The Inhabited Universe

by Frederick L. Schnarr

4. THE INHABITANTS OF JUPITER

If we think of our earth as a rather large place - which we can still do, in spite of modern modes of transportation and communication - what can we think of the great planet Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system? With a diameter of 88,700 miles and a surface area one hundred and twenty times that of our earth, the planet Jupiter certainly staggers the imagination. Orbiting the sun at a distance close to 500 million miles, five times farther than our earth is from the sun, this giant has long attracted the attention and interest of every astronomer. With its twelve moons, two of which are larger than the planet Mercury, Jupiter has been likened to a solar system within the solar system.

The Planet Jupiter

Jupiter, like Venus, seems to be surrounded by dense cloud formations, which makes it impossible for the planet's surface to be viewed through the telescope. Certain atmospheric belts and colored zones or spots are observable with a telescope, but there seems to be little common agreement as to what causes these bright zones or colored spots. Not more than three decades ago, scientists generally thought that Jupiter was red-hot - a molten, lifeless mass, giving off glowing vapors into the atmosphere. Today, we believe it is fair to say, most astronomers think of Jupiter as a frozen, barren, uninhabited and lifeless world. Its surface temperature is estimated to be 220 degrees F., and its atmospheres are thought to be filled with poisonous methane and ammonia gases. Dr. Rupert Wildt, whose name is well known in the field of astronomical studies, estimates that Jupiter is covered by a coating of ice 16,000 miles thick.

Even those scientists who concede the possibility of human life existing on other planets give little thought to there being any possibility of life on Jupiter. The attitude generally expressed is summed up in the following statement by Professor H. Spencer Jones in his book, Life on Other Planets. Professor Jones, having presented the known findings concerning Jupiter and Saturn, concludes with this paragraph:

"The giant planets are worlds in strange contrast to our own with their enormously deep coatings of ammoniated ice, covered to a depth of thousands of miles with solid or liquid gases, over which are atmospheres devoid of oxygen or water-vapor but containing large quantities of poisonous marsh-gas. These dreary, remote, frozen wastes of the solar system are not worlds where we can hope to find life of any sort. Great cold may not by itself make life impossible, even though it may make its development extremely improbable; nor by itself may great pressure. But when these conditions are combined with absence of oxygen and of moisture and with abundance of poisonous gases, we have such a combination of unfavourable circumstances that we are compelled to turn elsewhere in our quest for life in the universe.

The Spirits of Jupiter in the Grand Man

When one has reviewed many such learned conclusions as to the lifeless nature of the planet Jupiter, one cannot but be amazed when he turns to the Writings and finds a detailed description of a Jupiter that is teeming with multitudes of human inhabitants living, not in a frozen wasteland, but in a beautiful tropical paradise. Once again we would note a truth that is repeated many times in the Writings - that man inclines to interpret all things of his experience and observation in a way that accords with those principles which form the core and center of all his thought. This means primarily that he will interpret all things according to his conception of God, even if that involves a total denial of God. We noted in a previous article that this is a most important truth to understand, and one that is not easily seen without study and reflection. It is the denial of God, or a false conception of His qualities and attributes, that has led many scientists and others to reach the conclusions they have drawn about the nature of the universe.

Swedenborg had communication with the inhabitants of Jupiter for longer than with those of any other planet. (AC 7799) Much more is revealed, therefore, about the character of the inhabitants of Jupiter, their religion, their customs, their appearance and way of life, than is revealed about any other people, save the people of our own earth.

In the Grand Man of heaven, the spirits from Jupiter relate to "the imaginative of thought." They relate especially to the activity of the imagination in regard to rational ideas. Because of this, it is characteristic of this people that they think much but speak little. It is interesting to note that so far in our consideration of the inhabitants of our solar system, all of them have relation to something in the Grand Man which pertains to thought and the memory. But this will be discussed further in our final article. (See AC 8630, 8733; SD unnumbered entry following no. 1558)

