Sweden boTQ
0 n "t he. e af Vh a i n o a r

' / O.N THE
llARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE^
AND THEIR
INHABITANTS, SPIRITS, AND ANGELS.

ON THE

EARTHS

SOLAR SYSTEM,

WHICH ARE CALLED

PLANETS;
AND ON
THE EARTHS IN THE STARRY HEAVENS;
WITH
AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR INHABITANTS, AND ALSO OF THE
SPIRITS AND ANGELS THERE;
FROM WHAT HAS BEEN HEARD AND SEEN.

FROM THE .LATIN OP
EMANUEL SWEDENBORG.

LONDON :
JAMES S, HODSON 112, FLEET STREET;
WILLIAM NEWBERY, CHENIES STREET, BEDFORD SQUARE;
EDWARD BAYLIS, MANCHESTER.
1840.

This work is printed at the expence of, and published for,
" The Society for Printing and Publishing the
Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, instituted in
London in the Year 1810."

PRINTED BY WALTON AND MITCHELL, WARDOUR STREET, OXFORD STREET

ON THE
EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE.

1. INASMUCH as, by the Divine mercy of the Lord, things
interior are open to me, which appertain to my spirit, and
thereby it has been granted me to discourse not only with
spirits and angels who are near our earth, but also with those
who are near other earths ; and whereas I had a desire to know
whether other earths exist, and of what sort they are, and what
is the nature and quality of their inhabitants, therefore it has
been granted me of the Lord to discourse and converse with
spirits and angels who are from other earths, with some for a
day, with some for a week, and with some for months ; and to
be instructed by them concerning the earths, from which and
near which they were ; and concerning the lives, customs, and
worship of the inhabitants thereof, with various other things
worthy to be noted : and whereas in this manner it has been
granted me to become acquainted with such things, it is per
mitted to describe them according to what has been heard and
seen. It is to be observed, that all spirits and angels are from
the human race;3 and that they are near their respective earths ;b
and that they are acquainted with things on those earths ; and
that by them man may be instructed, if his interiors be so open
as to be enabled to speak and converse with them ; for man in
his essence is a spirit0 and together with spirits as to his inte
riors ;d wherefore he whose interiors are opened by the Lord,
may discourse with them, as man with man ;e which privilege
has been granted me now for twelve years daily.
EXTRACTS FROM THE ARCANA CCELESTIA.
a That there are no spirits and angels, but what were of the human race.
u. 1880. b That the spirits of every earth are near to their own particular earth, be
cause they are from the inhabitants of that earth, and of a similar genius and
temper ; and that they are serviceable to those inhabitants, n. 9968.
c That the soul, which lives after death, is the spirit of man, which is the
real man in him, and also appears in another life in a perfect human form, u.
322, 1880, 1881, 3633, 4622, 4735, 6054, 6605, 6626, 7021, 10594.
d That man, even during his abode in the world, as to his interiors, conse
quently as to his spirit or soul, is in the midst of spirits and angels, of a nature
and quality agreeing to his own, u. 2378, 3645, 4067, 4073, 4077.
e That man is capable of discoursing with spirits and angels, and that the
ancients on our earth did frequently discourse with them, n. 67, 68, 69, 784,
1634, 1636, 7802. But that at this day it is dangerous to discourse with them,
unless man be in a true faith, and be led of the Lord, n. 784, 9438, 10751.
A2

4 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [2  4
2. That there are several earths, and men upon them, and
thence spirits and angels, is a thing most perfectly well known
in another life, for it is there granted to every one who desires
it from a love of truth and consequent use, to discourse with
the spirits of other earths, and thereby to be confirmed con
cerning a plurality of worlds, and to be informed, that the
human race is not confined to one earth only, but extends to
earths innumerable ; and moreover to know, what is the par
ticular genius, manner of life, and also divine worship, pre
vailing amongst the inhabitants of each particular earth.
3. I have occasionally discoursed on this subject with the
spirits of our earth, and the result of our conversation was,
that any man of an enlarged understanding may conclude, from
various considerations, that there are several earths, and that
they are inhabited by men; for it is a suggestion of reason,
that so great material masses as the planets are, some of which
far exceed this earth in magnitude, are not empty masses, and
created only to be conveyed in their revolutions round the sun,
and to shine with their scanty light for the benefit of one earth,
but that their use must needs be more enlarged and distinguished.
He who believes, as every one ought to believe, that the Deity
created the universe for no other end, than that mankind, and
thereby heaven, might have existence, (for mankind is the
seminary of heaven), must needs believe also, that wheresoever
there is any earth, there are likewise men-inhabitants. That
the planets, which are visible to our eyes, as being within the
boundaries of this solar system, are earths, may appear mani
fest from this consideration, that they are bodies of earthy
matter, because they reflect the light of the sun, and when
seen through optical glasses, they appear, not as stars glitter
ing by reason of their flame, but as earths variegated by reason
of their opaque spots : the same may further appear from this
consideration, that they, in like manner as our earth, are con
veyed by a progressive motion round the sun, in the way of
the zodiac, whence they have their years, and seasons of the
year, as spring, summer, autumn, and winter : and in like
manner, revolve about their own axis, whence they have their
days, and times of the day, as morning, mid-day, evening and
night; moreover some of them have moons, which are called
satellites, and which perform their revolutions round their
central globes, as the moon does round our earth ; the planet
Saturn has besides a large luminous belt, as being furthest
distant from the sun, which belt supplies that earth with much
light, although reflected. How is it possible for any reasonable
person, acquainted with these circumstances, to assert that
such bodies are void, and without inhabitants 1
4. Moreover, in my discourse with spirits, I have at such
times' suggested, that it is very credible that in the universe

4  7] ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 5
there are more earths than one, from this consideration, that
the starry heaven is so immense, and the stars therein are so
innumerable, each of which in its place, or in its world, is a
sun, and like our sun, in various magnitude : every considerate
person is led to conclude, that so immense a whole must needs
be a means to some end, the ultimate of creation, which end is
the kingdom of heaven, wherein the Divine [being or principle]
may dwell with angels and men : for the visible universe, or the
heaven resplendent with stars so innumerable, which are so
many suns, is only a means, or medium, for the existence of
earths, and of men upon them, of whom may be formed a
celestial kingdom. From these considerations every reasonable
person must needs be led to conceive, that so immense a means,
adapted to so great an end, was not constituted for a race of
men from one earth only, and for a heaven thence derived ; for
what would this be to the Divine [being or principle] which is
infinite, and to which thousands, yea ten thousands of earths,
all full of inhabitants, are comparatively small, and scarce of
any amount.
5. Moreover, the angelic heaven is so immense, that it cor
responds with all and singular the things appertaining to man,
myriads corresponding to every member and organ, and to all
the viscera, and the respective affections of each ; and it has
been given to know, that that heaven, as to all its correspon
dences, can by no means exist, except by the inhabitants of
very many earths/
6. There are spirits whose sole study is to acquire to them
selves knowledges, because they are delighted only with know
ledges ; these spirits are permitted to wander at large, and even
to pass out of this solar system into others, and to procure for
themselves knowledges : these have declared, that there are not
only earths inhabited by men, in this solar system, but also out
of it in the starry heaven, to an immense number. These spirits
are from the planet Mercury.
7. As to what in general concerns the divine worship of the
inhabitants of other earths, such amongst them as are not
idolaters, all acknowledge the Lord to be the only God ; for
they adore the Divine [being or principle] not as invisible, but
as visible, for this reason amongst others, because when the
Divine [being or principle] appears to them, he appears in a
f That heaven corresponds to the Lord, and that man, as to all and singular
the things appertaining to him, corresponds to heaven, and that hence heaven,
before the Lord, is a man in a large effigy, and may be called the Grand Man,
u.2996, 2998, 3624 to 3649, 3636 to 3643, 3741 to 3745, 4625. Concerning the
correspondence of man, and of all things appertaining to him, with the Grand
Man, which is heaven, in general, from experience, n. 3021, 3624 to 3649, 3741
to 3751, 3883 to 3896, 4039 to 4051, 4218 to 4228, 4318 to 4331, 4403 to 4421,
4527 to 4533, 4622 to 4633, 4652 to 4660, 4791 to 4805, 4931 to 4953, 5050 to
5061, 5171 to 5189, 5377 to 5396, 5552 to 5573, 5711 to 5727, 10030.

6 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [7  11
human form, as he also formerly appeared to Abraham and
others on this earth ;s and they who adore the Divine [being or
principle] under a Human Form are all accepted of the Lord.h
They say also, that no one can rightly worship God, much less
be joined to Him, unless he comprehends Him by some idea, and
that God cannot be comprehended except in a Human Form ; and
if He be not so comprehended, the interior sight, which is of
the thought, concerning God, is dissipated, as the sight of the
eye is, when looking upon the boundless universe ; and that in
this case the thought must needs sink into nature, and worship
nature instead of God.
8. When they were told that the Lord on our earth assumed
the human [principle,] they mused awhile, and presently said,
that it was done for the salvation of the human race.

OF THE EARTH OR PLANET MERCURY, ITS SPIRITS
AND INHABITANTS.
9. THAT the universal heaven resembles one man, who is
therefore called the Grand Man, and that all and singular the
things appertaining to man, both his exteriors and interiors,
correspond to that man or heaven, is an arcanum not as yet
known in the world; but that it is so, has been abundantly
proved/ To constitute that Grand Man, there is need of spirits
from several earths, those who come from our earth into heaven
not being sufficient for this purpose, being respectively few ;
and it is provided of the Lord, that whensoever there is a defi
ciency in any place as to the quality or quantity of correspond
ence, a supply be instantly made from another earth, to fill up
the deficiency, that so the proportion may be preserved, and
thus heaven be kept in due consistence.
10. It was also discovered to me from heaven, in what
relation to the Grand Man the spirits from the planet Mercury
stand, viz. that they have relation to the memory, but to the
memory of things abstracted from terrestrial and merely material
objects. Since however it has been granted to discourse with
them, and this during several weeks, and to learn their nature
and quality, and to observe how the inhabitants of that earth
are particularly circumstanced, I shall adduce what has been
thus experimentally made known to me.
11. On a time some spirits came to me, and it was declared
g That the inhabitants of all the earths adore the Divine [being or princiolel
under a Human Form, consequently the Lord, n. 8541 to 8547 10159 10736
10737, 10738. And that they rejoice when they hear that God was actuallv
made Man, n. 9361. That it is impossible to think of God except in a Human
Form, n. 8705, 9359, 9972. That man may worship and love what he has some
idea of, but not what he has no idea of, n. 4733, 5110, 5633, 7211, 9267 10067
h That the Lord receives all who are principled in good, and who adore the
Divine [being or principle] under a Human Form, n. 9359, 7173.

11  13] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. ?
from heaven, that they were from the earth which is nearest to
the sun, and which in our earth is known by the name of the
planet Mercury ; immediately on their coming, they explored
my memory in search of all that I knew : (spirits can do this
most dexterously, for when they come to man, they see in his
memory all things contained therein :)' during their search after
various things, and amongst others, after the cities and places
where I had been, I observed, that they had no inclination to
know any thing of temples, palaces, houses, or streets, but
only of those things which I knew were transacted in those
places, also of whatever related to the rule and government
therein prevailing, and to the tempers and manners of the in
habitants, with other things of a similar nature : for such things
cohere with places in man's memory, wherefore when the places
are excited in remembrance, those things also are brought to
view at the same time. I was much surprised to find them of
such a nature and quality, wherefore I asked them, why they
disregarded the magnificence of the places, and only attended
to the things and circumstances connected therewith ? They
answered, because they had no delight in looking at things
material, corporeal, and terrestrial, but only at things real :
hence it was confirmed, that the spirits of that earth, in the
Grand Man, have relation to the memory of things abstracted
from what is material and terrestrial.
12. It was told me, that such is the life of the inhabitants
of that earth, viz. that they have no concern about things ter
restrial and material, but only about the statutes, laws, and
forms of government, which prevail among the nations therein :
also about the things of heaven, which are innumerable ; and I
was further informed, that several of the men of that earth
converse with spirits, and that thence they have the knowledges
of spiritual things, and of the states of life after death ; and
thence also their contempt of things corporeal and terrestrial ;
for they who know of a certainty, and believe, that they shall
live after death, are concerned about heavenly things, as being
eternal and happy, but not about worldly things, only so far
as the necessities of life require. Inasmuch as the inhabitants
of the planet Mercury are of such a nature and quality, there
fore also the spirits, who are from thence, are of a like nature
and quality.b
13. With what eagerness they inquire into and imbibe the
knowledges of things, such as appertain to the memory elevated
above the sensualities of the body, was made manifest to me
from this circumstance, that when they looked into those things
i That spirits enter into all the things of man's memory, n. 2488, 5863,
6192, 6193, 6198, 6199, 6214. That angels enter into the affections and ends,
from which, and for the sake of which, man thinks, wills, and acts in such
and such a manner in preference to every other, n. 1317, 1645, 5844.

8 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. {13  15
which I knew respecting heavenly subjects, they passed hastily
through them all, declaring every instant the nature and quality
of each : for when spirits come to man, they enter into all his
memory, and excite thence whatever suits themselves; yea,
what I have often observed, they read the things contained
therein, as out of a book.k These spirits did this with greater
dexterity and expedition, because they did not stop at such
things as are heavy and sluggish, and which confine and con
sequently retard the internal sight, as all terrestrial and corporeal
things do, when regarded as ends, that is, when alone loved ;
but they looked into things essential : for such things, which
are not clogged with things terrestrial, elevate the mind upwards,
whereas mere material things sink the mind downwards, and at
the same time contract and shut * it up. Their eagerness to
acquire knowledges, and to enrich the memory, was manifest
also from the following circumstance : on a time whilst I was
writing somewhat concerning things to come, and they were at
a distance, so that they could not look into those things from
my memory, because I was not willing to read them in their
presence, they were very indignant, and contrary to their usual
behaviour, they were desirous to abuse me, saying that I was
one of the worst of men, with such like indignities ; and that
they might give proof of their resentment, they caused a kind
of contraction, attended with pain, on the right side of my
head even to the ear ; but these things did not hurt me : never
theless, in consequence of having done evil, they removed
themselves to a yet greater distance, but presently they stood
still again, desirous to know what I had written : such is their
eager thirst after knowledges.
14. The spirits of Mercury, above all other spirits, possess
the knowledges of things, as well respecting this solar system,
as respecting the earths which are in the starry heaven ; and
what they have once acquired to themselves, that they retain,
and also recollect it as often as any thing similar occurs ¦ hence
also it may appear manifest, that spirits have memory, and that
it is much more perfect than the memory of men • and further
that what they hear, see, and perceive, they retain, and espe
cially such things as delight them, as these spirits are delighted
with knowledges ; for whatever things cause delight, and affect
the love, these flow in as it were spontaneously, and remain • other
things do not enter, but only touch the surface and pass 'by.
15. When the spirits of Mercury come to other societies
they explore and collect from them what they know and then
they depart; for such communication is granted amongst spirits
and especially amongst angels, that when they are in a society'
k That the spirits who are attendant on man, are in possession of all (hW«
appertaining to his memory, u. 5853, 5857, 5859, 5860. h

15  20] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 9
if they are accepted and loved, all things which they know are
communicated.1 16. In consequence of their knowledges, the spirits of Mer
cury have an extraordinary degree of haughtiness ; wherefore
they are given to understand, that although they know innu
merable things, yet there are infinite things which they do not
know ; and that if their knowledges should increase to eternity,
the notice even of all general or common things would still be
unattainable ; they are told likewise of their haughtiness and
high-mindedness, and how unbecoming such a temper is ; but
on such occasions they reply, that it is not haughtiness, but
only a glorying by reason of the faculty of their memory ; thus
they have the art of exculpating themselves, and excusing their
foibles. 17. They are averse to discourse consisting of vocal expres
sions, because it is material, wherefore when I conversed with
them without intermediate spirits, I could only do it by a
species of active thought. Their memory as consisting of things,
not of images purely material, affords a nearer supply of its
objects to the thinking principle ; for the thinking principle,
which is above the imagination, requires for its objects things
abstracted from material ; but notwithstanding this, the spirits
of Mercury are little distinguished for their judgment, having
no delight in the exercise of that faculty, and the deducing of
conclusions from knowledges ; for bare knowledges alone are
the things which give them pleasure.
18. They were questioned, whether they proposed to them
selves any use from their knowledges; and at the same time it was
represented to them, that it is not enough to be delighted with
knowledges, because knowledges have respect to uses, and uses
ought to be the ends of knowledges ; from knowledges alone
no use results to them, but to others with whom they are dis
posed to communicate their knowledges ; and that it is very
inexpedient for any one, who wishes to become wise, to rest
satisfied with mere knowledges, these being only administering
causes, intended to be subservient to the investigation of things
appertaining to life ; but they replied, that they were delighted
with knowledges, and that knowledges to them are uses.
19. Some of them also are unwilling to appear as men, like
the spirits of other earths, and would rather appear as chrystal-
line globes ; the reason why they are desirous to appear so,
although they do not appear so, is, because the knowledges of
things immaterial are represented in another life by chrystals.
20. The spirits of Mercury differ totally from the spirits of
1 That in the heavens there is given a communication of all good things, in
asmuch as it is the property of heavenly love to communicate all its possessions
with others ; and that hence the angels derive wisdom and happiness, n. 549,
550, 1390, 1391, 1399, 10130, 10723.

10 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [20  23
our earth, for the spirits of our earth have not so much concern
about immaterial things, but about worldly, corporeal, and
terrestrial things, which are material ; wherefore the spirits of
Mercury cannot abide together with the spirits of our earth,
and of consequence, wheresoever they meet them, they fly
away; for the spiritual spheres, which are exhaled from each,
are altogether contrary the one to the other. The spirits of
Mercury have a common saying, that they have no inclination
to look at a sheath, but at things stripped of their sheath, that
is, at interior things.
21. On a time there appeared a whitish coloured flame,
which burnt briskly, and this for nearly an hour ; that flame
signified the approach of spirits of Mercury, who for penetra
tion, thought, and speech, were more prompt than the former
spirits ; when they were come, they instantly ran through the
things contained in my memory, but I could not perceive what
observations they made, by reason of their promptitude ; I
heard them afterwards express the nature and quality of some
particulars ; in respect to what I had seen in the heavens and
in the world of spirits, they said that they knew those things
before. I perceived that a multitude of spirits consociated
with them was behind, a little to the left in the plane of the
occiput. 22. At another time I saw a multitude of such spirits, but
at some distance from me, in front a little to the right, and
thence they discoursed with me, but by means of intermediate
spirits ; for their speech was as quick as thought, which does
not fall into human speech, but by means of other spirits ; and
what surprised me, they spake not singly, but in a volume to
gether (volumatim), and yet readily and rapidly : their speech
appeared undulatory, in consequence of the numbers who spake
at the same time, and what is remarkable, it was conveyed to
wards my left eye, although they were to the right ; the reason
was, because the left eye corresponds to the knowledges of
things abstracted from what is material, consequently to such
things as appertain to intelligence, whereas the right eye corres
ponds to such things as appertain to wisdom." They likewise
perceived and judged of what they heard with the same promp
titude with which they discoursed, saying of such a thina; that
it was so, and of such a thing that it was not so ; their judgment
was as it were instantaneous. °
23. There was a spirit from another earth, who was well
qualified to discourse with them, being a quick and ready
m That the eye corresponds to the understanding, because the understand
ingis internal sight, and the sight of things immaterial, n. 2701 44in zlVop
9051, 10569. That the sight of the left eye corresponds to truths consennpntl
to intelligence ; and the sight of the right eye corresponds to the ironrl* „(, y
consequently to wisdom, n. 4410. b °Qb ot truth»

23  25] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 11
speaker, but who affected elegance in his discourse ; they in
stantly decided on whatever he spake, saying of this, that it
was too elegant, of that, that it was too polished ; so that the
sole thing they attended to was, whether they could hear any
thing from him which they had never known before, rejecting
thus the things which were as shades to the substance of the
discourse, as all affectations of elegance and erudition especially
are, for these hide real things, and instead thereof present
expressions, which are only material forms of things ; for the
speaker keeps the attention fixed herein, and is desirous that
his expressions should be regarded more than the meaning of
them, whereby the ears are more affected than the minds of the
audience. 24. The spirits of the earth Mercury do not abide long in
one place, or within companies of the spirits of one world, but
wander through the universe ; the reason is, because they have
relation to the memory of things, which memory must be con
tinually stored with" fresh supplies ; hence it is granted them to
wander about, and to acquire to themselves knowledges in every
place. During their sojourning in this manner, if they meet
with spirits who love material things, that is, things corporeal
and terrestrial, they avoid their company, and betake themselves
where such things are no subjects of discourse. Hence it may
appear, that their mind is elevated above things of sense, and
thus that they are in an interior luminous principle : this was
also given me actually to perceive, whilst they were near me,
and discoursed with me ; I observed at such times, that I was
withdrawn from things of sense, insomuch that the luminous
principle of external vision began to grow dull and obscure.
25. The spirits of that earth go in companies and phalanxes,
and when assembled together, they form as it were a globe ;
thus they are joined together by the Lord, that they may act
in unity, and that the knowledges of eacb may be communi
cated with- all, and the knowledges of all with each, as is the
case in heaven.1 That they wander through the universe to
acquire the knowledges of things, appeared to me also from
this circumstance, that once, when they appeared very remote
from me, they discoursed with me thence, and said, that they
were then gathered together, and journeying out of the sphere
of this world into the starry heaven, where they knew such
spirits existed as had no concern about terrestrial and corporeal
things, but only about things elevated above them, and that
they were desirous to associate with those spirits. It was given
to understand, that they themselves do not know whither they
are journeying, but that they are led by the Divine Guidance
to those places, where they may be instructed concerning such
things as they are yet unacquainted with, and which agree
with the knowledges that they have already : it was given to

12 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [25  28
understand further, that they do not know how to find the com
panies with whom they are joined together, and that this also is
of Divine Direction.
26. In consequence of their thus journeying through the
universe, and thereby being enabled to know more than others
respecting the worlds and earths out of the sphere of our solar
system, I have also discoursed with them on this subject ; they
said that in the universe there are very many earths inhabited
by men ; and that they wonder how any should suppose (whom
they called men of little judgment), that the heaven of the
Omnipotent God consisted only of spirits and angels who come
from one earth, when these comparatively are so few, that in
respect to the Omnipotence of God they are scarce any thing,
nor would it alter the case even supposing there were myriads
of worlds, and myriads of earths : they declared moreover,
that they knew there were earths existing in the universe to the
number of some hundred thousands and upwards ; and yet
what is this to the Divine [Being or Principle] Who is Infinite?
27. The spirits of Mercury, who were attendant upon me
whilst I was writing and explaining the Word as to its internal
sense, and who perceived what I wrote, said that the things
which I wrote were very gross (admodum crassa,) and that almost
all the expressions appeared as material ; but it was given to
reply, that to the men of our earth what was written seemed
subtle and elevated, and many things incomprehensible : I
added, that several on this earth do not know, that it is the
internal man which acts on the external, and causes the external
to live ; and that they persuade themselves from the fallacies of
the senses, that the body has life, and that in consequence
thereof, such as are wicked and unbelieving entertain doubts
respecting a life after death; also, that the [part or principle] of
man which is to live after death, is not by them called spirit,
but soul ; and that they dispute what soul is, and where is its
abode, and believe that the material body, although dispersed
throughout the atmosphere, is to be joined again to it, in order
that man may live as man ; with many other things of a like
nature. The spirits of Mercury, on hearing these things,
asked, whether such men could become angels? and it was
given to answer, that they become angels who have lived in
the good of faith and charity, and that then they are no longer
in external and material things, but in internal and spiritual ;
and when they come into that state, that they are in a light
superior to that in which the spirits from Mercury are : to con
vince them that it was so, an angel was allowed to discourse
with them, who had come into Heaven from our earth, having
lived in the good of faith and charity, concerning whom more
will be said presently.
28. On another occasion, there was sent me, by the spirits

28  31] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 13
of Mercury a long piece of paper, of an irregular shape, con
sisting of several pieces pasted together, which appeared as if
covered with print, like our printed books. I asked whether
they had the art of printing amongst them? but they said, they
had not, nevertheless they knew that on our earth we had such
printed papers ; they had no inclination to say more ; but I
perceived that they thought that knowledges with us were upon
our paper, and not so much in our understandings, thus in a
sneering way insinuating, that our papers knew more than we
ourselves did : they were instructed however how the real case
was in this respect. .After some time they returned, and sent
me another paper, which appeared also printed like the former,
but not so pasted together and irregular, but neat and hand
some ; they said, that they were further informed, that in our
earth there are such papers, and books made of them.
29. From the above account it appears manifest, that spirits
retain in the memory what they see and hear in another life,
and that they are capable of being instructed alike as when they
were men in the world, consequently of being instructed in
things appertaining to faith, and thereby of being perfected.
In proportion as spirits and angels are of a more interior cha
racter and quality, in the same proportion they receive instruc
tion more readily, and in a greater fulness, and retain it more
perfectly : and inasmuch as this faculty abides for ever, it is
evident that they are continually advancing in wisdom : with
the spirits of Mercury there is a constant growth in the science
of things, but not in wisdom thence derived, because they love
knowledges, which are means, but not uses which are ends.
30. The particular genius and character of the spirits who
are from the planet Mercury, may still further appear from the
following account. It is to be observed, that all spirits and
angels whatsoever were once men ; for the human race is the
seminary of heaven ; also the spirits are altogether such, as to
affections and inclinations, as they were during their life in the
world whilst men ; for every one's life follows him into another
world :n this being the case, the genius and character of the
men of every earth may be known from the genius and charac
ter of the spirits who come from thence.
31. Inasmuch as the spirits of Mercury in the Grand Man,
have relation to the memory of things abstracted from what is
material, therefore when any one discourses with them concern
ing things terrestrial, corporeal, and merely worldly, they are
altogether unwilling to hear him ; and if they are forced to hear,
they transmute the things spoken of into other things, and for
n That every one's life remains with him and follows him after death, n.
4227, 7440. That the externals of life are kept closed after death, and the in
ternals opened, ii. 4314, 5128, 6495. That then all and singular the things of
• thought are made manifest, n. 4633, 5128.

