Dignified:     The Magician represents the first step of the fool into reality or physical life.  A sword, wand, cup, and pentacle are laid out in front of the Magician representing the four basic elements of the physical world.  The Magician represents the attainment of wisdom which is needed in order to survive.  The Magician also represents the wonder associated to something new.  The wonder that would be associated to a child when he first goes to an amusement park or perhaps a circus.  The Magician encompasses the idea that the world is just ahead of you in all its wonder and excitement.  Desire and curiosity now fully encompass the spirit.  In this same respect the Magician represents the testing of the world around you to see what works and what does not.  Ultimately the Magician in its dignified position represents the attainment of wisdom through experience and through learning.

Ill-Dignified:     In its reversed position the Magician can represent the destructive use of wisdom for personal gain.  It can signify the attainment of goals through manipulative or controlling means or it can depict the lack of awareness of one's true inner potential.  General qualities associated to the Magician reversed are fear, shyness, or the inability to act.