The Magician Archetype and Art Therapy Exercises

The Magician Archetype has called Trickster, Coyote, Hermes, Brigid, Merlin and Kali.  He has been personified by: sorcerers, illusionists, alchemists, shamans, wizards, medicine men and women.  He first appeared as Prometheus stealing fire from the Gods to give to humans.  Some cultures saw him as Trickster or Coyote.  Merlin played him as a shapeshifter, Brigid used his fire to heal and Kali used it to fight.  In Greek and Roman times he faced obstacles to transform himself into a hero.  He has been immortalized as Superman, Wonder Woman and other Superhero’s.  He used be called an alchemist, someone who turns base metals into gold, but Joseph Campbell (1949) reintroduced him as any individual who goes on a journey of initiation to awaken their consciousness.

Modern day Magician working his magic.

     He is the part of you that you call your imagination.  When you feel passionate or creative in your life, he is present.  In the past he has  been powerful Shamans, artists, scientists, inventors, and politicians.  When you get in touch with him, he helps you find potential and creative abilities. 

 Learn what the magician knows and it’s not magic anymore. - Richard Bach

 If you block your desires, you block your natural avenue of growth.

- Deepak Chopra

 Art Therapy Exercise: Creating a Magician collage

A collage for your Magician archetype should be created around a central theme, idea, or focus. It may show a new direction that you want to take, a new idea for an art project, or a new environment you may want to explore. It could show all wishes that you would grant yourself, or projections that you have. The collage could resemble a treasure map. What you would like to become, or change in your life? Let it evolve and take form without you getting in the way. Let it have its own life, and expression. All you do is provide the starting point then let it evolve. Let it show you your wishes and desires. The Magician collage can act as a catalyst by helping to connect your attention to what you really want. What magic do you want to add to the universe? What talent do you want to pay more attention to, nurture, and bring out into the light? What does your inner fire look like? What color, shape and images reflect it? How does it light your life?