14 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [31 34
the most part into things contrary, that they may avoid at
tending to them.
32. That I might be fully convinced of this their particular
genius and character, it was allowed to represent to them
meadows, fallow lands, gardens, woods, and rivers, (to repre
sent such things is imaginatively to exhibit them before another,
in which case, in another world, they appear to the life ;) but
they instantly transmuted them, obscuring the meadows and
fallow fields, and by representations filling them with snakes ;
the rivers they made black, so that the water no longer appeared
limpid. When I asked them why they did so, they said, that
they had no inclination to think of such things, but of things
real, which are the knowledges of things abstracted from what
is terrestrial, especially of such things as exist in the heavens.
33. Afterwards I represented to them birds of different sizes,
both large and small, such as exist on our earth ; for in another
life such things may be represented to the life ; when they saw
the birds represented, they were disposed at first to change
them, but afterwards they were delighted with them and seemed
satisfied ; the reason was, because birds signify the knowledges
of things, and the perception of this signification flowed in
also at that instant ;° thus they desisted from transmuting them,
and thereby from averting the ideas of their memory. After
wards it was allowed to represent before them a most pleasant
garden full of lamps and lights ; instantly they paused, and
their attention was fixed, by reason that lamps with lights sig
nify truths which are lucid by virtue of good.P Hence it was
made manifest that their attention might be fixed in viewing
things material, if the signification of those things in a spiritual
sense was but insinuated at the same time ; for the things ap
pertaining to such spiritual sense are not so abstracted from
things material, being representative thereof.
34. Moreover I discoursed with them concerning sheep and
lambs, but they were not disposed to hear of such things,
because they were perceived by them as things terrestrial ; the
reason was, because they did not understand what innocence
is, which lambs signify, as was perceivable from this circum
stance, that when I told them that lambs, represented in heaven,
signify innocence,*! they immediately said, that they did not
know what innocence was, but only knew it as to the name ;
the reason was, because they are affected only with knowledges,
o That birds signify things rational, things intellectual, thoughts, ideas, and
knowledges, n. 40, 745, 776, 778, 866, 988, 993, 5149, 7441. And this with
a variety according to the genera and species of birds, n. 3219.
p. That lamps with lights signify truths which are lucid by virtue of good,
n. 4638, 9548, 9783.
<1 That lambs in heaven, and in the Word, signify innocence, n. 3994, 7840
10132.

34 — 37] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 15
and not with uses, which are the ends of knowledges, conse
quently they cannot know, from internal perception, what
innocence is.
35. Some of the spirits of the earth Mercury on a time came
to me, being sent by others, with intent to learn what I was
employed about, to whom one of the spirits of our earth said,
that they might tell those who sent them, not to speak any
thing but what was true, and not, according to their usual
practice, suggest things opposite to what they are questioned
about ; for if any of the spirits of our earth were to do so, they
would be chastised for it ; but immediately the company which
was at a distance, from which those spirits were sent, made
answer, that if they must be chastised on that account, they
must all be chastised, inasmuch as by reason of acquired habit
they could not do otherwise ; they added, that when they dis
course with the men of their own earth, they also do so, but
this not with any intention of deceiving, but to inspire a desire
of knowledge; for when they suggest things opposite, and
conceal things in a certain manner, then a desire of knowledge
is excited, and thereby from an earnestness to search out and
discover those things, the memory is perfected. I also dis
coursed with them at another time on the same subject, and
because I knew that they conversed with the men of their earth,
I asked them in what manner they instruct their inhabitants ?
They said, that they do not instruct them as to all particulars
in relation to the subject matter of instruction, but still insinuate
some perception thereof, that thus a desire of examining and
acquiring the knowledge of it may be excited and cherished ;
which desire would die away, in case they fully explained all
particulars : they added, that they suggest objections of things
opposite also, for this reason, that the truth afterwards may
appear more striking ; for all truth is made manifest by relation
to its opposites.
36. It is their constant custom not to declare to another
what they know, but still they desire to learn from all others
what is known to them : nevertheless, with their own society
they communicate all things, insomuch that what one knows
all know, and what all know each one knows in that society.1
37. Inasmuch as the spirits of Mercury abound with know
ledges, they are principled in a species of haughtiness ; hence
they imagine that they know so much, that it is almost impos
sible to know more : but it has been told them by the spirits of
our earth, that their knowledge is not so extensive as they
imagine, but comparatively scanty, and that the things which
they do not know are infinite in respect to what they do know,
and as the waters of the largest ocean compared with the waters
of a very small fountain ; and further, that the first step in the
ladder of wisdom is to know, acknowledge, and perceive, that

16 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [37, 38.
what is known is little and scarce anything, in comparison with
what is unknown. To convince them that this is the case, it
was given, that a certain angelic spirit should discourse with
them, and should tell them in general what they knew, and
what they did not know, and that there were infinite things
which they did not know, also that eternity would not suffice
for their acquiring even a general knowledge of things : he dis
coursed by angelic ideas much more readily than they did, and
because he discovered to them what they knew, and what they
did not know, they were struck with amazement. Afterwards
I saw another angel discoursing with them; he appeared in some
altitude to the right ; he was from our earth, and enumerated
very many things which they did not know ; afterwards he dis
coursed with them by changes of state, which they said they
did not understand ; then he told them that every change of
state contains infinite things, as did also every smallest part of
such change. When they heard these things, inasmuch as they
had been puffed up with self-conceit by reason of their know
ledges, they began to humble themselves : their humiliation was
represented by the sinking downwards of their volume (volumi-
nis) ; (for that company then appeared as a volume, in front at
a distance towards the left, in the plane of the region below the
navel,) but the volume appeared as it were hollowed in the
middle, and elevated on the sides; a reciprocal moving was also
observed therein : they were likewise given to understand what
that signified, viz. what they thought in their humiliation, and
that they who appeared elevated on the sides, were not as yet
in any humiliation : then I saw that the volume was separated,
and that they who were not in humiliation, were remanded back
towards their orb, the rest remaining where they were.
38. On a time the spirits of Mercury came to a certain spirit
from our earth, who, during his abode in the world, had been
most distinguished for his great learning, (it was Christian
Wolf,) desiring to receive information from him on various
subjects ; but when they perceived that what he said was not
elevated above the sensual things of the natural man, inasmuch
as in his discourse his thoughts were intent on fame and hono
rary distinction, and he was desirous, as in the world, (for in
another life every one is like his former self,) to connect various
things into series, and from those series again and continually
to form other conclusions, and thus to construct a chain of
several consequences and deductions grounded therein, which
they did not see or acknowledge to be true, and which there
fore they declared to be chains which neither cohered in them
selves, nor with the conclusions, calling them obscurity grounded
in authority (obscurum auctoritatis) ; they then desisted from
asking him further questions, inquiring only, how this is called,
and how that; and whereas he answered these inquiries also

38.] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 17
by material ideas, and by no spiritual ones, they retired from
him ; for every one, in another life, discourses spiritually, or
by spiritual ideas, only so far as he had believed on God during
his abode in the world, and materially, so far as he had not be
lieved on God. An occasion here offering itself, it may be
expedient to mention how it fares in another life with the learned
who imbibe intelligence from their own meditation, kindled
with the love of knowing truths for the sake of truths, thus for
the sake of uses abstracted from worldly considerations, and
how with those, who imbibe intelligence from others without
any meditation of their own, as is the common case with such
as desire to know truths solely for reputation's sake, that they
may be accounted learned, and thereby attain worldly honour
or gain, thus who desire to know truths, not for the sake of
uses abstracted from worldly considerations : concerning such,
it is allowed to relate the following experience. There was per
ceived on a time somewhat noisy, or sonorous, (sonorum
quoddam,) penetrating from beneath, near the left side even to
the left ear : I observed that they were spirits, who there at
tempted to force a way, but of what sort they were I could not
know ; however, when they had forced a way, they spake with
me, saying, that they were logicians and metaphysicians, and
that they had immersed their thoughts in the sciences of logic
and metaphysics, with no other end than to acquire the character
of being learned, and thus to be advanced to honour and emolu
ment, lamenting that they now led a miserable life, in conse
quence of applying to those sciences with no other end, and
thus not having cultivated thereby their rational principle ;
their speech was slow, and of a mute tone (mute sonans). In
the mean time there were two discoursing with each other above
my head, and on inquiring who they were, it was said that one
of them was a most distinguished character in the learned
world, and it was given me to believe that it was Aristotle ;
who the other was, remained untold ; the former was then let
into the state in which he was during his life in the world ; for
every one may easily be let into the state of his life, which he
had in the world, inasmuch as he has with him every state of
his former life : but, what surprised me, he applied himself to
the right ear, and there spake, but in a hoarse tone of voice,
yet with sound sense. From the purport of his discourse I per
ceived, that he was altogether of a different genius and temper
from those schoolmen who first ascended, in that he wrote from
a ground of thought and discernment in himself, and thence
produced his philosophical discoveries : so that the terms which
he invented, and which he imposed on speculative subjects,
were forms of expression by which he described interior things ;
also that he was excited to such pursuits by a delight of the
affection, and by a desire of knowing the things appertaining B

18 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [38.
to the thinking and intellectual faculties, and that he followed
obediently whatever his spirit had dictated ; wherefore he applied
himself to the right ear, contrary to the custom of his followers,
who are called the schoolmen, and who do not go from thought
to terms, but from terms to thoughts, thus in a contrary way ;
and several of them do not even proceed to thoughts, but stick
solely in terms, which if they apply, it is to confirm whatever
they desire, and to impose on false principles an appearance of
truth according to their eagerness to persuade others. Hence
philosophical investigations lead them rather to folly than to
wisdom ; and hence they have darkness instead of light. After
wards I discoursed with him concerning the analytic science,
observing, that a child, in half an hour's conversation, speaks
more philosophically, analytically, and logically, than would
be in his power to describe by a volume, inasmuch as all things
appertaining to thought, and to human speech thence derived,
are analytical, the laws whereof are from the spiritual world ;
and he who desires to think artificially from terms, is not unlike
a dancer, who would learn to dance by the science of the mov
ing fibres and muscles, in which science if he should fix his
mind whilst he is dancing, it would be almost impossible for
him to move a foot ; and yet, without that science, he moves all
the moving fibres throughout the whole body, and in subordi
nation thereto he moves the lungs, the diaphragm, the sides,
the arms, the neck, and other organs of the body, to describe
all which would require many volumes ; and the case is exactly
similar with those who are desirous to think from terms. He
approved of these observations, and said, that to learn to think
in that way is proceeding in an inverted order; adding, if any
one will be so silly, let him so proceed; but let the thoughts
be grounded in use, and flow from an interior principle. He
next shewed me, what idea he had conceived of the Supreme
Deity, viz. that he had represented Him to his mind as having
a Human Face, and encompassed about the head with a radiant
circle ; and that now he knew that the Lord is Himself that
Man, and that the radiant circle is the Divine principle proceed
ing from Him, which not only flows into heaven, but also into
the universe, disposing and ruling all things therein ; he added,
Whosoever disposes and rules heaven, He also disposes and rules
the universe, because the one cannot be separated from the
other : he also said, that he believed only in one God Whose
attributes and qualities were distinguished by a variety of names
and that these names were by others worshiped as so many
gods. There appeared to me a woman, who stretched out her
hand, desiring to stroke my cheek, at which, when I expressed
my surprise, he said, that whilst he was in the world such a
woman had often appeared to him, as it were stroking his
cheek, and that her hand was beautiful; the angelic spirits

38  40.] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 19
said, that such women sometimes appeared to the ancients, and
were by them called Pallases, and that she appeared to him
from the spirits, who, during their abode on earth in ancient
times, were delighted with ideas, and indulged in their thoughts,
but without philosophy ; and whereas such spirits were attend
ant upon him, and were delighted with him, because he thought
from an interior principle, therefore they representatively exhi
bited such a woman to his view. Lastly he informed me what
idea he had conceived of the soul or spirit of man, which he
called Pneuma, viz. that it was an invisible vital principle, like
somewhat of sether ; and he said, that he knew that his spirit
would live after death, inasmuch as it was his interior essence,
which cannot die, because it is capable of thinking ; and that
moreover he was not able to think clearly concerning it, but only
obscurely, because he had not formed any thought about it
from any other source but that of his own mind, and a little
also from the ancients. It is to be noted that Aristotle is amongst
sound and sober spirits in another life, and that several of his
followers are amongst the infatuated.
39. On a time I saw that spirits of our earth were with
spirits of the earth Mercury, and I heard them discoursing to
gether, and the spirits of our earth, amongst other things, asked
them, on Whom they believed ? They replied that they believed
on God ; but when they inquired further concerning the God
on Whom they believed, they would give no answer, it being
customary with them not to answer questions directly. Then
the spirits from the earth Mercury, in their turn, asked the spirits
from our earth, on Whom they believed ? They said that they
believed on the Lord God : the spirits of Mercury then said,
that they perceived that they believed on no God, and that they
had contracted a habit of professing with the mouth that they
believe, when yet they do not believe : (the spirits of Mercury
have exquisite perception, in consequence of their continually
exploring, by means of perception, what others know :) the
spirits of our earth were of the number of those, who in the
world had made profession of faith agreeable to the doctrine of
the church, but still had not lived the life of faith, and they
who do not live the life of faith, in another life have not faith,
because it is not in the man'. On hearing this they were silent,
inasmuch as, by a perception then given them, they acknow
ledged that it was so.
40. There were certain spirits who knew from heaven, that
on a time a promise was made to the spirits of the earth Mer
cury, that they should see the Lord ; wherefore they were asked
r That they who make profession of faith agreeable to doctrine, and do not
live the life of faith, have no faith, n. 3865, 7766, 7778, 7790, 7950, 8094. And
that their interiors are contrary to the truths of faith, although in the world they
do not know this, n. 7790, 7950.
b2

20 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [40  42.
by the spirits about me, whether they recollected that promise ?
They said that they did recollect it; but that they did not know,
whether the promise was of such a nature, as that they might
depend with certainty on its accomplishment. Whilst they were
thus discoursing together, instantly the Sun of heaven appeared
to them ; (the Sun of heaven, which is the Lord, is seen only
by those who are in the inmost or third heaven ; others see the
light thence derived :) on seeing the sun, they said, that this
was not the Lord God, because they did not see a Face. In the
meanwhile the spirits discoursed with each other, but I did not
hear what they said. But on a sudden, at that instant, the Sun
again appeared, and in the midst thereof the Lord, encompassed
with a solar circle ; on seeing this, the spirits of Mercury hum
bled themselves profoundly, and subsided. Then also the Lord,
from that Sun, appeared to the spirits of this earth, who when
they were men, saw Him in the world, and they all, one after an
other, and thus several in order, confessed that it was the Lord
Himself; this confession they made before all the company. At
the same instant also the Lord, out of the Sun, appeared to the
spirits of the planet Jupiter, who declared with open voice, that
it was He Himself, Whom they had seen on their earth when the
God of the universe appeared to thems.
41. Certain of them, after that the Lord appeared, were led
off frontwards to the right, and as they advanced, they said,
that they saw a light much clearer and purer than they had ever
seen before, and that it was impossible any light could exceed
it ; and it was then even-tide here ; there were several who made
this declaration'.
42. It is to be observed, that the sun of this world does not
appear at all to any spirit, nor any thing of light thence derived ;
the light of that sun is as thick darkness to spirits and angels :
that sun remains only in the perception appertaining to spirits
s That the Lord is the Sun of heaven, from Whom all light therein is derived,
n. 1053 3636, 4060. And that the Lord thus appears to those who are in His ce
lestial kingdom, where love to Him is prevalent, n. 1521, 1529, 1530 1531 1837
I™?- -Jioat ™ aPPearsrat a middle distance above the plane of the right eye, n!
4321, 7078. That therefore by sun in the word is signified the Lord as to Divine
Loye, „. 2495, 4060 7083. That the sun of this world doth not appear to spirits
and angels but in the place thereof there appears somewhat as it were darkish,
not in front but beh.nd, in a direction opposite to the Sun of heaven, or to the
Lord, n. 9755. >
«. ' ^^ thierliS fnihe hea,!f "S B,r?at Ught' which exceeds, by many degrees,
SSfld^'T, fi • k -1S(ri'id' "¦ U 7', 1521' 1533> 1619> t° 1632, 4527, 5400
8644. That all light in the heavens is from the Lord as a Sun there n 1053
152 1 , 3195, 334 1 3636, 3643 4415 9548, 9684, 10809. That the Dvine'Trut'r
proceeding from the Divine Good of the Divine Love of the Lord appears in the
heavens as light, and presents all the light that is therein n 3195^299 "unn
8644 9399 9548, 9684 That the light of heaven illuminates both the sieht
and the understanding of the angels, n. 2776, 3138. That when heaven is "fid
to be in light and heat, it signifies, being in wisdom and in love, n. 3643 9399

42  44.] OF THE PLANET MERCURY. 21
from having seen it during their abode in the world, and is pre
sented to them in idea as somewhat darkish, and this behind at
a considerable distance, in an altitude a little above the plane of
the head. The planets which are within the system of that sun,
appear according to a determinate situation in respect to the
sun ; Mercury behind, a little towards the right; Venus to the
left, a little backwards ; Mars to the left in front ; Jupiter in like
manner to the left in front, but at a greater distance ; Saturn di
rectly in front, at a considerable distance; the Moon to the left,
at a considerable height : the satellites also to the left in respect
to their particular planet. Such is the situation of the above
planets in the ideas of spirits and angels : spirits also appear
near their respective planets, but out of them. As to what par
ticularly concerns the spirits of Mercury, they do not appear in
any certain determinate quarter, or at any certain determinate
distance, but sometimes in front, sometimes to the left, some
times a little to the back ; the reason is, because they are
allowed to wander through the universe to procure for them
selves knowledges.
43. On a time the spirits of Mercury appeared to the left in
a globe, and afterwards in a volume extending itself length
ways ; I wondered whither they were desirous of going, whether
to this earth or elsewhere, and presently I observed that they
inclined to the right, and as they rolled along, approached to
the earth or planet Venus towards the quarter in front ; but
when they came thither they said, that they would not abide
there, because the inhabitants were wicked ; wherefore they
turned about to the back part of that earth, and then said, that
they would willingly stay there, because the inhabitants were
good. Immediately on this, I was made sensible of a remarka
ble change in the brain, and of a powerful operation thence pro
ceeding. Hence it was given to conclude, that the spirits of
Venus, who were on that part of the planet, were in concord
with the spirits of Mercury, and that they had relation to the
memory of things material which was in concord with the me
mory of things immaterial, to which latter memory the spirits of
Mercury have relation : hence a more powerful operation was
felt from them when they were there.
44. I was desirous to know what kind of face and body the
men in the earth Mercury had, whether they were like the men
on our earth ; instantly there was presented before my eyes a
woman exactly resembling the women in that earth ; she had a
beautiful face, but it was smaller than that of a woman of our
earth ; her body also was more slender, but her height was
equal ; she wore on her head a linen cap, which was put on
without art, but yet in a manner becoming. A man also was
presented to view, who was more slender in body than the men
of our earth are ; he was clad in a garment of a dark blue colour,

22 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [44  47.
closely fitted to his body, without any foldings or protuber
ances : it was given to understand, that such was the form of
body, and such the dress of the men of that earth. Afterwards
there was presented to view a species of their oxen and cows,
which indeed did not differ much from those on our earth, only
that they were less, and in some degree approached to a species
of deer. 45. They were questioned also concerning the sun of the
system, how it appears from their earth ? They said, that it ap
pears large, and larger there than when seen from other earths,
and that they knew this from the ideas of other spirits concern
ing the sun. They said further, that they enjoy a middle tem
perature, neither too hot nor too cold ; it was on this occasion
given me to tell them, that it was so provided of the Lord in re
gard to them, that they should not be exposed to too much
heat, by reason of their greater nearness to the sun, inasmuch
as heat does not arise from the sun's nearness, but from the alti
tude and density of the atmosphere, as appears from the cold on
high mountains even in hot climates ; also that heat is varied
according to the direct or oblique incidence of the sun's rays, as
is plain from the seasons of winter and summer in every region.
These are the things which it was given to know concerning the
spirits and inhabitants of the earth Mercury.

OF THE EARTH OR PLANET JUPITER, ITS SPIRITS AND
INHABITANTS.
46. IT was granted me to enjoy longer commerce with the
spirits and angels of the planet Jupiter, than with the spirits
and angels from the rest of the planets, wherefore I am at liberty
to be more particular in regard to the state of life of them, and
of the inhabitants of that planet. That those spirits were from
that planet, was evident from many circumstances, and was
also confirmed by a declaration from heaven.
47. The real earth or planet Jupiter does not indeed appear
to spirits and angels : for to the inhabitants of the spiritual
world no material earth is visible, but only the spirits and angels
who come thence : they who are from the planet Jupiter appear
in front to the left, at a considerable distance, and this con
stantly, see above, n. 42 ; there also is the planet. The spirits
of every earth are near their respective earth, in consequence of
having been inhabitants thereof, (for every man after death be
comes a spirit,) and in consequence of being thus of a similar
genius and temper with the inhabitants, and of being in a capa
city thereby of associating with and serving them.

48, 49.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 23
48.- The spirits from the earth Jupiter related, that the mul
titude of men therein was as great as the earth could support ;
and that the earth was fruitful and plentiful in all productions ;
and that the inhabitants had no desires beyond the necessaries
of life ; and that they accounted nothing useful but so far as it
was necessary; and that hence the number of inhabitants was
so great. They said, that the education of their children was
their greatest concern, and that they loved them most tenderly.
49. They further related, that the inhabitants are distin
guished into nations, families, and houses, and that they all
live apart with their own kindred, and that hence their connec
tions are confined to relatives; likewise that no one covets
another's property, and that it never enters into their minds to
desire the possessions of another, still less to obtain them fraudu
lently, and least of all to extort them by violence ; such violence
they consider as a criminal act contrary to human nature ; and
regard it as horrible. When I would have told them, that on
this earth there are wars, depredations, and murders, they in
stantly turned away from me, and expressed an aversion to hear.
It was declared to me by the angels, that the most ancient
people on this earth lived in like manner as the inhabitants of
the planet Jupiter, viz. that they were distinguished into nations,
families, and houses, and that all at that time were content with
their own possessions ; and that it was a thing altogether un
known for one person to enrich himself at the expense of another,
or to aspire at dominion from a principle of self-love ; and that
on this account the ancient times, and especially the most an
cient, were more acceptable to the Lord than succeeding times :
and such being the state of the world, innocence also then
reigned, attended with wisdom; every one did what was good
from a principle of good, and what was just from a principle of
justice ; to do what is good and just with a view to self-advance
ment, or for the sake of gain, was a thing unknown ; at the
same time they spake nothing but what was true, and this not
so much from a principle of truth, as from a principle of good,
that is, not from an intellectual principle separate from the will-
principle, but from a will-principle joined with the intellectual.
Such were the ancient times, wherefore angels could then con
verse with men, and convey their minds, almost separate from
things corporeal, into heaven, yea, could conduct them through
the heavenly societies, and shew them the magnificent and
blessed things abounding therein, and likewise communicate to
them their happinesses and delights : these times were known
also to the ancient writers, and were by them called the golden
and also Saturnian ages. The superior excellence of those times,
as was observed, was owing to this, that men were then distin-
fuished into nations, nations into families, and families into
ouses, and every house lived apart by itself; and it then never

24 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [49  51.
entered into any one's mind to invade another's inheritance, and
thence acquire to himself opulence and dominion ; self-love and
the love of the world were then far from men's affections ; every
one rejoiced in his own, and not less in his neighbour's good.
But in succeeding times this scene was changed, and totally
reversed, when the lust of dominion and of large possessions in
vaded the mind ; then mankind, for the sake of self defence,
collected themselves into kingdoms and empires; and inasmuch
as the laws of charity and of conscience, which were inscribed
on the hearts, ceased to operate, it became necessary to enact
external laws in order to restrain violence, and to secure obedi
ence thereto by temporal rewards and punishments. When the
state of the world was thus changed, heaven removed itself from
man, and this more and more even to the present time, when
the very existence of heaven and hell is unknown, and by some
denied. This account of the primitive state of the inhabitants
of this earth is given in order to shew more clearly by the pa
rallel, what is the state of the inhabitants of the earth Jupiter,
and whence they have their probity, and also their wisdom, con
cerning which more will be said hereafter.
60. By long and frequent conversation with the spirits of the
earth Jupiter, it was made very manifest to me, that they were
better disposed than the spirits of several other earths; the man
ner of their approach to me, their abode with me, and their in
flux at that time, was inexpressibly gentle and sweet ; in another
life the quality of every spirit manifests itself by an influx, which
is the communication of its affection ; goodness of disposition
manifests itself by gentleness and sweetness ; by gentleness, in
that it is afraid to do hurt, and by sweetness, in that it loves to
do good : I could clearly distinguish a difference between the
gentleness and sweetness of the influx proceeding from the
spirits of Jupiter, and of that which proceeds from the good
spirits of our earth. When any slight disagreement exists
amongst them, they said that there appears a sort of slender
bright irradiation, like that of lightning, or like the little swath
encompassing glittering and wandering stars; but all disagree
ments amongst them are soon adjusted. Glittering stars, which
are at the same time wandering, signify what is false, but glit
tering and fixed stars signify what is true ; thus the former sig
nify disagreement."
51. I could distinguish the presence of the spirits of Jupiter,
not only by the gentleness and sweetness of their approach and
influx, but also by this circumstance, that for the most part
their influx was into the face, to which they communicated a
smiling cheerfulness, and this continually during their presence :
" T^ Sl.aurS 'n SVnFS"1 S'gnify the knowledges of good and truth, conse
quent y truths n. 2495, 2849, 4697. And that in another life troths are repre
sented by fixed stars, but falses by wandering stars, u, 1128.

