Tarot of the Bohemians: Chapter XII. Third Septenary: 13. Death
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
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.)
|
13 |
|
18 |
|
Death |
is completed by |
The Moon |
|
|
13 + 18 = 31 |
|
|
14 |
|
17 |
|
Temperance |
is completed by |
The Stars |
|
|
14+17 = 31 |
|
|
15 |
|
16 |
|
The Devil |
is completed by |
Destruction |
|
|
15 + 16 = 31 |
|
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.)
13. מ
Death.
|
AFFINITIES |
SIGNIFICATIONS |
|
Primitive Hieroglyph: The Woman Hebrew Letter: Mem (one of the 3 mothers) |
THE UNIVERSAL TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE Destroyer and Creator __________ DEATH |
|
OBSERVATIONS |
THE UNIVERSAL PLASTIC FORCE |