Dawn rising

yet most of its apples fall off as they grow, unless it happens that it stands in very good soil.

6. Now the tree also has a good, sweet quality Qualität: in this author's system, a specific force or "source-spirit" that defines a thing's nature within it, but on the other hand also three others opposed to it: namely, bitter, sour, and harsh. Now, as the tree is, so also its fruits become, until the sun works upon them and makes them sweet, so that they receive a lovely taste; and its fruits must endure through rain, wind, and storms.

7. But when the tree becomes old, so that its branches wither and the sap can no longer rise up, then many green twigs grow out below around the trunk, and finally also upon the root, and they reveal the glory of the old tree—showing how it too was once a beautiful green twig and little tree, and has now grown quite old. For nature or the sap defends itself until the trunk becomes completely dry; then it is cut down and burned in the fire.

Now observe what I have indicated with this parable:

8. The garden of this tree signifies the world; the field signifies nature; the trunk of the tree signifies the stars; the branches signify the elements original: "Elementa"; the fruits that grow on this tree signify human beings; the sap in the tree signifies the clear Godhead. Now humans have been made from nature, the stars, and the elements, but God the Creator rules in everything, just as the sap does in the entire tree.

9. Nature, however, has two qualities Qualitäten: properties or source-forces within it until the Judgment of God: one lovely, heavenly, and holy; and one fierce, hellish, and thirsty.

10. Now the good quality qualifies qualificiret: to act or work according to its specific internal nature and works always with all diligence so that it may bring forth good fruits; in this the Holy Spirit rules, and gives sap and life to it. The evil quality also wells up and drives with all diligence so that it always brings forth evil fruits; to this the Devil gives sap and hellish fire original: "Loh," meaning a blazing flame.

11. Now both of these are in the tree of nature, and human beings are made from the tree, and live in this world in this garden between both in great danger; and upon them falls now sunshine, now rain, wind, and snow.