The principle of sowing and reaping is built on the foundation of death from life and life from death. Life does proceed from death. When a seed is sown in the earth, that seed is buried and hid in the dark earth. The seed is scorched in the earth and it dies. The seed loses its outward and every other covering so that the gem of life embedded within is allowed to spring forth. This process is referred to as germination. It is the process of birthing and engendering life through death.