Spiritual Characteristics of Jupiter's People

The inhabitants of Jupiter are in a state somewhat like that of the Most Ancient Church on our earth when it was partially in process of decline. At the time when Swedenborg communicated with them, they were of a genius intermediate between the spiritual and the celestial. Many teachings indicate that while some have fallen into evil, the dominant state is still one of good. The Writings tell us that, on the whole, the spirits of Jupiter are better disposed than those of some other earths, and that in the other world there is a gentleness and sweetness about them. Some are said to be taken into heaven immediately after death. These people abhor hypocrisy and deceit and emphasize the importance of one's face being an accurate image of his mind. Something of their nature is evidenced in the fact that their presence is said to inspire states of tranquillity and peace and a removal of the desires and anxieties connected with future things. Swedenborg noted, in his conversations with the spirits and angels from Jupiter, that nearly all of their faces were happy, cheerful and smiling because of the states of tranquillity and peace in which they were. Indeed he was told that the faces of nearly all of the people on that earth were also such. (See AC 8733, 8111-8113, 8025, 8113, 8242)

The people of Jupiter make wisdom consist in thinking well and justly about the occurrences in life. Children learn this wisdom from their parents, who in turn are instructed by spirits and angels. They love to think about and reflect on the things of heaven, and to see how heavenly truths relate to the daily life of their earthly existence. Because of their delight in thinking about rational things that are at the same time spiritual, they give little thought to merely natural things. They told Swedenborg that they did not have any of the natural sciences that we have on this earth. They stated further that from the contact they had had with some of the spirits from our earth, which apparently was most unpleasant, they did not wish to have anything to do with the sciences; in fact, they did not wish to have anything to do with us! However, it was pointed out to them that the sciences are actually "spiritual riches" when properly used and governed by heavenly things; and that they were not to blame the sciences for the attitudes evidenced by most of the people from our earth. The sciences were not at fault, but the intent of the loves that used them. After some reflection they granted that this was true. (AC 8627, 8628, 7802, 8380, 8628, 8031, 8115, 8633)

The concern for what is open, honest and just, combined with what is cheerful, gentle and peaceful, presents us with a description of a people that is at once delightful and lovable. The Writings tell us that they never desire the possessions of others, and that still less would they ever attack and plunder them. They regard such things as horrible crimes, contrary to all truly human qualities. When they were told about the wars waged and the crimes committed on this earth they could not bear to listen, but turned away. Something of the nature of their conscience was made evident to Swedenborg when he encountered a spirit from Jupiter newly arrived from that earth. He said that he wanted to go to heaven, but could not because of the evil he had done. When asked what he had done, he said that he had taken something that was of little value, and that he thought his companion was going to give him anyway: but he had not waited for him to give it, he had taken it. This lay heavily on his conscience. We could hardly say that such a form of conscience is common among the peoples of our earth at this day. (See AC 8117, 8849)

Not all the inhabitants of Jupiter are good, however, nor are they all of the same character. Besides those who are intelligent and wise in heavenly things, Swedenborg conversed with, or witnessed the actions of, three other kinds of spirits from Jupiter: those who were in open evils and falsities; those who perform the use of chastising others; and those who perform the use of instructing. That evil exists with the inhabitants of Jupiter, and that hells have been formed from those who have confirmed themselves in evil, cannot be doubted. We are taught that there are some on the planet Jupiter who desire as their greatest delight to be led by the love of self, to seek pleasure, and to have dominion over others. They pretend to acknowledge the Lord, and they induce their followers to believe that He dwells in the natural sun. Because of this they are called sun worshipers. They tell others that while the Lord is the supreme Lord, they are His mediators and are to be thought of as saints or lesser lords. In this way they lead others to worship them. However, it is noted that most people are quite aware of their nature, and that when no signs of repentance and reformation are evidenced they are banished from society and held in aversion. It is from such spirits, after they have died, that the inhabitants of the planet receive inclinations and persuasions to what is evil and false and thus are tempted. Because these people know where such inclinations and persuasions come from, and what is their quality, they normally pay them little heed. With most, indeed, the fact that they see the quality of good and the quality of evil side by side helps to strengthen them even more in what is good. (AC 8701-8704, 8735-8737, 8712)

The spirits and angels from Jupiter have a much more intimate relationship with their earthly companions than the spirits and angels from our earth have with us. The Writings note, for example, that it is a common thing for spirits from Jupiter to speak with the inhabitants of the planet, and also to chastise them if they have done something evil. (AC 7803)

In another passage we read:

"Spirits there speak with man, but not conversely man with spirits, except these words, when he is instructed, that 'he will do so no more.' Nor is he allowed to tell any of his companions that a spirit has spoken to him; and if he does, he is severely punished. These spirits of Jupiter at first supposed that when they were with me, they were with a man of their own earth; but when in my turn I spoke to them, and also when I thought that I would publish such things, and they were not allowed to chastise, or to instruct me, they noticed that they were with another." (AC 7809)

