| CHAPTER XII THIRD SEPTENARY- ARCANA 13-19 KEY TO THE THIRD SEPTENARY ARRANGEMENT OF THE FIGURES FOR STUDY |
The first septenary has shown us the World of Principles, or of the Creation.
The second has developed the World of Laws, or of Preservation.
The third will now show us the World of Facts, or of Transformation. We shall now see how the circulation of the forces
of the two first septenaries is established.
The second has developed the World of Laws, or of Preservation.
The third will now show us the World of Facts, or of Transformation. We shall now see how the circulation of the forces
of the two first septenaries is established.
| 13. מ 13th Hebrew letter (Mem) ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE THIRTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The hieroglyphic meaning of the Mem is a woman, the companion of man, it therefore gives rise to ideas of fertility and
formation. It is pre-eminently the maternal and female, the local and plastic sign, the image of external and passive
action. Employed at the end of words, this letter becomes a collective sign ם (final Mem). In this case it develops the
being in unlimited space.
Creation necessitates equal destruction in a contrary sense, and therefore the Mem designates all the regenerations
that have sprung from previous destruction, all transformations, and consequently death, regarded as the passage from
one world to the other.
The Mem is one of the three Mother letters.
formation. It is pre-eminently the maternal and female, the local and plastic sign, the image of external and passive
action. Employed at the end of words, this letter becomes a collective sign ם (final Mem). In this case it develops the
being in unlimited space.
Creation necessitates equal destruction in a contrary sense, and therefore the Mem designates all the regenerations
that have sprung from previous destruction, all transformations, and consequently death, regarded as the passage from
one world to the other.
The Mem is one of the three Mother letters.
| THIRTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT Death, or the Skeleton Mower |
The ideas expressed by this arcanum are those of destruction preceding or following regeneration.
A skeleton mows down beads in a field, from which hands and feet spring up on all sides, as the scythe pursues its work.
The works of the head (conception) become immortal as soon as they are realized (heads and feet).
The 13th arcanum is explained by the 10th (Fortune) and by the 16th (Destruction), between which it stands.
10 + 16 = 26 26/2 = 13.
13 is therefore the centre between the Yod (Principle of the creation) and the Ayin (16), Principle of destruction.
The 13th arcanum is completed by the 18th, its complementary, as the fifth was of the second, and the twelfth of the
seventh. (See the 8th and the 5th arcana.)
A skeleton mows down beads in a field, from which hands and feet spring up on all sides, as the scythe pursues its work.
The works of the head (conception) become immortal as soon as they are realized (heads and feet).
The 13th arcanum is explained by the 10th (Fortune) and by the 16th (Destruction), between which it stands.
10 + 16 = 26 26/2 = 13.
13 is therefore the centre between the Yod (Principle of the creation) and the Ayin (16), Principle of destruction.
The 13th arcanum is completed by the 18th, its complementary, as the fifth was of the second, and the twelfth of the
seventh. (See the 8th and the 5th arcana.)
The thirteenth card of the Tarot is placed between the invisible and the visible worlds. It is the universal link in nature,
the means by which all the influences react from one world to the other. It Signifies-
1. God the transformer-
THE UNIVERSAL TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE
Destructive and creative.
2. The negative of realization-
DEATH.
3. The Astral light accomplishing the function of the Creator-
THE UNIVERSAL PLASTIC FORCE.
(Balancing death and the transforming force.)
the means by which all the influences react from one world to the other. It Signifies-
1. God the transformer-
THE UNIVERSAL TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE
Destructive and creative.
2. The negative of realization-
DEATH.
3. The Astral light accomplishing the function of the Creator-
THE UNIVERSAL PLASTIC FORCE.
(Balancing death and the transforming force.)
| 14. נ 14th Hebrew letter (Nun) ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FOURTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The hieroglyphic sense of the Nun is the offspring of the female; a son, a fruit of any kind, all things produced. This
letter has therefore become the image of the being produced or reflected, the sign of individual and corporeal existence.
As a final it is the sign of augmentation ן (Nun as a final), and gives to the word which receives it all the individual
extension of which the thing expressed is susceptible.
Astronomically the Nun corresponds with the zodiacal sign of the Scorpion.
