AC 7620, 7622 - A Beautiful Flame

AC 7620

I saw a certain most beautiful flame;
it was of various colors, crimson,
and also from white reddening,
and the colors likewise
sparkled beautifully from the flame.
I saw also a certain hand,
which did not hold this flame,
but to which it adhered,
at first on the back part,
afterward on the palm or hollow of the hand,
and thence it played around the hand.
This continued for some time.
Then the hand together with the flame
were removed to a distance,
and where they rested, there was light;
in this light the hand withdrew,
and then the flame was changed into a bird,
which at first had like colors with the flame,
the colors in like manner sparkling.

AC 7622

They perceived that such a sight
must signify something heavenly.
They knew that a flame
signifies celestial love and its affections;
that a hand, to which the flame adhered,
signifies life and its power;
that changes of color signify varieties of life
in respect to wisdom and intelligence;
that a bird signifies the same, but with this difference,
that a flame signifies celestial love
and what is of this love,
whereas a bird signifies spiritual love
and what is of this love;
celestial love is love to the Lord,
and spiritual love is mutual love
and charity toward the neighbor . . ..