates his passion for knowledge, the position of his hands refer to the metaphysical saying (as above, so below), which is popular in many cultures.

At times, in career readings, due to the snake encircling his waste, I take this to lend itself to the medical field, or at times, to draw attention to a medical issue, although I do not read anything to do with health issues, I draw the querents attention to it.

The magician is also skilled in the art of deception, so there can be dishonesty in the situation.

(Exerpt from "Uncloaking the Tarot" copyright 2001)

To Learn More about Tarot from Professional Reader Brigid Bishop, Please Click Here:  http://www.keen.com/CommunityServer/blogs/4540182/archive/category/1010.aspx