7. The first state is the state which precedes, both the state existing from earliest childhood onwards and that existing immediately before regeneration; and it is called a void, emptiness, and thick darkness. And the first movement, which is the Lord's mercy, is 'the Spirit of God hovering over the face ¹ of the waters'.

Bilješke:

The firmament of heaven represents mutual love. The firmament, as in Genesis 1, signifies the internal man.

(Reference: Arcana Coelestia 24)