SYMBOL
An elephant, kneeling between two square columns; on one an eagle, on the other a vulture.
At the side a boy, with bow and arrows, standing in doubt which to shoot.
Below these a human face, composed of various flowers, whose roots are snakes, a poppy, forming an eye, which winks.
II
REFLECTION
TABLET THE SECOND
A vision revealing the earthly drama of the microcosm. The elephant represents the highest expression of intelligence, minus the spirit; kneeling between the square columns of matter, i.e., guarded by them. The external mind is sleeping, or, at most, dreaming of the things of the spirit. Above sleeping mind sit the two birds, who represent spirit and matter, each waiting for the slowly preparing feast. The boy, the soul with its weapons, has a choice. Shall it be the sensuality of the flesh that he shall destroy, or the possibilities of the spiritual life on earth. The problem awaits solution. The eagle sits ready to bear aloft the spirit of the sleeper. The vulture hopes for sleep to end in death, that he may live upon the carrion thereof. The flowers of the external mind have for their roots the snakes; and, in a larger sense, the flowers of immortality have the serpent of wisdom for their roots. And the poppy winks. It knows its own power of illusion, and the double significance of the snake; the necessity of evil in the evolution of good. It is the Tablet of Wisdom.
O child of Adam! "Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves."