Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 39215387. They who correspond to the urine itself however areinfernal; for as before said the urine is out of the body, becausealready separated from the blood, and in itself is nothing butunclean and used-up serum, which is thrown down. I may relatethe following things concerning them. A certain spirit wasperceived at first as if within the body, but presently below at theright; and when he stood there, he was invisible, having the powerto render himself so by art. When he was questioned, he made noreply whatever. It was said by others that in the life of the body hehad been engaged in piratical pursuits; for in the other life it isplainly perceived, from the sphere of the life’s affections andthoughts, who and of what quality everyone has been, because hislife remains.[2] He changed his place, appearing now at the right, and now atthe left. I saw that he did this for fear of its being known who hewas, and of being forced to make some confession. It was said byother spirits that such are most timorous at the least sign of danger,and most courageous when there is nothing to fear; and that theyare the opposite of those to whom the discharge of the urinecorresponds, and strive in every way to injure this. And that Imight have no doubt, it was shown me by experience. When theywho correspond to the discharge of the urine withdrew a little, andthat pirate stood by, the discharge was completely stopped, andeffort was attended with danger; but when they were recalled, theemission of the urine was intensified according to their presence.[3] He afterward confessed that he had been a pirate, and saidthat he could then artfully hide himself, and by cunning andactivity elude his pursuers; and that he now loves urinous filthmuch more than any clear water, and that the fetid smell of urine iswhat most delights him, so much so that he wishes to have hisabode in pools, or even in casks, of fetid urine. It was shown alsowhat sort of face he had; it was not really a face, but somethingwith a black beard in place of one.[4] Afterward other pirates also, who were not so active, were sentfor, who also spoke but little, and strange to say gnashed their