The Archetype and The Tarot: The Engineer and The Magician
Through the Engineer and The Magician, this week we’re being called to look at all of our available resources for problem-solving. Can we look beyond our tools of logic and reason?
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The Engineer Archetype
What first comes to mind for me when I think of the Engineer archetype is our ancestor from millions of years ago who first made a cutting tool from a piece of rock. Tired of ruining teeth and fingernails, this one used the materials they had on hand to solve a problem and make life more efficient for their community. While our technology has gotten a bit more sophisticated since then, that same spark of genius is universal in the Engineer archetype and it’s a pattern that runs through us all.
Possessing the ability to understand design on a fundamental level, the Engineer is the creator of solutions. This is the one who makes the engines—both literal and metaphorical—that drive our systems and societies. Through their unique visioning, they have a knack for breaking down complex problems into manageable parts.
In the light, the Engineer is motivated by a desire to be of service; to create something that eases burdens and benefits communities. They are brilliant problem solvers and embrace innovation. The Engineer in the light also possesses tremendous perseverance, having the magical ability to thrive in the face of setbacks. When challenges seem insurmountable, the Engineer in the light remains steadfast in their commitment to finding solutions. With each obstacle encountered, they approach it with determination and creativity, drawing upon their expertise and experience, but also with a willingness to learn something new. In this way, the Engineer in the light knows that every setback becomes an opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible.
In the shadow, the Engineer might be motivated by their own self-interests instead. As a result, they may design technologies that are intentionally harmful to others. On the other hand, the shadow Engineer, through inexperience or indifference, may create solutions that simply don’t work or solve the problem. The Engineer in the shadow may sometimes become overly rigid and resistant to change, clinging to outdated methods or ideas simply because they came up with it. Additionally, the shadow Engineer shows up when we become so hyper-focused on solving a single problem that we get stuck in our heads and forget to listen to our hearts, neglecting the emotional impact of our solutions. Most commonly, however, we can see the shadow Engineer when we simply don’t believe we have what it takes to solve a problem.
When the Engineer archetype comes up in a reading, I think we’re being asked to look at all the way we solve problems in our lives.
Some questions to consider this week:
How do you tend to approach problem-solving and decision-making? Do you favor reason, intuition, or a combination of both?
Do you believe in your ability to find solutions?
How do you handle setbacks on a project?
How do you feel about making upgrades to something you’ve designed or created?
Do you think it’s important to be in right relationship with your tools?
The Magician
Because I’ve drawn the Magician before in one of these readings, I decided this time I would use a different deck. This is The Magician from the Mary-El Tarot deck (which is the deck I tend to use for my own personal readings) and it’s one of my favorite cards. Here we see what appears to be a figure made from a tree trunk, but the interior of this figure is an empty void. The figure is standing in Water with two not-yet-blooming trees (Earth) behind them. A bright sun (Fire) shines through a foggy haze (Air). All four classical elements are represented here.
In the figure’s hands is Metatron’s cube, which is a symbol in sacred geometry that contains all of the Platonic solids, ie all of the geometric building blocks of the physical world. (If you’re interested in learning more about Metatron’s cube, here is a good, although ad-heavy, article: https://www.uniguide.com/metatrons-cube.)
We can see, then, that all of the necessary raw ingredients—the building blocks of life—are here and readily available. Every tool and resource is easily accessible.
Another really important aspect of The Magician card is the lemniscate—the infinity symbol that floats over The Magician’s head. Here’s what I wrote about this in the first Magician post:
“It is a symbol of the undulating rhythms of life. Breathing and heartbeats. When the will of the mind falls into alignment with the body, the will becomes seated in the heart, in harmonious rhythm with life.”
Given all of this, I believe The Magician is asking us to bring our minds and hearts into alignment and, through this harmony, envision what we want. From there, we can turn towards our resources and combine them, add a dash of Magic, and thereby bring what we want into form.
How does this pair work together?
I love this pairing! I see the Engineer sitting at their desk, pencil in hand, staring at a blank sheet of paper while striving to come up with a solution to something. Then the Magician comes in and pulls the Engineer into their world. Together they go on an adventure in those mystical waters, experiencing all kinds of magic. When the Engineer returns to their desk, they find that they are now holding a wand instead of a pencil; the solution is only a magic spell away.
Is there a problem in our lives that we keep facing and haven't been able to find a solution for? This week I think we’re being asked to stop overthinking and instead embrace Magic as a way to tackle the issue. Can we come to see that logic and reason are not our only problem-solving resources? What would happen if we included the heart and intuition, as well as our magical allies in the spirit world?
Let's allow ourselves to tap into the unseen forces that may offer guidance and support. Perhaps it's time to trust in the power of serendipity and synchronicity to lead us towards the answers we seek. By opening up to all these resources, we may discover new perspectives and solutions that were previously hidden from view. Let's invite a sense of wonder and curiosity into our approach, embracing the magic that exists within and around us. Who knows what miracles may unfold when we blend our logical minds with the enchantment of the unknown.
Two weeks ago, when we got the Scribe and Ten of Wands, our guidance was to put down our wands and let them re-charge. How fun that this week we’re now being called to pick up our wands again!
I've always found the three different magicians in the Thoth deck very interesting - why this card? Why #1? I've always sort of seen the Magician and the Fool as a binary pair (literally) - a framework of both optimism and determination to face the journey through the rest of the cards. Love this pairing, Jenna!
Thank you Jenna! This is exactly what I needed to read at the moment...
The inner engineer is busy at work, however there are things she doesn't know how to do...She is enjoying seeking help from other wise ones, however she needs to stop looking out and look within. I'll put the kettle on for the Inner Magician and we can all sit together. Thank you..