ng a breeze, as if all kinds of flowers
actually stood blooming there. [Does the question as to the mason's wind
belong here psychologically? In any case the pleasant breeze comes from
the east. Jane Leade often describes her flower garden as oriental.
Psychologically and mythologically the breeze has the value of a spermatic
symbol. Anagogically it is concerned with the bestowing of a power or (to
retain the procreation metaphor) the impregnation with such a power.]
Therefore this word was revealed and spoken to me: 'This is space and
place where the love realm is to arise and become verdant with its natural
inhabitants, who have laid aside their crass self-love [selfishness] and
left it behind them, as it might not come here; even as it is the one
which makes the entrance so narrow and crowded....' Hereupon I saw in my
spirit unexpectedly different persons, modified out of measure in their
bodies, and they were so highly versed in this mystery that they breathed
forth such a spirit from them that they could give being and existence to
everything that they willed and desired. At times they spread golden tents
and went in and out of them, at other times in places that appeared to be
quite waste and desolate they made wonderful plants and trees to grow up,
which actually offered their perfect fruit that appeared in a bright
golden radiance; of which it was related that they were the magical
nourishment and food on which the inhabitants of this land were supposed
to live." [We may also say the masters of the art cultivate an
uncultivated people, and provide spiritual nourishment at the drawing
table.] "And although at my first entrance here it seemed that I saw
nothing, yet I did see after a few moments this whole spacious place
filled with spirits of so high a degree that they attracted me at once.
Thereupon they set me divers philosophical questions [Catechizing.] which
I did not understand. So one of them in a very friendly manner offered to
instruct and teach me; said further that he would teach me the secret of
their art.... Accordingly he brought me into a magnificent tent, and
requested me to wait there so that I might advance into the pure acts or
works of faith, because I would succeed thereby in becoming an adept in
this high philosophy. Now when, thereupon, Wisdom herself appeared to me,
I asked her who it was that had set me the philosophical questions?
Whereupon she answered me that they were the old and last li