5088. It has been shown in the exposition [of the text in Genesis] 1that the serpent is a person governed by the senses, for by serpents are meant those who are sensual, who all despise the Word. But there are various kinds of them determined by how adept they are and by how deceitful they are; for this reason there are various genera of serpents and still more species in the other life, some of which I have been enabled to see. They were horrifying.
Such spirits are cast down in bands from the heaven they push themselves into in the first stage.
Footnotes:
1. I.e. Arcana Coelestia 194-97.
5088. That a serpent is the sensual man, has been shown in explanations; in fact, by serpents are understood sensual men, all of whom despise the Word; but there are various kinds of them, according to their craft and deceits; whence there are various genera of serpents, and still more species, in the other life. Some of these it was granted me to see; they were horrible.
5088. Serpens quod sit sensualis homo, ostensum est in explicationibus 1
; nam per serpentes intelliguntur sensuales, qui omnes contemnunt Verbum, sed eorum varia sunt genera, secundum calliditates eorum et secundum dolos, unde varia serpentum nomina, et plures adhuc species in altera vita, quorum quaedam videre datum, quae horrenda. Tales e coelo, ubi primum se conjiciunt, turmatim dejiciuntur.
Footnotes:
1. h.e. Arcanis Coelestibus 194-197