578. (23.) Is reformation indicated first by diminished darkness, and subsequently by augmented effulgence? _Ans._ Yes. 579. (24.) Is the sphere of a spirit known by the relative brightness or darkness of his halo? _Ans._ Yes. 580. (25.) Is the lower circle of the second sphere disagreeable as to its scenery? _Ans._ Yes. 581. (26.) Is spirit Maria’s description of the spheres correct? (505 to 523.) _Ans._ Yes. 582. (27.) Does this feature lessen as the circles are higher? _Ans._ Yes. 583. (28.) Do the last-mentioned circles present an aspect less agreeable than that of our sphere? _Ans._ Yes. 584. (29.) At what point does the scenery become superior to any in our world? _Ans._ In the third sphere. 585. (30.) What designates the boundaries of the spheres, so as to make spirits perceive when they are passing through the partition between one and another? _Ans._ Diversity of impression made upon the spirit. 586. (31.) What confines a spirit to his proper level, so that none can mount above it into a sphere to which he does not belong? _Ans._ A moral specific gravity, in which the weight is inversely as the merit, prevents the spirit from rising above his proper level. 587. (32.) Are spirits of different densities rarer or more refined in constitution as they are higher in rank? _Ans._ Yes. 588. (33.) Has the most dense or most undeveloped spirit any weight? if not, how are they denser than those who have progressed farther? _Ans._ They are in the spheres heavy as compared with other spirits, but their weight would not influence a scale-beam in this mundane sphere. 589. (34.) If the lowest have no weight, wherefore are they more competent to give physical manifestations by moving ponderable bodies? _Ans._ They do not act by weight, but all spirits, under favourable conditions and with certain means, possess, in a minute degree, a portion of that power possessed to an infinite extent by the Deity, of annulling gravitation and vis inertiæ; and though they cannot exercise such powers without the aid of a medium, the medium is to them as an implement in the hands of a human being. 590. (35.) How are such movements produced consistently with the law that action and reaction are equal and contrary? _Ans._ Gravity and vis inertiæ being neutralized, the physical law of action and reaction does not prevail against the spirit volition. 591. (36.) Do spirits employ their limbs in effecting manifestations? _Ans._ Not necessarily. 592. (37.) Have spirits a power of creating that which they desire? _Ans._ Yes. 593. (38.) Like the genius of Aladdin’s lamp, can spirits within their sphere create habitations at their bidding? _Ans._ Yes. 594. (39.) Does this creative power exist in the spirits of each sphere, or is it denied, as I have been informed, to those of the second sphere? _Ans._ It is denied. 595. (40.) Is this creative power more extensive as the sphere to which the spirit belongs is more elevated? _Ans._ Yes.