420. On the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.- That this signifies everywhere in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, with those in whom there is any perception, is evident from the signification of "the earth," as denoting the whole spiritual world, and therefore, all the angels and spirits there; for earth in its general and most evident meaning, has this signification, because in the spiritual world just as in the natural, there are lands (terroe), mountains, hills, plains, valleys, and also seas; concerning which see above (n. 304:3, 342:3, 413:4), and from the signification of "the sea," as denoting the ultimates of the land (terra) in the spiritual world, because the ultimate boundaries there are seas, concerning which see above (n. 342), and from the signification of a tree, as denoting perception and also knowledge, of which we shall speak presently. Because the earth, the sea, and a tree, signify such things, therefore all three, embraced under one meaning, signify everything in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, with those in whom there is any perception. A tree signifies in general, perception and cognition, because a garden signifies intelligence, and all intelligence is proportionate to cognitions and the perception of them, and therefore each distinct species of trees signifies something pertaining to knowledge (scientia) and intelligence. Since a tree in general signifies perception and cognition, it therefore also signifies the interiors of man's mind, and also the whole man, for a man's quality is such as the interiors of his mind are, and these are according to his perception from cognitions. That a tree signifies the interiors of man's mind, and also the man himself, may be seen above (n. 109, 110); that a tree signifies perception and cognition, 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 not allowed to the Jewish nation, and the reasons (n. 2722); that paradises and gardens signify intelligence (n. 100, 108, 3220); also in Heaven and Hell (n. 176), and above (n. 110).

87. THERE IS A CORRESPONDENCE OF ALL THINGS OF HEAVEN WITH ALL THINGS OF MAN

At the present day it is not known what correspondence is. There are several reasons for this. The chief one is that man has withdrawn himself from heaven by the love of self and the world. For he who loves himself and the world above all things regards only worldly things because they are pleasing to the external senses and gratify his inclination, and he does not regard spiritual things because they are pleasing to the internal senses and gratify the mind. Therefore he casts these aside, saying that they are too high to think about. The case was different with the ancient peoples. To them the knowledge of correspondences was the chief of all knowledges. By means of it they also derived intelligence and wisdom, and, by means of it, those who were of the Church had communication with heaven, for the knowledge of correspondence is an angelic knowledge. The most ancient people, who were celestial men, thought from correspondence itself, like the angels. So they also spoke with angels, and so the Lord was frequently seen by them and instructed them. But at the present day, that knowledge has been so completely lost that it is not known what correspondence is. ¹

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