420. Upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree, signifies everywhere in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, in those who have any perception. This is evident from the signification of "the earth," as being the whole spiritual world, consequently all angels and spirits there. This is the signification of "the earth" in the general and nearest sense, because in the spiritual world, the same as on our globe, there are lands, mountains, hills, plains, valleys, and also seas (respecting which see above, n. 304, 342, 413). It is evident also from the signification of the "sea," as being the ultimates of the earth in the spiritual world, because the last boundaries or limits there are seas (respecting which see above, n. 342); also from the signification of "tree," as being perception and also knowledge (of which presently). This being the signification of "earth," "sea," and "tree," the three joined together in one idea signify all things in the spiritual world even to its ultimates in those who have any perception. A "tree" in general signifies perception and knowledge, because a "garden" signifies intelligence, and all intelligence is according to knowledges and a perception of them; this is why each kind of tree signifies something pertaining to knowledge [scientia] and intelligence. Because a "tree" signifies in general perception and knowledge, it also signifies the interiors of the mind with man, and also the whole man; for a man is such as are the interiors that belong to his mind, and these are such as is the perception from knowledges. (That a "tree" signifies the interiors that belong to the mind, and also man himself, see above, n. 109, 110; that a "tree" signifies perception and knowledge, see Arcana Coelestia 103, 2163, 2682, 2722, 2972, 7692; that the ancients had Divine worship in groves under trees, according to their significations, n. 2722, 4552; that this was prohibited with the Jewish nation, and why, n. 2722; that "paradises" and "gardens" signify intelligence, n. 100, 108, 3220; also in the work on Heaven and Hell 176; and above, n. 110)

176. To show what the things are that appear to the angels in accordance with correspondences, I would here mention this one instance only for the sake of illustration. By those who are intelligent, gardens and paradises full of trees and flowers of every kind are seen. The trees there are planted in most beautiful order, entwined in cross-beam formation with arched entrances and encircling walks. All is of such beauty as to beggar description. There walk those who are in intelligence, gathering flowers and weaving garlands with which they adorn little children. There are also kinds of trees and flowers there that are never seen and cannot exist in the world. On the trees also there are fruits that are in accordance with the good of love in which are the intelligent. Such things are seen by them because a garden or park, and fruit trees and flowers correspond to intelligence and wisdom. ¹ That there are such things in heaven is acknowledged on the earth but only by those who are in good and who have not extinguished in themselves the light of heaven by means of natural light and its fallacies, for when they think about heaven they think and say that there are such things there as ear hath not heard nor eye seen.

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