| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Seraphita by Honore de Balzac: breaks from his covering of flesh, are the three degrees of existence
through which man enters heaven. One of Swedenborg's thoughts
expressed in his own words will explain to you with wonderful
clearness the difference between the NATURAL and the SPIRITUAL. 'To
the minds of men,' he says, 'the Natural passes into the Spiritual;
they regard the world under its visible aspects, they perceive it only
as it can be realized by their senses. But to the apprehension of
Angelic Spirits, the Spiritual passes into the Natural; they regard
the world in its inward essence and not in its form.' Thus human
sciences are but analyses of form. The man of science as the world
goes is purely external like his knowledge; his inner being is only
Seraphita |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: in each language, was understood by all.
Gisco was well aware that he was being abandoned by his country; but
in spite of its ingratitude he would not dishonour it. When they
reminded him that they had been promised ships, he swore by Moloch to
provide them himself at his own expense, and pulling off his necklace
of blue stones he threw it into the crowd as the pledge of his oath.
Then the Africans claimed the corn in accordance with the engagements
made by the Great Council. Gisco spread out the accounts of the
Syssitia traced in violet pigment on sheep skins; and read out all
that had entered Carthage month by month and day by day.
Suddenly he stopped with gaping eyes, as if he had just discovered his
Salammbo |
