- IV I].333
Jung: You forgot one thing, my soul-and this weighs heavily on me-the skeleton of the prehistoric elephant. An unbearable obscurity remains here. Ask the wise one what the skeleton means.
Soul. How should I put the question?
I. Now that’s simple. You just ask him directly.
S. Will it work. Will he answer? Quite a long time has elapsed since then. The gate is closed. So be it, I knock: wise Philemon, or you, white serpent, speak! What does the skeleton mean? The door opens-the serpent curls up on the black threshold. Speak, serpent-how do you explain the skeleton to me?
Serpent. The gnawed bones? Now that which remains from prehistoric times is what couldn’t be consumed by the ants. The outline remained, what decomposed disappears, but what was solid** remained.
S. Why does it remain in front of the gate, as if it means to block my way to Philemon?
Serp. The primordial past is an obstruction between you and Philemon.
S. What is the primordial past?
Serp. The history of men and Gods, necessary errors that once lived and still obscure the view. An old hoe, useful for cultivation, not a plough that quickly turns the soil. An old instrument, you understand, once good, but now replaced by something better.
S. Why do we need old instruments? What is the old tool.
Serp. Why does this man write down what you say?
S. He must write it, so that he has it and understands.
Serp. Is this the only way? Can’t he look?
S. If he is in a position to.
Serp. He should try.
S. (tome): Will you try? (to the Serp.) would that be the newer, better way?
Serp. It would be. Not everything can be said. He should practice his seeing. It is a better way than the old one.
I. But what if it’s not successful?
Serp. What’s he saying? That it might not succeed? Nonetheless, this is the way to go. ~The Black Books, Vol. VI, Page 292