51, 52.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 25
they said, that they communicate a like cheerfulness of counte
nance to the inhabitants of their earth, when they come to them,
being desirous thus to inspire them with heartfelt tranquillity and
delight : that tranquillity and delight, with which they inspired
me, filled my breast and heart very sensibly ; at the same time
there was a removal of all evil lusts and anxiety concerning
things to come, which cause unquiet and disturbance, and ex
cite various commotions in the mind. Hence was discoverable
the nature and quality of the life of the inhabitants of the earth
Jupiter ; for the disposition of the inhabitants of any earth may
be known by the spirits who come thence, inasmuch as every
one retains his own proper life after death, and continues to live
it when he becomes a spirit. It was very observable, that they
had a state of blessedness or happiness still more interior, which
was manifest from this circumstance, that their interiors were
perceived not to be closed, but open to heaven ; for in proportion
as the interiors are more open to heaven, in the same proportion
they are the more susceptible of receiving divine good, and
therewith blessedness and interior happiness : the case is alto
gether otherwise with those who do not live in the order of hea
ven; the interiors with such are closed, and the exteriors open
to the world.
52. It was further shewn me what sort of faces the inhabitants
of the earth Jupiter had ; not that the inhabitants themselves
appeared to me, but that the spirits appeared with faces similar
to what they had during their abode on their earth : but previous
to this manifestation, one of their angels appeared behind a
bright cloud, who gave permission; and instantly two faces
were presented to view ; they were like the faces of the men of
our earth, fair and beautiful; sincerity and modesty seemed to
beam forth from them. During the presence of the spirits of Ju
piter, the faces of the men of our earth appeared less than usual,
which circumstance was owing to this, that there was an influx
from those spirits of the idea which they had concerning their
own faces as being larger; for they believe, during their abode
in their earth, that after their decease, their faces will be larger,
and of a round shape ; and whereas this idea is impressed on
them, it consequently remains with them, and when they become
spirits, they appear to themselves as having larger faces. The
reason why they believe that their faces will be larger is, because
they say that the face is not body, inasmuch as through it they see,
hear, speak and manifest their thoughts ; and whereas the mind
is thus transparent through the face, they hence form an idea of
the face as of mind in a form; and inasmuch as they know that
they shall become wiser when they cease to live in the body,
therefore they believe that the form of the mind, or the face will
become larger. They believe also, that after their decease they
shall perceive a fire, which will communicate warmth to their

26 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [52  54.
faces; this belief takes its rise from hence, that the wiser amongst
them know that fire in a spiritual sense signifies love, and that
love is the fire of life, and that the angels have life from this fire" :
such of them also as have lived in celestial love, have their wishes
herein gratified, and perceive a warmth in tbe face, and at the
same time the interiors of the mind are kindled with love. It is on
this account that the inhabitants of that earth frequently wash
and make clean their faces, and also carefully secure them from
the sun's heat ; they use a covering for the head, made of the
bark of a tree of a bluish colour, which serves as a shade for the
face. Concerning the faces of the men of our earth, which they
saw through my eyesy, they said that they were not handsome,
and that the beauty which they had, consisted in the external
skin, but not in the fibres derived from what is internal ; they
were surprised to see the faces of some full of pimples and car
buncles, and in other respects deformed, and said, that they have
no such faces amongst them; some of their faces retained a smil
ing cast [even in the spiritual world], viz. such as were of a
cheerful and smiling habit, and such as were a little prominent
about the lips.
53. The reason why the faces which were prominent about
the lips, retained a smiling cast, was, because the chief part of
their discourse is effected by the face, and especially by the
region about the lips, and also because they never use deceit,
that is, never speak otherwise than they think, the consequence
of which is, that they use no restraint in regard to the face, but
let all the features and fibres have free play : the case is otherwise
with those, who from their childhood have been practised in
deceit : the face is thereby contracted from within, to prevent
the inward thoughts from being manifested ; neither has it free
play from without, but is kept in readiness either to put itself
forth, or to contract itself, according to the suggestions of craft
and cunning. The truth of this may appear from an examina
tion of the fibres of the lips, and of the parts thereabouts, for
the series of fibres in those parts are manifold, complex, and in
terwoven together, being created not only for the purposes of
receiving and chewing the food, and of forming expressions of
speech, but also of manifesting the ideas of the mind by their
various configurations.
54. It was also shewn me how the thoughts are expressed
by the face : the affections, which appertain to the love-principle,
x That fire in the Word signifies love in both senses, n. 934, 4906, 5215.
That sacred and celestial fire is Divine Love, and every affection which is of that
love, n. 934, 6314, 6832. That infernal fire is self-love and the love of the
world, and every concupiscence appertaining to those loves, n. 965, 1861 5071
6314, 6832, 7575, 10747. That love is the fire of life, and that life itself is
actually derived from that fire, n. 4906, 5071, 6032.
y That spirits and angels do not see the things of this solar world but that
they saw through my eyes, u. 1881.

54.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 27
are manifested by the features and their changes, and the
thoughts in those affections by variations as to the forms of
interior things therein ; it is impossible to describe them further.
The inhabitants of the earth Jupiter use also vocal discourse,
but it is not so loud as with us ; one kind of discourse is an aid
to the other, and life is insinuated into vocal discourse by that
of the countenance. 1 am informed by the angels, that the first
discourse of all in every earth was effected by the face, and this
from two origins, the lips and the eyes : the reason why this
kind of discourse was first in use is, because the face was formed
to express by its features all a man's thoughts and inclinations ;
hence the face is called an effigy and index of the mind : a fur
ther reason is, because in the most ancient or primitive times
man was influenced by a principle of sincerity, and cherished
no thought, nor wished to cherish any, but what he was willing
should beam forth visibly in his face : thus also the affections of
the mind, and the thoughts therein originating, might be exhi
bited to the life, and in their fulness ; hereby likewise they were
made visible, as several things united together in a form. This
kind of discourse therefore excelled vocal discourse as much as
the sense of seeing excels that of hearing, or as the sight of a
fine country excels a verbal description of it. Add to this, that
such discourse was in agreement with the discourse of angels,
with whom men in those times had communication; and also
that when the face speaks, or the mind by the face, the angelic
discourse is exhibited with man in its ultimate natural form, but
not so in verbal discourse. Every one also may conceive, that
the most ancient people could not at first practise verbal discourse,
inasmuch as the expressions of vocal language are not infused
immediately, but must have been invented, and applied to the
things they were intended to express ; and this would require a
course of time to effect.2 So long as man continued to be influ
enced by a principle of sincerity and rectitude, so long also such
discourse remained ; but as soon as the mind began to think one
thing and speak another, which was the case when man began to
love himself and not his neighbour, then verbal discourse began to
increase, the face being either silent or deceitful; hence the
internal form of the face was changed, contracted itself, ac
quired stiffness, and began to be nearly void of life ; whilst the
external form, inflamed by the fire of self-love, appeared in the
eyes of men as if it was alive ; me a want of life in the internal
forms, which are hid underneath' the external, does not appear
before men, but is manifest to the angels, inasmuch as the latter
z That the most ancient people on this earth used to discourse by the face
and lips, by means of internal aspiration, u. 607, 1118, 7361. That the inha
bitants of some other earths used to discourse in like manner, n. 4799, 7359,
8248, 10587. Concerning the perfection and excellence of that discourse n
7360, 10587, 10708.

28 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [54, 55.
see interior things. Such are the faces of those who think one
thing and speak another; for simulation, hypocrisy, cunning,
and deceit, which at this day are called prudence, have a tendency
to produce such effects. But the case is otherwise in another life,
where it is not allowable for the speech and thoughts to be at
variance ; their variance also is there clearly perceived in every
single expression, and when it is perceived, the spirit who is
found guilty, is separated from his associates, and fined ; after
wards he is reduced by various methods to speak as he thinks,
and to think as he wills, until his mind be one, and not divided ;
if he be a good spirit, he is reduced to a state of willing what
is good, and of thinking and speaking what is true, from a prin
ciple of good : and if he be an evil spirit, he is reduced to a
state of willing what is evil, and of thinking and speaking what
is false, from a principle of evil ; until this is effected, the good
spirit is not elevated into heaven, nor is the evil one cast into
hell ; and this to the end, that in hell there may be nothing but
evil and the false grounded in evil, and in heaven nothing but
good and truth grounded in good.
55. I was further informed by the spirits from that earth, con
cerning various particulars relating to its inhabitants, as concern
ing their manner of walking, concerning their food, and their
habitations. With respect to their manner of walking, they do
not walk erect like the inhabitants of this and of several other
earths, nor do they creep on all four, like four-footed beasts, but
as they go along, they assist themselves with their hands, and
alternately half elevate themselves on their feet, and also at
every third step turn the face sideways and behind them, and
likewise at the same time bend the body a little, which is done
suddenly; for it is thought indecent amongst them to be seen in
any other point of view than with the face in front. In walking
thus, they always keep the face elevated as with us, that so they
may look at the heavens as well as the earth ; holding the face
downwards so as to see the earth alone, they call an accursed
thing : the most vile and abject amongst them give into this
habit, but if they continue in it, they are banished the society.
When they sit, they appear like men of our earth, erect as to
the upper part of the body, but they usually sit cross-legged :
they are particularly cautious, not only when they walk, but
also when they sit, to be seen with the face in front, and not as
to the back parts ; they are also very willing to have their faces
seen, because thence their mind appears ; for with them the face
is never at variance with the mind, nor indeed have they power
to make it so ; hence it evidently appears, on an interview with
them, what dispositions they entertain towards all who are pre
sent, especially whether their apparent friendship be sincere or
forced, for this they never conceal. These particulars were de
clared to me by their spirits, and confirmed by their angels •

55  58.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 29
hence also their spirits are seen to walk, not erect like others,
but almost like persons swimming, appearing to help themselves
forward with their hands, and by turns to look around them.
56. They who live in their warm climates go naked, except
about the loins ; nor are they ashamed of their nakedness, inas
much as their minds are chaste, loving none but such as they
are in conjugal connection with, and abhorring adultery. They
were very much surprised at the spirits of our earth, who, on
hearing of their method of walking, and also that they were
naked, made a joke of it, and gave way to lascivious thoughts,
without attending at all to their heavenly life : they said, that
this was a proof that things corporeal and terrestrial were of
more concern to them than heavenly things, and that things of
an indecent nature had place in their minds. Those spirits of
our earth were told, that nakedness gives no occasion either of
shame or of scandal to such as live in chastity and a state of in
nocence, but only to such as live in lasciviousness and immodesty.
57. When the inhabitants of that earth lie in bed, they turn
their faces forward, or towards the chamber, but not backward,
or towards the wall : this was told me by their spirits, who as
signed also the reason for their so doing, viz. that they believe that
in turning the face forward, they turn it to the Lord, but if they
turn it backward, they avert it from the Lord. I have sometimes
observed, in regard to myself, whilst I was in bed, such a direc
tion of the face, but I never knew before whence it was.
58. They take delight in making long meals, not so much
for the pleasure of eating, as for the pleasure of discoursing at
such times. Whilst they sit at table, they do not sit on chairs
or stools, nor upon an elevated turf, nor yet upon the bare
ground, but on the leaves of a certain tree ; they were not wil
ling to tell of what tree the leaves were, but when I guessed at
several, and at last named the leaves of the fig-tree, they affirmed
that to be the tree. They said moreover, that they did not dress
their food with any view to gratify the palate, but chiefly with a
view to wholesomeness, and that the food which was wholesome
was also savory. In a conversation which took place amongst
the spirits on this subject, it was urged, that it would be well
for man to prepare his food according to this rule, for by so
doing he would shew his attention to the health of his mind
and body at the same time ; whereas, when the gratification of
the palate is the chief thing attended to, the bodily health is
frequently lost thereby, at least loses much of its inward vigour,
and consequently the mind also is affected, inasmuch as the
exertions of the mind depend on the interior state of the recipient
bodily parts, as seeing and hearing depend on the state of the
eye and ear; hence the madness of supposing, that all the de
light of life consists in luxury and pleasurable indulgences :
hence also comes dulness and. stupidity in things which require

30 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [58  61.
thought and judgment, whilst the mind is disposed only for
the exertions of cunning and contrivance respecting bodily and
worldly things ; hereby man acquires a brutal image and like
ness, and therefore such persons are not improperly compared
with brutes.
59. Their habitations were also shewn me ; they are low,
and constructed of wood, but within they are coated over with
bark of a palish blue colour, the walls and ceiling being spotted
as with small stars, to represent the heavens ; for they are fond
of thus picturing the visible heavens and stars in the insides of
their houses, because they believe the stars to be the abodes of
angels. They have also tents, which are rounded above, and
stretched out to a considerable length, spotted likewise within
with little stars in a blue plane ; into these they betake them
selves in the middle of the day, to prevent their faces suffering
from the heat of the sun : they are very attentive to the con
struction, neatness, and cleanliness of these their tents : they
have also their meals in them.
60. When the spirits of Jupiter saw the horses of this earth,
the horses appeared to me of a less size than usual, although
they were tolerably robust and large ; this was in consequence
of the idea of those spirits concerning the horses they saw; they
said that they also had horses amongst them, but of a much
larger size, and that they were wild, running at large in the
woods, and that when they come in sight, the inhabitants are
terrified, although they never suffer any hurt from them ; they
added, that the fear of horses is innate or natural to them : this
led me to a consideration of the cause of that fear, and it seemed
to be grounded in the spiritual signification of horses; for a horse
in a spiritual sense signifies the intellectual principle formed of
scientifics,aa and inasmuch as the inhabitants of Jupiter are
afraid of cultivating the intellectual principle by worldly sciences,
hence comes an influx of the fear of horses. That they pay no
attention to scientifics, which appertain to human erudition,
will be seen presently.
61. The spirits of the earth Jupiter are not willing to asso
ciate with the spirits of our earth, because they differ both in
minds and manners ; they say that the spirits of our earth are
cunning, and that they are prompt and ingenious in the contriv
ance of evil ; and that they know and think little about what is
good. Moreover, the spirits of the earth Jupiter are much wiser
than the spirits of our earth ; they say also of our spirits, that
they talk much and think little, and thus that they are not ca
pable of an interior perception of many things, not even of what
is good ; hence they conclude, that the men of our earth are ex-
aa That horse signifies the intellectual principle, n. 2760 2761 2762 1217
5321, 6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148. And that the White Horse in the Re
velation signifies the understanding of the word, n. 2760.

61.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 31
ternal men. On a time also it was permitted the spirits of our
earth, by their wicked arts, to act upon and infest the spirits of
Jupiter who were with me ; the latter endured such action for a
considerable time, but at length confessed that they could en
dure no longer, and that they believed it impossible for worse
spirits to exist, inasmuch as they perverted their imagination
and also their thoughts in such a manner, that they seemed to
themselves as it were bound, and that they could not be extri
cated and set at liberty without Divine Aid. Whilst I was read
ing in the Word some passages concerning our Saviour's passion,
certain European spirits infused dreadful scandals, with intent
to seduce the spirits of Jupiter: inquiry was made who they were,
and what had been their profession in the world, and it was dis
covered that some of them had been preachers, and that the
greater part were of those who call themselves of the Lord's so
ciety, or Jesuits ; I said, that they, during their abode in the
world, by their preaching concerning the Lord's passion, were
able to move the vulgar to tears ; I further added what was the
cause of the difference between what they appeared to be in the
world, and what they were at present, viz. that in the world their
thoughts and their words were at variance, consequently they
entertained one opinion in their hearts, and professed another
with their lips, but that now they are not allowed to speak under
such disguise, for in becoming spirits, they are compelled to
speak in all respects as they think. The spirits of Jupiter ex
pressed the utmost astonishment at hearing of such variance be
tween men's interiors and exteriors, and that they were able to
think one thing and say another, which to themselves (viz. the
spirits of Jupiter) was impossible. They were surprised also,
when they were informed that great numbers, who are from our
earth, become angels, and that such are in heart altogether dif
ferent from the above spirits ; for they imagined at that instant,
that in our earth all were like the spirits then present ; but they
were informed, that there are not many of such a character, and
that there are also some whose thoughts are under the influence
of goodness, and not of evil like the above, and that all whose
thoughts are under the influence of goodness become angels.
To convince them that this was the case, there came choirs out of
heaven, consisting of angels from our earth, one choir after ano
ther, who together with one voice and in harmonious concert glo
rified the Lord : those choirs affected the spirits of Jupiter who
were present with such delight, that they seemed to themselves
to be caught up as it were into heaven : the glorification by the
choirsbb lasted about an hour ; it was given me to perceive sen-
bb That it is called a chorus or choir when several spirits speak together and
unanimously, concerning which see n. 2595, 2596, 3350. That in their speech
there is an harmonious agreement, concerning which see n. 1648, 1649. That
by choirs in another life there is a preparation for an introduction to unani
mity, n. 5182.

32 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [61, 62.
sibly a communication of the delights occasioned thereby : the
spirits of Jupiter said, that they would relate what had hap
pened, to the other spirits from their earth, who were in other
parts of the spiritual world. .
62 The inhabitants of the earth Jupiter make wisdom to
consist in thinking well and justly on all occurrences in life ;
they imbibe this wisdom from their parents at an early age, and
it is successively transmitted to posterity, receiving an increase
in each generation from the love thereof, in consideration of its
having been the wisdom of their forefathers. They are altoge
ther unacquainted with the sciences, such as are cultivated in
our earth, nor have they any desire to be acquainted with them;
they call them shades, and compare them to clouds which inter
cept the light of the sun ; this idea concerning the sciences they
have conceived, in consequence of some spirits from our earth
boasting that they were wise by reason of their skill in the sci
ences. The spirits from our earth, who thus boasted, were such
as made wisdom to consist in things appertaining merely to the
memory, as in languages, especially the Hebrew, Greek, and
Latin, in a knowledge of all important particulars respecting the
learned world, in criticism, in bare experimental discoveries, and
in terms, particularly such as are philosophical, with other
things of a like nature, not using such things as means leading
to wisdom, but making wisdom to consist in the things them
selves ; such persons, inasmuch as they have not cultivated their
rational faculty by the sciences, as by means leading to wisdom,
have little perception in another life, for they see only in terms,
and from terms, in which case those things are as clots and
clouds obstructing the intellectual sight, see above, n. 38 ; and
they who have been vain and conceited by reason of their erudi
tion thus grounded, have still less perception ; but they who
have used the sciences as means of invalidating and annihilating
the things appertaining to the Church and to faith, are found to
have totally destroyed their intellectual principle, in consequence
whereof they see in the dark like owls, mistaking what is false
for what is true, and what is evil for what is good. The spirits
of Jupiter, from the conversation they had with such, concluded,
that the sciences occasion a shade in the intellect, and tend to
make it blind ; but they were informed, that on our earth the
sciences are means of opening the intellectual sight, which sight
is in the light of heaven, but inasmuch as there is a prevalence
of such things as appertain to the mere natural and sensual life,
therefore the sciences to the men of our earth are means of be
coming unwise, or of confirming them in favour of nature
against divine agency, and in favour of the world against hea
ven : they were further informed, that the sciences in themselves
are spiritual riches, and that they who possess them are like
those who possess worldly riches, which in like manner are

62  64.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 33
means whereby man may do service to himself, his neighbour,
and his country, and whereby also he may do mischief; more
over that they are like dress, which serves for use and orna
ment, and also for the nourishing of pride and vanity, as in the
case of those who would be honoured for their fine clothes.
This was perfectly intelligible to the spirits of Jupiter; but they
were surprised at the inhabitants of our earth, that, being men,
they should rest in means, and prefer things leading to wisdom,
before wisdom itself; and that they should not see, that to im
merse the mind in such things, and not to elevate it above
them, was to becloud and blind it.
63. A certain spirit at that instant, rising from the lower
earth, came to me, and said, that he had heard what I had been
discoursing upon with other spirits, but that he did not under
stand at all what was said concerning spiritual life and. the light
thereof. He was asked whether he was willing to be instructed
on that head ? He said that he did not come with any such
intention : hence it was given to conclude, that he would not
comprehend what might be said on the subject ; he was exceed
ingly stupid, yet it was declared by the angels, that, during
his abode in the world, he was much celebrated for his learning:
he was cold, as was manifestly perceived from his breathing,
which was a sign of an illumination merely natural, and of
none spiritual, consequently that by the sciences he had not
opened, but closed his way to the light of heaven.
64. Inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth Jupiter procure
intelligence for themselves by a different way from the inhabi
tants of our earth, and are moreover of a different genius and
temper as grounded in the life, therefore they cannot abide long
together, but either shun or remove each other. There are
spheres, which may be called spiritual spheres, which con
tinually flow forth, yea, overflow from every spirit ; they flow
from the active principle of the affections and consequent
thoughts, thus from the life itself ;cc all consociations in another
life are regulated according to these spheres, those which agree
being joined together according to their agreement, and those
which dis^ gree being separated according to their disagreement.
The spirits <nd angels, who are from the earth Jupiter, in the
Grand Man have relation to the imaginative principle of
thought, and consequently to an active state of the interior
parts ; but the spirits of our earth have relation to the various
functions of the exterior parts of the body, and when these are
cc That a spiritual sphere, which is the sphere of the life, flows forth and
overflows from every man, spirit, and angel, and encompasses them about, n.
4464, 5179, 7454. That it flows forth from the life of their affections and conse
quent thoughts, n. 2489, 4464, 6206. That in another life consociations and
also dissociations are regulated according to spheres, u. 6206, 9606, 9607,
10312,

34 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 64, 65.]
desirous to have dominion, the active or imaginative principle of
thought from the interior cannot flow in : hence come the oppo
sitions between the spheres of the life of each.
65. As to what concerns their divine worship, it is a prin
cipal characteristic thereof, that they acknowledge our Lord as
the Supreme, Who governs heaven and earth, calling Him the
only Lord; and inasmuch as they acknowledge and worship Him
during their life in the body, they hence seek Him after death,
and find Him; He is the same with our Lord. They were asked,
whether they know that the only Lord is a Man ? They re
plied, that they all know that He is a Man, because in their
world He has been seen by many as a Man ; and that He in
structs them concerning the truth, preserves them, and also
gives eternal life to those, who worship Him from a principle of
good. They said further, that it is revealed to them from Him,
how they should live, and how believe ; and that what is re
vealed, is handed down from parents to children, and hence
there flows forth doctrine to all the families, and thereby to the
whole nation which is descended from one father. They added,
that it seems to them as if they had the doctrine written on
their minds, and they conclude so from this circumstance, be
cause they perceive instantly, and acknowledge as of them
selves, whether it be true or not what is said by others con
cerning the life of heaven in man. They do not know that
their only Lord was born a Man on our earth; they said, that it
is of no concern to them to know it, only that He is a Man, and
governs the universe. When I informed them, that on our earth
He is named Christ Jesus, and that Christ signifies Anointed or
King, and Jesus, Saviour, they said, that they do not worship
Him as a king, because king suggests the idea of what is
worldly, but that they worship Him as a Saviour. On this occa
sion a doubt was injected from the spirits of our earth, whether
their only Lord was the same with our Lord, but they removed
it by the recollection that they had seen Him in the sun, and
had acknowledged that it was He Himself, Whom they saw on
their earth, see above, n. 40. On a time also the spirits of
Jupiter who were with me, were seized with a momentary doubt,
whether their only Lord was the same with our Lord ; but this
doubt, which was instantaneously injected, was also instanta
neously dispersed ; it was suggested by an influx from some
spirits of our earth ; and what surprised me much on this occa
sion, the spirits of Jupiter were so ashamed of themselves, for
having doubted herein, though but for a moment, that they
requested me not to publish it, lest they should be charged with
any incredulity, when yet they were now convinced of the truth
more than others. They were most exceedingly affected and
rejoiced when they heard it declared, that the only Lord is alone
Man, and that all have from Him what entitles them to be called

65  68.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 35
men ; but that they are only so far men, as they are images of
Him, that is, as they love Him, and love their neighbour, con
sequently, as they are principled in good ; for the good of love
and faith is an image of the Lord.
66. There were with me some spirits of the earth Jupiter,
while I was reading the seventeenth chapter in John, concern
ing the Lord's Love, and concerning His Glorification; and when
they heard the contents, a holy influence seized them, and they
confessed that all things therein were divine; but at that instant,
some spirits of our earth, who were infidels, suggested various
scandals, saying, that He was born an infant, lived as a man,
appeared as another man, was crucified, with other circumstances
of a like nature : but the spirits of the earth Jupiter paid no at
tention to these suggestions; they said, that such are their
devils, whom they abhor ; adding, that nothing of a celestial
principle has any place in their minds, but only an earthly
principle, which they called dross ; and which they said they
had discovered from this circumstance, that when mention
was made of going naked on their earth, obscene ideas
immediately occupied their thoughts, and they paid no atten
tion to their celestial life, which was also spoken of at the same
time. 67. The clear perception which the spirits of Jupiter have
concerning spiritual things, was made manifest to me from
their manner of representing how the Lord converts depraved
affections into good affections : they represented the intellectual
mind as a beautiful form, and impressed upon it an activity
suitable to the form answering to the life of affection ; this they
executed in a manner which no words can describe, and with
such dexterity that they were commended by the angels. There
were present on this occasion some of the learned from our earth,
who had immersed the intellectual principle in scientific terms,
and had thought and written much about form, about substance,
about materiality and immateriality, and the like, without ap
plying such things to any use ; these could not even compre
hend that representation.
68. They are exceedingly cautious on their earth, lest any
one should fall into wrong opinions concerning the only Lord ;
and if they observe that any begin to think not rightly con
cerning Him, they first admonish, then use threats, and lastly
deter by punishment. They said, that they had observed, if any
such wrong opinions insinuate themselves into any family, that
family is taken from amongst them, not by the punishment of
death inflicted by their fellows, but by being deprived of respi
ration, and consequently of life, by spirits, when they have
first threatened them with death : for in that earth spirits speak
with the inhabitants, and c/ istise them if they have done evil,
and even if they have intended to do evil, of which we shall
c2

