Extended image description for Figure 5
Extended image description for Figure 5
From the Earth, are concentric spheres of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Each sphere corresponds to groups of blessed souls: those who failed to keep vows, pursued earthly glory, loving spirits, wise spirits, just spirits, contemplative spirits, and those who fought for the faith. Beyond Saturn are the Sphere of Fixed Stars and the Crystalline Sphere or Primum Mobile, representing the outer physical boundary of the universe. Surrounding all is the Empyrean, home to angelic choirs arranged in rings—Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Above all is the “Rose of the Blessed,” a symbolic flower-like arrangement of saved souls, culminating in the presence of “God” at the top.