Magician
Archetype
“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.”
—Yoda
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Magician Characters
Archetypal magicians possess extraordinary wisdom and faculties. In fantastical stories, they wield supernatural powers. In more grounded narratives, they simply have a deep understanding of human psychology and the complex mechanics at work in the world. With subtle actions, they can direct the course of events in progress. Magicians typically represent balance, wholeness, and the union or transcendence of opposites.
There is usually something paradoxical about magicians. They might appear meek or frail, for instance, despite possessing terrific power. And many are at once worldly and spiritual. The wise old man or woman is the most easily recognizable form of this archetype.
Prominent Examples
- Merlin of Arthurian legend
- Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
- Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings books by J. R. R. Tolkien
- The Childlike Empress in The NeverEnding Story (1984)
- Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984)
- The Oracle in The Matrix (1999)
- Charles Xavier in X-Men (2000)
- King Baldwin in The Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Definition
The magician archetype is oriented toward integration, balance, wholeness, and transcendence. It’s associated with stillness, serenity, wisdom, and deep insight. In Jungian psychology, it’s called the archetype of the self (as in the whole self as opposed to the ego).
Dramatic Dimensions
Archetypes are fluid orientations, not rigid types. These are common tendencies and associations—they may or may not apply in any particular case.
Narrative Roles
Motivations
Virtues
Vices
Perceptual Frames
Growth Opportunities
Taxonomy
Magician Variants
- Eidolon: A magician who represents an ideal image of humanity
- False Prophet: A magician who is overcome with fear or desire
- Godhead: The magician archetype as a transcendent divinity or an avatar
- Sage: A magician who holds rare knowledge and deep understanding
- Syzygy: The magician archetype in the form of a perfectly balanced and harmonious pair (usually a married couple or siblings)
Learn more
Volume 3 of The Writer’s Guide to Archetypes: Elemental Dynamics of Character and Drama will feature a deep exploration of the
Magician
archetype. It’s expected to be available in 2029.
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