1. Discussion
The Shaman evolves organically from Trump 0, The Fool, as the trickster’s emerging mastery allows him to develop into a true wizard. Indeed,we see immediately that the humble hobo stick of the former (depicted in this deck as a microphone) has here morphed into the powerful wand of a mage. Some decks depict the figure in Trump I as a juggler,charlatan,or a simple illusionist,but this is misleading,as the sojourner has now taken his first step in the long journey toward mastery. For this reason,I have chosen to name this card The Shaman,in order to differentiate him from the entertaining,but far
less sublime stage magician with which we are all familiar. Like the legendary Merlin,this mystic is both a practitioner and a teacher,earnestly passing his secrets along to any honest acolyte with the steadfast determination to traverse this demanding path.
On a parched,barren plane,beneath dilapidated cyclopean ruins, The Shaman has assembled the tools of his craft on an ancient stone altar. Engraved on the altar’s base are the planetary seals of Mercury,and on the pedestals,the caduceus,also symbolic of Mercury/Hermes. Clearly,his choice of this spot was no accident,for it has been dedicated to this very purpose since time immemorial!
The figure depicted on this Trump is traditionally associated with the Egyptian god Thoth,responsible for the related areas of magic,science,writing,and time. Hence,we see upon The Shaman’s altar an hourglass,and the open book of secrets. Present,also,are the symbols of the four suits of the tarot:the chalice (water),the blade (air),and the pentacle (earth);with the fourth element (fire) represented by the wand,levitated by the seemingly effortless gesture of The Shaman’s right hand. Here again is an explicit emphasis that this is no mundane mountebank,but a true master of material magic.
However,while the eye is drawn inexorably toward the wondrous mystery of the
levitated wand,the real power is in the left hand,cunningly directed earthward. Hence,in this innocuous act of misdirection,we discover that the art of the prestidigitator is,indeed,always present in this player. Like Prometheus,who defied the gods to bring fire to humankind,this titan draws power from the heavens and channels it earthward,where it can be applied to affect positive,material change.
Already,we can see the beginnings of these changes. Although he commenced his work on a dry,parched earth,flowers now spring to life all around him,obscuring even the carefully drawn protective circle,of which he no longer has need. Hanging from the left side of the altar is a cluster of dried onions,to the right,a sprig of rue. The onion,in addition to emphasizing a connection to the earth,was often used in a form of divination known as cromniomancy,and the herb rue is the central component of the cimaruta,a Sicilian charm for combating the evil eye. Taken together,they suggest the broad and eclectic nature of The Shaman’s knowledge base. This is further emphasized by the presence of a primitive tribal drum,behind his right shoulder;a thought-provoking foil to the elegant refinement of the silver flute,born in the claw of the owl behind his left. The flute is an instrument associated with Hermes,and the owl represents wisdom and learned knowledge,especially about the natural cycles. Like the tribal drum,the Owl emphasizes that this practitioner has far more in common with the earthy shaman—a man at one with his community—than with the haughty,elite theoretician of European ‘high magick’.
The Shaman’s expression,while focused,is serine. He is in his element here,and free of any doubt,which is,of course,a prerequisite for any successful operation. His calm demeanor expresses the ideal balance between yin and yang. Nonetheless,as opposed to The Fool,who exhibits an androgynous quality,The Shaman is clearly masculine.
In addition to the four familiar elements,his altar also contains a loaf of plain
bread,emphasizing that he is no god,but truly a part of the physical world. The mortar and pestle further emphasize that his mastery is the result not of some preternatural gift,but simple dedication and hard work.
From the center of the altar hangs a group of eagle feathers,seeming to spring from his ankles,like the winged sandals of Mercury. Through the blooming flowers,obscured by his natural camouflage,a large snake,the immutable symbol of eternity through transience,basks languidly in the sun.
Above The Shaman’s head,twin halos intersect to form the traditional lemniscate,the figure-eight representing cosmic infinity. Finally,if your eyes are sharp,you see engraved into the stone cliffs over The Shaman’s right shoulder,the Hebrew letter Beth 
Beth is the essence of spiritual technology,illustrating the point at which our world is continuously being created by our attention,intention,and focus.