Male Archetypes: The Magician/Wizard
September 20th 2007 00:54
We all know informally and roughly what a magician is. A magician is, of course, a person who does "magic. That is, a magician is a person who can make things happen that wouldn't happen under the normal or familiar laws of nature. Something is transformed in a mysterious way, or disappears, or appears. We know also, if we reflect on our use of the word, that a "magician" could be an entertainer (a "conjuror" or "prestidigitator") or a "real" magician (something like a "witch doctor," "medicine man," or, perhaps, "sorcerer"). Still, both conjurors and "real" magicians are assumed to have the power to transform things and make them appear or disappear, whether playing cards and silk scarves or illnesses and spirits. And such transformations take place in a way which is, literally, extra-ordinary. This thesis intends to deal with both types or senses of "magician" and to explore the possible relationships between them.
The English word "magician" comes from the Greek and the Latin magia that is, having to do with "the religion, learning, and occult practices of the Persian Magi, or priests of the sect of Zoroaster, in the form in which they became known to the West. Our consciousness is shaped by our fantasy or fantasies of magicians.
As Nikolai Tolstoy writes,
The centuries come and go, literary fashions pass, but the magician reappears before us: shifting his shape and changing his name, now mocking, now awe-inspiring, but essentially the same character whose fame flew over all Europe eight centuries ago. Trickster, illusionist, philosopher and sorcerer, he represents an archetype to which the race turns for guidance and protection.
"Guidance and protection," of course, can come from a variety of sources. What is unique to the wizard? The wizard is a man of power. In this sense, the substance of magic is fundamentally serious (despite the combination of magician with clown in some cases). Furthermore, the wizard gets his power from another level of reality. He is not like the engineer who has learned how to harness the power of this world.
A Wizard does not always use "incantations." These "magic" words do not have to have a mysterious sound, an esoteric meaning, or a special history. A wizard can take form in a father as magic occurs between parent and child in the form of soothing words from a father to child or from husband to wife or man to friend.
Many folks believe that magicians and wizards must have an "audience" to perform. It is, of course, possible for ceremonial magic to take place in private. In such a case, the magician will either be attempting to affect himself (or something in his surroundings) or he will be addressing his magic to some spiritual power, such as God. In the typical case of magic, however, an audience of some kind is assumed. Magic, both ceremonial and performing, is, after all, a kind of theater. And theater people are very familiar with "the roar of the crowd" and its effect on the performance. Having an audience is not just incidental. Metaphorically if not literally, there is a reciprocal flow of energy between the performer and the audience. This must be so if the performance is to be successful at least. For there to a spectacle there must be spectators. Shamans and magicians have long realized this and have devoted considerable attention to gathering and preparing (or "conditioning") their spectators. These men love the limelight either public or private.
Wizards are generally wandering spirits caring for a multitude of concerns and an instrumental power in many of the causes around them.
Jung, C.G. "Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious,"
Jung, C.G. "Concerning the Archetypes, with Special Reference to the Anima Concept," Jung, C.G. "On the Psychology of the Trickster-Figure,"
Jung, C.G. "Religion and Psychology: A Reply to Martin Buber,"
Jung, C.G. "The Phenomenology of the Spirit in Fairytales,"
Jung, C.G. "The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious."
The English word "magician" comes from the Greek and the Latin magia that is, having to do with "the religion, learning, and occult practices of the Persian Magi, or priests of the sect of Zoroaster, in the form in which they became known to the West. Our consciousness is shaped by our fantasy or fantasies of magicians.
As Nikolai Tolstoy writes,
The centuries come and go, literary fashions pass, but the magician reappears before us: shifting his shape and changing his name, now mocking, now awe-inspiring, but essentially the same character whose fame flew over all Europe eight centuries ago. Trickster, illusionist, philosopher and sorcerer, he represents an archetype to which the race turns for guidance and protection.
"Guidance and protection," of course, can come from a variety of sources. What is unique to the wizard? The wizard is a man of power. In this sense, the substance of magic is fundamentally serious (despite the combination of magician with clown in some cases). Furthermore, the wizard gets his power from another level of reality. He is not like the engineer who has learned how to harness the power of this world.
A Wizard does not always use "incantations." These "magic" words do not have to have a mysterious sound, an esoteric meaning, or a special history. A wizard can take form in a father as magic occurs between parent and child in the form of soothing words from a father to child or from husband to wife or man to friend.
Many folks believe that magicians and wizards must have an "audience" to perform. It is, of course, possible for ceremonial magic to take place in private. In such a case, the magician will either be attempting to affect himself (or something in his surroundings) or he will be addressing his magic to some spiritual power, such as God. In the typical case of magic, however, an audience of some kind is assumed. Magic, both ceremonial and performing, is, after all, a kind of theater. And theater people are very familiar with "the roar of the crowd" and its effect on the performance. Having an audience is not just incidental. Metaphorically if not literally, there is a reciprocal flow of energy between the performer and the audience. This must be so if the performance is to be successful at least. For there to a spectacle there must be spectators. Shamans and magicians have long realized this and have devoted considerable attention to gathering and preparing (or "conditioning") their spectators. These men love the limelight either public or private.
Wizards are generally wandering spirits caring for a multitude of concerns and an instrumental power in many of the causes around them.
Jung, C.G. "Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious,"
Jung, C.G. "Concerning the Archetypes, with Special Reference to the Anima Concept," Jung, C.G. "On the Psychology of the Trickster-Figure,"
Jung, C.G. "Religion and Psychology: A Reply to Martin Buber,"
Jung, C.G. "The Phenomenology of the Spirit in Fairytales,"
Jung, C.G. "The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious."
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
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Hipnotherapy
That is Ian McKellen portraying Ganalf in Lord of the Rings. His character is quite charasmatic. Thanks for stopping by!
Mis
Comment by Lilla
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Enviro Warrior
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Ian McKellan is completely gay, which is why he did such a good Gandalf, as JRR Tolkien was completely gay too... *chuckle* damned waste on both counts, if you ask me.
Great Post Mis.. nothing like a Sham-man to wake up the senses...*giggle*
Lilla ...
Comment by Miswanderlust
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You are High-larious! Thanks so much for your kind words! Glad to see you!
Mis