pp. 11 and 321.) I observe,
moreover, a thoroughly vivid representation of this very theme in the good
old Mosheim, Ketzergesch., p. 89 ff. Also in the life of the world, if it
is completely lived, man passes through, according to the ideas of the old
mystery teachings, the domination of the seven planets.

The anagogic meaning of rotation may be that of a collection of all
available (seven in number) powers, in order finally to rise as a whole,
to God.

More important, or at any rate more easily comprehensible, appears to me
the trichotomy necessarily resulting from the course of the mystical work,
a triplicate division that results in the three main phases, black, white,
and red. The black corresponds to introversion and to the first [mystic]
death, the white to the "new earth," to freedom or innocence, red to love,
which completes the work. This general arrangement does not prevent the
symbols from being often confused by the alchemistic authors. There are
gradations between the main colors, all kinds of color play; in particular
the so-called peacock's tail appears, which comes before the stable white
to indicate the characteristic gayness of color of visionary experiences,
and which marks the stage of introversion.

If one put into the center of vision, as goal of the work, the recovery of
the harmonious state of the soul, one might express oneself about the
three primary colors as follows: The paradisical state demands absolute
freedom from conflict. We can attain this only by completely withdrawing
from the external world whatever causes conflict in connection with the
external world, so that there comes to pass with regard to it, a
thorough-going indifference. This indifference is the black. The freedom
from conflict (guiltlessness) in the now newly beginning life is the
white. Previously, at the disintegration (rotting) of the material, one
constituent part was removed and taken away. That is, the libido becomes
free (love). It is gradually alloyed with the white material, which is dry
(thirsty without thirst); sown in the white ground. Life is without
conflict now drenched with love, red. This true red thus attained is
permanent because it is produced [in contrast to mere instruction] from
the heart of hearts, the roots of innermost feeling, which is subjected to
no usury.

The mystical procedure can be realized in different degrees of intensity.
The lowest degree is as a program with the mere result of a s