NUMBERS AND THE KABBALISTIC WORD.

This sequence of numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, representing the active, the passive, the neuter, and a second active principle, corresponds in all points with the series of the letters of the sacred name, so that the latter may be thus written–

Yod–He–Vau– 2nd He = Yod, etc.,

which demonstrates analogically that:

1 represents Yod 2 represents He 3 represents Van 4 represents The 2nd He

We can prove the truth of these analogies by the identity of the action of the number 4, which becomes a unity (4 = 10 = 1), and of the second He, which represents the Yod of the following sequence.

In comparing the two identical series we obtain the following figures—

Kabbalistic sequence:

Cross with: yod (at top) he (to left) vau (at bottom) 2nd he (to right)

Sequence of numbers:

Cross with: 1 (at top) 2 he (to left) 4 (at bottom) 3 (to right)

Identity of the two sequences:

Cross with: 1 Yod (at top) 2 he (to left) vau (at bottom) 2nd he (to right)

We can now understand why Pythagoras, initiated in Egypt into the mysteries of the sacred word Yod-he-vau-he, replaced this word in his esoteric teachings by the sequence of the 4 first numbers or tetractys. 15

This sequence of the numbers is, in all points, identical with the sequence of the letters of the sacred name, and the tetractys of Pythagoras, 1, 2, 3, 4,, equals and absolutely represents the word Yod-he-vau-he.

The sequence of the numbers, or the sequence of the letters, therefore, resolves itself definitely into the following data–

1. Term positive and generator. The Yod or the 1.

1. Term negative or generant. The He or the 2.

1. Term neuter or generated proceeding from the two preceding. The Vau or the 3.

1. Term of transition individualizing itself in the following sequence. The 2nd He or the 4.

Provided with these preliminary data, which are absolutely indispensable, let us now take our pack of cards, or Tarot, and see if we cannot find the universal law in it – symbolized through antiquity by the Cross.

Cross with: Yod (at top) he (to left) vau (at bottom) 2nd he (to right)