The Base of the Matter; Describes the inner & outer situation, drive, instinct or aspiration which is really behind the apparant surface situation reflected by the Crowning Card. i.e. The root of the psyche, & often this card comes as a Surprise to the Seeker ((unconcious motivation)). THE MAGICIAN - Here we meet the god Hermes, guide of travellers, patron of thieves & liars, ruler of magic/divination, bringer of sudden good luck & changes in fortune.
On an inner level, Hermes, the Magician, is the guide. This means somewhere w/in us, no matter how lost or confused we might be at any point in life, there is something w/in which has foresight & resources which are often hidden from consciousness but which can divine what direction to take & what choices to make. The Magician often comes in the night, often in the form of disturbing dreams, or in the guise of a meeting w/anothe person who turns out toe be somehow significant as a catalyst on 1's journey. Or as a hunch, or as a sudden visit from a long-unseen friend.
The Magician, points to potential skills & creative abilities which have not yet manifested. He may appear as an upsurge of NRG & an intuition of exciting new oppurtunities. A new journey is possible, & 1 has capacities which have yet to be developed.
Past Influences; Inner & outer situation which is now passing out of the seeker's life. In the past it was N.B., but now it has lost its potency. The seeker needs to be able to let go of whatever this card represents before the new future developments can be integrated creatively into life.