Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 4858

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4858. 'And she took off the clothes of her widowhood from upon her' means an imitation of truth that springs from good. This is clear from the meaning of 'a widow' as those with whom truth exists without good but who nevertheless have a desire to be led by good, dealt with in 4844. The clothes worn by a widow represented that kind of truth, for the reason that truths are meant by 'clothes', 2576, 4545, 4763, and therefore 'taking off those clothes' means laying aside the representation of a widow, that is, of truth existing without good. And because 'she covered herself with a veil' an imitating of truth that springs from good is meant.


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