nd
clothing of the men (_homines_) of that earth. Afterwards there were
exhibited some kinds of their oxen and cows, which did not, indeed,
differ much from those on our Earth, except that they were smaller,
and approximated in some measure to the stag and hind species.
45. They were also questioned about the sun of the system, how it
appears from their earth. They said that it appeared large, and larger
there than from other earths; they said that they knew this from the
ideas of other spirits respecting the sun. They said further that they
enjoyed a middle temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. It was
then given me to tell them, that it has been so provided for them by
the Lord, in order that they might not be exposed to excessive heat
from the circumstance of their earth being in greater proximity to the
sun than the other earths, since heat does not arise from nearness to
the sun, but from the height and density of the aerial atmosphere, as
is evident 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 evident from the seasons of winter and summer in
every region. These are the particulars which it has been given me to
know respecting the spirits and inhabitants of the earth Mercury.
THE EARTH OR PLANET JUPITER, AND ITS SPIRITS AND INHABITANTS.
46. It has been given me to have longer intercourse with the spirits
and angels of the planet Jupiter than with the spirits and angels
from the other planets; and I can therefore relate more particulars
respecting their state of life and respecting that of the inhabitants
of that planet. That those spirits were from that planet, was evident
from many circumstances, and was also declared from heaven.
47. The earth or planet Jupiter itself does not indeed appear to
spirits and angels: for in the spiritual world no earth is ever
visible to any one, but only the spirits and angels who are from it.
Those who are from the planet Jupiter appear in front to the left, at
some little distance, and this constantly (see above, no. 42): there
also the planet is. The spirits of every earth are near their own
earth, because they are from its inhabitants (for every man after
death becomes a spirit), and because they are thus of a similar
genius, and can be with the inhabitants and be of service to them.
48. They related that in the region of their earth where they had
lived
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