CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 ...

CHAPTER 2 39
As we continue to study the symbols of the LEFT footprint, we see 3 bars above an arrow-like figure. If we
consider the fish symbol here, it is interesting to read, Jonah 2:6: "I went down to the bottoms of the
mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever; yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O
Lord my God."
Here we find reference to the "earth with her bars". We consider the Earth to be in the third orbit, so the three
bars could stand for that fact. Also in Jonah we find reference to "the earth with her bars was about me for
ever; yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption". So, too, we find the two expanding lines above the
third bar going upward or outward, away from the head of the fish symbol. Also, remember, Jonah was in the
belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Feet themselves, represent the natural, external plane of life in contact with the world; and the feet of the
spaceman represent the contact and presence of space beings with Earthmen and the Earth planet.
Swedenborg says that a fish symbolizes sensual affections which are the ultimate affections of the natural
man. Also, those who are in common truths, which are also ultimates of the natural man. Also, those who are
in external falses.
Their likeness to birds (swimming of fishes; flying of birds) suggests that fishes correspond to affections for
intellectual activity. And what does the fact that they live in the water instead of the air show in regard to the
kind of thoughts to which they have relation? Plainly the fishes of the mind enjoy a lower, less spiritual kind
of thought than the birds. The water, which is their home, corresponds to truth of a natural kind--truth of
natural science, of worldly industries, of the letter of the Word, and of practical right and wrong.
An interest in gathering facts of science is a hungry fish swimming in the water and devouring all the little
creatures which come within his reach. And presently some larger fish swallows up our little fish with many
others like him. So stronger, broader, scientific minds absorb the observations of smaller minds and deduce
from them the great principles of science. There is in ourselves an enjoyment in grasping the broader
principles of knowledge, which feeds upon our special interests in particular subjects. This is a larger fish
feeding upon the little ones.
The interest in knowledge of worldly affairs is also a spiritual fish, which feeds with eager appetite upon our
observations of the world, and may in turn contribute to a noble interest in tracing the Creator's providence in
worldly affairs. So too, an absorbing interest in the external forms of worship, are fishes which may easily
become food for more spiritual affections. But these same fishes-affections for gathering natural knowledge,
are bad when they refuse to minister to the spiritual life, and at-tending only to the evidences of the senses,
fall into many errors which they eagerly confirm.
In Genesis 1:20-21, 26 and Psalm 8:6-8, we see that man on Earth is supposed to have dominion over the fish
of the sea. These can be the spiritual fish (affections) and man is told he must have control over them.
In St. Matthew 13:47-49, we find: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea,
and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good
into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and
sever the wicked from among the just."
In St. Matthew 4:18-19, St. Luke 5:3-11, St. John 21:1-13, we see the disciples as fishers of men. They would
also be fishers in the sense that it would be their duty and privilege to lift men up from the sea of atmosphere
of natural worldly life into the air and sunshine of true spiritual life.
Therefore, we see that the space people are now present with us on Earth and are attempting to lift us up out
of our present stricken condition into a fuller, more satisfying existence, by their guidance and aid. At one