I was in a certain heavenly society, but nevertheless among spirits. And during the time I was in that society, the communication of the spirits who had spoken with me earlier and whose operations were quite obviously streaming in, was then perceptibly dulled-so much so, that nothing of their operations could enter the field I was in. I plainly saw this. There was a kind of sluggish uncertainty when a spirit tried to pour in his powers by communication. On this account, the spirit even wept, saying that he was now able to accomplish nothing, and at the same time, he was indignant, and wanted to flee away. So there cannot be [direct] communication of evil spirits with any heavenly society. Nevertheless, whenever it pleases the Lord, such communication is granted by means of spirits of an in-between character. 1748, 29 February.