In short the Nun expresses the production of any combination, the result of the action of the ascending or creative
forces, and of the descending or destructive forces figured by the star of Solomon.
letter has therefore become the image of the being produced or reflected, the sign of individual and corporeal existence.
As a final it is the sign of augmentation ן (Nun as a final), and gives to the word which receives it all the individual
extension of which the thing expressed is susceptible.
Astronomically the Nun corresponds with the zodiacal sign of the Scorpion.
In short the Nun expresses the production of any combination, the result of the action of the ascending or creative
forces, and of the descending or destructive forces figured by the star of Solomon.
| FOURTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT Temperance |
The following ideas are expressed by this symbol-
1. Combination of different fluids.
2. Individualization of existence.
The genius of the Sun pours the fluid of Life from a golden vase into a silver one.
(First idea)
This essence passes from one vase to the other without one drop being spilt.
(Second idea)
The fourteenth card represents the young girl whom we have already seen in the 11th arcanum, and whom we shall see
again in the 17th.
The vital current placed upon her head in the 11th arcanum here passes from one vase into another, but will spread
further in the 17th arcanum.
The fourteenth card of the Tarot shows us the fluid, hitherto carefully preserved, now freely circulated in nature.
1. Combination of active and passive fluids. Entry of Spirit into Matter, and reaction of Matter upon the Spirit-
INVOLUTION
2. Reflex of Justice in the material world-
TEMPERANCE.
3. Fixation of reflex Life. Incarnation of Life
INDIVIDUAL AND CORPOREAL LIFE.
1. Combination of different fluids.
2. Individualization of existence.
The genius of the Sun pours the fluid of Life from a golden vase into a silver one.
(First idea)
This essence passes from one vase to the other without one drop being spilt.
(Second idea)
The fourteenth card represents the young girl whom we have already seen in the 11th arcanum, and whom we shall see
again in the 17th.
The vital current placed upon her head in the 11th arcanum here passes from one vase into another, but will spread
further in the 17th arcanum.
The fourteenth card of the Tarot shows us the fluid, hitherto carefully preserved, now freely circulated in nature.
1. Combination of active and passive fluids. Entry of Spirit into Matter, and reaction of Matter upon the Spirit-
INVOLUTION
2. Reflex of Justice in the material world-
TEMPERANCE.
3. Fixation of reflex Life. Incarnation of Life
INDIVIDUAL AND CORPOREAL LIFE.
| 15. ס 15th Hebrew letter (Samech) ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FIFTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The Samech expresses the same hieroglyphic sign as the Zain (7th arcanum), that is to say, an arrow; a weapon of any
kind; but to this idea is here added that of the arrow making a circular movement, of any circle defining and delimiting a
circumscription.
This idea of an impassable circle has given birth to that of Destiny, of Fatality, circumscribing the limits of the circle in
which the human will can act freely; so that the Serpent forming a circle of his own body, biting his own tail, has always
been the symbol of this Fatality, of this Destiny, encircling the world in its embrace. It is the image of the year (the ring),
and of the fatal and settled revolutions of time.
As a letter, the Samech is the link (Zain) reinforced and turned back upon itself. As a simple letter, it corresponds with
the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius.
kind; but to this idea is here added that of the arrow making a circular movement, of any circle defining and delimiting a
circumscription.
This idea of an impassable circle has given birth to that of Destiny, of Fatality, circumscribing the limits of the circle in
which the human will can act freely; so that the Serpent forming a circle of his own body, biting his own tail, has always
been the symbol of this Fatality, of this Destiny, encircling the world in its embrace. It is the image of the year (the ring),
and of the fatal and settled revolutions of time.
As a letter, the Samech is the link (Zain) reinforced and turned back upon itself. As a simple letter, it corresponds with
the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius.
| FIFTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT The Devil |
In every cosmogony the Devil represents the mysterious astral force, the origin of which is revealed to us by the
hieroglyphic of Samech.
But a little attentive consideration of the symbol will show us that it contains several of the details which we have already
seen in other figures of the Tarot, but under a different aspect.
If we place the Juggler by the side of the Devil we shall see that the arms of the two personages are using the same
gesture, but in an inverse sense. The Juggler points his right hand towards the Universe, his left hand towards God; on
the other hand the Devil raises his right band into the air, whilst his left points to the earth. Instead of the magic initiating
wand of the Juggler, the Demon holds the lighted torch, the symbol of black magic and of Destruction.