36 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 68  70.]
say more presently ; hence if they think evil concerning the
only Lord, and do not repent, they are threatened with death:
in this manner the worship of the Lord, Who to the inhabitants
of that earth is the Supreme Divinity, is preserved pure.
69. They said, that they have no particular days set apart
for divine worship, but that every morning at sun-rise, and
every evening at sun-setting, they perform holy worship to
their only Lord in their tents : and that they also sing psalms
after their manner.
70. I was further informed, that in that earth there are also
some who call themselves saints, and who command their ser
vants, of whom they wish to have great numbers, to give them
the title of lords, threatening them with punishment if they
omit it : they likewise forbid their servants to adore the Lord
of the universe, saying that themselves are lords-mediators, and
that they will present the supplications of others to the Lord of
the universe. They call the Lord of the universe, Who is our
Lord, not only the Lord, as the rest do, but the supreme Lord,
by reason that they call themselves also lords. The sun of the
world they call the Face of the supreme Lord, and believe that
His abode is there, wherefore they also adore the sun. The rest
of the inhabitants hold them in aversion, and are unwilling to
converse with them, as well because they adore the sun, as be
cause they call themselves lords, and are worshiped by their
servants as mediatory gods. There was shewn me by spirits
the covering of their head, which was a tufted cap of a darkish
colour. In the other life such appear to the left in a certain al
titude, and there sit as idols, and for some time are also wor
shiped by the servants who have attended upon them, but are
afterwards held in derision by the same servants. What sur
prised me was, that their faces shine there as by the light of a
fire, which is in consequence of their having believed that they
were saints ; but notwithstanding this fiery appearance of their
faces, they are nevertheless cold, and have an intense desire to
be made warm ; hence it is evident that the fire, whereby they
seem to shine, is the fire of self-love, and a false fire. In order
to make themselves warm, they seem to themselves to cut
wood, and whilst they are thus employed, there appears under
neath the wood something of a man, whom at the same time
they attempt to strike ; this appearance is in consequence of
their attributing to themselves merit and sanctity, for all who
do so in this life, seem to themselves in another life to cut
wood, as was the case likewise with some spirits from our earth,
who have been spoken of elsewhere : for the further illustration
of this subject, I shall here adduce what has been experimen
tally made known to me; "In the lower earth, beneath the
soles of the feet, are those who have placed merit in their good
deeds and works ; several of them appear to themselves to cut

70  72.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 37
wood ; the place where they are collected is very cold, and they
seem to themselves to acquire warmth by their labour : I have
also discoursed with them, and it was given me to ask them,
Whether they had any inclination to leave that place ? They
replied, that as yet they had not merited it by their labour :
when that state however is finished and past, they are taken
away thence : all such spirits are in a mere natural state, inas
much as in the desire of meriting salvation there is nothing of
a spiritual principle, such desire originating in self, and not in
the Lord ; moreover such prefer themselves above others, and in
some cases despise others ; and if in another life they do not
receive more bliss than others, they have indignation against
the Lord, wherefore whilst they are cutting wood, it appears as
if somewhat of the Lord was underneath the wood ; this is in
consequence of their indignation. "dd
71. It is common in the earth Jupiter for spirits to discourse
with the inhabitants, to instruct them, and also to chastise
them if they have done evil ; on which subject I wish to be
more particular, as several things were related to me by their.
angels concerning it. The reason why spirits in that earth dis
course with men is, because they think much about heaven and
a life after death ; and because respectively they are little soli
citous about the present life ; for they know that they shall live
after their decease, and in a happy state according to the state
of their internal man, formed in the world. To discourse with
spirits and angels was also common on this earth in ancient
times, and for the same reason, viz. because they then thought
much of heaven and little of the world : but that living com
munication with heaven in process of time was closed, as man
from internal became external, or what is the same thing, as he
began to think much about the world and little about heaven ;
and especially when he ceased to believe in the existence of
heaven or hell, and that in himself there was a spiritual man
which would live after death ; for at this day it is believed, that
the body lives by a virtue of its own, and not by virtue of its
spirit ; wherefore unless man now entertained a belief that he
should rise again with his natural body, he would have no be
lief at all about a resurrection.
72. As to what particularly concerns the presence of spirits
with the inhabitants of Jupiter, there are some spirits who
chastise, some who instruct, and some who rule over them. The
spirits who chastise apply themselves to the left side, and incline
dd That the Lord alone has merit and righteousness, n. 9715, 9975, 9979,
9981, 9982. That such as place merit in their works, or wish to merit heaven
by their good deeds, in another life wish to be served, and are in no wise con
tented, n. 6393. That they despise their neighbour, and are angry at the Lord
Himself, if they do not receive a reward, ... 9976. What their lot is in another
life, ... 942, 1774, 1877, 2027. That they are of those who in the lower earth
appear to cut wood, n. 1110, 4943.

38 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [72, 73.
themselves towards the back, and when they are there, they
press forth from man's memory all that he has done or thought;
for this is an easy thing to spirits, inasmuch as when they come
to man, they enter into all his memory.1 If they find that he
has done evil, or has thought evil, they reprove him, and also
chastise him by pain in the joints of his feet or hands, or about
the region of the belly ; this also spirits can effect with much
dexterity when they are permitted ; on the approach of such
spirits to man, he is struck with horror attended with fear, and
hence he is aware of their coming : fear may be excited in any
person by evil spirits, on their approach, especially by those,
who, during their abode in the world, have been thieves and
robbers. In order that I might know how those spirits act,
when they come to a man of their own earth, it was permitted
that such a spirit should also come to me ; when he was near,
horror attended with fear manifestly affected me, yet it was not
an interior but exterior horror, because I was aware of the
spirit from whom it proceeded ; he was also seen by me, and
appeared as a darkish cloud with moveable stars in it : (move
able stars signify falsities, but fixed stars truths :u) he applied
himself to my left side towards the back, and likewise began
to reprove me on account of things done and thought, which
he produced from my memory, and also interpreted unfavoura
bly ; but he was checked by the angels : when he perceived
that he was with a man who did not belong to his own earth,
he began to discourse with me, saying, that when he came to
any man, he knew all and singular the things which the man was
doing and thinking ; also that he severely reproved him, and
likewise chastised him by various pains. At another time again
such a chastising spirit came to me, and applied himself to my
left side below the middle of the body, like the former, and also
desired to punish me ; but he likewise was restrained by the
angels : he shewed me however the kinds of punishment which
they are permitted to inflict on the men of their earth, if they
do evil, or intend to do evil ; besides pains of the joints, they
cause also a painful compression about the middle of the belly,
which seems as if it proceeded from a tight sharp belt ; likewise
a cessation of respiration at times even to apparent suffocation ;
another kind of punishment is that of prohibition, whereby the
person punished is forbid eating any thing but bread for a time ;
lastly, death is denounced, in case the offender does not cease
from his evil acts and intentions, and at the same time he is
deprived of all satisfaction arising from the company of his wife,
his children, and associates; grief is also insinuated on such
occasions by reason of such deprivation.
73. The spirits who instruct, apply themselves also to the
left side of the persons instructed, but more to the front ; they
reprove likewise, but mildly, and presently teach them how

73  76.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 39
they ought to live : they appear also of a darkish hue, yet not
like clouds as the former, but as if they were clad in sackcloth :
these are called instructors, but the former chastisers. When
the instructing spirits are present, angelic spirits are present
also, sitting close to the head, and filling it in a peculiar man
ner ; their presence likewise is perceived there like a mild and
gentle aspiration, for they are afraid of man's perceiving the
least pain or anxiety from their approach and influx : they
govern the chastising and instructing spirits, preventing the
former from putting man to more pain than is permitted by the
Lord, and prompting the latter to teach what is true. During
the time that a chastising spirit was with me, there were present
also angelic spirits, who kept my countenance in a constant
smile and cheerfulness, and the region about the lips prominent,
and my mouth a little open ; this the angels easily effect by in
flux, when it is permitted of the Lord ; they said, that with the
inhabitants of their earth, they induce such a countenance when
they are present.
74. If man, after chastisement and instruction, again does
evil, or thinks to do evil, and does not check himself by the
precepts of truth, when the chastising spirit returns, he is
punished more severely ; but the angelic spirits moderate the
punishment according to the intention in what was done, and
according to the will-principle in what was thought. Hence it
may appear, that their angels, who sit at the head, exercise a
species of judicatory power over man, inasmuch as they permit,
moderate, restrain, and operate by influx ; but it was declared,
that they do not judge, but that the Lord alone is Judge, and
that from Him into them flow all things which they enjoin to
the chastising and instructing spirits, and that it appears as if
it was from them.
75; In the earth Jupiter, spirits speak with man, but man
in his turn does not speak with spirits, only these words when
he is instructed, — / will do so no more : nor is it allowed him to
tell any one that a spirit has spoken with him, for if he does
this, he is afterwards punished. Those spirits of Jupiter, when
they were with me, supposed at first that they were with a man
of their own earth ; but when I spake with them again, and
when they perceived that I had thoughts of publishing what
passed between us, and thus of telling it to others, and that it
was not allowed them either to chastise or instruct me for so
doing, they then discovered that they were with a stranger.
76. There are two signs which appear to those spirits, during
their abode with man ; they see an elderly man (virum) of a fair
countenance, which is a sign to them to speak nothing but what
is true, and to do nothing but what is just : they see also a
face in a window, which is a sign to them to depart thence.
Such an elderly man also appeared to me, and likewise a face

40 ON THE

EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [76  79.

was seen in a window, and on seeing the face those spirits im
mediately departed from me.
77. Besides the spirits above mentioned, there are also
spirits who suggest contrary persuasions ; these are they who,
during their abode in the world, were banished from the society
of the rest on account of their wickedness : when they approach,
there appears as it were a flying fire, which passes downwards
near the face : they place themselves beneath near man's back
parts, and speak thence towards the upper parts. What they
say is directly contrary to the instructions which the instructor
spirit gave from the angels, and is to this purport, that they need
not live according to instruction, but according to their own
will and pleasure, without any check or restraint. They gene
rally make their approach as soon as the former spirits are de
parted ; but the men on that earth are aware who and what
those spirits are, and therefore are unconcerned about them;
nevertheless they are taught hereby what is evil, and conse
quently what is good, for by evil is learnt what good is, the
quality of good being discerned by its opposite ; for all percep
tion in every case is according to reflection, in relation to differ
ences and distinctions suggested by opposites, in various man
ners and various degrees.
78. The chastising and instructing spirits do not approach
those who call themselves saints and lords-mediators, (concern
ing whom see above, n. 70,) because these do not suffer themselves
to be instructed, nor are amended by discipline, being inflexible
in consequence of being under the influence of self-love : the
chastising and instructing spirits say, that they discern such by
their coldness, and that when they perceive cold they depart
from them.
79. There are also spirits amongst those from the earth
Jupiter, whom they call sweepers of chimnies, because they
appear in like garments, and likewise with sooty faces ; who
they are, and what is their nature and quality, I shall also des
cribe. One of these spirits came to me, and anxiously requested
that I would intercede for him to be admitted into heaven ; he
said, that he was not conscious of having done any evil, only
that he had reprimanded the inhabitants of his earth, and that
after reprimanding, he instructed them : he applied himself to
my left side, a little lower than the elbow, and spake as it were
with a divided faith : he had also the power of exciting pity ;
but all I could say in reply was, that it was not in my power to
help him, for that all help was from the Lord alone ; nor could
I intercede for him, because I did not know whether it was
useful or not; but that if he was deserving, he might have hope :
at that instant he was remanded back amongst some upright
spirits from his own earth, but they said that he could not be
in consort with them, because he differed in quality ; still how-

79, 80.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 41
ever he requested with an intense desire to be let into heaven,
and in consequence thereof he was introduced to a society of
upright spirits of this earth; but these also declared that he
could not abide with them : he was likewise of a black colour
in the light of heaven; but he himself said that he was not a
black colour, but of a darkish brown. I was informed that
they are such at first, who are afterwards received amongst
those who constitute the province of the seminal vessels in
the Grand Man, or heaven; for in those vessels the semen is
collected, and is encompassed with a covering of suitable matter,
fit to preserve the prolific principle of the semen from being dis
sipated, but which may be put off in the neck of the uterus,
that thus what is reserved within may serve for conception or
the impregnation of the ovulum ; hence also that seminal matter
has a strong tendency and as it were a burning desire to put
itself off, and leave the semen to accomplish its end : somewhat
similar to this appeared likewise in this spirit. He came again to
me, in vile raiment, and again said, that he had a burning
desire to be admitted into heaven, and that now he perceived
himself to be qualified for that purpose ; it was given me to tell
him, that possibly this was a token that he would shortly be
admitted : at that instant the angels called to him to cast off
his raiment, which he did immediately with inconceivable quick
ness, from the vehemence of his desire ; whereby was represented
what is the nature of their desires, who are in the province to
which the seminal vessels correspond. I was informed that
such, when they are prepared for heaven, are stripped of their
own garments, and are clothed with new shining raiment, and
become angels. They are likened unto caterpillars, which
having passed through that vile state of their existence, are
changed into nymphs, and thus into butterflies, in which last
state they are gifted with new clothing, and also with wings of
various colours, as blue, yellow, silver, or golden ; at the same
time they have liberty to fly in the open air as in their heaven,
and to celebrate their marriages, and to lay their eggs, and thus
to provide for the propagation of their kind ; and then also sweet
and pleasant food is allotted them from the juices and odours of
various flowers.
80. Hitherto nothing has been said concerning the nature
and quality of the angels who are from the earth Jupiter; for
they who come to the men of their earth, and sit at the head,
(concerning whom see n. 73), are not angels in their interior
heaven, but are angelic spirits, or angels in their exterior hea
ven ; and inasmuch as the nature and quality of the former
angels have been made known to me, I shall here relate what
has been discovered on that subject. A certain spirit, belonging
to those of the earth Jupiter who inspire terror, approached to
my left side beneath the elbow, and thence spake to me, but his

42 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [80, 81-
speech was harsh, nor were his expressions very distinct, so that
I was obliged to wait some time before I could collect his mean
ing ; and whilst he was speaking, he injected somewhat of
terror, admonishing me hereby to give a kind reception to the
angels when they came : but it was given me to reply, that this
did not depend on myself, for that all were received by me ac
cording to what they were in themselves. Presently the angels
of that earth approached, and it was given to perceive from
their discourse that they differed altogether from the angels of
our earth ; for they did not discourse by verbal expressions, but
by ideas which diffused themselves through every part of my
interiors : and hence also they had an influx into the face, so
that the face concurred in every particular, beginning from the
lips, and proceeding towards the circumference in every direc
tion ; the ideas which were instead of verbal expressions, were
discrete, but in a small degree. Afterwards they discoursed
with me by ideas still less discrete, so that scarce anything of
interstice was perceivable: it appeared in my perception like the
meaning of verbal expressions with those who attend only to the
meaning abstracted from the expressions ; this discourse was
more intelligible to me than the former, and was also more full ;
it flowed, in like manner as the former, into the face ; but the
influx was more continuous according to the quality of the dis
course ; it did not, however, begin as the former, from the lips,
but from the eyes. Afterwards they discoursed in a manner
still more continuous and full ; and then the face could not
concur by a suitable motion, but the influx was made sensible
on the brain, which was acted upon in like manner. Lastly,
they discoursed so, that the discourse fell only on the interior
intellect ; its volubility was like that of an attenuated atmos
phere. I was made sensible of the influx, but not distinctly of
the particulars discoursed on. These several kinds of discourse
may be compared with different fluids, the first kind with fluent
water, the second with water more attenuated, the third with
the atmospherical air, and the fourth with attenuated air. The
spirit above-mentioned, who was on the left side, sometimes in
terrupted the discourse, admonishing me particularly to behave
modestly with his angels ; for there were attendant spirits from
our earth who suggested things which gave displeasure: he said,
that he did not understand at first what the angels discoursed
about, but that he did afterwards when he removed to my left
ear; then also his speech was not harsh as before, but like that
of other spirits.
81. I afterwards discoursed with the angels concerning
some extraordinary particulars on our earth, especially concern
ing the art of printing, concerning the Holy Word, and concern
ing the doctrinals of the Church derived from the Word ; and I
informed them, that the Word and the doctrinals of the Church

81  84.] OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 43
were printed and published, and were thus learnt ; they won
dered exceedingly that things of such a nature could be made
public by writing and printing.
82. It was given to see how the spirits of that earth, when
they are prepared, are taken up into heaven, and become angels ;
on such occasions there appear chariots and bright horses as of
fire, by which they are carried away in like manner as Elias :
the reason of this appearance of chariots and bright horses as of
fire, is, because thus it is represented that they are instructed
and prepared to enter heaven, inasmuch as chariots signify the
doctrinals of the Church, and bright horses signify an enlight
ened understanding.""5
83. The heaven, into which they are carried away, appears
on the right to their earth, consequently separate from the hea
ven of the angels of our earth. The angels who are in that
heaven, appear clothed in shining blue raiment spotted with
little stars of gold, and this by reason of their having loved
that colour in the world, and having believed also that it was
the very essential celestial colour, and especially because they
are principled in such good of love as that colour corresponds
to.ff 84. There appeared to me a bald head, but only the upper
part thereof, which was bony ; and I was told, that such an
appearance is seen by those who are to die within a year, and
that they instantly prepare themselves. The inhabitants of that
earth do not fear death, except on this account, that they leave
their conjugial partner, their children, or parents, for they know
that they shall live after death, and that in dying they do not
quit life, because they go to heaven ; wherefore they do not
call it dying, but being heaven-made. Such amongst them as
have lived in true conjugial love, and have taken such care
of their children as becomes parents, do not die of diseases, but
in tranquillity as in sleep ; and thus they emigrate from the
world to heaven. The age to which the inhabitants live, is, on
an average, about thirty years, estimated according to years on
our earth : it is by the providence of the Lord that they die at
so early an age, lest their numbers should increase beyond
what that earth is capable of supporting; and whereas, when
ee That chariots signify the doctrinals of the Church, n. 2760, 5321, 8215.
That horses signify the intellectual principle, n. 2760, 2761, 2762, 3217,5321,
6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8136, 8148, 8381. That the White Horse in the Apoca
lypse signifies the understanding of the Word, n. 2760. That by Elias in a re
presentative sense is meant tif\ Word, n. 2762, 5247. And whereas all doctrine
of the Church and the underselling thereof are from the Word, Elias is called
the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof, n. 2762. That on this account
he was taken up by a fiery chariot and fiery horses.
ff That blue originating in red or flame-CGlour, corresponds to the good of
celestial love ; and that blue grounded in white or lightish colour, corresponds
to the good of spiritual love, n. 9868.

44 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [84 87.
they have fulfilled those years, they do not suffer themselves to
be guided by spirits and angels, like those who are not so far
advanced in age, therefore spirits and angels seldom attend
them when arrived at their thirtieth year ; they come to matu
rity sooner than on our earth ; even in the first flower of youth
they connect themselves in marriage, and then it is their chief
delight to love the partner of such connexion, and to take care
of their children ; other delights they indeed call delights, but
respectively external.

OF THE EARTH OR PLANET MARS, ITS SPIRITS AND
INHABITANTS.
85. THE spirits of Mars are amongst the best of all spirits
who come from the earths of this solar system, being for the
most part celestial men, not unlike those who were of the most
ancient church on this earth.es When they are represented ac
cording to their true nature and quality, they are represented
with the face in heaven, and the body in the world of spirits ;
and such of them as are angels, are represented with the face
towards the Lord, and with the body in heaven.
86. The planet Mars appears in the idea of spirits and
angels, (like all the other planets,) in its place constantly, which
place is to the left in front, at some distance in the plane of the
breast, and thereby out of the sphere where the spirits of our
earth are. Spirits of one earth are separate from the spirits of
another earth, by reason that the spirits of each particular
earth have relation to some particular province in the Grand
Man;' and consequently they are each in other and different
states ; and it is owing to this diversity of state, that they ap
pear separate from each other, either to the right or to the left,
at a greater or lesser distance.hh
87. Spirits came thence to me, and applied themselves to
my left temple, where they breathed upon me with their dis
course, but I did not understand it ; as to its flow, it was soft
beyond what I had ever before perceived, being like the softest
breeze; it breathed first upon the left temple and upon the upper
gg That the first and most ancient Church on this earth was a celestial
Church, which is the chief of all, concerning which see n. 607, 895, 920, 1121,
1122, 1123, 1124, 2896, 4493, 8891, 9942, 10545. That a Church is called
celestial, wherein love to the Lord is the ruling principle, but spiritual, wherein
the ruling principle is charity and faith, n. 3691, 6435, 9468, 9680, 9683,
9780. ' ' '
hh That distances in another life are real appearances, which are presented
visible by the Lord, according to the states of the interiors of angels and spirits
... 5604, 9104, 9440, 10146. r '

87.] OF THE PLANET MARS. 45
part of the left ear ; and the breathing proceeded thence to the
left eye, and by degrees to the right, and flowed down after
wards, especially from the left eye, to the lips ; and when it was
at the lips, it entered through the mouth, and by a way within
the mouth, and thus through the eustachian tube into the brain ;
when the breathing arrived thither, then I understood their
speech, and it was given to discourse with them ; I observed,
whilst they were speaking with me, that my lips were put in
motion, and also my tongue in a slight degree, and this by
reason of the correspondence of interior speech with the exterior:
exterior speech is that of articulate sound conveyed to the ex
ternal membrane of the ear, and thence to the brain by means
of the small organs, membranes, and fibres, which are within
the ear. Hence it was given to know, that the speech of the
inhabitants of Mars was different from that of the inhabitants
of our earth, in that it was not sonoYous, but almost tacit, in
sinuating itself into the interior hearing and sight by a shorter
way ; and consequently, that it was more perfect, fuller of ideas,
and thereby approaching nearer to the speech of spirits and
angels. The essential affection also of the speech is represented
amongst them in the face, and the thought thereof in the eyes ;
for the thought and the speech, and likewise the affection and
the face, with them act in unity; they account it wicked to
think one thing and speak another, and to will or desire one
thing whilst the features of the face express the contrary ; they
are altogether unacquainted with hypocrisy, and likewise with
fraudulent pretence and deceit. That the same kind of speech
prevailed amongst the most ancient people on our earth, was
given me to know by conversation with some of them in another
life ; and for the further elucidation of this subject, I shall here
relate the following particulars, communicated to me on the
occasion ; " It was shewn me by an influx which I cannot de
scribe, what was the nature and quality of the speech which pre
vailed amongst the men of the most ancient Church ; that it was
not articulate, like the verbal speech of our time, but tacit, being
effected not by external respiration, but by internal, thus it was
speech cogitative ; it was also given to perceive the nature of
•their internal respiration, how it proceeded from the navel to
wards the heart, and thus through the lips without any thing of
sound whilst they were speaking ; and that it did not enter into
the ear of another by an external way, and beat on what is
called the drum of the ear, but by a certain internal way, and
by what is called at this day the tuba eustachiana. It was fur
ther shewn me, that by such speech they were enabled to express
more fully the purposes of the mind, and the ideas of the thought,
than can possibly be done by articulate sounds, or expressions
of the outward voice, which speech is in like manner directed
by respiration, but such as is external, for there is not a single

46 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [87, 88.
expression, nor any constituent of expression, which is not
directed by applications of the respiration ; this however was
effected with the Antediluvians more perfectly, as being directed
by internal respiration, which being of a more interior nature,
is also more perfect, and more applicable and conformable to the
ideas of thought : moreover they were enabled to express their
meaning by slight motions of the lips, and by corresponding
changes of the countenance ; for being celestial men, whatsoever
was the object of their thoughts shone forth from their faces
and their eyes, which underwent a conformable variation, the
face as to its form according to the life of the affection, and the
eyes as to light ; it was not possible for them on any account to
express with the countenance what they did not think in their
hearts ; and whereas their speech was effected by internal respi
ration, which is that of the spirit of man, therefore they were
enabled to hold consort and discourse with angels." The respi
ration of the spirits of Mars was also communicated to me," and
it was perceivable that their respiration proceeded from the
region of the thorax towards the navel, and thence flowed up
wards through the breast with an imperceptible breathing to
wards the mouth ; from which circumstances it was manifest to
me, as also from other experimental proofs, that they were of a
celestial genius, consequently not unlike those who were of the
most ancient Church on this earth.
88. I was instructed that the spirits of Mars, in the Grand
Man, have relation to the middle principle between the intel
lectual and the will-principle, consequently that theyNhave re
lation tO THOUGHT GROUNDED IN AFFECTION, and the best of
them to the affection of thought : hence it is that their
faces act in unity with their thoughts, nor can they in any case
play the hypocrite. And inasmuch as this is their relation in
the Grand Man, therefore the middle province, which is be
tween the cerebrum and the cerebellum, corresponds to them :
for where the cerebrum and the cerebellum are joined together
as to spiritual operations, with such persons the face acts in
unity with the thoughts, so that the very affection of thought
beams forth from the face, and the general principle of the
thought beams forth from the affection, which is discoverable-
also by certain signs from the eyes : wherefore whilst the spirits
of Mars were with me, I had a sensible perception of a drawing
back of the fore-part of the head towards the hind-part, conse
quently of the cerebrum towards the cerebellum.kk
» That spirits and angels have respiration, n. 3884, 3885, 3891, 3893.
kk That human faces on our earth in ancient times received influx from the
cerebellum, and that then faces acted in unity with men's interior affections •
but that afterwards they received influx from the cerebrum, when man began to
pretend to affections which were not his own, and to fashion his countenance
falsely according to such pretence ; concerning the changes hereby occasioned
in faces in process of time, see n. 4325 to 4328.

