The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) · 24 of 134 · tr. A.P. Morton
Chapter VIII (part 1)
PART II.
SYMBOLISM IN THE TAROT.
APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL KEY TO SYMBOLISM.
CHAPTER VIII.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF SYMBOLISM.
The Symbols--The Primitive Terms--Key of Symbolism--Definition of the Sense of one of the Symbols--The General Law of Symbolism.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF SYMBOLISM IN THE TAROT.
OUR study of the Tarot and its numerical arrangement has given us the general key , which should be applied to all the further developments of which our subject may be susceptible.
The symbols should therefore exactly follow the evolution of the numbers, and this we shall find them do.
However, as we shall now study each of the cards of the Tarot in turn, and as the reader's attention may be a little diverted by all these details, we have determined to commence by a short introduction to the study of the symbolism of the Tarot, an introduction in which we shall say a few words upon the grouping of the symbols.
This point explained, we can pass on to further details, which we shall terminate by a synthetic recapitulation.
We thus hope to obtain the greatest possible light upon these difficult subjects.
The analysis of the word Yod-he-vau-he has given us the general law upon which the whole Tarot is constructed.
This law is thus represented-- 1 yod 2 he 2nd he 4 vau 3 We must therefore first define the four primitive terms in our symbols, which form the law exactly applicable to the whole symbolism.
And, in fact, we find these four terms in our four first cards; the general sense of these terms being-- 1--Creator or Divine.
2--Preserver or Astral.
3--Transformer or Physical and Diffuser.
4--Generator or Transitional becoming Creator.
This law corresponds in all points with our sacred word, thus-- Creator or Divine 1 yod Preserver or Astral 2 he 2nd he 4 Transition or Generation vau 3 Transformer or Physical We shall see that this law applies exactly to each of the cards which possess three meanings.
A superlative or Divine meaning.
A comparative or Magic-Astral meaning.
A positive or Physical meaning, responding, to a transition.
GENERAL STUDY OF THE FOUR FIRST CARDS.
Key to the Symbolism of the Tarot .
The four first cards of the major arcana form, symbolically as well as numerically, a complete sequence, which corresponds with the sacred word Yod-he-vau-he .
For the first card expresses the active absolute , and corresponds with Yod .
The second card denotes the reflex of the first, the passive absolute ; it corresponds with the first He .
The third indicates the median term, the convertible transforming term, corresponding to Vau .
Lastly, the fourth card is a term of transition between the preceding series and the one that follows it.
The symbolic series of the Tarot is therefore completely represented by the four first cards, exactly as the numerical sequence is represented by the four first numbers.
This fact produces a very important consideration, namely, that all the symbols of the Tarot are but transformations of the three first , and that the latter will supply us with the general law of symbolism, a law which will enable us to determine mathematically the sense of each card that follows.
But we can go still further.
Since the second card is the reflex of the first, and is formed by the first considered negatively , and since the third card results from the two others, it suffices to be perfectly acquainted with the first card of the Tarot to determine mathematically the sense of all the others .
Some details upon this subject are necessary.
The general law of the four first cards is as follows-- 1--Positive.
Creator.
2--Negative.
Reflex of the first.
Preserver.
3--Neuter, enveloping the two others.
Transformer.
The universal fluid or medium of occult philosophy — Lévi's Great Magical Agent — that transmits will, thought, and magical influence between minds and matter, and preserves the impress of all forms and actions as a book of consciences; cognate with akasha and the anima mundi. Distinct from cosmic_sympathy (a doctrine of hidden affinity) in being a substantival medium that can be charged, directed, and abused.
The term 'Astral' is used to define a specific level of meaning (Magic-Astral), consistent with the occult concept of an intermediate plane.
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 asserts that symbols must exactly follow the evolution of numbers, reflecting a structural correspondence between numerical and symbolic realms.
A chain of divine beings or principles flowing downward from a single transcendent source (the One or the Father), each level less perfect than the one above.
The text describes a sequence from Creator (Divine) to Preserver (Astral) to Transformer (Physical), forming a hierarchical flow of principles.
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 outlines a balance of Positive, Negative, and Neuter forces as the general law of the first four cards.
Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.
The passage explicitly states that the Tarot's numerical arrangement provides a general key and allows for the mathematical determination of each card's sense.
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 text defines a law based on Positive, Negative (reflex of the first), and Neuter terms, illustrating the Hermetic doctrine of opposites differing in degree.