408. And there fell from heaven a great star burning as it were a lamp, signifies the appearance of their own intelligence from pride arising from infernal love. The appearance of their own intelligence from pride arising from infernal love is signified by "the great star falling from heaven," because it was seen "to burn as a lamp," and because its name was "wormwood," as it follows; and by "a star" and also by "a lamp" intelligence is signified, here one's own intelligence, because it seemed to burn, and all self-intelligence burns from pride; and the pride of it arises from infernal love, which is signified by "the mountain burning with fire" (n. 403). By "wormwood" infernal falsity is signified, from which that intelligence exists and is enkindled. That "a star" signifies intelligence may be seen (n. 151, 954); so too "a lamp" or "a lantern" (796).