89, 90.] OF THE planet mars. 47
89. On a time whilst the spirits of Mars were with me, and
occupied the sphere of my mind, there came some spirits from
our earth, and desired also to infuse themselves into that sphere :
but instantly the spirits of our earth became as it were insane,
by reason of the utter disagreement between them and the
spirits of Mars; for the spirits of our earth, in the Grand Man,
have relation to external sense ; hence they were in idea turned
to the world and to self, whereas the spirits of Mars were in
idea turned from self to heaven and their neighbour; hence came
the contrariety ; but at that instant there approached some an
gelic spirits of Mars, and at their approach the communication
was closed, and thus the spirits of our earth retired.
90. The angelic spirits discoursed with me concerning the
life of the inhabitants on their earth, informing me, that they
are not under any forms of government, but that they live ar
ranged into greater and lesser societies, and that they are asso
ciated with each other according to their agreement in mind,
which agreement they discover instantly by the face and speech,
being seldom deceived in their judgment herein, and that then
they are instantly united in friendship. They informed me
further, that their consociations are delightful, and that they
discourse with each other about what passes in their societies,
and especially about what passes in heaven, for several of them
have manifest communication with the angels of heaven. Such
amongst them as begin to think perversely in their societies,
and thereby to incline to evil, are dissociated, and left to them
selves alone, in consequence whereof they lead a most wretched
life out of all society, in dens or other places, being no longer
regarded by the rest. Certain societies endeavour to compel
such persons to repentance by various methods, but if they can
not succeed herein, they separate themselves from all connexion
with them. Thus they are careful to provide against the conta
gion of the lust of dominion and the lust of gain, that is,
against any persons, under the influence of the lust of domi
nion, subjecting to themselves any society, and by degrees
several societies ; and against any, under the influence of the
lust of gain, depriving others of their possessions : every one
on that earth lives content with his own property, and every
one with his own share of honour, accounting it enough to be
reputed upright and a lover of his neighbour; this delightful
and tranquil principle of mind would perish, unless such as
incline to evil thoughts and dispositions were banished from
the rest, and unless a prudent but severe check was given to
the first incroachments of self-love and the love of the world ;
for it was owing to these loves that empires and kingdoms were
first established, under which establishments there are few but
what desire to have dominion, and to possess the property of

48 on the earths in the universe. [90 — 92.
others, there being few who do what is just and right out of a
real love thereto, and still fewer who do good from a real prin
ciple of charity, being rather influenced by other motives, such
as the fear of the law, and a regard to gain, honour, reputation
and the like.
91. In reo-ard to divine worship as practised by the inha
bitants of that earth, they informed me, that they acknowledge
and adore our Lord, saying, that He is the only God, and that
He governs both heaven and the universe; and that every good
thing is from Him, and that He leads and directs them ; also
that He often appears amongst them on their earth : it was then
given me to tell them, that Christians also on our earth know
that the Lord governs heaven and earth, agreeably to His own
words in Matthew, " All power is given to Me in heaven and in
earth, xxviii. 18; but that they do not believe it like the inha
bitants of the earth Mars. They acquainted me further, that
on their earth the inhabitants believe, that with themselves
there is nothing but what is filthy and infernal, and that all
good is of the Lord ; yea, they added further, that of themselves
they are devils, and that the Lord draws them out of hell, and
continually keeps them from falling into it again. On a certain
occasion, when the name of the Lord was mentioned, I observed
that those spirits humbled themselves in such inward and pro
found abasement as no words can describe ; for in their humili
ation it was suggested to them, that of themselves they were
in hell, and that thus they were altogether unworthy to look to
the Lord, Who is essential Holiness ; and so deeply was this
suggestion implanted in them, being grounded in a true faith,
that they were in a measure out of themselves, and remained in
that state on their knees, until the Lord elevated them, and at
the same time, as it were, drew them out of hell ; when they
emerge thus from humiliation, they are full of goodness and
love, and thereby replenished with joy of heart. During their
abasement they do not turn their faces to the Lord, for this
they dare not do, but turn them in a contrary direction. The
spirits who were about me said, that they never before were
witnesses to such humiliation.
92. It was a matter of surprise to some spirits who were
from that earth, that there were about me so many spirits from
hell, and that they also discoursed with me ; but it was given
to reply, that this was permitted them to the intent that I might
know their natures and qualities, and why they were in hell,
and that their infernal state was in consequence of and accord
ing to their evil lives : it was given further to declare, that there
were several amongst them, whom I had been acquainted with
during their abode in the world, and that some of them had
lived in high stations of dignity and pre-eminence, at which

92 — 94.] of the planet mars. 49
time the world alone had possession of their hearts ; but it was
not in the power of any evil spirit, even the most infernal, to
hurt me, being continually under the Lord's protection.
93. There was presented before me an inhabitant of that
earth ; he was not indeed an inhabitant, but like one ; his face
resembled the faces of the inhabitants of our earth, but the
lower region of the face was black, not owing to his beard, for
he had none, but to blackness instead of a beard : this black
ness extended itself underneath the ears on both sides ; the
upper part of the face was yellowish, like the faces of the inha
bitants of our earth who are not perfectly fair. They said more
over, that on that earth they feed on the fruits of trees, espe
cially on a kind of round fruit, which buds forth from the
ground ; and likewise on pulse ; and that they are clothed with
garments wrought from the fibrous bark of certain trees, which
has such a consistence that it may be woven, and also stiffened
by a kind of gum which they have amongst them. They re
lated further, that they are acquainted with the art of making
fluid fires, whereby they have light during evening and night.
94. I observed on a time a sort of flaming principle most
beautiful ; it was of various colours, as purple, and also a
palish red, and the colours likewise sparkled beautifully by rea
son of the flame : I saw also a kind of hand to which that
flaming principle adhered, at first on the back part, afterwards
on the palm, and thence it played round the hand on all sides :
this continued for some time : presently the hand with the
flaming principle was removed at a distance, and where it rested
there was a bright lucid appearance ; in that bright lucid ap
pearance the hand retired from view, and instantly the flaming
principle was changed into a bird, which at first was of like
colours with the flaming principle, the colours sparkling in like
manner, but they successively changed, and as the colours
changed, the vigour of life in the bird changed also : it flew all
around, and at first about my head, afterwards in a direction in
front into a kind of a narrow chamber, which appeared like some
consecrated place, and as it flew more in a front direction its life'
in proportion departed, till at length it was changed into a
stone, at first of the colour of a pearl, but afterwards of an ob
scure colour ; but notwithstanding its being without life, it still
continued flying. During the flight of this bird around my
head, and whilst it was still in the vigour of life, there appeared
a spirit from beneath rising through the region of the loins to
the region of the breast, who thence desired to take away the
bird ; but inasmuch as it was so beautiful, he was prevented
by the spirits around me, who all kept their eyes fixed atten
tively upon it : but the spirit who rose from below, powerfully
persuaded them that the Lord was with him, and consequently

50 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [94, 95.
that what he did was from the Lord ; although most of them did
not believe this, still they no longer hindered him from taking
away the bird : he was not able, however, to retain it, by reason of
an influx from heaven at that instant, and therefore presently
let it fly out of his hand at perfect liberty. When this had
passed, the spirits around me, who had been exceedingly attentive
to the bird and its successive changes, began to discourse with
each other concerning it, and continued their discourse for a
considerable time : they had a perception that such appearance
must needs signify somewhat celestial ; they knew that a flam
ing principle signifies celestial love and its affections ; that hand
to which the flaming principle adhered, signifies fife and its
power; that changes of colour signify the varieties of life as to
wisdom and intelligence ; that bird has also a similar significa
tion, but with this difference,' that a flaming principle signifies
celestial love and the things appertaining to that love, whereas
bird signifies spiritual love and the things appertaining to that
love ; (celestial love is love to the Lord, and spiritual love is
charity towards our neighbour^;) and that the changes of co
lours and at the same time of life in the bird, till at length it
became a bird of stone, signify the successive changes of spiri
tual life as to intelligence : they knew further that the spirits,
who ascend from beneath, through the region of the loins to the
region of the breast, are in a principle of strong persuasion that
they are in the Lord, and hence believe that whatever they do,
howsoever evil it may be, is done by them agreeably to the
Lord's Will. But though they knew all this, yet they could
not hence know who were meant by this appearance : at length
they were instructed from heaven, that the inhabitants of Mars
were meant ; that their celestial love, wherein as yet several are
principled, was signified by the flaming principle which adhered
to the hand ; and that the bird iii the beginning, whilst it
was in the beauty of its colours and in the vigour of its life,
signified their spiritual love ; but that by the bird's becoming
as it were a bird of stone and void of life, and at length of
an obscure colour, were signified such of the inhabitants
as had removed themselves from the good of love, and were
in evil, and yet still believe that they are in the Lord ; the like
was signified by the spirit, who rose up and was desirous to
take away the bird.
95. By a bird of stone were also represented the inhabitants
of that earth, who after a strange manner transmute the life of
their thoughts and affections into almost no life, concerning
which circumstance I received the following information. There
was a certain spirit above my head, who discoursed with me,
and from the sound of his voice it seemed as if he was in a state
of sleep : in this state he spake many things, and all with a pru-

95.] OF THE PLANET MARS. 51
dence equal to that of a person awake ; it was given to perceive
that he was a subject by which the angels spake, and he in that
state perceived and produced what was said by them" ; for he
spake nothing but what was true ; if anything flowed in from
another source, he admitted it indeed, but did not bring it forth. I
questioned him concerning his state ; he said, that that state was
to him a peaceable state ; and that it was free from all solicitude
respecting the future ; and that at the same time he was fruitful
in producing uses, whereby he had communication with heaven.
I was told that such, in the Grand Man, have relation to the
longitudinal sinus, which lies in the brain between the two he
mispheres thereof, and is there in a quiet state, howsoever the
brain be disturbed on each side. During my conversation with
this spirit, some spirits introduced themselves towards the fore
part of the head where he was, and pressed upon him, wherefore
he retired to one side, and gave them place. The stranger
spirits discoursed with each other, but their discourse was unin
telligible both to myself and to the spirits about me : I was in
structed by the angels, that they were spirits from the earth
Mars, who had the art of discoursing with each other in such a
manner, that the spirits present could neither understand or per
ceive what they said : I wondered how such discourse could
possibly be contrived, because all spirits have one speech, which
flows from the thinking principle, and consists of ideas, which
are heard as expressions in the spiritual world : but I was in
formed, that those spirits by a certain method form ideas ex
pressed by the lips and the countenance, unintelligible to others,
and that in the same instant they artfully withdraw the thoughts,
being particularly cautious lest anything of affection should
manifest itself, because in such case the thought would appear,
inasmuch as thought flows from affection, and is as it were in it.
I was further instructed, that the inhabitants of the earth Mars,
who make heavenly life to consist in knowledges alone, and not
in a life of love, contrived such speech, but not all ; and that
the contrivers thereof, when they become spirits, retain the same
kind of speech. These are they, who were particularly signified
by the bird of stone ; for to form a speech by modifications of
the countenance and foldings of the lips, with a removal of the
affections, and a withdrawing of the thoughts from others, is to
deprive speech of its life and soul, and to make it like a dead
image, and by degrees to do the like also to themselves. But
although they suppose that their discourse is not understood
by others, yet angelic spirits have a perception of all and singu
lar the things which they discourse about; the reason is, be
cause it is not possible for any thought to be withdrawn from
U That communications are effected by means of spirits sent forth from so
cieties of spirits and angels to other societies, and that those emissary spirits
are called subjects, n. 4403, 5856, 5983, 5985 to 5989.
D2

52 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [95, 96'
angelic spirits. This was also proved to them ,by living evidence.
I was thinking concerning this circumstance, that the wicked
spirits of our earth are not affected with shame when they infest
others ; this thought entered into me by influx from some an
gelic spirits who had a perception of their discourse; those
spirits of Mars instantly acknowledged that that was the sub
ject of their discourse, and they were much surprised : moreover
several things, which they both spake and thought, were disco
vered by an angelic spirit, notwithstanding all their endeavours
to withdraw their thoughts from him. Afterwards those spirits
entered by influx from above into my face ; the influx felt like
small striated rain, which was a sign that they were not in the
affection of truth and of good, for this is represented by what is
is striated (striatum): they then spake plainly with me, saying,
that the. inhabitants of their earth discourse in like manner with
each other. They were then told that this is evil, because
hereby they obstruct the influence of things internal, and recede
from them to things external, which external things also they de
prive of their proper life ; and particularly, because to speak in
such a manner is not sincere : for they who are sincere, are
never disposed to speak or even to think anything but what
others may know, not caring if the whole world, yea if the whole
heaven, was acquainted with their words and thoughts; but
they who are otherwise disposed, judge and think evil of others,
and well of themselves, and at length are betrayed through
habit to think and speak evil of the Church, of heaven, yea, and
of the Lord Himself. I have been informed, that they who love
knowledges, and not so much a life according to knowledges, in
the Grand Man, have relation to the interior membrane of the
skull ; but that they who accustom themselves to speak without
affection, and to draw the thought to themselves and withdraw
it from others, have relation to that membrane when become
bony, because from having some spiritual life, they come at
length to have none.
96. Inasmuch as by a bird of stone are also represented
those who are principled in knowledges alone, and in no life of
love, and inasmuch as hence they have no spiritual life, there
fore, by way of appendix, we shall take this opportunity of
shewing, that they alone have spiritual life who are principled
in celestial love, and thence in knowledges ; and that each kind
of love contains in itself every principle of knowledges apper
taining thereto. This may be exemplified by the case of all
living creatures, whether they be the inhabitants of earth or of
air ; each is in possession of the science of all things appertain
ing to its particular love, which love has respect to nourish
ment, a safe habitation, the propagation of their kind, the care
of their young, and with some to providing for themselves during
winter ; wherefore each is in possession of all science that is

96 — 98.] OF THE PLANET SATURN. 53
requisite,, such science being implanted in its love, and flowing
into each animal as into its proper receptacle, and in some cases
being of such an extraordinary nature, that man cannot but be
amazed at it; with the animals, however, science is connate,
and is called instinct; nevertheless it appertains to the natural
love in which they are principled : and if man was principled in
his proper love, which is love to God and towards his neighbour,
(this is man's proper love, as distinguishing him from the beasts,
being heavenly love) then man would not only be principled in
all requisite science, but likewise in all intelligence and wisdom,
for intelligence and wisdom would flow from heaven into those
two kinds of love, that is, through heaven from the Divine
[principle or being.] But inasmuch as man is not born to those
two kinds of love, but to their contraries, viz. to self-love and
the love of the world, therefore he must needs be born in all
ignorance, and want of knowledge ; nevertheless by divine
means he is brought to somewhat of intelligence and wisdom,
but still not actually so, unless the love of self and of the world
be removed, and thus a way be opened for love to God and to
wards his neighbour. That love to God and neighbourly love
contain in them all intelligence and wisdom, may appear from
the case of those in another life, who, during their abode in-this
world, have been principled in such love; when these after death
are admitted into heaven, they there come into such knowledge
and wisdom as they before had no conception of; yea, they think
and speak there, like the rest of the angels, such things as ear
has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man to
conceive, which are ineffable ; the reason is, because those two
kinds of love have the faculty of receiving in themselves such
things.

OF THE EARTH OR PLANET SATURN, ITS SPIRITS AND
INHABITANTS.
97. THE spirits from the earth Saturn appear in front at a
considerable distance, beneath in the plane of the knees, where
the earth itself is ; and when the eye is opened to see thither, a
multitude of spirits come into view who are all from that earth ¦
they are seen on this part of that earth, and to the right of it!
It was given also to discourse with them, and thereby to dis
cover their natures and qualities in respect to others ; they are
upright, and they are modest; and inasmuch as they esteem
themselves little, therefore they also appear little in another life.
98. In acts of divine worship they are exceedingly humble
for on such occasions they account themselves as nothing!
They worship our Lord, and acknowledge Him as the only God:

54 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [98  102.
the Lord also appears to them at times under an Angelic Form,
and thereby as a Man, and at such times the Divine [nature or
principle] beams forth from the face and affects the mind. The
inhabitants also, when they arrive at a certain age, discourse
with spirits, by whom they are instructed concerning the Lord,
how He ought to be worshiped, and likewise how they ought to
live. When any attempt is made to seduce the spirits who come
from the earth Saturn, and to withdraw them from faith in the
Lord, or from humiliation towards Him, and from uprightness
of life, they say that they would rather die ; on such occasions
there appear in their hands little knives, with which they seem
desirous to strike their bosonls ; on being questioned why they
do so, they say, that they would rather die than be drawn aside
from the Lord ; the spirits of our earth sometimes deride them
on this account, and infest mem with reproaches ; but their
reply is, that they are well aware they do not kill themselves,
and that this is only an appearance flowing from their will-prin
ciple, inclining them rather to die than to be withdrawn from
the worship of the Lord.
99. They said, that sometimes spirits from our earth come
to them, and ask them what God they worship ; and that the
answer they give them is, that they are out of their senses, and
that there cannot be a greater proof of insanity than to ask.
what God any one worships, when there is but one only God
for all in the universe to worship ; and that they are still more
beside themselves in this, that they do not acknowledge the
Lord to be that one only God, and that He rules the universal
heaven, and thereby the universal world ; for Whosoever rules
heaven rules also the world, inasmuch as the world is ruled by
and through heaven.
100. They said, that on their earth there are also some who
call the nocturnal light, which is great, the Lord, but that they
are separated from the rest, and are not tolerated by them.
That nocturnal light comes from the great belt, which at a dis
tance encompasses that earth, and from the moons which are
called Saturn's satellites.
101. They related further, that another kind of spirits, who
go in companies, frequently come to them, desiring to know all
particulars relative to their circumstances, and that by various
methods they extract from them whatever they know ; they ob
served concerning these spirits, that they were not beside them
selves, only in this, that they desire to know so much for no
other intent than to possess knowledge. They were afterwards
instructed, that these spirits were from the planet Mercury, or
the earth nearest the sun, and that they are delighted with know
ledges alone, and not so much with the uses thence derived.
102. The inhabitants and spirits of the planet Saturn have
relation, in the Grand Man, to the middle sense between

102.] OF THE PLANET SATURN. 55
the spiritual and the natural man, but to that which re
cedes from the natural and accedes to the spiritual : hence it is
that those spirits appear to be carried or snatched away into
heaven, and presently to be let back again ; for whatever apper
tains to spiritual sense is in heaven, but whatever appertains to
natural sense is beneath heaven. Inasmuch as the spirits of
our earth, in the Grand Man, have relation to natural and cor
poreal sense, it was given to know by manifest experience how
the spiritual man and the natural , fight and strive with each
other, when the latter is not principled in faith and charity.
The spirits of the earth Saturn came from afar into view, and
instantly there was opened a living communication between
them and such spirits of our earth as were not principled in
faith and charity; the latter, on thus perceiving the former,
became like persons insane, and began to infest them, by in
fusing unworthy suggestions concerning faith, and also con
cerning the Lord ; and whilst they were busied in these invec
tives and abuses, they also cast themselves into the midst of
them, and in the spirit of insanity by which they were possessed,
endeavoured to do them mischief; but the spirits of Saturn
were not at all afraid, because they were secure and in tran
quillity; whereas the spirits of our earth, when they were in the
midst of them, began to be tortured, and to respire with diffi
culty, and in consequence thereof made their escape with all
precipitation, one this way and another that, till they all dis
appeared. The spirits who were present perceived from this cir
cumstance, what is the nature and quality of the natural man
when separate from the spiritual, and when he comes into a spi
ritual sphere, viz. that he is insane ; for the natural man separate
from the spiritual is wise only with a wisdom that originates in
the world, and not with the wisdom that is from heaven ; and
he who is wise only with the wisdom that originates in the
world, believes nothing but what he can apprehend with his
senses, and the things which he believes are grounded in the
fallacies of the senses, which, unless they are removed by an
influx from the spiritual world, produce false principles' and per
suasions : hence it is that spiritual things are things of nought
to such persons, insomuch that they can scarce bear to hear
mention made of any thing spiritual ; wherefore they become
insane when they are kept in a spiritual sphere ; it is otherwise
during their abode in the world, where they either think natu
rally concerning spiritual things, or avert their ears that they
,"nay not hear them, that is they hear and do not attend. It
; -as also, manifest from this experimental evidence, that the na
tural man cannot introduce itself into the spiritual, that is,
ascend ; but when man is principled in faith, and thereby in
spiritual life, in this case the spiritual man flows into the na
tural, and thinks therein ; for there is given a spiritual influx,

56 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [102 106.
that is, an influx from the spiritual world into the natural, but
not the reverse, or from the natural into the spiritual.1""1
103. I was further informed by the spirits of that earth re
specting the consociations of the inhabitants, with several other
particulars. They said, that they live divided into families,
every family apart by itself; each family consisting of a man
and his wife with their children ; and that the children, when
they enter the married state, are separated from the house, and
have no further care about it ; wherefore the spirits from that
earth appear two and two : that they are little solicitous about
food and raiment ; that they feed on the fruits and pulse which
their earth produces, and that they are clothed slightly, being
encompassed with a coarse skin or coat, which repels the cold:
moreover, that all on that earth know that they shall live after
death ; and that on this account also they make light of their
bodies, only so far as regards that life, which they say is to re
main and serve the Lord ; it is for this reason likewise they do
not bury the bodies of the dead, but cast them forth, and cover
them with branches of forest trees.
104. Being questioned concerning that great belt, which ap
pears from our earth to rise above the horizon of that planet,
and to vary its situations, they said, that it does not appear to
them as a belt, but only as somewhat whitish like snow in the
heaven in various directions.

OF THE EARTH OR PLANET VENUS, ITS SPIRITS AND
INHABITANTS..
105. THE planet Venus, in the idea of spirits and angels,
appears to the left a little backwards, at some distance from our
earth : it is said, " in the idea of spirits," because neither the
sun of this world, nor any planet, appears to any spirit, but
spirits have only an idea that they exist ; it is in consequence
of such idea that the sun of this world is presented behind as
somewhat darkish, and the planets not moveable as in the
world, but remaining constantly in their several places, see
above, n. 42.
1 06. In the planet Venus there are two kinds of men, of
tempers and dispositions opposite to each other ; the first mild
and humane,' the second savage and almost brutal ; they who
are mild and humane appear on the further side of the earth,
they who are savage and almost brutal appear on the side
mm That influx is spiritual, and not physical or natural, consequently that
influx is from the spiritual world into the natural, and not from the natural into
the spiritual, ... 3214, 5119, 5259, 5427, 5428, 5477, 6322. That it appears as
if influx is from externals into man's internals, but this is a fallacy, n. 3721.

106 — 110.] OF THE PLANET VBNUS. 57
looking this way. But it is to be observed, that they appear
thus according to the states of their 3Sfe, for in the spiritual
world the state of life determines evesy appearance of space
and of distance.
107. Some of those who appear on the further side of the
planet, and who are mild and humane, came to me, and were
presented visibly above my head, and discoursed with me on
various subjects ; amongst other particulars they said, that
during their abode in the world, and more so since they were *
become spirits, they acknowledged our Lord as their only God;
they added, that on their earth they had seen Him, and they repre
sented also how they had seen Him. These spirits in the Grand
Man have relation to the memory of things material,8
AGREEING WITH THE MEMORY OF THINGS IMMATERIAL, to which
the spirits of Mercury have relation : wherefore the spirits of
Mercury have the fullest agreement with these spirits of Venus,
and on this account, when they were together, a remarkabla
change, and a powerful operation in my brain, was perceivable
from their influx, see above, n. 43.
108. I did not however discourse with those spirits who are
on the side that looks this way, and who are savage and almost
brutal, but I was informed by the angels concerning their na©
ture and quality, and whence it comes that they are so brutal ;
the cause is this, that they are exceedingly delighted witj,
rapine, and more especially with eating their booty : the de
light thence arising, when they think about eating their booty,
was communicated to me, and was perceived to be most ex
traordinary. That on this earth there have been inhabitants
of a like brutal nature, appears from the. histories of various
nations ; also from the inhabitants of the land of Canaali,
1 Sam. xxx. 16; and likewise from the Jewish and Israelitish
nation, even in the time of David, in} that they made yearly
excursions, and plundered the Gentiles,, and rejoiced in feasting
on the spoils. I was informed further, that those inhabitants
are for the most part giants, and that the men of our earth
reach only to their navels : also that they are stupid, making
no enquiries concerning heaven or eternal life, but immersed
solely in earthly cares, and the care of their cattle.
109. In consequence of this their nature and quality, when
they come into another life, they are exceedingly infested there
by evils and false persuasions. The hells, which appertain tp
them, appear near their earth, and have no communication with
the hells of the wicked of our earth, by reason of their different
tempers and dispositions ; hence also their evils and false per
suasions are totally of a different sort*
1 1,0. Such, however, amongst them, as are in the capacity of
being saved, are in places of vastation, and are there reduced to
the last state of desperation; for there is no other method

J58 ON THE E.MRTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [110,111.

»

whereby evils and false persuasions of that kind can be subdued
and removed : when theyiare in a state of desperation, they cry
out that they are beasts^hat they are abominations, that they
'are hatreds, and that thereby they are damned : some of them,
when they are in this state exclaim even against heaven, but as
this proceeds from desperation, it is forgiven them ; the Lord
moderates on these occasions, and restrains within proper limits
their harsh and bitter ; expressions. These, when they have
'passed through extreme suffering, are finally saved, inasmuch as
:the corporeal principles are hereby brought to a kind of death.
It was further declared (Concerning these spirits, that during
their life on their earth, they believed in some great Creator
.without a Mediator, but when they are saved, they are also in
structed that the Lord Alone is God, the Saviour and Mediator.
I have seen some of them, after they have passed through ex
treme suffering, taken up into heaven, and when they were re
ceived there, I have been made sensible of such a tenderness of
jpy from them, as drew tears from my eyes.

t

OF THE SPIRITS AND INHABITANTS OF THE MOON.
111. CERTAIN spirits appeared over my head, and thence
were heard voices like thunder, for the thunder of their voices
exactly resembled the sound of thunder from the clouds after
lightning : I at first conjectured that it was owing to a great
multitude of spirits, who had the art of uttering voices attended
with so loud a noise. Tdie more simple spirits, who were with
me, smiled on the occasion, at which I was much surprised ;
but the cause of their smiling was presently discovered to be
this, that the spirits wno thundered were not many, but few,
and were also as little as-children; and that on former occasions
they had terrified them by such noises, and yet were unable to
do -them any hurt. In Order that I might know their nature
and quality, some of them descended from on high where they
weje thundering, and what surprised me, one carried another on
his;iback, and thus two o/ them approached me : their faces ap
peared not unhandsome, but longer than the faces of other
spirits; in regard to suture, they appeared like children of,
seven years old, but more robust ; thus they were dwarfs (ho-
munciones). It was told>me by the angels, that they were from
the -Moon. He who was carried on the other's "back, on com
ing to me, applied himself to my left side under the,eli)ow, and
therice discoursed with me, saying, that whenever tbey„ utter
their" voices, they thus rhunder ; and that thereby they terrify
the sjpirits who are inclined to do them mischief, ajid put some

Ill — 114.J OF THE MOON. 59
to flight, ^.nd that thus they go with security whithersoever they
are disposed. To convince me that the noise they make was of
such a sort, he retired from me to some other spirits, but not en
tirely out of sight, and thundered in like manner. They shewed
moreover, that the voice being uttered from the abdomen, like
an eructation, made this thundering sound. It was perceived
that this was owing to this particular circumstance, that the in
habitants of the Moon do not speak from the lungs, like the in
habitants of other earths, but from the abdomen, and thus from
a certain quantity of air there collected, by reason tha# the
Moon is not encompassed with an atmosphere like that of other
earths. I was instructed, that the spirits of the Moon, intthe
Grand Man, have relation to the ensiform cartilage or xiphoidgs,
to which the ribs in front are joined, and from which descends
the fascia alba, which is the fulerum of the abdominal muscles.
112. That there are inhabitants in the moon, is well known
to spirits and angels, and in like manner that there are inhabi
tants in the moons or satellites which revolve about Jupiter and
Saturn. They who have not seen and discoursed with spirits
coming from those moons, still entertain no doubt but there are
men inhabiting them, because they are earths alike with the
planets, and wherever an earth is, there are men inhabitants ; for
man is the end for which every earth was created, and nothing
was made by the Great Creator without an end : that the hu
man race, as constituent of heaven, is the end of creation, may
appear to every one who thinks from a rational principle at all
enlightened.

