The both have bands of yellow, red and black. There s a handy poem for telling the difference. Red touch yellow , kill a fellow Red touch black , venom lack. I wonder if the ancient Egyptians had a similar touchstone for magicians. As Christianity struggled to dominate Europe, before the Renaissance, the differences more influenced the survival of the magician.
Some cities wouldn t tolerate any kind of magic performer.
Many entertainers became victims of their own skill ending up tried and executed as witches. The modern tarot card displays the magician with the artifacts of ritual magic. But in the earlier decks, these have been the ancient objects for sleight of hand. In a quick glance, the magician s portable stage is not dissimilar from the altar a cup becomes a chalice, a dagger becomes an athame. Street magicians often carried more objects in the pocket of a large apron, not unlike the Masonic lambskin apron.