according to psychologist Carl Jung (1875-1961),
humans have an innate tendency
to use a particular set of symbols
to understand the world

he refers to these symbols as archetypes

we are “hardwired” with archetypes and
each can be thought of as having a general form
that will vary only slightly
from culture to culture and from era to era

the archetype of the Magician
entails such concepts as intuition, knowledge,
confidence, action, and creation

the magician seeks esoteric knowledge to
to bring about transformation
or to bring new things into existence

mystery is also associated with the Magician,
as well as symbols, tools and objects of power

some writers make a distinction between
the "white magician" vs. the "black magician",
with the former using his skill to help,
and the latter to harm

the Magician is often personified and then
incorporated into our dreams and media

examples of the Magician in media include Merlin,
Mary Shelley's Dr. Frankenstein, Harry Potter,
Neo of The Matrix, Saruman of The Lord of the Rings

finally, the archetype of Magician is powerful,
inspiring and it relates directly to transformation -

including the transformation of the psyche
that occurs over time as we face challenges,
make choices, learn and apply our knowledge