Mountains and Seas Legends Tarot
Lu Wu · The Magician
A first look at how a figure from the Shan Hai Jing becomes a tarot image of will, skill, and attentive practice.
The figure in the ancient text
The Western Mountains section of the Shan Hai Jing describes Lu Wu (陆吾) as the deity overseeing Kunlun: tiger-bodied, with nine tails, a human face, and tiger claws. The passage associates him with the administration of the heavenly domains and the emperor’s gardens.
The card in our deck
In Mountains and Seas Legends Tarot, Laba Wisdom places Lu Wu in The Magician. We read his attentive guardianship as an image of practiced mastery: gathering will, skill, and chosen tools into a clear act.
The mythic description comes from the ancient text; the connection with The Magician is our deck’s artistic interpretation. It gives the familiar tarot archetype a distinct Chinese mythic life.
A gentle starting point for a beginner
When you meet this card, ask: “What resource or skill can I put to use today?” Notice a detail in the artwork, then read the guidebook entry and connect one idea to a practical next step.
This short introduction opens one door into the card. The companion guidebook develops its meanings, symbolism, myth background, and reading prompts.
Read the source
Ancient text: Shan Hai Jing · Western Mountains (西山经), the Kunlun passage. Tarot correspondence and reading prompt: Laba Wisdom.