Swedenborg Arcana Caelestia Vol. V (1750)

As truth is joined to what is good, falsehoods flee. This is actually how it happens in the next life: there, the "sphere of falsehood" original: sphaera falsi; a spiritual atmosphere or influence of error attaches itself to truths based on the influx of "good" spiritual love or kindness into those truths. When very little good flows in, the sphere of falsehood is nearby. When more good flows in, the sphere of falsehood moves away. When good is completely joined to truths, the sphere of falsehood is totally scattered.

When the sphere of falsehood is near—as happens at the beginning of the process—truths seem to be driven out original: exterminantur. However, they are actually being hidden away in the inner self, where they are filled with good and then released one by one. These are the things signified by the seven cows and the seven ears of grain, and in the following verses by the seven years of abundance and the seven years of famine. But those who know nothing about spiritual rebirth original: regeneratione or the internal state of a person will not understand these things.

5208. And Pharaoh woke up, which signifies a state of enlightenment original: illustrationis. This is clear from the meaning of "waking up," which refers to being enlightened (see section 3715), and from the representation of Pharaoh, who symbolizes the "natural" the external or worldly part of the human mind. Therefore, "Pharaoh waking up" signifies a state of enlightenment within the natural mind.

This enlightenment refers to a general light coming from the spiritual-celestial level—that is, from the interior. Light that flows from the interior starts as a general influence in the lower part of the mind, but it gradually becomes more specific, and finally "particular," as truths from "good" are introduced there. Every truth that comes from good shines and provides light. This explains why it was said just above in section 5206 that truths were driven out of the natural mind. This happens so that the natural mind can be enlightened in a general way from the interior. Once that general light is present, truths are put back in their proper order. This is how the natural mind becomes enlightened in detail.

The "correspondence" between the spiritual and the natural in a person (the internal and external self) works in this way: truths are first gathered; then those truths are seemingly driven out—though they are not actually gone, but rather stored away—and the lower part is enlightened by the higher part in a general way. In that light, truths are replaced in their proper order. Thus, all truths there become reflections of that general state and "correspond" to it. In everything that exists, not only in the spiritual world but also in the natural world, the General the whole or common framework comes first. Then, less general and finally particular specific details things are added. Without this kind of insertion or fitting together, nothing can stay in place. Whatever is not part of a "general" state and does not depend on a "general" state is scattered (see sections 918, 3057, 4269, 4325, 4329, 4345, 4383).

5209. Verses 5, 6, 7. And he slept and dreamed a second time, and look: seven ears of grain climbing up on one stalk, fat and good. And look: seven thin ears, scorched by the east wind, sprouting after them. And the thin ears swallowed the seven fat and full ears; and Pharaoh woke up, and look: it was a dream.

And he slept, signifies a state of obscurity.

And dreamed a second time, signifies what is provided original: provisum; referring to Divine foresight or Providence.

And look: seven ears of grain climbing up on one stalk, signifies "scientifics" original: scientifica; factual knowledge or data stored in the memory that are joined to the natural mind.

Fat and good, signifies those things to which faith and charity could be applied.

And look: seven thin ears, signifies scientifics of no use.

Scorched by the east wind, signifies things full of lusts original: cupiditatum; selfish cravings or burning desires.

Sprouting after them, signifies appearing nearby.

And the thin ears swallowed the seven fat and full ears, signifies that scientifics of no use drove out...