Besides the Fig-branch of Hermes, there is another symbol of the intuitional understanding which was disclosed to us as having special and peculiar relation to the work set us. This symbol is Woman herself. She had already, in the instruction concerning the marriage in Cana[37], been shown to us as the inspirer and prompter. She was now shown to us as the interpreter. The reason why the fig-tree was the emblem of the inward understanding will be found in the citation presently to be given; which is a portion of an instruction received in interpretation of the prophecy of Daniel, re-enunciated by Jesus, concerning the recognition of the "abomination of desolation standing in the holy place"[38], as making and marking the time of the end of that generation which, for its materialisation of spiritual things, was called by Him an "adulterous," meaning an idolatrous, generation. It will be seen that in the Scripture symbology, as the soul is the feminine principle in man's spiritual system, and is called therefore the "Woman," the spirit being the masculine principle; so in man's mental system the intuition as the feminine mode of the mind is called the "Woman," and the intellect, as the masculine mode, the "Man." The following is the citation in question:-- Behold the FIG-TREE, and learn her parable. When the branch thereof shall become tender, and her buds appear, know that the day of God is upon you." Wherefore, then, saith the Lord that the budding of the Fig-Tree shall foretell the end? Because the Fig-Tree is the symbol of the Divine Woman, as the Vine of the Divine Man. The Fig is the similitude of the Matrix, containing inward buds, bearing blossoms on its placenta, and bringing forth fruit in darkness. It is the Cup of Life, and its flesh is the seed-ground of new births. The stems of the Fig-Tree run with milk: her leaves are as human hands, like the leaves of her brother the Vine. And when the Fig-Tree shall bear figs, then shall be the Second Advent, the new sign of the Man bearing Water, and the manifestation of the Virgin-Mother crowned. For when the Lord would enter the holy city, to celebrate His Last Supper with His disciples, He sent before Him the Fisherman Peter to meet the Man of the Coming Sign. "There shall meet you a Man bearing a pitcher of Water." Because, as the Lord was first manifest at a wine-feast in the morning, so must He consummate His work at a wine-feast in the evening. It is His Pass-Over; for thereafter the Sun must pass into a new Sign. After the Fish, the Water-Carrier; but the Lamb of God remains always in the place of victory, being slain from the foundation of the world. For His place is the place of the Sun's triumph. After the Vine the Fig; for Adam is first formed, then Eve.