Sword and Boar
dreamed 1744/4/30 by Emanuel Swedenborg
INTRODUCTION
Swedenborg (1688-1772) worked for decades as a scientist (especially metallurgy and mining), but his reputation today is primarily as a mystic. He kept a dream journal during the period of his great change from engineer to visionary, early 1743 to late '44; one of the world's oldest surviving dream-journals. It was never meant for publication--scrawled, with scratch-outs, abbreviations and highly personal references--difficult even before translation. However, Swedenborg's scientific habits serve him well--dates are clear, dreams are in sequence, and he regularly attempts interpretation; he's practical, reasonable, and sometimes records multiple possibilities.
Yet he was devout; he seems determined to emulate Christ, purging all selfish and worldly urges to become, essentially, a saint. Curious ambition for a scientist! Odder still, he achieved it--at least his practical demonstrations of miraculous knowledge (see Swedenborg's Visions) were the best-documented of his century; he influenced Blake and Emerson, and troubled Kant. If he'd been Catholic he'd likely be a saint--if a controversial one like Francis of Assisi. As it is, he's a strange, powerful figure making both scientists and conventional Christians uncomfortable. Good for him!
SWORD AND BOAR
I saw one with a sword who was on guard: the sword was pointed and sharp and something stuck upon the coat sleeve. I was in fear because of him; I saw he was somewhat drunk and might do mischief.
It means that the day before I had drunk a little more than I ought; which is not of the spirit, but of the flesh, and thus sinful.Afterwards I had with me Eliezer, my deceased brother; so it seemed to me. He was attacked by a wild boar which laid hold of him and hit him. I endeavored to pull the boar down with a hook but could not manage it. Afterwards I went up, and saw him lying between two boars which were eating his head: he had no one to help him: I ran past.
It means, as I believe, that the day before I had cared a little too much for a little harlot, and had indulged the appetite of the table, which also is the work of the flesh and not of the spirit; for such is the life of pigs, which is forbidden by Paul; called by him entertainments.
Source: Swedenborg's Journal of Dreams 1743-1744, 1989 ed. with intro by Wilson van Dusen. Paragraphs 187-8. Descriptive titles are mine; untitled in journal. Interpretations are Swedenborg's, though run together with dream text; I offset interpretations for clarity.
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