Famous Magicians
Posted By Jade on June 8, 2009
Here’s the list of famous “Magicians” of media and fiction:
- Merlin (Arthurian tales)
- Gandalf (Lord of the Rings)
- Jareth (Labyrinth) – a good representation of the Magician in his Juggler aspect
- Morpheus (The Matrix) — even his name evokes the changing, adaptable concept of air
- Obi-Wan Kinobe (Star Wars: A New Hope)
- Mirth (Mage comic book series)
- Prospero (The Tempest)
- Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
- Rupert Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer series)
- Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez (Highlander)
There are, of course, many more magic-wielding characters in fiction, TV, and film, but not all of them embody the Magician, IMHO. For me, the character needs to be an initiator: he introduces the Fool to the world beyond “The Veil” and may or may not provide teaching. It’s usually contact with the Magician that sends the Fool into a new life, world, or way of thinking.
Not all Magicians are the hero’s friend; if a mage acts as guide or mentor to hero, it’s usually for reasons that further the Magician’s own agenda. Whether those reasons are altruistic or selfish varies from Magician to Magician.
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