By the side of the Devil, and balanced by him, are two personages reproducing the same symbolism that we find in the
two women of the Lovers (6), and in the two supports of the gibbet of the Hanged Man (12).
The universal vivifying force represented by the 3rd arcanum, has here become the universal destroying force. The
sceptre of Venus-Urania has become the Demon's torch, the Angel's wings have changed into the hideous pinions of
the God of Evil.
The 3rd arcanum symbolizes the Holy Spirit, or the Providence of Fabre d'Olivet.
The 15th arcanum symbolizes the False Spirit, or the Destiny of Fabre d'Olivet.
15+3 = 18/2 = 9
The 9th arcanum, which fills the centre between the two figures, symbolizes Prudence, or the Human Will of Fabre
d'Olivet.
The Devil has materialized upon his head the universal fluid which surrounded the head of the Juggler; this is indicated
by the two six-pointed horns which adorn him.
He stands upon a cube placed upon a sphere, to indicate the domination of Matter (the cube) over the Spirit (the
Sphere).
The fifteenth card of the Tarot derives its signification from its own symbolism-
1. DESTINY (chance).
2. FATALITY, the result of the fall of Adam-Eve.
3. The astral fluid, which individualizes.
NARASH, the Dragon of the Threshold.
hieroglyphic of Samech.
But a little attentive consideration of the symbol will show us that it contains several of the details which we have already
seen in other figures of the Tarot, but under a different aspect.
If we place the Juggler by the side of the Devil we shall see that the arms of the two personages are using the same
gesture, but in an inverse sense. The Juggler points his right hand towards the Universe, his left hand towards God; on
the other hand the Devil raises his right band into the air, whilst his left points to the earth. Instead of the magic initiating
wand of the Juggler, the Demon holds the lighted torch, the symbol of black magic and of Destruction.
By the side of the Devil, and balanced by him, are two personages reproducing the same symbolism that we find in the
two women of the Lovers (6), and in the two supports of the gibbet of the Hanged Man (12).
The universal vivifying force represented by the 3rd arcanum, has here become the universal destroying force. The
sceptre of Venus-Urania has become the Demon's torch, the Angel's wings have changed into the hideous pinions of
the God of Evil.
The 3rd arcanum symbolizes the Holy Spirit, or the Providence of Fabre d'Olivet.
The 15th arcanum symbolizes the False Spirit, or the Destiny of Fabre d'Olivet.
15+3 = 18/2 = 9
The 9th arcanum, which fills the centre between the two figures, symbolizes Prudence, or the Human Will of Fabre
d'Olivet.
The Devil has materialized upon his head the universal fluid which surrounded the head of the Juggler; this is indicated
by the two six-pointed horns which adorn him.
He stands upon a cube placed upon a sphere, to indicate the domination of Matter (the cube) over the Spirit (the
Sphere).
The fifteenth card of the Tarot derives its signification from its own symbolism-
1. DESTINY (chance).
2. FATALITY, the result of the fall of Adam-Eve.
3. The astral fluid, which individualizes.
NARASH, the Dragon of the Threshold.
| 16. ע 16th Hebrew letter (Ayin) ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SIXTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The Ayin expresses the same hieroglyphic as the Vau (6), but materialized. It is the sign of Material sense. Again
degenerated, it expresses all that is crooked, false, perverse, and bad.
Astronomically this letter corresponds with the zodiacal sign of Capricornus.
degenerated, it expresses all that is crooked, false, perverse, and bad.
Astronomically this letter corresponds with the zodiacal sign of Capricornus.
| SIXTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT The Lightning-struck Tower |
This card bears the picture of a tower, with its battlements struck by lightning; two men, one crowned, the other
uncrowned, are falling with the fragments of broken masonry; the attitude of the former recalls the shape of the letter
Ayin.
This card contains the first allusion to a material building in our pack, but we shall find the same symbol reproduced in
the 18th and 19th arcana.
Here it signifies the invisible or spiritual world, incarnated in the visible and material world.
The 16th card represents the material fall of Adam. He will gradually become more materialized until the 18th arcanum,
in which he attains the maximum of his materialization.
The significations of this figure are all derived from this idea of fall, of the materialization of the spiritual letter (Vau).
