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The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) · 22 of 134 · tr. A.P. Morton

Chapter VII (part 2)

Each element of this septenary thus rules over-- Arcanum 13 (+) Knight of Sceptres, (+) Knight of Swords, (-) Arcanum 16 (-) Knight of Cups, (+) Knight of Pentacles, (-) Arcanum 14 (+) Three of Sceptres, (+) Three of Swords, (-) Arcanum 17 (-) Three of Cups, (+) Three of Pentacles, (-) Arcanum 15 (+) Six of Sceptres, (+) Six of Swords, (-) Arcanum 18 (-) Six of Cups, (+) Six of Pentacles, (-) Arcanum 19 (∞) All the nines, (∞) TERNARY OF TRANSITION.--The ternary of transition rules over-- The 4 Knaves. The 4 Tens. Each of its elements thus rules over-- Arcanum 19 (∞) (+) Knave of Sceptres, (+) Knave of Swords, (-) Arcanum 20 (∞) (+) Knave of Cups, (+) Knave of Pentacles, (-) Arcanum 21 (∞) All the 10, (∞) Value of the signs +, -,and ∞. The signs which follow each card in the preceding lists define the exact value of the card. One example will suffice to make this clearly understood. Each term can be taken in two principal acceptations: in the positive (+) or in the negative (-). The same rule applies to the sub-divisions of these terms. For instance, the correspondents of the first septenary are 1 and 4. 1 is the positive (+) 4 is the negative (-) 1 governs two minor arcana: the King of Sceptres and the King of Swords. The King of Sceptres is positive. The King of Swords is negative. The definite value of these terms would therefore be--1st King of Sceptres. Positive (+) of the positive (+); or King of Sceptres + + 2nd King of Swords. Negative (-) of the Positive (+); or more simply King of Swords + -- The same rule applies to the other terms in combining the sign which follows the major arcanum with that which follows the term under consideration . The value of each of the 78 cards of the Tarot is thus defined. GENERAL AFFINITIES. AFFINITIES TO Yod . Positive . Negative . Major Arcana Arcanum 1 Arcanum 4 ---- 7 ---- 10 ---- 13 ---- 16 Minor Arcana King of Sceptres King of Cups Ace Ace ---- 4 4 ---- 7 7 ---- King of Swords King of Pentacles Ace Ace ---- 4 4 ---- 7 7 ---- AFFINITIES TO THE 1ST He . Positive . Negative . Major Arcana Arcanum 2 Arcanum 5 ---- 8 ---- 11 ---- 14 ---- 17 Minor Arcana Queen of Sceptres Queen of Cups Two ---- Two ---- Five ---- Five ---- Eight ---- Eight ---- Queen of Swords Queen of Pentacles Two ---- Two ---- Five ---- Five ---- Eight ---- Eight ---- AFFINITIES TO Vau . Positive . Negative . Major Arcana Arcanum 3 Arcanum 6 ---- 9 ---- 12 ---- 15 ---- 18 Minor Arcana Knight of Sceptres Knight of Cups Three ---- Three ---- Six ---- Six ---- Nine ---- Nine ---- Knight of Swords Knight of Pentacles Three ---- Three ---- Six ---- Six ---- Nine ---- Nine ---- AFFINITIES TO THE 2ND He . Positive . Negative . Arcanum 19 Arcanum 20 Knave of Sceptres Knave of Cups ---- of Swords ---- of Pentacles Equilibrium .
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Themes
Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

The passage explicitly details the correspondences between Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Hebrew letters (Yod, He, Vau), defining exact values based on these relationships.

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Cosmic Sympathycosmology

The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination.

The detailed mapping of affinities implies a hidden connection between the cards and cosmic principles (letters/numbers), suggesting a resonant structure.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The text explains how to decode the 'exact value' of cards using signs and combinations, implying an esoteric layer of meaning beneath the surface imagery.

