The Magician

One hand lifts a wand to the sky, the other points to the earth — as above, so below, made into a single gesture. Above his head floats the lemniscate, the sideways figure of infinity, and on the table lie the four suit emblems: cup, coin, sword, and wand. Pamela Colman Smith gave the card its roses and lilies and its confident stance in 1909, working at speed for a flat fee that bought her images and her anonymity both. The deck was credited to A. E. Waite and to its London publisher; her name waited a century. Look for the small 'PCS' monogram tucked at the lower edge.

Maker

Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite

Date

1909

Medium of the original

Plate

Original held by

Published London, 1909 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Credit

Published London, 1909 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Rights

Public domain, verified

Catalogue number

PA-00428