As in many versions of The Magician, all four suit signs are present, representing mastery over all aspects of life. The Magician herself holds an athame skyward, a wand is grasped by the elephant's trunk, the Magician's skirt is decorated with pentacles, and a decorative chalice (the Grail?) sits on the altar.
The lightning forking down from above could represent divine inspiration or power. I believe the winged helmet alludes to Hermes, Greek god of wisdom and communication, who is often associated with his Egyptian counterpart Thoth in the Western Hermetic tradition. The GD astrological association for The Magician is Mercury, the Roman equivalent of Hermes.
There are two serpents in this card, a serpent head on top of the Magician's helmet and a serpent head at the end of the elephant's trunk. Among other things, serpents symbolize wisdom. Elephants, noted for their high intelligence, also symbolize wisdom in some cultures, as well as strength and power. The ape is a symbol that's also found in the Magus card from the Thoth Tarot. Milo Duquette, in his book on the Thoth Tarot, identifies the ape as the Cynolcephalus, the Ape of Thoth, and has the following to say about it:
"This creature ... is the personification of an ironic curse that afflicts Thoth-Mercury and all who attain the grade of Magus. Because falsehood and misunderstanding are inherent in all speech and writing, it is the cosmic duty of the Ape of Thoth to constantly mock the work of the Magus and distort his words."
I'm not sure about the scorpion in the lower right corner of the card. Perhaps it signifies that the Magician, like Circe of Greek myth, is both powerful and dangerous, with a deadly sting for those who allow themselves to be deceived or seduced by her.
Alan
