I - The Magus

XV - Magnus Astrological: Mercury

Rules: VI, IX

Exalted: IX

Fall: XVIII

Detriment: XIV, XVIII

Alchemical: Mercury

Qabala: 12th path, 8th Sephira

Character: The Magus's mind and life will be entirely centred on his researches, and he has a tendancy to see everything around him as a tool or a project. He tends to draw a crowd of fascinated but (if they're sensible) wary spectators, though he will keep them at a carefully calculated distance. He will also draw a smaller, closer crowd of acolytes eager to learn from him, but even these will be kept at arm's length. The Magus is ultimately a loner and does not like being held down by commitments to people, groups, or even any cause other than the one he has set his mind to, and that will be something vastly above and beyond normal human concerns.



Generally charismatic, but through mystery. Incredibly secretive, especially in that he creates whatever false impression he requires and shows no one the full extent of his knowledge or intentions. In danger from isolation and arrogance, he needs occasional reminding that he does not have all the answers and that he is not above being manipulated just as he manipulates.



All direction, and misdirection. The Magus masterfully directs whatever force he encounters to his own ends, but this does not mean he truly understands it. He is simply able to point it in the direction he thinks it should go. His view of the world is built on carefully constructed formulas, and he extrapolates what the big picture should be like from there. Therefore he can become too focused on how things should be, and how to make them that way, and not factor in how things are.



It should be pointed out that of all the cards, the personality of the Magus is the closest to that of the Fool.



At best, a supreme and hugely adaptable intellect, capable of solving problems almost before they appear, a masterful sorceror and an excellent if eccentric tutor.



At worst, indrawn, secretive, a cunning and hidden manipulator, convinced of his methods and arrogant in his superiority, viewing all things as tools to be used in his persuits.



Relations: The High Priestess: Often tense. The High Priestess is the main rival of the Magus, and the only who frequently shows himself utterly beyond the Magus's comprehension. The High Priestess is effortlessly capable of bursting the Magus's bubble, and though this is frustrating it stops him becoming too arrogant. The Magus is best able to translate the High Priestess's mystic insight into a more immediately understandable form. Together, they represent absolute control (Magus) and understanding (High Priestess) of the Warp.



The Emperor: Tend to argue, and the arguments often get very personal. The Emperor identifies strongly with his goals and resents the Magus's interference. The Magus may consider the Emperor's goals petty or misguided, and would not be afraid to say so despite the Emperor viewing this as a deeply personal insult. (Mercury/Aries)



The Empress: Distant. The Empress would probably be broadly accepting of the Magus's pursuits, but find them rather out of his sphere. The Magus may consider the Empress shallow and/or naive.



The Hierophant: The Magus is put off by the Hierophant's rigidity, the Hierophant by the Magus's iconoclasm. When they do talk, it will be straight to the point, well considered on both sides, and about very deep issues. (Mercury/Taurus)



The Lovers: The Lovers is likely to be picked up by the Magus as an acolyte. The Lovers appreciates the constant intellectual stimulation from being around the Magus, and the Magus appreciates the Lovers' quick mind and eagerness. However, if the relationship becomes too exclusive both become impractical, driving each other to extreme flights of intellectual fancy and becoming more and more divorced from their less intellectual and more direct brothers. (Mercury/Gemini [Mercury Rules])



The Chariot: The Chariot has a tendancy to misinterpret the Magus. After a while, the Magus just stops bothering. (Mercury/Cancer)



Justice: The Magus has a tendancy to play devil's advocate to Justice's ideas, which can create tension when done just for the sake of it. Justice values the Magus's intelligence and analytical mind, but not his constant experimentation. (Mercury/Libra)



The Hermit: An extremely valuable relationship. The Hermit focuses the Magus's intellect onto concrete, practical goals, particularly how to improve situations. Together they can form practical but brilliant plans, whereas alone the Hermit will tend simply to brood over and over on one thing and the Magus will veer off towards the impractically baroque and grandiose. They understand each other's desire for solitude, ironically allowing them to spend time together without grating on each other's nerves. (Mercury/Gemini [Mercury Rules, Mercury Exalted])



Fortune: A bit of a wildcard relationship, which could go a number of ways. If the Magus is too withdrawn and arrogant he will have trouble getting along with Fortune.



Strength: Strength rarely requires the Magus's advice, and the Magus does not like being dismissed lightly. The Magus can be rather too high handed for Strength's liking. This relationship is much like between the Magus and the Emperor, but without the bitterly personal edge. (Mercury/Leo)



The Hanged Man: The Hanged Man and the Magus tend to leave each other alone. Both are after the answers to the universe, but both are on a different path. The Magus feels safe in the knowledge that his way is right, the Hanged Man is quietly convinced that the Magus is missing something important.



Death: Suspicious on both sides. Death's scrutiny is always on the deepest and darkest secrets, and the Magus has plenty. Death is also the most aware of how intense and transforming the powers the Magus uses can be when they get out of control. (Mercury/Scorpio)



Temperance: The Magus can be very persuasive towards Temperance, encouranging him to try out every crazy new scheme the Magus comes up with and convincing him that this time it really is the solution to everything. Both are focused and exacting, but their worldviews are ultimately at odds as Temperance looks far more at the wider picture than the details. If the Magus manages to dominate Temperance too much the relationship becomes destructive, Temperance becoming little more than a tool. (Mercury/Sagittarius [Mercury in Detriment])



The Devil: The Magus is far too impractical and adventurous for the Devil, who is also suspicious of the Magus's motives. The Magus finds the Devil lacking in vision and flexibilty. The relationship could end up as one long, simmering argument. (Mercury/Capricorn)



The Tower: The opposite ends of energy use. The Magus is far too refined and subtle for the The Tower's liking, the Tower far too blunt and indiscriminate for the Magus.



The Star: Both idealists and iconoclasts, will probably be most interested in discussing philosophical ideas. The Magus might be a little frustrated by the Star's occasional hesitancy in accepting ideas that fall outside his personal boundaries.



The Moon: Quite possibly these two will detest each other. The Magus will view the Moon as weak willed and an intellectual coward. The Moon, due to his psychic suseptability and possible paranoia, will be suspicious of the Magus's every move in his direction and violently pessimisitic about his work. (Mercury/Pisces [Mercury in Detriment, Mercury in Fall])



The Sun: Might, against all probabilty, be a close relationship.



The Last Judgement: The Last Judgement ultimately represents the end of what the Magus has built. The Magus should recognise the need to wipe things out and start again if everything goes wrong, and accept that the Last Judgement plays an importnat role in holding his creation in check. If he cannot this will be a very difficult relationship.



