The Major Arcana

The last post was an introduction and showed the first card in the Major Arcana, the 22 cards that are considered the main archetypal cards. The next card in the series is the Magician, shown up above.

1 Magician: Sangoma

Archetype and divinatory meaning: The magician is the balancer of forces, the user of natural and supernatural to change and direct events. He is in control of this world and is in touch with the next. He can wield great power and is an agent of change. He is also a diplomat, full of skill and self-confidence, a user of will-power. In divination this card indicates new beginnings flowing from conscious actions. It warns the querient to be on guard as willpower and determination is needed in order to launch a plan.

Image: A sangoma, clad in skins, gazes into the sky, listening for the voices of the ancestors. He is in control of what is happening around him, sure of what he is doing. He is strong both physically and spiritually, ready to intercede and use his powers to heal.

Origin: Sangomas can be male or female, and can clothe themselves in various styles. They use small stones, bones and twigs cast on skin to communicate with the ancestors or for divination. They are called by the ancestors to serve as channels for communication, and are given their powers by the ancestors. There is a strict code of ethics, and an apprenticeship period.

The sangoma is wise, a healer and a counselor, facilitating a persons contact with the ancestors. Ancestor worship is a common element to many diverse cultures and should perhaps be more accurately termed ancestor reverence rather than worship. The spirits of the ancestors are still involved with matters here on earth, but also have access to the next world and its powers, and can intercede on behalf of their descendants. Prayers and offerings to the ancestors are thus a means of asking for their intercession with God, rather than ascribing to them the power of God.

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