Shin artwork by Ruth Councell
With his tools on the table, the Magician uses his will to bring the energy of thought down to earth. It does no good to have available raw resources if there is no vision for their use. How that mental image becomes real depends on how he uses his will - to manipulate, intimidate and control or to nurture, heal and create. Shin's form looks much like three candle flames. It is one of the three 'mother letters' and symbolizes fire (the other two are Aleph/air and Mem/water). Seidman writes that it "burns away superficialities and gets to the core experience." Even when things are dark, it like the coal that still has burning embers inside it, waiting on a breeze or breath to bring it to life again. Anger, divisiveness, and hatred can stir the Magician's will, or on the other hand, kindness, connection, and compassion can ignite it. The mindset that kindles the flame will create a material counterpart.
Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater,
an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.
~ Dhammapada
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