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Letters Of Creationcosmology

The twenty-two Hebrew letters as the building blocks through which God creates and sustains all existence.

The passage lists 'Affinities to Yod', '1st He', 'Vau', and '2nd He', referencing the Hebrew letters of the Tetragrammaton as organizing principles for the cards.

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Magical Equilibriumcosmology

The balance of two contrary forces as the structural law of cosmos and operation — Lévi's equilibrium, expressed in Kabbalah by the senary: the will of God in its first cause, liberty in man, mathematical equilibrium in matter; the twofold vibration required to direct the Astral Light safely.

The text introduces the symbol (∞) for 'Equilibrium' and 'Ternary of Transition', describing a balance point between positive and negative forces within the card system.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

The text is heavily focused on numerical groupings (septenary, ternary) and specific card numbers (13-21, 4 Knaves, 4 Tens, etc.) as structural keys to understanding the Tarot's value.

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Polaritycosmology

The Hermetic doctrine that apparent opposites are identical in nature but differ in degree — two extremes of the same scale (hot/cold, love/hate) — such that one pole can be shifted toward its opposite by a change of degree ('mental transmutation'). Distinct from opposites_transcended (a completion-state marking the path's end, not this doctrine's active technique) and magical_equilibrium (balance held BETWEEN two forces, not identity-by-degree of what looks like two forces).

The passage defines card values through positive (+) and negative (-) signs, explicitly stating that terms can be taken in two principal acceptations and combining these signs to determine value.

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Related passages · 7 parallels
jewish_mysticism|Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Formation)|Section 1d
Resh, predominant in peace, crowned, combined, and formed Saturn in the Universe, the sixth day of the week, and the left nostril in man. Tau, predominant in beauty, crowned, combined and formed Jupiter in the Universe, the seventh day in…”
Shared concept: Letters Of Creation — The twenty-two Hebrew letters as the building blocks through which God creates and sustains all existence. (derived)
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XVIII-b
A certain thing of this kind also may take 71 place in the harmony and crasis of the universe: for the same things may be the salvation of the whole, through the perfection of the things inherent and the recipients; but may be noxious to th…”
Shared concept: Cosmic Sympathy — The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination. (derived)
neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 365 (part 1)
Section 45 45. From this discussion it becomes perfectly clear that the individual member of the All contributes to that All in the degree of its kind and condition; thus it acts and is acted upon. In any particular animal each of the lim…”
Shared concept: Cosmic Sympathy — The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination. (derived)
theosophy|The Secret Doctrine|Page 27 (part 3)
Anger, my son, is the destruction of [[Vol. 1, Page]] 416 THE SECRET DOCTRINE. all that man obtains . . . and prevents the attainment of emancipation. The sages shun wrath. Be not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let not th…”
Shared concept: Magical Equilibrium — The balance of two contrary forces as the structural law of cosmos and operation — Lévi's equilibrium, expressed in Kabbalah by the senary: the will of God in its first cause, liberty in man, mathematical equilibrium in matter; the twofold vibration required to direct the Astral Light safely. (derived)
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter III
Since, however, every part of the heavens, every sign of the zodiac, all the motion of the heavens, every period of time according to which the world is moved, and all things contained in the wholes of the universe, receive the powers which…”
Shared concept: Cosmic Sympathy — The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination. (derived)
renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori)|First Dialogue-j
So that the continual movement of one part supposes and carries with it the movement of the whole, in such a way that the attraction of the posterior parts is consequent upon the repulsion of the anterior parts; thus the movement of the sup…”
Shared concept: Cosmic Sympathy — The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination. (derived)
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 4, Section 1d
Nay, even the foundation and the boundaries of the heavens (as we forgot to say while 91 thinking of other matters) owe their origin to the Good. Such is this universe, which lessens not nor grows, and such the noiseless movements (if nois…”
Shared concept: Numerical Mysticism — Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality. (derived)