The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) · 48 of 134 · tr. A.P. Morton
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7. ז 7th Hebrew letter (Zain). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SEVENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. Hieroglyphically the Zain expresses an arrow, and therefore it suggests the idea of a weapon , of the instrument which man uses to rule and conquer , and to attain his object. The Zain expresses victory in all the worlds. As a simple letter it corresponds with the astronomic sign of the Twins in the Zodiac. THE CHARIOT. THE CHARIOT. SEVENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. The Chariot . The symbolism of this card corresponds in all points with the ideas which it expresses. A Conqueror, crowned with a coronet, upon which rise three shining Pentagrams of gold, advances in a cubical chariot, surmounted by an azure, star-decked canopy supported by four columns. This symbol reproduces the 1st and 21st arcana in another order of ideas. The four columns represent the four animals of the 1st arcanum, and the four symbols of the 1st arcanum, symbols of the quaternary in all its acceptations. The Conqueror, who occupies the centre of the four elements, is the man who has vanquished and directed the elementary forces: this victory is confirmed by the cubical form of the chariot, and by the Pentagrams, which crown the Initiate. The Conqueror has three right angles upon his cuirass, and he bears upon his shoulders the Urim and Thummim of the sovereign sacrificant, represented by the two crescents of the moon on the right and left; in his hand is a sceptre surmounted by a globe, a square, and a triangle. Upon the square, which forms the front of the chariot, we see the Indian lingam , surmounted by the flying sphere of Egypt. Two sphinxes, one white, the other black, are harnessed to the chariot. This symbol represents the sacred septenary in all its manifestations. The word Yod-he-vau-he is portrayed upon the front of the chariot by the winged globe, to indicate that the septenary gives the key to the whole Tarot. The two sphinxes correspond to the two principles, active and passive. The Conqueror corresponds especially with the Sword and the Vau of the sacred name. The 7th card of the Tarot shows the influence of the creation in the preservation of the Divine in the Human. It represents the Yod or the God of the 2nd septenary. THE GOD of the 2nd septenary . Man performing the function of God the Creator. THE FATHER. The law of the 2nd septenary . REALIZATION. (Reflex of the Power.) The Man of the 2nd septenary . Nature performing the function of Adam. THE ASTRAL LIGHT. 7. ז The Chariot . AFFINITIES SIGNIFICATIONS Primitive Hieroglyphic: Arrow Kabbalah: HOD Astronomy: The Twins Month: May Hebrew Letter: Zain (simple) Man performing the function of God the Creator THE FATHER The Realizer __________ Law THE REALIZATION OBSERVATIONS Nature performing the function of Adam THE ASTRAL LIGHT The passage from one world to the other is scarcely performed, when we see the same law in action that we found in the 1st septenary. The second terra of this series will be the reflection of the first, just as the second term of the first series also reflected the first. However, since this 2nd septenary is the central one, we shall find as the foundation of all its constituent arcana, the idea of mediation or equilibrium. This is shown by the eighth card.
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 text explicitly lists 'THE ASTRAL LIGHT' as a key signification of the card and discusses the Conqueror directing elementary forces within this context.
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 is built on the principle of correspondence, linking Hebrew letters, zodiac signs, Tarot cards, and elemental forces (e.g., Zain corresponds to Twins).
The doctrine that the divine is present within all things and the universe itself, pervading creation rather than remaining solely transcendent above it. Distinct from unity_of_being (the general claim that all existence is one substance, agnostic about whether that substance indwells its parts) and from kingdom_within (the divine present specifically IN THE INDIVIDUAL human, accessible without mediation) — divine_immanence is the general pervading-presence claim applied to all of creation, not a human-specific indwelling.
The text describes 'the preservation of the Divine in the Human', suggesting the divine is present within the human realm.
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 passage describes a structured system of septenaries (1st and 2nd) where the second reflects the first, indicating a hierarchical flow of divine principles.
The Hermetic doctrine that a masculine-feminine generative principle operates on every plane of being, not only the biological — present at all times as a structural feature of creation itself. Distinct from divine_marriage (a specific reunification event or symbol) and aeons (paired divine beings arranged in syzygies, not a universal structural claim).
The text mentions 'two principles, active and passive' represented by the sphinxes, reflecting a generative masculine-feminine structural principle.
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 passage mentions the 'idea of mediation or equilibrium' as the foundation of the 2nd septenary and describes two sphinxes representing active and passive principles.
The human being as a small-scale image of the entire cosmos; the body, soul, and intellect mirroring the structure of the heavens and the divine — distinct from correspondence in that it makes the human the privileged mirror.
The text states 'Man performing the function of God the Creator' and 'Nature performing the function of Adam', linking human action to cosmic divine functions.
Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.
The passage emphasizes the number seven (7th card, Zain, sacred septenary) and other numbers like three (pentagrams, right angles) and four (columns, elements).
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 symbolism includes 'two sphinxes, one white, the other black' corresponding to 'active and passive' principles, illustrating the Hermetic doctrine of polarity.
The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy.
The phrase 'Man performing the function of God the Creator' implies a state where humanity assumes divine roles or attributes.