Those spirits from Jupiter who are called "chastisers" seem, for the most part, to be evil spirits who are in process of passing through the states of the world of spirits. It is said that they are continually desirous of coming into heaven, this apparently from the thought that they merit heaven because they punish those who do evil. However, it is noted that their actions are condemned by the angels.(AC 7801) Before instructing spirits or angels are sent to the men of that earth, chastising spirits are permitted to prepare the way. These spirits are able to examine the man's memory and to note all his evil thoughts and all the evil deeds he has committed. Because they then punish him for these, and this even to the point of causing bodily suffering, a preparation is effected whereby the man listens more attentively to instruction from good spirits and angels. A man of Jupiter is aware when these chastising spirits approach him, for their presence excites horror and fear. To one who is beginning to meditate on a falsity or to find delight in an evil, admonition is offered in a first attempt at dissuasion. If this is not sufficient, the chastising spirits begin to threaten various things, such as bodily pain. If this does not work, they induce pain; and the Writings note that they are particularly adept at causing pain in the joints and the stomach. Finally, as a last resort, they threaten the man with the loss of his life and deprivation of the joy from consort, children and companions, which would bring him great grief. If nothing avails, the man is banished from society and the chastising and instructing spirits leave him alone. During all forms of chastisement and instruction the angels are present, exercising a kind of judicature, constantly moderating and restraining according to uses. They prevent the chastising spirits from doing worse things to the man than is permitted by the Lord, and they continually enjoin the instructing spirits to speak only what is true. (AC 7803, 7805, 7808, 7810, 7811, 8021, 8022, 8028, 8542)

Not a great deal is said about the nature of the instructing spirits. Some of the work they perform is much like that which is done by the chastising spirits, although the instructing spirits seem to do their work from good intentions. They also reprove and admonish those who begin to turn to what is evil and false, but their manner of doing this is more gentle and has an eye to introducing instruction as to what is good and true. (AC 7804)

We have likened the state in which the people of Jupiter now are to that of the Most Ancient Church in the beginning of its decline. Undoubtedly we can learn much concerning the state of that church by examining the various teachings given concerning the state of the people of Jupiter. One important thing to note is the close connection and communication between the spiritual and the natural worlds that still exists with that people. Spirits and angels are still able to speak with the men of their earth; they are even able to cause pain in the physical body. Indeed it is said concerning those who confirm themselves in evil, their death is brought about, not by punishments inflicted by chastising spirits, but by "deprivation of breathing." (AC 8542) There is a type of suffocation from an inability to breathe which arises from the corresponding suffocating effect of their evils. The Writings indicate that the men of the Most Ancient Church had an internal form of breathing which was much like that of the angels, but that this was changed after the fall of that church. We note also the statement that "with their descendents, this inward breathing vanished little by little, and with those who were taken possession of by direful persuasions and phantasies, it became of such a character that they could no longer present any idea of thought except a most odious one, the result of which was that they could not survive, but all became extinct." (AC 607: 3. Cf. AC 805: 2)

Religious Beliefs on Jupiter

When we examine the religious beliefs of the inhabitants of Jupiter, we find further confirmation of how closely these people are connected with the spiritual world, and, again, we find light thrown on the state of the Most Ancient Church. In conversation with the spirits of Jupiter, Swedenborg was told that they worshiped the Lord as the one only Lord; that they knew He was a Divine Man; and that He had been seen by them as a Divine Man and had instructed them in the truths which are necessary for eternal life. They said further that the Lord had revealed to the people of Jupiter - apparently over a period of time - how they were to live and what they were to believe, and that this knowledge was handed down from family to family. So confident are the people of Jupiter that there is a life after death that they have no fear whatsoever of dying; indeed they do not speak of dying, but of being "heaven made."  Their only grief in dying arises from the fact that they will be separated temporarily from their loved ones. In the very mode of their death we see their close connection with the spiritual world. For the good do not die violently, nor from disease or with suffering. At the age of thirty or thereabouts they are warned in a dream or vision that they will die within a year. They then put their various concerns in order, and die tranquilly in their sleep. We would simply note in passing that the reason given for death at such an early age is that there would otherwise be a danger of their numbers increasing beyond what the planet Jupiter can support. (See AC 8541; cf. 7173, 8850, 7803, 8850, 8113, 8851)

