Character Archetypes 101: The Magician

This week, we have the Magician on the couch. I was pleasantly surprised that he left his top hat, cape, deck of cards, pigeon, and bunny in his car. The Magician is also called the Inventor, Shaman, Healer, Visionary, and Medicine Man.

The "Good"

Magicians aren't just about magic tricks. On a much deeper level, the skills of a Magician represent power which comes from mastering a secret knowledge and manipulating tools to control things and produce desired outcomes. Harnessing this power is like a drug for them.

They are visionaries, usually oozing with charisma and inspiration. They use their imagination to evoke change and find win-win solutions. Their cleverness helps them envision possibilities and invent means to desired outcomes in situations where others would dare not.

Magicians find great fulfillment when visions are realized, whether their own or the dreams of others. They believe that everyone is connected to everyone else, and the idea of synchronicity (events that happen simultaneously and appear to be related but have no discernible connection) is part and parcel of the Magician's life. Social unrest and turmoil is like the Magician's playground, from which they motivate and inspire others and raise the collective unconscious.

They have high standards--sometimes too high--and are mysterious, mystical, and idealistic. The have a natural self-awareness which is difficult not to respect. Their intuition and insight help them to grasp and appreciate varying perspectives.

The "Bad"

One only needs to watch films like The Illusionist and The Prestige to see the shadow side of the Magician. Magicians definitely use manipulation--of their tools of the trade and of their audiences. They may see the "known" world as sick, and egocentrically turn to black magic and sorcery to control others, not even realizing that perhaps the Magician himself is the one in need of healing.

At times, the Magician might expect a miracle to save him or the ones he loves, especially when things get rough. When people fail to catch on to the Magician's vision, fail to harness his or her excitement, the Magician will ofter lose patience with them.

Likely Goals

To understand the fundamental laws of the universe
To make dreams come true
To alter/transform the known world
To transform themselves/achieve a high plane of existence

Likely Fears

To have unintended negative consequences
To fear their own potential to do harm
To have a lack of self-awareness

Examples in the Media

Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Merlin in Camelot
Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Thor: The God of Thunder
Darth Vader in Star Wars
Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett in The Vampire Diaries

Archetypes Who've Completed Therapy

The Innocent                  The Lover
The Orphan                     The Creator
The Hero                          The Jester
The Caregiver            The Sage
The Explorer 
The Rebel

Let's Analyze

Any more suggestions for females? Seriously lacking in the research. I came up with Kat Graham on my own....but there have to be more out there! Maybe the Charmed girls?