In the presence of many spirits, and I think also of Mohamed, I thought to myself (which is a silent speaking, for my thought is speech) that it is amazing how few in the other life of those who are called Christians look for the Lord, while others who are followers and worshippers of men, even of devils, look for their own [gods] whom they had worshipped in life, and adore them there. This is evident from those who look for Mohamed, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, or for their idols. But I received the reply that evil spirits and devils are aware of and feel whatever is Divine, turn away from it and hate it; not so, whatever is agreeable to them, or what is diabolical. Therefore in the life of the body and after the life of the body, they strive against whatever is Divine. This also is a quite clear indication that the Lord is God, and controls the Universe. 1748, 19 March.

[1558 1/2.] How the minds of the inhabitants of this solar system are in community

In general this emerges from everything that has been revealed about the inhabitants of this solar system, namely, that it is those of the planet Venus and of our planet who make up bodily elements and their passions, thus the earthly and lower worldly elements. They therefore control the outer senses.

[1558 1/3.] [It also emerges] that the spirits of the planet Jupiter relate to or make up rational mental imagery, for they live with no concern for anything pertaining to the bodily senses, which are, so to speak, like a soil in which inward properties, and in these very inward properties, are implanted. For without an inward rational mental imagery, inward and very inward properties are not implanted. There is a difference between this imagery and that which arises from the outer senses, namely, that the latter are prone to speaking.

[1558 1/4.] [It also emerges] that the spirits of the planet Saturn are the inward sense, or reason;

[1558 1/5.] and that the spirits of the planet Mercury are higher knowledge;

[1558 1/6.] and that the spirits of the planet Mars are thought.