THE REASONS WHY THE LORD WAS WILLING TO BE BORN ON
OUR EARTH, AND NOT ON ANOTHER.
113. THERE are several reasons, concerning which I had
information from heaven, why it pleased the Lord to be born,
and to assume a humanity, on our earth, and not on another.
The principal reason was because of the Word, in that it
might be written on our earth ; and when written be afterwards
published throughout the whole earth ; and when once published be
preserved to all posterity ; and that thus it might be made mani
fest, even to all in another life, that God was made man.
114. That the principal reason was because of the Word, is
in consequence of the Word being essential Divine Truth,
which teaches man that there is a God, that there is a heaven
and a hell, and that there is a life after death; and teaches more
over how man ought to live and believe, in order to his admis
sion into heaven, and thereby to eternal happiness. All these

60 on the earths in the universe. [114 — 119.
things would have been altogether unknown without a revelation,
consequently on this earth without the Word, and yet man is so
created, that as to his interiors he cannot die.nn
115. That the Word might be written on our earth, is in con-
' sequence of the art of writing having existed here from the most
ancient time, first on the rind or bark of trees, next on skins or
parchment, afterwards on paper, and lastly by types as in print
ing. This was provided of the Lord for the sake of the Word.
116. That the Word might afterwards be published throughout
the whole earth, is in consequence of the communication opened
here amongst all nations, both by land and water, to all parts
of the globe ; hence the Word once written might be conveyed
from one nation to another, and be taught in all places.
117. That the Word once written might be preserved to all
posterity, consequently for thousands and thousands of years ;
and that it has been so preserved, is well known.
118. That thus it might be made manifest that God was made
man ; for it was with a view to this chief and most essential
object that the Word was revealed, inasmuch as no one can
believe in a God, and love a God, Whom he cannot comprehend
under some Appearance ; wherefore they who acknowledge an
invisible and thus incomprehensible principle, in thought sink
into nature, and consequently believe in no God : wherefore it
pleased the Lord to be born on this earth, and to make this
manifest by the Word, that it might not only be known on this
globe, but that also it might be made manifest thereby to spirits
and angels even from other earths, and likewise to the Gentiles
from our own earth.00
119. It is to be observed, that the Word on our earth given
through heaven from the Lord, is the union of heaven and the
world ; for which end there is a correspondence of all things
contained in the letter of the Word with divine things in heaven ;
and the Word in its supreme and inmost sense treats of the
Lord, of His kingdom in the heavens and the earths, and of
love and faith from Him and in Him, consequently of life from
Him and in Him ; such things are presented to the angels in
heaven, when the Word of our earth is read and preached.PP
m Tliat by mere natural light nothing can be known concerning the Lord,
concerning heaven and hell, concerning the life of man after death, and con
cerning Divine Truths, by which man has spiritual and eternal life, n. 8944,
10318, 10319, 10320. That this may appear from this consideration, that several,
and amongst them the learned, do not believe those things, although they are
born where the Word is, and where there is instruction by the Word concerning
those things, n. 10319. That therefore it was necessary there should be a reve
lation from heaven, because man was born for heaven, n. 1775.
oo That the Gentiles in another life are instructed by angels, and that they
who have lived good lives according to their religious principles, receive the
truths of faith, and acknowledge the Lord, n. 2049, 2595, 2598, 2600, 2601,
2603, 2661, 2863, 3263.
PP That the Word is understood by the angels in the heavens afler a dif-

120 — 122. why the lord was born on our earth. 61
120. In every other earth Divine Truth is manifested by
word of mouth by spirits and angels, as was said abofll in
speaking of the inhabitants of the earths in this solar system,
but this manifestation is confined to families ; for mankind in
most earths live distinct according to families ; wherefore Divine
Truth thus revealed by spirits and angels is not conveyed far be
yond the limits of families, and unless a new revelation con
stantly succeeds, truth is either perverted or perishes : it is
otherwise on our earth, where Divine Truth, which is the Word,
remains for ever in its integrity.
121. It is to be observed, that the Lord acknowledges and
receives all, of whatsoever earth they be, who acknowledge and
worship God under a Human Form, inasmuch as God under a
Human Form is the Lord : and whereas the Lord appears to the
inhabitants in the earths in an Angelic Form, which is a Human
Form, therefore when the spirits and angels from those earths
are informed by the spirits and angels of our earth that God is
actually Man, they receive that Word, acknowledge it, and re
joice that it is so.
122. To the reasons above adduced, may be added, that the
inhabitants and spirits of our earth, in the Grand Man, have
relation to natural and external sense, which sense is the ultimate
wherein the interiors of life close, and rest as in their common
basis ; the case is similar in regard to Divine Truth in the letter,
which is called the Word, and which for this reason also was
given on this earth, and not on any other :ii and whereas the
Lord is the Word, and is the First and the Last thereof, there
fore, that all things might exist according to order, He was will
ing to be born on this earth, and be made the Word, according
to what is written in John, " In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and God was the Word ; this was
in the beginning with God : all things were made by Him, and
without Him was not any thing made which was made : and the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father. No one
hath seen God at any time ; the Only-begotten Son, Who is in
the bosom of the Father, He hath exposed Him to view." i. 1
ferent manner from what it is understood by men on tlje earths, and that the in
ternal or spiritual sense is for the angels, but the external or natural sense for
men, n. 1769 to 1772, 1887, 2143, 2333, 2396, 2540, 2541, 2545, 2551. That the
Word is conjunctive of heaven and earth, n. 2310, 2495, 9212, 9216 9357 10357.
That the Word therefore was written by mere correspondences n 1404 1408
1409, 1540, 1619, 1659, 1709, 1783, 8615, 10687. That in the inmost sense of
the Word, the Lord alone and His kingdom are treated of, n. 1873 2249 2523
7014,9357. ' ' '
qi That the Word in the sense of the letter is natural, n. 8783. By reason
that what is natural is the ultimate, wherein spiritual and celestial things close
and on which they subsist as on their foundation, and that otherwise the inter
nal or spiritual sense of the Word would be as a house without a foundation
n. 9430, 9433, 9824, 10044, 10436. '

62 on the earths in the universe. [122 — 124.
2,.3|t4, 14, 18. The Word is the Lord as to Divine Truth, con-
sequpitly Divine Truth from the Lord." But this is an arcanum
which will be intelligible only to very few.

OF THE EARTHS IN THE STARRY HEAVEN.
123. THEY who are in heaven can discourse and converse
with angels and spirits, who are not only from the earths in this
solar system, but also from other earths in the universe out of
this system ; and not only with the spirits and angels there, but
also with the inhabitants themselves, only however with those
whose interiors are open, so that they can hear such as speak
from heaven : the same is the case with man, during his abode
in the world, to whom it has been given of the Lord to discourse
with spirits and angels ; for man is a spirit as to his interiors,
the body which he carries about in the world only serving him
for performing functions in this natural or terrestrial sphere,
which is the ultimate of all spheres. But it is given to no one
to discourse as a spirit with angels and spirits, unless he be such
that he can consociate with angels as to faith and love ; nor can
he so consociate, unless he have faith and love to the Lord, for
man is joined to the Lord by faith and love to Him, that is by
truths of doctrine and good principles of life derived from Him ;
and when he is joined to the Lord, he is secure from the assaults
of evil spirits from hell : with others the interiors cannot be
so far opened, since they are not in the Lord. This is the reason
why there are few at this day, to whom it is given to speak and
converse with angels ; a manifest proof whereof is, that the
existence of spirits and angels is scarcely believed at this day,
much less that they are attendant on every man, and that by
them man has connexion with heaven, and by heaven with the
Lord ; still less is it believed, that man, when he dies as to the
body, lives a spirit, even in a human form as before.
124. Inasmuch as there are many at this day in the Church
who have no faith concerning a life after death, and scarce any
concerning heaven, or concerning the Lord as being the God
of heaven and earth, therefore the interiors appertaining to my
spirit are open by the Lord, so that I am enabled, during my
abode in the body, to have commerce with the angels in heaven,
and not only to discourse with them, but also to see the aston
ishing things of their kingdom, and to describe the same, in
order to check from henceforth the cavils of those who urge,
rr That the Word is the Lord as to Divine Truth, consequently Divine
Truth from the Lord, n. 2859, 4692, 5075, 9987. That by Divine Truth all
things were created and made, n. 2803, 2884, 5272, 7835.

124 — 126.] of the earths in the starry heaven. 63
" Did ever any one come from heaven and assure us that such a
place exists, and acquaint us with what is doing there?" Never- j
theless I am aware, that they who in heart have heretofore
denied a heaven and a hell, and a life after death, will even still
continue in the obstinacy of unbelief and denial ; for it is easier
to make a raven white, than to make those believe, who have
once in heart rejected faith ; the reason is, because such persons
always think about matters of faith from a negative principle, .
and not from an affirmative. May the tilings, however, which.
have been hitherto declared, and which .we have further to de
clare, concerning angels and spirits, be for the use of those few
who are principled in faith ! whilst it is permitted, in order to
bring others to somewhat of acknowledgment, to relate such
particulars as delight and engage the attention of persons de
sirous of knowledge ; for which purpose we shall now proceed to
give an account of the earths in the starry heaven.
125. He who is unacquainted with the arcana of heaven^
cannot believe that man is capable of seeing earths so remote/
and of giving any account of them from sensible experience ?
but let such a one know, that the spae.es and distances, and .
consequent progressions, which exist in the natural world, are,'
in their origin and first cause, . changes off the state of interior
things, and that with angels and spirits they appear according
to such changes ;ss and that therefore angels and spirits may by/
such changes be apparently translated from one place to another,:
and from one earth to another, even to earths at the extreme|
boundaries of the universe. The case is the same also with/
man as to his spirit, and therefore he also' may be so translated^.
whilst his body still continues in its own place. This has beerr
the case with myself, since by the Divine* Mercy of the Lord it;
has been given me to converse with spirits as a spirit, and at the;
same time with men as a man. The sensual man is not capable,
of conceiving that man as to his spirit c&n be thus translated,'
inasmuch as the sensual man is immersedlin space and in time,
and measures his progressions accordingly. i
126. That there are several worlds or ^systems, may appear ¦
to every one from this consideration, thatiso many stars appeaiV
in the universe, and it is well known to the learned, that every
star is like a sun in its own place, remaimW fixed as the sun of
our earth in its place ; and that it is owjng solely to distance
that it appears in a small form like a staft; consequently, that
each star has planets revolving around it, which are so many
earths, in like manner as the sun of our system has ; and that
the reason why those planets, or earths, do not appear, is, be-
ss That motions, progressions, and changes of place, in another life, are
changes of the states of the interiors of life, and that nevertheless it really ap
pears to spirits and angels as if they actually existed, n. 1273 to 1277, 1377,
3356,5606, 10734.

64 on the earths in the universe. [126, 127.
cause of their immense distance, and of their having no light
but what they receive from their own star, which light cannot
be reflected so far as to reach us. For what other end or purpose,
shall we say, was so large a firmament created with so many
stars ? The end of the creation of the universe is man, in order
that an angelic heaven might be formed of men : but what
would mankind and an angelic heaven from one single earth
avail to answer the purposes of an Infinite Creator, for which a
thousand, yea ten thousand earths would not suffice ? By cal
culation it appears, that supposing there were in the universe
a million earths, and on every earth three hundred millions of
men, and two hundred generations within six thousand years, and
that to every man or spirit was allotted a space of three cubic ells,
in this case the sum of men or spirits collectively would not occupy
a space equal to a thousandth part of this earth, consequently
not more than the space possessed by one of the satellites of
Jupiter or Saturn, which would be a space so diminutive in
respect to the universe, that it would be scarce discernible, for
a satellite of Jupiter or Saturn is scarce visible to the naked eye:
and what would this be in regard to the purposes of the Creator
of the universe, to answer which, the whole universe, though
filled with earths, would be inadequate, for He is Infinite ? In
discoursing on this subject with the angels, they have told me,
that they have a like idea concerning the fewness of the human
race in respect to the Infinity of the Creator, but that their
thoughts on the subject originate not from spaces, but from
states, and that according to their idea, supposing the number
of earths to be as many myriads as could be conceived in
thought, they would still be as nothing to the Lord. The in
formation which I am going to give concerning the earths in
the starry heaven, is from experimental testimony, whereby it
will likewise appear, how I was translated thither as to my spi
rit, whilst my body continued in its own place.

': OF THE FIRST EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN, ITS SPIRITS
AND INHABITANTS.
127. I WAS led by angels from the Lord to a certain earth
in the starry heaven, where it was given to take a view of the
earth itself, yet not- to speak with the inhabitants, but with
spirits who came from thence (for all the inhabitants or men of
every earth, after finishing their course of life in the world, be
come spirits, and remain near their own earth) : from these how
ever I received information concerning the earth, and concerning
the state of the inhabitants thereof; for men, when they leave

127, 128.] of a first earth in the starry heaven. 65
the body, carry with them all their former life, and all their
memory." To be led to earths in the universe, is not to be led
and translated thither as to the body, but as to the spirit, and
the spirit is led by variations of the state of interior life, which
appear to it as progressions through spaces. Approaches, or
near advancements, are also effected according to agreements
or resemblances of states of life, for agreement or resemblance
produces conjunction, whereas disagreement and dissimilitude
produces disjunction. Hence it may appear how translation is
effected as to the spirit, and its approach or near advancement
to things remote, whilst the man still remains in his own place.
But to lead a spirit, by variations of the state of his interiors,
out of his own orb, and to cause the variations successively to
advance even to a state agreeing with or like to those to whom
he is led, is in the power of the Lord alone ; for there must be
a continual direction and foresight from first to last, both in ad
vancing and in returning back again ; especially when the trans
lation is to be effected with a man, who is still, as to the body,
in the natural world, and thereby in space. That such a trans
lation has been effected, will appear incredible to those who are
immersed in the sensual -corporeal life, and whose thoughts
originate in sensual-corporeal things, nor can they be induced to
believe it ; the reason is, because the sensual-corporeal life can
not conceive of progression without space ; but they who think
from the. sensual principle of their spirit, somewhat removed or
withdrawn from the sensual principle of the body, consequently
who think from an interior principle in themselves, may be in
duced to believe and to conceive it, since in the idea of interior
thought there is neither space nor time, but instead thereof the
original principles whence spaces and times had birth. For the
use of these latter the following account is written respecting
the earths in the starry heaven, and not for the former, (viz.
such as are immersed in the sensual-corporeal life,) unless they
be in a state to suffer themselves to be instructed.
128. At a time when I was broad awake, I was led as to
the spirit by angels from the Lord to a certain earth in the uni
verse, accompanied by some spirits from this orb ; our progres
sion was in a direction to the right, and continued for two hours.
Near the boundary of our solar system there appeared first a
whitish cloud, but thick ; and behind it a fiery smoke ascending
from a great chasm ; it was a vast gulph separating, on that
side, our solar system from some other systems of the starry
heaven ; the fiery smoke appeared at a considerable distance.
I was conveyed through the midst of it, and instantly there ap
peared beneath in the chasm or gulph several men who were
tt That man after death retains the memory of all his concerns in the world,
n. 2476 to 2486.

66 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [128  131.
spirits (for spirits appear all in a human form, and are actually
men); I also heard them discoursing with each other, but whence
they were, or of what sort, it was not given to know ; one of
them however told me that they were guards, to prevent spirits
passing from this world to any other in the universe without
having obtained leave. That such was the case, was also con
firmed by this circumstance, that some spirits, who were in
company, to whom it was not permitted to pass, when they
came to that great gulph or interstice, began to cry out vehe
mently that they were lost and undone ; for they were as persons
struggling in the agonies of death, wherefore they halted on
that side of the gulph, nor could they be conveyed further ; for
the fiery smoke exhaling from the gulph affected them power
fully with its influence, and thus put them to torture.
129. After I was conveyed through that great chasm, I at
length arrived at a place where I stopped ; and immediately
there appeared to me spirits from above, with whom it was given
to discourse ; from their discourse and their particular manner
of apprehending and explaining things, I clearly perceived that
they were from another earth, for they differed altogether from
the spirits of our solar system ; they also perceived from my dis-
couse that I came from afar.
130. After discoursing for some time on various subjects, I
asked what God they worshiped ? They said, that they wor
shiped some angel, who appeared to them as a divine man, being
bright and shining with light ; and that he instructed them, and
gave them to perceive what they ought to do. They said further,
that they knew that the Most High God is in the Sun of the
angelic heaven, and that He appears to His angel, and not to
them ; and that He is too great for them to dare to adore Him.
The angel, whom they worshiped, was an angelic society, to
which it was granted by the Lord to preside over them, and to
teach them the way of what is just and right ; therefore they
have light from a kind of flame, which appears like a torch,
fiery and yellow to a considerable degree ; the reason is, because
they do not adore the Lord, consequently they have not light
from the Sun of the angelic heaven, but from an angelic society,
for an angelic society when it is granted of the Lord, can exhibit
such a light to spirits who are in an inferior region. That an
gelic society was also seen by me, and was on high above them;
there was also seen the flaming principle whence the light pro
ceeded. 131. As to the rest of their character, they were modest,
somewhat simple, but still under tolerably good influence as to
their thoughts. From the light which was amongst them might
be concluded what was the nature and quality of their intellec
tual principle, for the intellect is according to the reception of
the light which is in the heavens, inasmuch as Divine Truth,

131  134.] OF A FIRST EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 67
proceeding from the Lord as a Sun, is what shines there, and
enables the angels not only to see but also to understand.1"1
132. I was instructed that the inhabitants and spirits of that
earth, in the Grand Man, have relation to somewhat in the
spleen, in which I was confirmed by an influx into the spleen
whilst they were discoursing with me.
133. Being questioned concerning the sun of their system,
which enlightens their earth, they said, that the sun there has
a flaming appearance, and when I represented the size of the
sun of our earth, they said, that theirs was less ; for their sun
to our eyes is a star, and I was told by the angels that it was
one of the lesser stars. They said also, that from their earth is
likewise seen the starry heaven, and that a star larger than the
rest appears to them westward, which was declared from heaven
to be our sun.
134. After this my sight was opened, so that I could look
in some degree upon their earth ; and there appeared several
green fields and forests with trees in full foliage, and also fleecy
sheep. Afterwards I saw some of the inhabitants, who were of
the meaner class, clothed nearly like the country-people in
Europe. There was seen also a man with his wife; she appeared
of handsome stature and a graceful mien, so likewise did the
man ; but what surprised me, he had a stately carriage, and a
deportment which had a semblance of haughtiness, but the
woman's deportment was humble : I was informed by the angels,
that such is the fashion on that earth, and that the men, who
are such, are beloved, because they are nevertheless well dis
posed. I was informed likewise, that it is not allowed them to
have more wives than one, because it is contrary to the laws.
The woman whom I saw, had before her bosom a cloak or cover
ing, broad enough to conceal herself behind it, which was so
contrived, that she could put her arms in it, and use it as a
garment to cover her, and so walk about her business; it might
be tucked up as to the lower part, and when tucked up, and
applied to the body, it appeared like a stomacher, such as are
worn by the women of our earth , but the same also served the
man, for a covering, and he was seen to take it from the woman,
and apply it to his back, and loosen the lower part, which thus
flowed down to his feet like a gown, and clothed in this manner
he walked off. The things seen on that earth were not seen
with the eyes of my body, but with the eyes of my spirit, for a
uu That there is great light in the heavens, n. 1117, 1521, 1522, 1533, 1619
to 1632, 4527, 5400, 8644. That all light in the heavens is from the Lord as a
Sun there, u. 1053, 1521, 3195, 3341, 3636, 4415, 9548, 9684, 10809. That Di
vine Truth proceeding from the Lord appears in the heavens as light, n. 3195,
3222, 5400, 8644, 9399, 9548, 9684. That that light illuminates both the sight
and the understandings of angels and spirits, n. 2776, 3138. That the light of
heaven also illuminates the understanding of man, a. 1520, 3138, 3167, 4408,
6608, 8707, 9126, 9399, 10569.
e2

68 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 134, 135.]
spirit may see the things which are on any earth, when it is
granted by the Lord.
135. Being well aware that many will doubt the possibility
of man's being able to see, with the eyes of his spirit, anything
on so distant an earth, it may be expedient to declare how the
matter is : distances in another life are not like distances here
on earth ; in another life they are altogether according to the
states of the interiors of every particular person ; they who are
in a similar state, are together in one society and in one place ;
every thing is present by virtue of a similitude of state, and
every thing is distant by virtue of a dissimilitude of state ;
hence it was, that I was near to the above earth, when I was
brought by the Lord into a state similar to the state of the spi
rits and inhabitants thereof, and that in this case being present
I discoursed with them : hence it is evident, that earths in the
spiritual world are not distant as in the natural world, but only
apparently according to the states of life of the inhabitants and
spirits of each : the state of life is the state of the affections as
to love and faith. In regard to a spirit, or what is the same
thing, a man as to his spirit, seeing things on any earth, we
shall also explain how this is ; neither spirits nor angels, by
their own proper sight, can see anything that is in the natural
world ; for the light of the natural world, or the solar light, is
to them as gross darkness : in like manner man, by his bodily
sight, cannot see anything that is in the other life, for the light
of heaven is to him as gross darkness: nevertheless, both spirits
and angels, when it pleases the Lord, may see things in the na
tural world through the eyes of man ; but this is not granted of
the Lord except with those to whom He gives to discourse with
spirits and angels, and to be in consort with them : it has been
given them to see through my eyes the things of this world,
and as plainly as I myself did ; and also to hear men discours
ing with me : sometimes it has happened, that through me they
saw their friends, with whom they had been intimate when in
the body, altogether present as before, at which they were
amazed ; wives have in this manner seen their husbands and
children, and have wished me to tell them that they were pre
sent and looking on them, and that I would mention the parti
culars of their state in the other life ; but this, I said, was not
allowed, by reason that they would have called me mad, or
would have pronounced my information to be all a delirium of
the imagination, inasmuch as I was well aware, that although
they gave assent with their lips to the doctrine of the existence
of spirits, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of their being
amongst spirits, and that spirits can see and hear by means of
man, yet they did not believe these things in their hearts.
When my interior sight was first opened, and they who are in
another life saw through my eyes the world and the things con-

135 — 138.] of a second earth in the staruy heaven. 69
tained therein, they were so amazed, that they called it the
miracle of miracles, and were affected with a new joy, to think
that a communication was thus opened of earth with heaven,
and of heaven with earth : this joy continued for some months,
but afterwards the circumstance which occasioned it became so
familiar, that now the wonder has ceased. I am informed, that
spirits and angels attendant on other men see not the least of
the things of this world, but only perceive the thoughts and af
fections of those on whom they attend. Hence it may appear,
that man was so created, that during his life here amongst men
in the world, he might at the same time live in heaven amongst
angels, and vice versa, so that heaven and the world might be
united together and act in unity in man, and men might know
what passes in heaven, and angels what passes in the world ;
and that when men depart this life, they might pass thus from
the Lord's kingdom on the earths into the Lord's kingdom in
the heavens, not as into another, but as into the same, in which
also they were during their life in the body; but in consequence
of becoming so corporeal, man closed heaven against himself.
136. Lastly, I discoursed with the spirits, who were from
the above earth, concerning various particulars on our earth,
especially concerning this circumstance, that there are sciences
cultivated on our earth which are not cultivated on other earths,
as astronomy, geometry, mechanics, physics, chemistry, medi
cine, optics, and natural philosophy ; and likewise arts, which
are not known elsewhere, as the art of ship-building, of smelt
ing metals, of writing, and of printing, and thus of communi
cating with others in distant parts of the earth, and also of pre
serving what is communicated for thousands of years, and that
this art has been practised in regard to the Word which was
revealed by the Lord, and that consequently revelation is for
ever permanent on our earth.
137. At length there was presented to my view the hell of
those who are from that earth, and very terrible was the appear
ance of the infernals seen therein, insomuch that I dare not
describe their monstrous faces. There were seen also female
magicians, who practice direful arts ; they appeared clad in
green, and struck me with horror.