1. Materialization of God the Holy Spirit. (See 3rd arcanum.)
Entrance of the Holy Spirit into the visible World. The Holy Spirit acting like the God of matter.
DIVINE DESTRUCTION
2. The materialization of the Adam-Eve, who have been spiritualized until now.
Entrance of the Adam-Eve into the visible World-
THE FALL
3. Materialization of the Universe-principle-
THE VISIBLE WORLD.
uncrowned, are falling with the fragments of broken masonry; the attitude of the former recalls the shape of the letter
Ayin.
This card contains the first allusion to a material building in our pack, but we shall find the same symbol reproduced in
the 18th and 19th arcana.
Here it signifies the invisible or spiritual world, incarnated in the visible and material world.
The 16th card represents the material fall of Adam. He will gradually become more materialized until the 18th arcanum,
in which he attains the maximum of his materialization.
The significations of this figure are all derived from this idea of fall, of the materialization of the spiritual letter (Vau).
1. Materialization of God the Holy Spirit. (See 3rd arcanum.)
Entrance of the Holy Spirit into the visible World. The Holy Spirit acting like the God of matter.
DIVINE DESTRUCTION
2. The materialization of the Adam-Eve, who have been spiritualized until now.
Entrance of the Adam-Eve into the visible World-
THE FALL
3. Materialization of the Universe-principle-
THE VISIBLE WORLD.
| 17. פ 17th Hebrew letter (Phe) ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SEVENTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The Phe expresses the same hieroglyphic meaning as the Beth (2nd card), but in a more extended sense. For, whilst
the Beth signifies the mouth of man as the organ of speech, the Phe represents the produce of that organ: Speech.
It is the sign of speech and of all connected with it. The Word in action in nature with all its consequences.
Astronomically this letter responds to Mercury the God of Speech and of scientific or commercial diffusion, the God of
Universal exchange between all beings and all worlds.
Phe is a double letter.
the Beth signifies the mouth of man as the organ of speech, the Phe represents the produce of that organ: Speech.
It is the sign of speech and of all connected with it. The Word in action in nature with all its consequences.
Astronomically this letter responds to Mercury the God of Speech and of scientific or commercial diffusion, the God of
Universal exchange between all beings and all worlds.
Phe is a double letter.
| SEVENTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT The Star |
| CHARACTER OF THE FIGURES. |
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Tarot Of The Bohemians: Chapter 12
The ideas expressed by this symbol are those--
1. Of the expansion of fluids.
2. Of their eternal renewal.
A nude female figure pours the Water of Universal Life from two cups.
The genius of the Sun (14th arcanum) has now descended to earth under the form of this young girl, the image of
eternal Youth. The fluids, which she formerly poured from one vase to the other, she now throws upon the ground (first
idea).
This young girl is crowned with seven stars; in the midst of them shines a very large and brilliant one. Near her an ibis
(or sometimes a butterfly) rests upon a flower.
Here we find the symbol of immortality. The soul (ibis or butterfly) will survive the body, which is only a place of trial (the
ephemeral flower). The courage to bear these trials will come from above (the stars).
The fall of the Divine and of the Human into the Material has scarcely taken place, when a mysterious voice whispers,
courage to the Sinner, by showing him future re-instatement through trial.
This card exactly balances the evil effects of the preceding one, and from it we derive the following significations--
1. Opposition to destruction. No destruction is final. Everything is eternal and immortal in God--
IMMORTALITY.
Creation of the human soul.
2. The fall is not irreparable. This is whispered to us by the intuitive sentiment we name
HOPE.
3. The Visible Universe contains the source of its Divinization in itself. This is
THE FORCE WHICH DISPENSES THE ESSENCE OF LIFE,
which gives it the means of perpetually renewing its creations after destruction.
1. Of the expansion of fluids.
2. Of their eternal renewal.
A nude female figure pours the Water of Universal Life from two cups.
The genius of the Sun (14th arcanum) has now descended to earth under the form of this young girl, the image of
eternal Youth. The fluids, which she formerly poured from one vase to the other, she now throws upon the ground (first
idea).
This young girl is crowned with seven stars; in the midst of them shines a very large and brilliant one. Near her an ibis
(or sometimes a butterfly) rests upon a flower.
Here we find the symbol of immortality. The soul (ibis or butterfly) will survive the body, which is only a place of trial (the
ephemeral flower). The courage to bear these trials will come from above (the stars).