Although the good spirits and angels from Jupiter had received sufficient knowledge for regeneration, many things indicate that their wisdom, even that of the angels, needed to be infilled. We believe that the truths revealed by the Lord in His second coming provided the means of this infilling, and this not only with them but also with good spirits and angels throughout the entire universe. How else are we to understand many of the remarks they made to Swedenborg and the instruction by him that usually followed? For example, Swedenborg told the angels from Jupiter who ruled over the chastising and instructing spirits that they should not think that they have any power to judge and rule such things, but that the Lord alone has such power and that they only receive their power from Him. He also taught them many things about the Word; for instance, how man becomes an image and likeness of God - with which they were delighted. Some of them, in this case good spirits, had the idea that the Lord does evil to those who are in disorders and desires to punish them; but after Swedenborg had instructed them they changed their minds. In another instance, when Swedenborg told them about the Lord having been born on our earth, they said that it was of no concern to them to know this. Little did they realize how much it did concern them! Again, through Swedenborg, some spirits from our earth introduced a doubt concerning their belief in the Lord. This caused them to doubt for a moment themselves, and then they were utterly ashamed and asked Swedenborg not to publish the incident. Indeed, they did not want him to publish anything he had heard about them. They did not think that this was fair, since they were not allowed to publish what they knew about us. Like the inhabitants of the other earths we have studied, the people of Jupiter have no knowledge of writing or of printing. Swedenborg instructed them, showing them how ideas can be written down, and even told them something about the process of printing and publishing. He described also how the Word had been written and published. At first the spirits from Jupiter were skeptical, and somewhat uninterested in all this knowledge, for they regarded it as merely external natural knowledge; but as they commenced to see some of the uses involved, they began to marvel and to express amazement. (See AC 7811; 8545-8547, 8543, 8544, 8385; SD 3045)

Characteristics of the People of Jupiter

As to their physical features, the people of Jupiter are very similar to us, both in size and in general appearance. Their faces are more beautiful than most of the faces on our earth, since sincerity, modesty and happiness shine forth from them. They emphasize the importance of the face, because they think of it as an image or form of the mind; and indeed with them it is. Whatever they feel for another shows itself immediately in the expression of the face, as does also whatever state of virtue or wisdom they are in. For this reason they take great care of their faces, washing and cleansing them, and protecting them from the sun. They even have a covering made of blue-colored bark or rind which they bind about their heads to protect their faces from the sun. It may be noted in passing that many of the things which they do indicate that Jupiter is a very warm planet and that most life there exists in a semi-tropical climate. Even though evil exists on Jupiter, it apparently has not caused deformities or disfigurements of the human body, as is the case on our earth. When certain of the inhabitants saw the warty, pimply and disfigured faces of some of the men of our earth they were saddened and dismayed. However, they were pleased with some others, especially those which were cheerful and smiling. (See AC 8242, 8234, 8245-8247)

As the thoughts and loves which are active with them are evident in their faces, particularly in the eyes, so are they evident in their speech. Thus they cannot think in one way and speak in another, but they must say what they are thinking. They do not speak sonorously, by means of words, as we do, but through ideas which manifest themselves in the expressions of the face, especially those of the lips and the area around the mouth. (See AC 8022, 8248, 8383)

The Writings tell us that the people of Jupiter do not walk erect as we and the inhabitants of many other earths do. They do not in any way creep in the manner of animals, but assist themselves with the palms of their hands when they walk, and alternately half raise themselves on their feet. They keep their faces forward and somewhat upward, only turning to look sideways and backward at every third step or so. One passage likens their motion to that of a swimmer who helps himself with his hands while looking from side to side. They look around often because when they approach or meet someone they desire to be looked at in the face, and not from behind. To look downward while walking they believe to be a damnable thing, because it indicates that one's thoughts are focused on evil; and such as look downward are banished from society. They delight in looking upward to the starry heaven, for this they call the "abode of the angels." For this reason also they love the color azure blue more than any other and use it in their tents and houses. When they sit down, they look just as we do, except that they cross their feet - though this would not change the resemblance as far as some of us are concerned! It is noted that they do not sit on chairs, benches or couches, or even right on the grass, but on leaves from the fig tree. This latter fact they were somewhat hesitant about divulging to Swedenborg. (See AC 8371-8374, 8030, 7801, 8373, 8377)

