Transcendental Magic — Éliphas Lévi

p. 374a really complete and well-executed exemplar. We shall, perhaps, undertake the task. Vestiges of the Tarot are found among all nations. As we have said, the Italian is, perhaps, the most faithful and best preserved, but it may be further perfected by precious indications derived from the Spanish varieties.

The two of cups, for example, in the Naibi is completely Egyptian, showing two archaic vases with ibis handles, superposed on a cow. A unicorn is represented in the middle of the four of deniers ; the three of cups exhibits the figure of Isis issuing from a vase, while two ibises issue from two other vases, one with a crown for the goddess, and one holding a lotus, which he seems to be offering for her acceptance.

The four aces bear the image of the hieratic and sacred serpent, while in some specimens the seal of Solomon is placed at the centre of the four of deniers, instead of the symbolical unicorn. The German Tarots have suffered great alteration, and scarcely do more than preserve the number of the keys, which are crowded with grotesque or pantagruelian figures.

We have a Chinese Tarot before us, and the Imperial Library contains samples of others that are similar. M. Paul Boiteau, in his remarkable work on playing-cards, has given some admirably executed specimens. The Chinese Tarot preserves several primeval emblems ; the deniers and swords are plainly distinguishable, but it would be less easy to discover the cups and clubs.

It was at the epoch of the Gnostic and Manichaean heresies that the Tarot must have been lost to the Church, at which time also the meaning of the divine Apocalypse perished. It was understood no longer that the seven seals of this kabbalistic book are seven pantacles, the representation of which we give (see p. 376), and that these pantacles are explained by the analogies of the numbers, characters, and figures of the Tarot.

Thus the universal tradition of the one religion was a moment broken, darkness or doubt spread over the whole earth, and it seemed, in the eyes of ignorance, that true Catholicism, the universal revelation, had briefly 2p. 375disappeared. The explanation of the book of St John by the characters of the Kabbalah will be an entirely new revelation, though foreseen by several distinguished magi, one among whom, M. Augustin Chaho, thus expresses himself : — " The poem of the Apocalypse presupposes in the young evangelist a complete system and traditions individually developed by himself.

It is written in the form of a vision, and binds in a brilliant framework of poetry the whole erudition, the whole thought of African civilisation. An inspired bard, the author touches upon a series of ruling events ; he draws in bold outlines the history of society from cataclysm to cataclysm, and even further still. The truths which he reveals are prophecies brought from far and wide, of which he is the resounding echo.

He is the voice which cries, the voice which chants the harmonies of the desert, and prepares the paths for the light. His speech peals forth with mastery and compels faith, for he carries among savage nations the oracles of lao, and unveils Him who is the First-Born of the Sun for the admiration of civilisations to come. The theory of the four ages is found in the Apocalypse, as it is found in the books of Zoroaster and in the Bible.

The gradual reconstruction of primeval federations, and of the reign of God among peoples emancipated from the yoke of tyrants and the bonds of error, are clearly foretold for the end of the fourth age, and the renovation of the cataclysm, exhibited at first from afar, even unto the consummation of time.

The description of the cataclysm and its duration ; the new world emerging from the waves, and spreading in all its beauty under heaven ; the great serpent, bound for a time by an angel in the depths of the abyss ; finally, the dawn of that age to come, prophesied by the Word, who appeared to the apostle at the beginning of his poem : ' His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire ; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace ; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven 3p. 377stars : and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword : and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Such is Ormuz, Osiris, Chourien, the Lamb, the Christ, the Ancient of Days, the man of the time and the river celebrated by Daniel. He is the first and the last, who was, who must be, alpha and omega, beginning and end.

He holds the key of mysteries in his hands ; he opens the great abyss of the central fire, where death sleeps beneath his canopy of darkness, where sleeps the great serpent awaiting the wakening of the ages. The author connects this sublime allegory of St John with that of Daniel, wherein the four forms of the sphinx are applied to the chief periods of history, where the Man- Sun, the Word-Light, consoles and instructs the seer.

" The prophet Daniel beholds a sea tossed by the four winds of heaven, and beasts differing one from another come out of the depths of the ocean. The empire of all things on earth was given them for a time, two times, and the dividing of time. They are four who so come forth. The first beast, symbol of the solar race of seers, comes from the region of Africa, resembling a lion and having eagle's wings ; the heart of a man was given it.

The second beast, emblem of the northern conquerors, who reigned by iron during the second age, was like unto a bear ; it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it, images of the three great conquering families, and they said unto it : Arise, devour much flesh. After the apparition of the fourth beast, there were thrones raised up, and the Ancient of Days, the Christ of seers, the Lamb of the first age, was manifested.

His garment was of dazzling whiteness, his head radiant ; his throne, whence came forth living flames, was borne upon burning wheels ; a flame of swift fire shone in his countenance ; legions of angels or stars sparkled round him. The judgment was set, the allegorical books were opened. The new Christ came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of Days, and there were given him power, honour, and a kingdom over all peoples, tribes, and