639. CONCERNING THE SPIRITS VERY HIGH UP IN HEAVEN Spirits were also perceived by me who were at a great height, and above where the dragon is. I wondered who they were, and I conjectured that they were spirits of this or that kind, knowing that the higher the place to which they raise themselves by their own phantasy, the more malignant they are, because the more haughty I was told that they were genii who inflow not by speech, but malignantly and most deceitfully by the influx of evil cupidities. I also have experienced this, for they inflowed by such hidden malice that I could scarcely withstand them. It was reported to me that they are not released, yet they act freely because they hide the poison of the serpent quite deeply. But they are there held bound, although they are not there but in hell, for they are in Gehenna, and it is only their phantasy that they are there on high, as was also said and shown them. Moreover, when they wanted to be released other spirits were adjoined to them who tempered them so that they could not pour out their poisons, concerning which they complained. They also complained that they were driven to speak, which they do unwillingly, because they want to act in some lurking place, or in secret. 1748, Feb. 3.