The dragon has haunted the childhood of the human race from time immemorial with its serpent form, its magic jewels, and its power to suggest that there is an immortal self in all things. For its nature is to be the animating spirit in every form, just as it is also the spirit, or genius, of the natural world. As the "one in two and two in one" it is the outer aspect of an inner knowledge, taking substance through images of desire, hunger and death; and when reflected in the waters seeing itself as the mother of all life. This, together with its mysterious powers of transformation, is part of its divinity.--Publisher description