OF A SECOND EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN, ITS SPIRITS
AND INFIABITANTS.
138. I WAS afterwards led of the Lord to an earth in the
universe, which was further distant from our earth than the
foregoing, of which we have been just speaking ; that it was
further distant was plain from this circumstance, that I was two

70 on the earths in the universe. [138 — 141.
days in being led thither, as to my spirit : this earth was to the
left, whereas the former was to the right. Inasmuch as remote
ness in the spiritual world does not arise from distance of place,
but from difference of state, as was said above, therefore from
the tediousness of my progression thither, which lasted two
days, I might conclude, that the state of the interiors with the
inhabitants of that earth, which is the state of affections and
of consequent thoughts, differed proportionably from the state
of the interiors with spirits from our earth. Being conveyed
thither as to the spirit by changes of the state of the interiors,
it was given to observe the successive changes themselves be
fore I arrived thither : this was done whilst I was awake.
139. When I arrived thither, the earth was not seen by me,
but only the spirits who were from that earth ; for, as was said
above, the spirits of every earth appear about their own parti
cular earth, by reason that they are of a genius and temper
similar to that of the inhabitants, and in order that they may
serve them. Those spirits were seen at a considerable height
above my head, whence they beheld me as I approached : it is
to be observed, that they who stand on high in another life, can
behold those who are beneath them, and the higher they stand,
the greater is the extent of their vision, and they can not only
behold those who are beneath them, but likewise discourse with
them,. From their state of elevation they observed, that I was
not from their earth, but from some other at a greater distance;
wherefore they accosted me in questions concerning various par
ticulars, to which it was given me to reply ; and amongst other
things I related to them to what earth I belonged, and what
kind of earth it was ; and afterwards I spake to them concern
ing the other earths in our solar system ; and at the same time
also concerning the spirits of the earth or planet Mercury, in
that they wander about to several earths for the purpose of pro
curing for themselves knowledges of various matters ; on hear
ing this they said, that they had likewise seen those spirits
amongst them.
140. It was told me by the angels from our earth, that the
inhabitants and spirits of that earth, in the Grand Man, have
relation to keenness of vision, and therefore they appear on
high; and that they are also remarkably clear-sighted. In con
sequence of their having such relation, and of their seeing
clearly and distinctly what was beneath them, in discoursing
with them I compared them to eagles, which fly aloft, and en
joy a clear and extensive view of objects beneath ; but at this
they expressed indignation, supposing that I compared them to
eagles as to their rapaciousness, and consequently that I thought
them wicked ; but I replied, that I did not liken them to eagles
as to rapaciousness, but as to sharp-sightedness.
141. Being questioned concerning the God Whom they wor-

141 — 143. OF A second earth in the starry heaven. 71
striped, they replied, that they worshiped a God visible and in
visible, a God visible under a Human Form, and a God invisible
not under any form ; and it was discoverable from their dis
course, and also from the ideas of their thought as communica
ted to me, that the visible God was our Lord Himself, and they
also called Him Lord. To this it was given me to reply, that
on our earth also there is worshiped a God invisible and visible,
and that the invisible God is called Father, and the visible is
called Lord ; and that both are One, as He Himself taught,
saying, that no one had ever seen the appearance of the Father,
but that the Father and He are One, and that whoso seeth Him
seeth the Father, and that the Father is in Him and He in the
Father ; consequently that each divine principle is in One Per
son. That these are the Lord's own words, may be seen, John
v. 37, chap. x. 30, chap. xiv. 7, 9, 10, 11.
142. Presently I saw other spirits from the same earth, who
appeared in a place beneath the former, with whom also I dis
coursed ; but they were idolators, for they worshiped an idol of
stone, like to a man but not handsome. It is to be observed,
that all who come into another life have at first a worship like
what they practised in the world, but that they are successively
separated from it ; the reason is, because all worship remains
implanted in a man's interior life, from which it cannot be re
moved and eradicated but by degrees. On seeing this, it was
given me to tell them that they ought not to worship what was
dead, but what was living ; to which they replied, that they
knew that God lives and not a stone, but that they thought of
the living God when they looked on a stone like a man, and
that otherwise the ideas of their thought could not be fixed
upon and determined to the invisible God ; it was then given me
to tell them, that the ideas of thought may be fixed upon and
determined to the invisible God, when they are fixed upon and
determined to the Lord, Who is God visible in thought under a
Human Form; and thus that man may be joined with the invi
sible God in thought and affection, consequently in faith and
love, when he is joined with the Lord, but not otherwise.
143. The spirits who were seen on high were questioned,
whether on their earth they live under the rule of princes or
kings ? to which they replied, that they know not what such
rule is, and that they live under themselves, being distinguished
into nations, families, and houses: they were questioned fur
ther, whether tht^ ^re thus in a state of security ? they replied
in the affirmative, inasmuch as one family never envies another
in any respect, or desires to deprive another of its just rights.
They expressed a degree of indignation at being asked these
questions, as arguing a suspicion of their hostility, or of their
want of protection against robbers. What, said they, have we

72 on the earths in the universe. [143 — 147.
need of but food and raiment, and thus to live content and quiet
one under another ?
144. Being further questioned concerning their earth and its
produce, they said, that they had green fields, flower-gardens,
forests full of fruit trees, and also lakes abounding with fish ;
and that they had birds of a blue colour, with golden feathers,
and also greater and lesser animals ; amongst the lesser they
mentioned one sort, which had the back elevated like camels on
our earth ; nevertheless that they did not feed on their flesh, but
only on the flesh of fishes, and besides on fruits of trees and
pulse of the earth. They said, moreover, that they did not
live in houses regularly built, but in groves, in which amongst
the leaves they made to themselves shelter against rain and the
heat of the sun.
145. Being questioned concerning their sun, which appears
as a star from our earth, they said, that it has a fiery appearance,
and not larger to look at than a man's head. I was told by the
angels, that the star, which was their sun, was amongst the
lesser stars, not far distant from the equator.
146. There were seen some spirits, who were like what they
had been during their abode on their earth as men ; they had
faces not unlike those of the men of our earth, except that their
eyes and noses were less ; this appearing to me somewhat of de
formity, they said, that little eyes and a little nose were accounted
marks of beauty with them. A female was seen, clad in a gown
ornamented with roses of various colours ; I asked, whence they
were supplied with materials for clothing on their earth ? they
answered, that they gathered from certain plants a substance
which they spun into thread ; and that immediately afterwards
they laid the threads in double and triple rows moistening them
with* a glutinous liqour, and thus giving them consistence; after
wards they colour the cloth thus prepared with a substance pro
cured from the juices of herbs. It was also shewn me how they
prepare the thread ; the women sit down on the ground, and
wind it by means of their toes ; and when wound they draw it
towards them, and with the hand spin it out to any fineness they
please. 147. They said also, that on that earth every husband has
no more than one wife ; and that the number of children in a
family is from ten to fifteen. They added, that there are found
likewise harlots amongst them, but that all such, after the life
of the body, when they become spirits, are magicians, and are
cast into hell.

148, 149.] OF A THIRD EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 73
OF A THIRD EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN, ITS SPIRITS
AND INHABITANTS.
148. THERE appeared some spirits from afar, who were
not willing to approach ; the reason was, because they could
not be together with the spirits of our earth, who were then
about me ; hence I perceived that they were from another earth ;
and I was afterwards informed that they were from a certain
earth in the universe ; but where that earth is, was not made
known to me. Those spirits were unwilling to think at all about
the body, or even about anything corporeal and material, con
trary to the spirits of our earth ; hence it was that they were
not willing to approach ; nevertheless after the removal of some
of the spirits of our earth, they came nearer and discoursed
with me. But instantly there was felt an anxiety arising from
the collision of spheres ; for spiritual spheres encompass all
spirits and societies of spirits,cc and inasmuch as they issue from
the life of the affections and consequent thoughts, therefore
where the affections are contrary, collision takes place, and
hence comes anxiety. The spirits of our earth related, that they
even durst not approach those other spirits, since on their ap
proach, they were not only seized with anxiety, but also ap
peared to themselves as if they were bound hand and foot with
serpents, from which they could not be loosed but by retiring ;
this appearance had its ground in correspondence ; for the spirits
of our earth, in the Grand Man, have relation to the external
sense, consequently to the sensual corporeal principle, and this
sensual principle is represented in another life by serpents."*
149. Such being the nature and quality of the spirits of that
earth, they appear in the eyes of other spirits not as others, in a
distinct human form, but as a cloud, in many cases like a dusky
cloud, with whitish tints, resembling somewhat human; but
they said, that within they are white, and that when they be
come angels, that duskiness is changed into a beautiful blue,
which was also shewn me. I asked whether they entertained
such an idea concerning their bodies during their abode in the
world as men ? They replied, that the men of their earth make
no account of their bodies, but only of the spirit in the body, as
knowing that the spirit will live for ever, but that the body must
perish ; they said also, that several on their earth believe that
the spirit of the body has existed from eternity, and was infused
into the body when they were conceived in the womb ; but they
xx That the sensual external principle of man in the spiritual world is repre
sented by serpents, as being in the lowest principles, and in respect to interior
things in man, lying on the ground, and as it were creeping; and that hence
they were called serpents, who reasoned from that sensual principle, n. 195,
196, 197, 6398, 6949.

74 on the earths in the universe. 149 — 152.]
added, that now they know that it is not so, and that they re
pent for having even entertained so false an opinion.
150. When I asked them whether they were willing to see
any objects on our earth, informing them that it was possible
to do so through my eyes, (see above, n. 135,) they answered
first, that they could not, and afterwards that they would not,
inasmuch as they were merely terrestrial and material objects,
from which they remove their thoughts as far as possible.
Nevertheless, there were represented to their view magnificent
palaces, resembling those in which kings and princes dwell on
our earth ; for such things may be represented before spirits,
and when they are represented, they appear exactly as if they
existed ; but the spirits from that earth made light of them,
calling them marble images ; and then related that they have
more magnificent objects with them, which are their sacred
temples, not built of stone, but of wood. When it was objected
that these were still terrestrial objects, they replied, that they
were not terrestrial, but celestial, because in beholding them
they conceived not a terrestrial but a celestial idea; believing
that they should see like objects in heaven after death.
151. They then -represented their sacred temples before the
spirits of our earth, who declared, that they never saw anything
more magnificent ; and as they were seen also by myself, there
fore I can describe them. They are constructed of trees not cut
down, but growing in the place where they were first planted :
on that earth, it seems, there are trees of an extraordinary size
and height ; these they set in rows when young, and arrange
them in such order, that they may serve as they grow up, to form
porticos and galleries ; in the mean while, by cutting and prun
ing the tender shoots, they fit and prepare them to entwine one
with another, and join together so as to form the ground-work
and floor of the temple to be constructed, and by a side elevation
to serve as walls, and, being bended into an arch above, to make
the roof; in this manner they construct the temple with admirable
art, elevating it high above the ground ; they prepare also an
ascent into it, by continuous branches of the trees extended from
the trunk, and firmly connected together. Moreover they adorn
the temple without and within in various ways, by disposing the
leaves into particular forms : thus they build entire groves. But
it was not given to see the nature of the construction of these
temples within, only I was informed, that the light of their sun
is let in by appertures amongst the branches, and is every where
transmitted through crystals, whereby the light falling on the
walls is refracted in divers colours like those of the rainbow,
particularly the colours of blue and orange, which they are most
fond of. Such is the nature of their architecture, the works
whereof they prefer to the most magnificent palaces of our earth.
152. They said further, that the inhabitants do not dwell in

1^2 — 155. of a third earth in the starry heaven. 75
high places, but on the earth in low cottages, by reason that
high places are for the Lord, Who is in heaven, and low places
for men, who are on earth. Their cottages were also shewn me ;
they were oblong, having within along the walls a continued
couch or bed, on which they lie one next to another ; on the
side opposite to the door was a kind of alcove, before which was
a table, and behind it a fire-place, by which the whole chamber
is enlightened : in the fire-place there is not a burning fire, but a
luminous wood, from which issues as much light as from the
flame of a common fire ; they said, that in an evening this wood
appeared as if it contained in it lighted charcoal.
153. They informed me further, that they do not live in
societies, but in houses apart by themselves : and that they are
joined in societies when they meet at' divine worship ; and that
on these occasions they who are teachers walk beneath in the
temple, and the rest in piazzas at the sides ; and that at their
meetings they experience interior joys, arising from the sight of
the temple, and from the worship therein celebrated.
154. In respect to divine worship they said, that they ac
knowledge God under a Human Form, consequently our Lord ;
for whosoever acknowledge the God of the universe under a
Human Form, are accepted and led by our Lord ; the rest can
not be so led, because they think without a determination of the
thought to some specific appearance. They added, that the
inhabitants of their earth are instructed concerning the things of
heaven by some immediate commerce with angels and spirits,
which may be more easily opened to them than to others, by
reason of their rejecting corporeal things from their thoughts
and affections. I asked, what became of those amongst them
who are wicked ? They replied, that on their earth it was not
allowed that a wicked person should exist ; but if any one gave
in to evil thoughts or evil actions, he was reprimanded by a cer
tain spirit, and threatened with death if he persisted therein;
and in case he still persisted, he was taken off by a swoon ; and
that by this means the men of that earth are preserved from the
contagion of evils. A certain spirit of this kind was sent to me ;
he spake with me as with them ; moreover he occasioned some
what of pain in the region of my abdomen, informing me that
this was the method he uses with those who give in to evil
thoughts and evil actions, and to whom he threatens death if
they persist. I was given to understand, that they who profane
holy things are grievously punished ; and that before the punish
ing spirit comes, there appear to them in vision the jaws of a
lion, wide open, of a livid colour, who seems as if he would
swallow their head, and tear it asunder from the body, and
hence they are seized with horror : they call the punishing spirit
the devil.
155. Inasmuch as they were desirous to know how we are

76 on the earths in the universe. [155 — 157.
circumstanced on our earth in regard to revelation, I informed
them, that it is effected by writing and preaching from the Word,
and not by immediate commerce with spirits and angels, and
that what is written may be printed and published, and thus be
read and comprehended by whole societies, whereby the life may
be corrected and amended : they were exceedingly surprised,
that such an art as writing and printing, utterly unknown in
other places, could exist on our earth ; but they comprehended,
that on this earth, where corporeal and terrestrial things are so
much loved, divine things from heaven could not otherwise flow
in and be received ; and that it would be dangerous for persons
in such circumstances to discourse with angels.
156. The spirits of that earth appear upwards in the plane of
the head towards the right : all spirits are distinguished by their
situation in respect to the human body, which is in consequence
of the universal heaven corresponding with all things appertain
ing to man ; these spirits keep themselves in that plane, and at
that distance, because their correspondence is not with the ex
ternals but with the interiors of man. Their action is upon the
left knee, a little above and beneath, with a kind of vibration
very sensibly felt; this is a sign that they correspond with the
conjunction of things natural and things celestial.

OF A FOURTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN, ITS SPIRITS
AND INHABITANTS.
157. I WAS further conducted to another earth which is in
the universe, out of our solar system, which was effected by
changes of the state of my mind, consequently as to the spirit ;
for, as has been frequently observed above, a spirit is conducted
from place to place no otherwise than by changes of the state
of his interiors, which changes appear to him in all respects like
advancements from place to place, or like journeyings ; these
changes continued without intermission for about ten hours, be
fore I came from the state of my own life to the state of life pe
culiar to the spirits of that earth, consequently before I arrived
there as to my spirit. I was carried towards the east, to the
left, and seemed to be gradually elevated from an horizontal
plane ; it was also given to observe clearly a progression and
promotion from a former place, till at length the spirits from
whom I departed no longer appeared ; and in the mean time
I discoursed on various subjects with the spirits who were with
me. A certain spirit was also with us, who, during his abode
in the world, had been a prelate, and a preacher, and likewise
a very pathetic writer : from the idea concerning him in me, the
attendant spirits supposed that he was a Christian in heart supe-

157, 158.] OF A FOURTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 77
rior to the rest ; for in the world an idea is conceived, and judg
ment formed from preaching and writing, and not from the life,
if it is not attended with some extraordinary circumstances ; and
in case anything in the life appears which does not agree with
the preaching and writing, it is nevertheless excused ; for the
idea, or thought and perception concerning any particular per
son, gives a bias to the judgment in all things, inclining it in
favour of such idea, thought, and perception.
158. After this I observed that I was in the starry heaven,
as to my spirit, far out of our solar system ; for this may be ob
served from the changes of state, and consequent apparent con
tinued progression, which lasted nearly ten hours ; at length I
heard spirits discoursing near some earth, which was afterwards
also seen by me ; when I was come near them, after some dis
course together, they said that strangers sometimes come to
them from a distance, who discourse with them concerning
God, and confuse the ideas of their thought: they pointed also at
the way by which such strangers came, whereby it was perceiva
ble, that they were from the spirits of our earth : on questioning
them as to the confusion caused in their ideas, they said that it
arose from those strangers asserting, that they ought to believe
on a Divine Principle distinguished into three persons, which they
nevertheless call one God ; and on examining the idea of their
thoughts, it is presented as a threefold principle (trinum) not
continuous but discrete, and with some, as three persons dis
coursing with each other, and with some, as two seated together,
one near the other, and a third hearkening to them, and going
from them ; and although they call each person God, and form
a different idea concerning each, still they declare them but one
God : they complained exceedingly, that hereby their ideas
were confused, in that these strangers conceived three in
thought, and in speech profess one, when nevertheless, thought
and speech Ought ever to be in agreement with each other. The
spirit, who in the world had been a prelate and a preacher, and
who also was with me, was then examined as to the idea he en
tertained respecting one God, and three persons, when it was
discovered, that he represented to himself three gods, but making
one by continuity ; he conceived, however, this threefold unity
as invisible because it was divine; and from this conception
it was perceivable, that he thought only of the Father, and not
of the Lord, and that his idea concerning the invisible God was
no other than as of nature in her first principles, the result of
which idea was, that the inmost principle of nature was his Di
vine Principle, and thus that he might easily be hence led to
acknowledge nature as God. It is well to be observed, that the
idea which any person entertains concerning any thing, in ano
ther world is presented to the life, and thereby every one is exa
mined as to the nature of his thought and perception respecting

78 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [158, 159.
the things of faith ; and that the idea of the thought concerning
God is the chief of all others, inasmuch as by that idea, if it be
genuine, conjunction is effected with the Divine Being, and con
sequently with heaven. They were afterwards questioned con
cerning the nature of their idea respecting God ? They replied,
that they did not conceive God as invisible, but as visible under
a Human Form ; and that they knew Him to be thus visible, not
only from an interior perception, but also from this circumstance
that He has appeared to them as a man ; they added, that if, ac
cording to the idea of some strangers, they should conceive God
as invisible, consequently without form and quality, they should
not be able in anywise to think about God, inasmuch as such
an invisible principle falls not upon any idea of thought. On
hearing this, it was given to tell them, that they do well to
think of God under a Human Form, and that many on our earth
think in like manner, especially when they think of the Lord ;
and that the ancients also thought according to this idea. I
then told them concerning Abraham, Lot, Gideon, Manoah, and
his wife, and what is related of them in our Word, viz. that they
saw God under a Human Form, and acknowledged Him thus
seen to be the Creator of the Universe, and called him Jehovah,
and this also from an interior perception ; but that at this day
that interior perception was lost in the Christian world, and
only remains with the simple who are principled in faith.
159. Previous to this discourse, they believed that our com
pany also consisted of those, who are desirous to confuse them
in their thoughts of God by an idea of three ; wherefore on
hearing what was said, they were affected with joy, and replied,
that there were also sent from God, (whom they then called the
Lord) those who teach them concerning Him, and that they are
not willing to admit strangers, who perplex them, especially by
the idea of three persons in the Divinity, inasmuch as they
know that God is One, consequently that the Divine Principle
is One, and not consisting of three in unanimity, unless such
threefold unanimity be conceived to exist in God as in an angel,
in whom there is an inmost principle of life, which is invisible,
and which is the ground of his thought and wisdom, and an ex
ternal principle of life which is visible under a human form,
whereby he sees and acts, and a proceeding principle of life
which is the sphere of love and of faith issuing from him (for
from every spirit and angel there proceeds a sphere of life
whereby he is known at a distance) ;cc which proceeding prin
ciple of life, when considered as issuing from the Lord, is the es
sential Divine principle which fills and constitutes the heavens,
because it proceeds from the very Esse of the life of love and
of faith ; they said, that in this, and in no other manner, they
can perceive and apprehend a threefold unity. When they had
thus expressed themselves, it was given me to inform them, that

159.] OF A FOURTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 79
such an idea concerning a threefold unity agrees with the idea
of the angels concerning the Lord, and that it is grounded in the
Lord's own doctrine respecting Himself; for He teaches that the
Father and Himself are One ; that the Father is in Him and He
in the Father ; that whoso seeth Him seeth the Father ; and
whoso believeth on Him believeth on the Father and knoweth
the Father ; also that the Comforter, Whom He calls the Spirit
of Truth, and likewise the Holy Ghost proceeds from Him, and
doth not speak from Himself but from Him, by which Com
forter is meant the Divine Proceeding Principle. It was given
me further to tell them, that their idea concerning a threefold
unity agrees with the. Esse and Existere of the life of the Lord
when in the world ; the Esse of His life was the Essential Di
vine Principle, for He was conceived of Jehovah, and the Esse of
every one's life is that whereof he is conceived ; the Existere of
life derived from that Esse is the Human Principle in form ; the
Esse of the life of every man, which he has from his father, is
called soul, and the Existere of life thence derived is called
body ; soul and body constitute one man ; the likeness between
each resembles that which subsists between a principle which is
in effort [conatus], and a principle which is in act derived from
effort, for act is an effort acting, and thus two are one : effort
in man is called will, and effort acting is called action ; the
body is the instrumental part, whereby the will, which is the
principal, acts, and the instrumental and principal in acting are
one ; such is the case in regard to soul and body, and such is
the idea which the angels in heaven have respecting soul and
body ; hence they know, that the Lord made His Human Prin
ciple Divine by virtue of the Divine Principle in Himself, which
was to Him a Soul from the Father. This is agreeable also to
the creed received throughout the Christian world, which
teaches, that " Although Christ is God and Man, yet He is not
two but one Christ ; yea, He is altogether One and a single Per
son ; for as body and soul are one man so also God and man is one
Christ."™ Inasmuch as there was such an union, or such a
oneness in the Lord, therefore He rose again, not only as to Soul,
but also as to Body, which is not the case with any man ; con
cerning which circumstance He also instructed His disciples in
these words, " Handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and
bones, as ye see Me have."zz Those spirits understood clearly this
discourse, such things being suited to the understanding of an
gelic spirits ; they instantly added, that the Lord alone has
power in the heavens, and that the heavens are His ; to which it
yy From the Athanasian Creed.
zz That immediately after death man rises again as to his spirit ; and that he
is in a human form, and that he is a man in all and every respect, n. 4527 5006
5078, 8939, 8991, 10594, 10597, 10758. That a man rises again only as to 'spirit'
and not as to body, n. 10593, 1U594. That the Lord alone rose again as to body
also, n. 1729, 2083, 5078, 10825. '

80 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [159  161.
was given to reply, that this is known also to the Church on our
earth from the Lord's declaration before He ascended into heaven,
for He then said, "All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth."
160. Afterwards I discoursed with those spirits concerning
their earth ; for all spirits have knowledge of the things relating
to the earth they came from, when their natural or external me
mory is opened by the Lord ; inasmuch as this memory remains
with them after death, but it is not opened except at the Lord's
good pleasure. Then they related concerning their earth from
which they came, that when it is allowed them, they appear to
the inhabitants, and discourse with them as men ; and that this
is effected by their being let into their natural or external me
mory, and consequently into the thoughts which they had
during their abode in the world ; and that on such occasions
the inhabitants have their interior sight, or sight of their spirits,
opened, whereby they are seen : they added, that the inhabit
ants at such times know no other than that they are men of
their earth, and that they then first perceive them not to be men,
when they are suddenly taken away from their sight. I told
them, that this was the case also on our earth in ancient times,
as when angels appeared to Abraham, Sarah, Lot, the inhabit
ants of Sodom, Manoah and his wife, Joshua, Mary, Elizabeth,
and the prophets in general ; and that the Lord appeared in like
manner, and they who saw Him knew no other than that He
was a man of the earth before He revealed Himself: but that
at this day such appearances are seldom exhibited, the reason
whereof is, lest men by such things should be compelled to be
lieve, for faith wrought by compulsion, such as is the faith
which enters by miracles, is not inherent, and would also be
hurtful to those in whom faith may be implanted by the Word
in a state without compulsion.
161. The spirit, who had been a prelate and a preacher in
the world, was altogether indisposed to believe, that any other
earths existed besides our own, in consequence of having thought
in the world, that the Lord was born on this earth alone, and
that none could be saved without the Lord, wherefore he was
reduced into a state similar to that which spirits are reduced
into, when they appear on their own earth as men, concerning
which state see above : and thus he was let into tbat earth, so
that he not only saw it, but also discoursed with its inhabit
ants-: hereupon a communication was also thereby granted me,
so that I in like manner saw the inhabitants, and likewise some
particular things on that earth, (See above, n. 135). There ap
peared then four kinds of men, but one kind after the other in
succession ; at first there were seen men clothed ; next to them,
in order of succession, men naked of a human flesh colour; af
terwards men naked, but with inflamed bodies ; and lastly,
black men.

162.] OF A FOURTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 81
162. Whilst the spirit, who had been a prelate and preacher,
was with those who were clothed, there appeared a woman of a
very beautiful countenance, in a plain simple dress ; her gown
flowing gracefully behind her, with sleeves also for the arms ;
her head-dress was beautiful, in the form of a chaplet of flowers :
that spirit was exceedingly delighted at the sight of this virgin ;
he discoursed with her, and also took her by the hand ; but in
asmuch as she perceived that he was a spirit, and not of that
earth, she rushed hastily away from him ; afterwards there ap
peared to him on the right several other women, who had the
care of sheep and lambs, which at that time they were leading
to a watering-trough, which was supplied with water by a small
drain from a certain lake ; these women were clothed in like
manner with the former ; they had in their hands shepherd's
crooks, by which they led the sheep and lambs to drink ; they
said, that which way soever they pointed with their crooks,
thither the sheep went : the sheep which we saw were large,
with broad woolly tails. The faces of the women, when viewed
more closely, were full and handsome. There were seen also
men ; their complexion was like that of the men of our earth,
but with this difference, that the lower part of the face was
black instead of a beard, and the nose was more of a snowy
white than a flesh colour. Afterwards the spirit, who, as was
said, had been a preacher in the world, was led on further, but
reluctantly, because his thoughts were still engaged about the
woman with whom he was delighted, as was evident from this
circumstance, that there still appeared somewhat of his shadow
in the former place. Then he came to those who were naked ;
they were seen walking together two and two, husband and
wife, having a covering about the loins, and also around the
head : that spirit, when he was with these inhabitants, was led
into the state in which he was in the world when he was dis
posed to preach, and instantly said, that he would preach be
fore them the Lord crucified; but they said, that they were not
willing to hear any such thing, because they knew not what
was meant by the Lord crucified, but knew that the Lord is
living. He then said, that he would preach the living Lord,
but this also they refused to hear, saying, that they perceived
in his discourse somewhat not celestial, because it had much
respect to himself, his own fame, and reputation; and that they
could distinguish from the tone of voice, whether the discourse
came from the heart, or not ; and that hence they pronounced
him incapable of teaching them ; wherefore he was silent.
During his life in the world he had been a very pathetic
preacher, so that he could excite in his hearers very holy influ
ences : but this pathetic manner had been acquired by art, con
sequently it was derived from self and the world, and not from
heaven.

