10209. Once in the year. That this signifies perpetually, is evident from the signification of “once in the year,” as being for the whole year, for expiation upon the horns of the altar of incense once in the year involved expiation for the whole year; and a year, like all things of time, signifies a state and its duration, and also perpetuity. In this case there is meant a state of purification from evils by means of the truths of faith, for this state is signified by “expiation upon the horns of the altar of incense once in the year;” and all purification from evils, or regeneration, goes on perpetually, not only in the world, but also perpetually in the other life. (That by a “year” is signified what is perpetual and eternal, see n. 2906, 7828; and also by “yesterday,” “today,” “tomorrow,” and similar things of time, n. 2838, 3998, 4304, 6165, 6984, 9939; and that purification from evils, or regeneration, goes on to eternity, see the places cited in n. 9334, 10048)