“Unumquodque habet in se semen suae Regenerationis“
(“Each thing carries within itself the seed of its own regeneration.”)
This mystical statement, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, is quoted in the book “A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery” (1850) by Mary Anne Atwood (1817 – 1910). Mary Anne Atwood was a 19th-century writer, philosopher, and alchemist whose work influenced Arthur Edward Waite.
According to Atwood, the words from the quote (whether or not from Hermes Trismegistus) seemed to articulate a profound alchemical and spiritual truth: everything in the universe has the potential to renew, transform and evolve itself.
Transformation and Alchemy
Alchemy is all about transformation. The lead is turned into gold, everything that is rough and coarse is refined, the mortal becomes immortal. According to Hermetic teachings, every being, every soul and even every object is permeated by a certain inner principle that makes regeneration possible. This idea is in line with the cycle of nature, in which decomposition and rebirth are inseparably linked.
A philosophical and spiritual interpretation
When you look at it through a philosophical or spiritual lens, these words suggest that within each individual lies the potential for self-renewal and growth. Whether it is physical, mental or spiritual transformation, the seed of change is always contained within ourselves. This idea reflects the principles of Hermetic philosophy, which states that transformation does not come from the outside, but from within.
We know this interpretation, of course, because it ‘belongs’ to Tarot card XIII, Death. Arthur Edward Waite chose, among other things, the Viking boat as a symbol of transformation;
The Symbolism of the Viking Boat in the Waite-Smith deck
There is a deep symbolism behind this little boat; Viking boats are also called ‘Drakkars’ or ‘Dragon ships’. The bow was in the shape of a dragon’s head. For the Vikings, the dragon symbolized Transformation. (Actually, it is a universal symbol of transformation: slaying the dragon = personal and spiritual growth/victory over yourself).
A famous Viking ship is Naglfar (“Nagelvaarder”). This ship belonged to the Norse Goddess of the underworld and was made entirely of nails from dead people. Despite the fact that a Viking boat was not that big, people still went out to sea with it and some even say across the ocean. Both the journey and going ashore in an unknown country, that takes courage!
Where Waite and Smith chose this Viking boat, Paul Foster Case literally chose a seed. The seed is in the top left corner of the card.