In the warm zones of Jupiter the people go about naked, with only a covering about the loins. The minds of most of them are chaste; they love none except their partners and abhor adulteries. Because of this they are not ashamed of their nakedness. They were very much surprised that when spirits from our earth saw them walking as they do, and saw them naked, they ridiculed them and also thought lasciviously; and that these spirits paid no attention to their heavenly life, but only to such things. They said that this is a sign that they care more for bodily and earthly things than for heavenly ones, and that indecencies possess their minds. They were told that nakedness does not cause either shame or scandal to those who live in chastity and in a state of innocence, but only to those who live in lasciviousness and shamelessness. (AC 8375) Once again we note how the spirits from our earth make themselves popular with the spirits from other earths! Can we wonder at the awful reputation this earth has achieved throughout the universe?

Life on Jupiter

The inhabitants of Jupiter are distinguished into nations, families and houses. The families seem to live grouped together into one house, but set apart from other family units. It is noted that their associations are mostly with the members and relatives of their own family unit. Apart from their concern with finding the necessaries of life - food, clothing and shelter - they show little interest in details concerning other natural things, unless they see something representing heaven therein. For example, they take great care with the coloring of the ceilings in their homes, making them look like the sky filled with stars. They do this because they associate the starry heaven with the abode of the angels. (See AC 8117, 8380, 8379)

Some of the inhabitants live in houses and some in tents. The houses are low and are made of wood. On the inside, they are lined with an azure colored bark or rind which, on the ceilings, is dotted with golden stars. The tents are long, but rounded at the top, and decorated with the same azure-colored, star-dotted material as that used in the houses. We are not told from what material their tents are made. The people take great care in making their dwellings, and they spend much time in keeping them clean. Because of the heat, which seems to be great in the daytime, they mostly stay indoors. Their meals are eaten indoors also; and it is said that they delight in prolonging their periods of eating; not so much for the enjoyment of the food as for the conversations which they then have. Little is said as to the kinds of food they eat, except for vegetables, fruits, and seeds which they grind into flour; but it is mentioned that they prepare their food chiefly for the use it will serve the body and not so much for the taste. They say that there must be a good body for there to be a good mind. When they go to bed, they lie facing into the room and never towards the wall, believing that they thus turn more towards the Lord. Swedenborg mentioned that he had sometimes had this feeling also, but that he could not explain it until he had talked with these people. (AC 8377-8379; SD 631; AC 8376)

Some of the spirits who talked to Swedenborg told him that the area of Jupiter from which they came was densely populated and could scarcely support a greater population. They said that the planet was fertile and abounded in all kinds of growth. The only animal they mentioned was the horse, which they said was much larger than ours. Their horses run wild in the forests, and when they are seen the inhabitants are terrified. They fear the horse because, although he does them no harm, they know that he represents an understanding formed from scientifics, and this they dread and abhor. (AC 8116, 8381)

The life of the inhabitants of Jupiter seems to be happy and active, yet peaceful and innocent. This is evidenced in many things, but especially in their manner of worshiping the Lord. Every morning at sunrise, and every evening at sunset, the families meet in their dwellings to worship Him. At these times they also sing songs. They do not seem to be wrapped up in following calendars and in rushing hither and thither according to fixed times. Indeed they do not have any holidays; they do not need them. The main concern of parents is the education of their children, whom they love tenderly. Children mature much more rapidly than they do on our earth and marry at an earlier age. This would have to be the case since, as we noted earlier, their life-span is only some thirty years. (AC 8633, 8380, 8851)

Conclusion

The spirits of Jupiter had various things to say about the nature of the people of our earth, few of which are even vaguely complimentary! But we would leave the consideration of these remarks to a later article in which the nature of the inhabitants of our earth will be discussed. In concluding our review of the inhabitants of Jupiter we would again draw attention to the observation that we see imaged in their state, character and customs; an obvious, intimate communication and connection with the life and laws of the spiritual world, the like of which has not existed on this earth since the time of the Most Ancient Church. Understanding the relationship between heaven and earth, between spiritual law and natural law, is a means of bringing us into greater wisdom; and this we must consider to be one of the great uses of the revelation of such knowledges as we have been considering.

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