The fall of the Divine and of the Human into the Material has scarcely taken place, when a mysterious voice whispers,
courage to the Sinner, by showing him future re-instatement through trial.
This card exactly balances the evil effects of the preceding one, and from it we derive the following significations--
1. Opposition to destruction. No destruction is final. Everything is eternal and immortal in God--
IMMORTALITY.
Creation of the human soul.
2. The fall is not irreparable. This is whispered to us by the intuitive sentiment we name
HOPE.
3. The Visible Universe contains the source of its Divinization in itself. This is
THE FORCE WHICH DISPENSES THE ESSENCE OF LIFE,
which gives it the means of perpetually renewing its creations after destruction.
| 18. צ 18th Hebrew letter (Tzaddi). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE EIGHTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT |
The hieroglyphic idea connected with the Tzaddi is the same as that of the Teth (9th card); but it chiefly signifies a
term, an aim, an end. It is a final concluding sign, relating to all the ideas of term, of secession, division and aim*.
* Placed at the commencement of a word it indicates the movement which leads towards the end; placed at the end
it marks the term itself to which it has tended; it then receives this form, ץ. It is derived from the letter Samech 15ס ()
and the letter Zain 7ז (), and it marks the secession of one or the other.
The Tzaddi is a simple letter; it corresponds with the zodiacal sign of Aquarius.
term, an aim, an end. It is a final concluding sign, relating to all the ideas of term, of secession, division and aim*.
* Placed at the commencement of a word it indicates the movement which leads towards the end; placed at the end
it marks the term itself to which it has tended; it then receives this form, ץ. It is derived from the letter Samech 15ס ()
and the letter Zain 7ז (), and it marks the secession of one or the other.
The Tzaddi is a simple letter; it corresponds with the zodiacal sign of Aquarius.
| THE EIGHTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT The Moon |
We have now traversed the steps which the spirit descends in its gradual and utter fall towards the material world.
All is now ended; the spirit is completely materialized, and the change is indicated by the eighteenth card.
A meadow feebly lighted by the moon.
The light, the symbol of the soul, no longer reaches us directly; the material world is only lighted by reflection.
The meadow is bounded by a tower on each side. Drops of blood are falling from the moon.
The material world is the last point which the spirit can reach, it can descend no lower; this is shown by the
boundaries of the field. The drops of blood represent the descent of the Spirit into Matter.
A path sprinkled with drops of blood loses itself in the horizon. In the centre of the field a dog and a wolf axe howling
at the moon, a crayfish is climbing out of the water between the two animals.
The entry of the Spirit into Matter is so great a fall that everything conspires to augment it.
Servile spirits (the dog), savage souls (the wolf), and crawling creatures (the crayfish) are all present watching the
fall of the soul, hoping to aid in its destruction.
1. End of divine Materialization. Final point of involution--
CHAOS.
2. End of the Materialization of man--
THE MATERIAL BODY AND ITS PASSIONS.
3. End of physical Materialization--
All is now ended; the spirit is completely materialized, and the change is indicated by the eighteenth card.
A meadow feebly lighted by the moon.
The light, the symbol of the soul, no longer reaches us directly; the material world is only lighted by reflection.
The meadow is bounded by a tower on each side. Drops of blood are falling from the moon.
The material world is the last point which the spirit can reach, it can descend no lower; this is shown by the
boundaries of the field. The drops of blood represent the descent of the Spirit into Matter.
A path sprinkled with drops of blood loses itself in the horizon. In the centre of the field a dog and a wolf axe howling
at the moon, a crayfish is climbing out of the water between the two animals.
The entry of the Spirit into Matter is so great a fall that everything conspires to augment it.
Servile spirits (the dog), savage souls (the wolf), and crawling creatures (the crayfish) are all present watching the
fall of the soul, hoping to aid in its destruction.
1. End of divine Materialization. Final point of involution--
CHAOS.
2. End of the Materialization of man--
THE MATERIAL BODY AND ITS PASSIONS.
3. End of physical Materialization--
Involution, that is to say, the descent of the Spirit into Matter, ends with the 3rd septenary.
The three last cards of the Tarot will show us how all the emanated forces gradually return to their common
principle by evolution.
The three last cards of the Tarot will show us how all the emanated forces gradually return to their common
principle by evolution.