45. This was how people who lived in most ancient times envisaged matters of the understanding and those of the will. Among the Prophets therefore, and consistently throughout the Old Testament Word, like matters are represented by various kinds of living creatures. There are two kinds of beasts - evil ones, because they are harmful, and good ones, because they are gentle. Evil [and harmful] things in man were meant by such beasts as bears, wolves, and dogs, while good and gentle things were meant by beasts such as calves, sheep, and lambs. As the subject here is those persons who are to be regenerated, 'the beasts' are good and gentle ones, which mean affections. Things of a baser nature that derive from the body are called 'wild animals of the earth'. These are desires and pleasures.

523. Verse 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; and so that the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. "And the fourth angel sounded," signifies influx out of heaven, and thence a fourth change; "and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars," signifies that all the good of love perished, all the good and truth of faith, and all cognition of good and truth; and "so that the third part of them was darkened," signifies they were all converted into falsities of evil, and into evils of falsity; "and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise," signifies that the light of spiritual truth, and the light of natural truth, were completely extinguished.