The Tarot of the Bohemians

Papus

Chapter 5

The Ten Numbers

Let us now study these numbers. We are acquainted with the Law of numbers, or law of the sequences, which we have already stated in these terms -

1 - 2. 3

4 - 5. 6

7 - etc.

The ten cards cannot escape from this law, and we can at once arrange them in series.

The first series will be formed of the ace, or 1, representing the active, of the 2 personating the passive, of the 3 for the neuter, and lastly of the 4, which represents the transition from one series to another.

1, 2, 3, 4 therefore correspond also with the Yod-he-vau-he, and are thus formulated -

The other series follow the same rule exactly, the second He of the preceeding series becoming the Yod of the following series: thus 4, the fourth term of the first series, becomes the first term of the second series; 7, the fourth term of the second, becomes the first term of the third, as follows -

The Series Of Numbers.

We see that the same law, Yod-he-vau-he, can be applied to these series. Since this law is also applicable to the four figures, we can make a comparison based on the following proposition -

Two terms (the numbers and the figures) equal to a same third (the law Yod-he-vau-he) are equal between themselves.

The Sequence In One Color.

If we now group all the numbers of the sequence according to the letter of the tetragrammaton, to which they are analogous, we shall find -

Representing the Yod 1 - 4 - 7

Representing the 1st He 2 - 5 - 8

Representing the Vau 3 - 6 - 9

Representing the 2nd He 10

The figure 10 therefore acts for the numbers, as the knave acts for the figures, that is to say, it serves as a transition. Between what?

Between one colour and another.

Affinity Between The Figures And The Numbers

We have already studied both the figures and the numbers separately, let us now see what connection exists between the figures and the numbers.

If we group the similar terms according to the identical Law which rules them, we shall find them as follows -

The King is the Yod of 1. 4. 7

The Queen is the He of 2. 5. 8

The Knight is the Vau of 3. 6. 9

The Knave is the 2nd He of 10

The sequence of the figures is reproduced three timesin the series of numbers, that is to say, that each series of numbers represents a conception of the figures in each of the three Kabbalistic worlds.

The series 1, 2, 3, 4 represents the emanation of the sequence king, queen, knight, knave in the divine world.

The series 4, 5, 6, 7 represents this evolution in the human world.

The series 7, 8, 9, 10 represents this evolution in the material world.

Each colour is a complete whole, formed after the manner of beings.

Of a material body:: (Knight - 7.8.9)
Of a vital force:: (Queen - 4.5.6)
Of an intellect:: (King - 1.2.3)
Of reproductive organs:: (Knave - 10)

Each of these parts can subdivide itself into three others, as the numbers indicate1.

Let us, however, return to our deduction, and by summing up the results obtained, we shall find -

Representations of the Yod:: The King; The 1 or Ace; The 4; The 7
Representations of the He:: The Queen; The 2; The 5; The 8
Representations of the Vau:: The Knight; The 3; The 6; The 9
Representations of the 2nd He:: The Knave; The 10

1. We wished to make this application of the Tarot in order to show Initiates what results might be expected from the laws explained by studying it.

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