The Nine Spheres of Heaven were described by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri in Dante’s Paradiso, the final part of the ‘Divine Comedy’ trilogy.
Dante’s ‘Paradiso’ begins after Dante completes his journey through the nine Circles of Hell to the peak of Purgatory. In Dante’s Paradiso, Roman poet Virgil is replaced by Dante’s ideal woman Beatrice Portinari.
Together with Dante, Beatrice transcends the natural boundaries to explore the concentric Spheres of Heaven, known as Empyrean – the Divine dwelling place of Gods and saints. In this realm, Beatrice symbolizes theology through allegory.
Let’s take a look at the nine Spheres of Heaven as described in Dante’s Paradiso:
First Sphere of Heaven: The Moon
Dante and Beatrice began their journey to the “Realm of Heaven” from the First Sphere of Moon or the Heaven. Here, they encounter individuals who failed to fulfill their vows, including Piccarda Donati, the sister of Dante’s companion Forese Donati, and Queen Constance of Sicily, both of whom were forced out of their religious orders.
Beatrice clarifies to Dante why their spirits were relegated to the lowest Heaven, despite the fact that it was not their fault, and she explains the origins of the dark spots on the moon. She focuses on the fact that an oath is a solemn promise made to god or another person out of one’s own free and thus, it should not be broken.
Second Sphere of Heaven: Mercury
Dante and Beatrice meet the souls of those who were righteous yet were driven by ambition in the Second Sphere of Heaven.
Mercury is for the souls of those individuals who have established themselves in a particular field, gained fame, and showcased altruistic behavior and charitable acts to create an image of philanthropy.
Just like how planet Mercury is veiled by the Sun, the true motivation behind the benevolence of an individual is believed to be concealed.
Here, Dante encounters and talks to Justinian, the Byzantine Emperor, who recounts the history of Rome, including events such as Julius Caesar’s reign, Augustus’ rule, Jesus’ crucifixion, and the fall of Jerusalem.
Before moving on to the next sphere, Dante and Beatrice talk about and examine the concepts like original sin, redemption, and the notion of the accountability of Jews for the death of Jesus.
Third Sphere of Heaven: Venus
The Third Sphere of Heaven is named after the planet and the Roman goddess of love Venus. Here, the souls of people who earned their place in heaven by demonstrating their love for God and humanity live.
Dante encounters several notable individuals in the Third Sphere of Heaven. Among those were Cunizza da Romano, whose brother he met in the Seventh Circle of Hell, and Folquet de Marselha, a troubadour who would later become the Bishop of Toulouse.
Also, Charles Martel of Anjou, a young prince shares his perspective on the various factors that shape one’s character and qualities beyond just heredity.
Fourth Sphere of Heaven: The Sun
Upon reaching the Fourth Sphere of Heaven or the Sun, Dante and Beatrice find themselves encircled by a group of twelve intelligent individuals, including Saint Thomas Aquinas, Boethius, King Solomon, Peter Lombard, and the Venerable Bede. This group forms the first crown.
Saint Thomas narrates the story of the work and life of Saint Francis to Dante and Beatrice.
Soon after, another group of twelve wise me with St. Bonaventure serving as their primary spokesman appear. As St. Thomas relayed the life and works of St. Francis to Dante, St. Bonaventure shares the story of St. Dominic. Just like Saint Thomas, Saint Bonaventure presents the story of St. Dominic to Dante.
Fifth Sphere of Heaven: Mars
In Dante’s Paradiso, the Fifth Sphere of Heaven or Mars is inhabited by devout warriors whose souls are shaped like crosses.
Dante encounters his great-great-grandfather, Cacciaguida, who perished during the Second Crusade and is a resident of the space. Cacciaguida explains the splendorous history of Florence and its subsequent decay.
He also predicts Dante’s banishment from the city-state, which eventually occurs. Joshua, Roland, Charlemagne, Judas Maccabeus, Robert Guiscard, and other holy warriors also reside in this part of heaven.
Sixth Sphere of Heaven: Jupiter
In the Sixth Sphere of Heaven, also known as Jupiter, the souls of righteous rulers are said to reside.
They spell the Latin phrase “diligite iustitiam qui iudicatis terram” (meaning “cherish justice, you who judge the earth”), and subsequently take the form of a massive eagle.
Some of the rulers who take the form of the eagle include the Biblical kings David and Hezekiah, Constantine, Trajan, William II of Sicily, and Ripheus, a Trojan hero and a pagan who God saved because of his uprightness. This eagle engages in dialogue with Dante about divine justice and its incomprehensibility.
Seventh Sphere of Heaven: Saturn
In the Seventh Sphere of Heaven or Saturn. The souls of people who dedicated their lives to prayer reside. Dante sees them climbing and descending from a golden ladder.
Within this sphere, he converses with St. Peter Damian, who highlights the Church’s corruption. Additionally, Dante encounters St. Benedict, who is angered by the Church’s fading morality.
St. Benedict explains to Dante that the golden ladder extends to the Empyrean and illuminates its characteristics.
Eighth Sphere of Heaven: Fixed Stars
The Eighth Sphere of Heaven is the Heavenly domain of Fixed Stars in the Gemini constellation
Here, Dante is greeted by the Virgin Mary and a host of other saints from the Biblical narrative, with the apostles Peter, John, and James who test him on the virtues of faith, love, and hope.
Moreover, Dante is also able to meet Adam, who shares his age, the duration of his stay in Eden, God’s wrath upon him, and the language he originally spoke.
Subsequently, Dante and Beatrice witness the fervent rage of Peter towards the Papacy and particularly Pope Boniface VIII before continuing their journey forward.
Ninth Sphere of Heaven: Primum Mobile
Next is Primum Mobile, which is the final of the nine spheres of Heaven and also the last physical Heaven before Empyrean, which exists outside space and time.
Dante has a conversation with Beatrice about this place that they have reached. Dante then sees an intensely bright light encompassed by nine circles that represent the nine orders of angels surrounding God in the center.
During their gradual ascent towards Empyrean, Beatrice enlightens Dante about the story of creation and the history of the angels. Dante is next led to witness the abode of God in the Empyrean, the celestial realm. This holy dwelling takes the form of an immense rose, with its petals serving as the home to the souls of the devoted. Hovering around the heart of this sacred flower, angels soar resembling bees, transporting the honeyed essence of divine affection.
Also Read: 7 Terraces of Dante’s Purgatory