82 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [163  165.
163. They said moreover, that they had a perception whe
ther there be any conjugial principle with those of their nation
who are naked ; and it was shewn, that they perceive this by
virtue of a spiritual idea concerning marriage, which idea being
communicated to me was to this effect, that a likeness of inte
riors was formed by the conjunction of goodness and truth,
consequently of love and faith, and that conjugial love existed
from that conjunction descending by influx into the body ; for
all things appertaining to the mind are presented in some na
tural appearance in the body, consequently in the appearance
of conjugial love, when the interiors of two persons mutually
love each other, and also by virtue of that love are desirous to
will and to think the one as the other, and thus to abide and
be joined together as to the interiors of the mind ; hence spi
ritual affection, which appertains to the mind, becomes natural
affection in the body, and clothes itself with the sense of con
jugial love : spiritual affection appertaining to the mind is the
affection of goodness and truth, and of their conjunction, for
all things appertaining to the mind, or to the thinking-principle
and the will-principle, have relation to truth and good. They
said further, that it is altogether impossible for any conjugial
principle to exist between one man and several wives, inasmuch
as the marriage of goodness and truth, which appertains to the
mind, can exist only between two.
164. After this the above spirit came to those who were
naked, but whose bodies were inflamed ; and lastly, to those
who were black, some of whom were naked, and some clothed ;
but both the latter and the former dwelt in a distant part of the
same earth ; for a spirit may be led in an instant to places far
asunder, inasmuch as he does not proceed and advance like man
by spaces, but by changes of state, see above, n. 125, 127 .ss
165. I lastly discoursed with the spirits of that earth con
cerning the belief of the inhabitants of our earth in regard to
a resurrection, in that they cannot conceive that men come into
another life immediately after death, and then appear like men
as to the face, the body, the arms, the feet, and all the exter
nal and internal senses ; still less can they conceive that they
are then clothed in raiment ; and that they have places of abode
and habitations ; and this solely by reason that the thoughts of
the generality of persons on this earth are grounded in the
things of sense, which appertain to the body, and therefore
they believe in the existence of nothing but what they see and
touch ; and few can be withdrawn from external and sensible
things to things of an interior nature, and thus be elevated into
the light of heaven, in which such interior things are perceived;
hence it is, that in regard to the soul or spirit, they cannot form
any idea of it as of a man, but as of wind, of air, or of a phan
tom without form, in which notwithstanding there is some vital

165.] OF A FOURTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 83
principle : this is the reason why they do not believe that they
shall rise again till the end of the world, which they call
the last judgment, at which time they suppose that the body,
although mouldered into dust, and dissipated by every wind,
will be brought back again and joined to its soul or spirit : I
added, that it is permitted they should thus believe, inasmuch
as it cannot otherwise be conceived by those, whose thoughts,
as was said, are grounded in things of sense, that the soul or
spirit can live as a man in a human form, unless it receives
again that body with which it was clothed in the world ; where
fore unless it was asserted that that body is- to rise again, they
would reject in heart the doctrine concering a resurrection and
eternal life as incomprehensible. But still this thought con
cerning a resurrection has this advantage attending it, that it
leads them to believe in a life after death, the consequence of
which belief is, that when they come to lie on a sick bed, and
their thoughts are not influenced as before, by worldly and cor
poreal things, that is, by things of sense, they then believe
that they shall live immediately after their decease ; they then
also speak about heaven, and about the hope of living there im
mediately after death, with ideas very different from those sug
gested by their doctrine concerning the last judgment. I re
lated further, that it had sometimes been matter of surprise to
me, that when they who are principled in faith speak of a life
after death, and of their friends and relatives who are deceased,
and at such times do not think about the last judgment, they
then believe that their friends and relatives live as men imme
diately on their decease; but this idea, as soon as ever a thought
concerning the last judgment flows in, is changed into a mate
rial idea, concerning their terrestrial body, that it is again to be
joined to their soul ; for they do not know that every man is a
spirit as to his interiors, and that it is this spirit which lives in
the body, and in all its parts, and not the body which lives of
itself; and that it is from the spirit of every one that the body
has its human form, consequently it is the spirit of every one
which is principally man, and in like form as man, but invisible
to the eyes of the body, yet visible to the eyes of spirits; hence
also, when the sight of man's spirit is opened, which is effected
by the removal of the bodily sight, angels appear as men : thus
angels appeared to the ancients, according to what is written in
the Word. In my discourse also with spirits, whom I had been
acquainted with during their abode in the world, I have occa
sionally asked them, whether they had any inclination to be
clothed again with their terrestrial bodies, as they had once
thought would be the case ? But they started at the very idea
of such a conjunction, being full of confusion and amazement
to think, that whilst they were in the world, they should be under
the influence of so blind a belief, void of all understanding.

84 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [166  168.
166. Moreover on that earth were seen the habitations of
the. inhabitants, which were low houses of a considerable
length, with windows on the sides according to the number of
the rooms or chambers into which they were divided ; the roof
was round, and there was a door on both sides at each end; we
were told that they were built of common soil, and covered with
turf; and that the windows were constructed of threads of
grass, so entwined together, that the light was transparent.
Little children were also seen, and we were told that their neigh
bours visit them, especially for the sake of their children, that
they may be in company with other children in the presence and
under the controul of their parents. There appeared also fields
full of growing corn which was at that time nearly ripe for har
vest; the seeds or grains of their corn were shown us, which
were like those of Chinese wheat ; we saw likewise some bread
made thereof, which was in small square loaves. There appeared
also plains of grass adorned with flowers, and trees laden with
fruits like pomegranates, besides shrubs, which were not vines,
but still produced berries of which they made wine.
167. The sun of that earth, which is to us a star, appears
there flaming, in size about a fourth part of our sun ; their year
is nearly two hundred days, and each day fifteen hours, com
puted according to the length of days on our earth : the earth
itself is one of the least in the starry heaven, being scarcely five
hundred German miles in circumference ; this information we
had from the angels, who made a comparison in all these parti
culars with things of a like nature on our earth, according to
what they saw in me, or in my memory ; their conclusions were
formed by angelic ideas, whereby are instantly known the mea
sures of spaces and times, in a just proportion with respect to
spaces and times elsewhere ; angelic ideas, which are spiritual,
in such calculations infinitely excel human ideas.

OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN, ITS SPIRITS
AND INHABITANTS.
168. I WAS led at another time to another earth, which is
in the universe out of our solar system, and on this occasion
also by changes of state, continued nearly for twelve hours.
There were in company with me several spirits and angels from
our earth, with whom I discoursed in the way or progress thi
ther. I was carried at times obliquely upwards and obliquely
downwards, continually towards the right, which in another life
is towards the South ; only in two places I saw spirits, and in
one I discoursed with them, In this journey or progress it was
given to observe how immense the Lord's heaven is, which is

168, 169.] OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. > 85
designed for angels and spirits ; for from the parts uninhabited
it was given to conclude, that it was so immense, that in case
there were several myriads of earths, and on each earth a multi
tude of men equal in number to the inhabitants of our earth,
there would still be a place of abode for them to eternity, and it
would never be filled : this I was enabled to conclude from a
comparison made with the extent of the heaven which is about
our earth and designed for it, which extent was respectively so
small, that it did not equal one ten thousandth thousandth part
of the extent uninhabited.
169. When the angelic spirits, who were from that earth,
came into view, they accosted us, asking who we were, and
what we wanted ? We said, that we came for the sake of jour
neying, and that we were directed thither, and that they had
nothing to fear from us ; for they were afraid we were of those
who disturb them in regard to God, to faith, and things of a like
nature, on account of whom they had betaken themselves to
that quarter of their earth, shunning them as much as possible.
We asked them in what particulars they were disturbed .'.' They
replied, by an idea of three,, and by an idea of a Divine princi
ple without a human, in God, when they yet knew and per
ceived that God is One, and that He is a Man. It was then per
ceived by us, that they who disturb them, and whom they
shunned, were from our earth ; this was manifest also from this
consideration, that there are spirits from our earth, who thus
wander about in another life, in consequence of their fondness
for, and delight in travelling, which they have contracted in the
world ; for on other earths there is no such custom of travelling
as on ours. It was afterwards discovered that they were monks,
who had travelled on our globe from a desire of converting the
gentiles; wherefore we told them, that they did well to shun such
spirits, because their intention was not to teach, but to secure
gain and dominion ; and that they study by various arts first to
captivate men's minds, but afterwards to subject them to them
selves as slaves : moreover, that they did well in not suffering
their ideas concerning God to be disturbed by such. They in
formed us further, that the above spirits confuse them by assert
ing, that they ought to have faith and to believe the things they
declare ; but their reply to this was, that they knew not what
faith or believing meant, since they perceive in themselves whe
ther a thing be true or not. They were of the Lord's celestial
kingdom, where all know by an interior perception the truths,
which with us are called the truths of faith, for they are in illu
mination from the Lord ; but it is otherwise with those who are
in the spiritual kingdom. That the angelic spirits of that earth
were of the Lord's celestial kingdom, it was given also to see
from the flaming principle, whence their ideas flowed ; for the
light in the celestial kingdom is flaming, and in the spiritual

86 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [169.
kingdom it is white. They who are of the celestial kingdom,
when tbe discourse is about truths, say no more than yea, yea,
or nay, nay, and never reason about truths whether they be so
or not ; these are they of whom the Lord speaks in these words ,
" Let your discourse be yea, yea, and nay, nay, for whatsoever is
more than this conieth of evil:" hence it was that those spirits
said, that they did not know what is meant by having faith or
believing ; they consider an exhortation to believe, like a per
son's saying to his companion who sees houses or trees with his
own eyes, that he ought to have faith or to believe that they are
houses and trees, when he sees clearly that they are so ; such
are they who are of the Lord's celestial kingdom, and such were
these angelic spirits.aaa We told them, that there are few on
our earth who have interior perception, by reason that they
learn truths in their youth, and do not practise them : for man
has two faculties, which are called understanding and will ;
they who admit truths no further than into the memory, and
thence in some small degree into the understanding, and not
into the life, that is, into the will, these, inasmuch as they are
not capable of any illumination or interior sight from the Lord,
say that those truths are to be believed, or that they are objects
of faith, and also reason concerning them whether they be truths
or not; yea, they are not willing that they should be perceived
by any interior sight, or by a kind of illumination in the under
standing ; they say this, because truths with them are without
light from heaven, and to those who see without light from hea
ven, what is false may appear like what is true, and what is true
like what is false ; hence so great blindness has seized several
on our earth, that although they do not practise truths, or live
according to them, still they say that they may be saved by
faith alone, as if it was the mere knowledge of things apper
taining to faith which constituted man, and not a life according
to that knowledge. We afterwards discoursed with them con
cerning the Lord, concerning love to Him, concerning neigh
bourly love, and concerning regeneration : in regard to the
Lord we said, that to love Him is to love the commandments
which are from Him, which is from a principle of love to do
those commandments ;bbb in regard to neighbourly love, that it
consists in willing good and thence doing good to a fellow-ci-
aaa That heaven is distinguished into two kingdoms, one of which is called
the celestial kingdom, the other the spiritual kingdom, n. 3887, 4138. That the
angels in the celestial kingdom have vastly more knowledge and wisdom than
the angels in the spiritual kingdom, n. 2718. That the celestial angels do not
think and speak from a ground of faith, like the spiritual angels, but from an
internal perception that a thing is so, n. 202, 597, 607, 784, 1121, 1387, 1398,
1442, 1919, 7680, 7877, 8780. That the celestial angels say only concerning
the truths of faith vea yea, or nay nay, but that the spiritual angels reason
whether it be so or not so, a. 202, 337, 2715, 3246, 4448, 9196.
bbb That to love the Lord is to live according to His commandments, n.
10143, 10153, 10310, 10578, 10648.

169, 170.] OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 87
tizen, to a man's country, to the Church, or to the Lord's king
dom, not with a view to vain applause, or to establish self-merit,
but from an affection of good.ccc Concerning regeneration we
observed, that they who are regenerated by the Lord, and
commit truths immediately to life, come into an interior percep
tion concerning them ; but that they who receive truths first in
the memory, and afterwards will them and do them, are they
who are principled in faith, for they act from a principle of
faith, which is then called conscience. They said that they
perceived these things to be so, and thus perceived also what
faith is. I discoursed with them by spiritual ideas, whereby
such things may be exhibited and comprehended in light.
170. The spirits, with whom I now discoursed, were from
the northern part of their earth ; I was afterwards led to those
who were on the western part ; these also being desirous to dis
cover who and what I was, immediately said, that there was
nothing in me but evil, thinking thus to deter me from approach
ing nearer ; it was given me to perceive, that this was their
manner of accosting all who come to them ; and it was given
me to reply, that I well knew it to be so, and that in them also
there was nothing but evil, by reason that every one is born to
evil, and therefore whatever comes from man, spirit, or angel,
as from what is his own, or from his selfhood, is nothing but
evil, inasmuch as all good in every one is from the Lord : hence
they perceived that I was in the truth, and I was admitted to
discourse with them. They then shewed me their idea concern
ing evil in man, and concerning good from the Lord, how they
are separated from each other ; they placed one near the other,
almost contiguous, but still distinct, yet as it were bound in a
manner inexpressible, so that the good led the evil, and restrained
it, insomuch that it was not allowed it to act at pleasure, and
thus the good bended the evil in whatever direction it desired,
without the evil knowing any thing of it ; in this manner they
exhibited the dominion of good over evil, and at the same time
a state of freedom. They then asked, how the Lord appeared
amongst the angels from our earth ? I said, that He appeared
in the sun as a Man, encompassed therein with a fiery solar
principle, whence the angels in the heavens derive all light, and
that the heat which proceeds thence is Divine Good, and that
the light which proceeds thence is Divine Truth, each originat
ing in the Divine Love, which is the fiery principle appearing
around the Lord in that sun ; but that that sun only appears to
the angels in heaven, and not to the spirits who are beneath,
since they are more removed from the reception of the good of
ccc That neighbourly love consists in doing what is good, just, and right, in
every work and in every function, from an affection of what is good, just, and
right, n. 8120, 8121, 8122, 10310, 10336. That a life of neighbourly love is a
life according to the Lord's commandments, u. 3249.

88 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [170, 171.
love and of the truth of faith, than the angels who are in the
heavens, see above, n. 40. It was given them thus to enquire
concerning the Lord, and concerning His appearance before the
angels from our earth, inasmuch as it pleased the Lord at that
instant to present Himself before them, and to reduce into order
the things which had been disturbed by the evil spirits, of whom
they complained ; this also was the reason why I was led thither,
that I might be an eye-witness of these things.
171. There was then seen an obscure cloud towards the east
descending from on high, which in its descent appeared by de
grees bright and in a Human Form ; at length the Human Form
appeared in beams of flaming lustre, encompassed with small
stars of the same radiance ; thus the Lord presented Himself
before the spirits with whom I was discoursing. At His Presence
all the spirits thereabouts were instantly gathered together from
all sides, and when they were come, they were separated, the
good from the evil, the good to the right and the evil to the left,
and this in an instant as of their own accord ; and those on the
right were arranged in order according to the nature and quality
of their good, and those on the left according to the nature and
quality of their evil ; and they who were good were left to form
amongst themselves a celestial society, but the evil were cast
into the hells. Afterwards I saw that those beams of flaming
lustre descended to the lower parts of the earth thereabouts to a
considerable depth, and then they appeared at one time in a
flaming lustre verging to lucidity, at another time in a lucidity
verging to obscurity, and lastly in obscurity ; and I was told by
the angels, that that appearance is according to the reception
of truth from good, and of the false principle from evil, with
those who inhabit the lower parts of that earth, and that the
beams of flaming lustre themselves were subject to no such
variableness. I was told also, that the lower parts of that earth
were inhabited both by the good and by the evil, but that they
were carefully separated, to the intent that the evil might be
ruled by the good from the Lord ; the angels added, that the
good were by turns elevated thence into heaven by the Lord,
and that others succeeded in their place, and so on perpetually.
In that descent, the good were separated from the evil in like
manner as above, and all things were reduced to order ; for the
evil, by various arts and cunning contrivances, had insinuated
themselves into the dwellings of the good there, and had infested
them ; and this was the cause of the present visitation. That
cloud, which in descending appeared by degrees bright and in a
Human Form, and afterwards as beams of flaming lustre, was
an angelic society with the Lord in the midst. Hence was shewn
the meaning of the Lord's words in the Gospels, where, speak
ing of the last judgment, He says, " That He should come with
the angels in ihe clouds of heaven, with glory and power."

172, 173.] OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 89
172. Afterwards there were seen some monkish spirits, viz.
such as had been travelling monks or missionaries in the world,
of whom mention was made above ; and there was also seen a
crowd of spirits, who were from that earth, several of them evil,
whom the monkish spirits had seduced and drawn over to favour
their opinions : these were seen on the eastern side of that earth,
from whence they drove away the good, who betook themselves
to the northern side of the earth, of whom we have spoken
above ; that crowd with their seducers was collected into one
body, amounting to some thousands, and was separated when
the evil were cast into the hells. It was given me to discourse
with one spirit who was a monk, and to ask him what he did
there ? He replied, that he taught them concerning the Lord ;
I asked, what besides ? He said, concerning heaven and hell :
I asked, what further ? He said, concerning a belief in all that
he should say : I asked again, if he taught anything else ? He
said, concerning the power of remitting sins, and of opening
and shutting heaven. He was then examined as to what he
knew concerning the Lord, concerning the truths of faith, con
cerning the remission of sins, concerning man's salvation, and
concerning heaven and hell, and it was discovered that he knew
scarce anything, and that he was in an obscure and false prin
ciple concerning all and singular the truths appertaining to the
above subjects ; and that he was possessed solely by the lust of
gain and dominion, which he had contracted in the world, and
brought with him thence ; wherefore he was told that inasmuch
as he had travelled so far as that earth under the instigation of
that lust, and was so very ignorant in points of doctrine, he
must needs deprive the spirits of that earth of celestial light,
and cause in them the darkness of hell, and thus bring them
under the dominion of hell, and not of the Lord. Moreover
he was cunning and crafty to seduce others, but dull and stupid
in heavenly things ; wherefore he was cast thence into hell. Thus
the spirits of that earth were freed from those monkish spirits.
173. The spirits of that earth mentioned also, amongst other
particulars, that those strangers, who, as has been said, were
monkish spirits, used all their endeavours to persuade them to
live in society, and not separate and solitary ; for spirits and
angels dwell and cohabit in like manner as in the world ; they
who have dwelt in a collected state in the world, dwell also in a
collected state in another life, and they who have dwelt in a
separate state, divided into houses and families, dwell also m a
separate state in another life ; these spirits, on their earth, whilst
they lived there as men, had dwelt in a separate state, house
and house, families and families, and thus nation and nation
apart, and hence they knew not what it was to dwell together
in society ; wherefore when it was told them that those strangers
wished to persuade them to dwell in society, to the intent that
G

90 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [173, 174.
they might reign and rule over them, and that they could not
otherwise subject them to themselves, . and make them slaves,
they replied, that they were totally ignorant what was meant
by reigning and ruling. That they fly away at the very idea of
rule and dominion, was made manifest to me from this circum
stance, that one of them, who accompanied us back again,
when I shewed him the city in which I dwelt, at the first sight
of it fled away, and was no more seen.
174. I then discoursed with the attendant angels concerning
dominion, observing that there were two kinds of dominion,
one of neighbourly love, and the other of self-love; and that
the dominion of neighbourly love has place amongst those, who
dwell separated into houses, families, and nations ; whereas the
dominion of self-love has place amongst those who dwell to
gether in society : amongst those who live separated into houses,
families and nations, he has dominion who is the father of the
nation, and under him the father of families, and under these
the fathers of each particular house : he is called the father of
the nation in whom the families originate, from which families
the houses are derived; but all these exercise a dominion of love,
like that of a father towards his children, who teaches them
how they ought to live, provides for their good to the utmost of
his power, and distributes amongst them all that he possesses ;
whilst it never enters into his mind to subject them to himself,
as subjects or as servants, but he loves that they should obey
him as children obey their father : and inasmuch as this love in
creases in descending, as is generally known, therefore, the
father of the nation acts from a principle of more inward love
than the father himself from whom the children are next de
scended : such also is the dominion which has place in the
heavens, inasmuch as such is the Lord's dominion ; for His do
minion is grounded in a principle of Divine Love towards the
whole human race. But the dominion of self-love, which is op
posite to the dominion of neighbourly love, began when man
alienated himself from the Lord ; for in proportion as man does
not love and worship the Lord, in the same proportion he loves
and worships himself, and in the same proportion also he loves
the world : then it was, that, compelled by motives of self-pre
servation and security from injustice, nations, consisting of fa
milies and houses, cemented themselves into one body, and
established governments under various forms ; for in proportion
as self-love increased, in the same proportion all kinds of evil,
as enmity, envy, hatred, revenge, cruelty, and deceit, increased
with it, being exercised towards all who opposed that love ; for
from man's selfhood, which has rule in those who are principled
in self-love, nothing but evil springs, inasmuch as man's self
hood is nothing else but mere evil, and of consequence is not
receptive of any good from heaven : hence self-love, whilst it

174  176.] OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 91
has dominion, is the father of all such evils ;ddd and it is also a
love of such a nature, that where it is left without restraint, it
grasps at an universal dominion over the whole earth, and wishes
to possess the property of all ; nay, it is not even content with
this, but would have dominion over heaven also, as may appear
from the example of modern Babylon. Such then is the domi
nion of self-love, from which the dominion of neighbourly love
differs as much as heaven does from hell. But notwithstanding
the dominion of self-love is such in societies, or in kingdoms
and empires, there is still existing a dominion of neighbourly
love, even in those collective bodies of men, with those who are
wise from a principle of faith and love towards God, for such
love their neighbour : that such also in the heavens dwell dis
tinct as to nations, families and houses, although in societies
together, but according to spiritual affinities, which have rela
tion to the good of love and the truth of faith, by the divine
mercy of the Lord will be shewn elsewhere.
175. I afterwards questioned those spirits concerning various
particulars in regard to the earth from whence they came, and
first, concerning their divine worship, and concerning revela
tion : in regard to divine worship, they said, that nations with
their families, every thirtieth day, meet together in one place,
and hear preaching ; and that the preacher on those occasions,
from a pulpit a little raised from the ground, teaches them Divine
Truths which lead to the good of life. In regard to revelation,
they said, that it is communicated early in the morning in a state
between sleeping and waking, when they are in an interior light
not as yet disturbed by the bodily senses and by worldly things ;
and that on such occasions they hear the angels of heaven dis
coursing concerning Divine Truths, and concerning a life in con
formity thereto ; and that when they are awake, an angel appears
to them in a white garment by the bed-side, and then suddenly
vanishes out of sight; and that hereby they know that what
they heard was from heaven : thus divine vision is distinguished
from vision not divine, for in vision not divine no angel appears :
they added, that in this manner revelations are made to their
preachers, and sometimes also to others.
176. On questioning them concerning their houses, they said,
ddd That man's selfhood, which he derives from his parents, is nothing but
dense evil, n. 210, 215, 731, 874, 876, 987, 1047, 2307, 2318, 3518, 3701, 3812,
8480 8550 10283,10284,10286,10731. That man's selfhood, consists in loving
himself more than God, and the world more than heaven, and in making light
of his neighbour in respect to himself, except it be for the sake of himself, and
thus from motives of self-love and the love of the world, u. 694, 731, 4317, 5660.
That all evils flow from self-love and the love of the world, when they have
dominion, n. 1307, 1308, 1321, 1594, 1691, 3413, 7255, 7376, 7480, 7488 8318,
9335 9348 10038. 10742. These evils are contempt of others, enmity, hatred,
revenge, cruelty, and deceit, n. 6667, 7372, 7373, 7374, 9348, 10038, 10742.
And that from these evils every false principle flows, n. 1047, 10283, 10284,
10286.

92 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. [176  178.
that they were low, being built of wood, with a flat roof, having
a cornice sloping downwards ; and that in front dwelt the hus
band and wife, in the next chamber the children, and the men-
servants and maid-servants to the back. In regard to food,
they said, that they drink milk with water, and have it from
cows, which are woolly like sheep. Of their manner of fife, they
said, that they go naked, and are not ashamed of it ; also that
their connexions are with those of their own families.
177. In regard to the sun of that earth they related, that
it appears to the inhabitants of a flaming colour; that the length
of their years is two hundred days, and that a day equals nine
hours of our time, which they could conclude from the length
of the days of our earth perceivable in me ; and further, that
they have a perpetual spring and summer, and consequently
that the fields are ever green, and the trees ever bearing fruit :
the reason of this is, because their year is so short, being equal
only to seventy-five days of our time ; and when this is the case,
the cold does not continue long in winter, nor the heat in summer,
and of consequence the ground is in a continual state of vegetation.
178. Concerning the ceremonies preparatory to and attend
ing marriage, they related, that a daughter, when she arrives
at a marriageable age, is kept at home, nor is she allowed to
leave the house till the day she is to be married ; and that then
she is conducted to a certain connubial house, where there are
also several other young women arrived at the same age, brought
together, and there they are placed behind a screen, which
reaches to the middle of the body, so that they appear naked as-
to the breast and face : and that on such occasions the young
men come thither to choose for themselves a wife ; and when a
young man sees a young woman that seems to suit him, and to
whom his mind inclines him, he takes her by the hand ; and if
she then follows him, he leads her to a house prepared for the
purpose, and she becomes his wife ; for they discover from the
face whether they agree in mind, inasmuch as every one's face
on that earth is an index of the mind, being free from deceit and
dissimulation. For the preservation of decency, and to suppress
lasciviousness, an old man is seated behind the young women,
and an old woman at the side of them, to make their observa
tions. There are several such places to which the young women
are conducted : and also stated times for the young men to
make their choice ; for if they do not find a young woman to
suit them in one place, they go to another ; and if not at one
time, they return again at a future time. They said further,
that a husband has only one wife, and in no case more than one,
because to have more than one is contrary to Divine Order.
THE END.
Walton i,- Mitchell, Printers, 24, Wardour-st. Oxford-st. London.