Last month I posted a visitor’s guide of the Nine Circles of Hell which feature prominently in my Gothic horror WIP ‘Reign in Hell: A Gothic Romance’. Here’s the link for those who wish to check it out: https://izaforestspritstories.com/2023/08/12/a-gothic-romance-cover-reveal-and-a-visitors-guide-to-the-nine-circles-of-hell/

Though most of the story takes place in Hell, the novella will also contain a few scenes set in Heaven. So I thought I’d share some details about my version of Heaven in this universe.

The concept of Heaven is loosely inspired by Dante’s Paradiso (the final part of The Divine Comedy’ following Purgatorio and Inferno) and Jewish folklore. The first thing a soul landing in Heaven would see, is a set of golden gates guarded by either Archangel Michael or Metatron, depending on who is on duty at the time. As well as greeting the souls, these Archangels also keep a record of each individual that enters the realm. Metatron makes a note of the soul’s name on a large scroll, which is later added to the Book of Righteous Souls inside Yahweh’s throne room.

Beyond the gates lies a massive golden palace in the clouds. The inside of the palace is shaped like a gigantic beehive. The Almighty Yahweh’s throne room is in the centre followed by nine spheres, each occupied by a different group of angels and the righteous souls they look after. These are arranged by hierarchy. The first sphere, the one closest to the omniscient deity, is the home to the top ranking celestials, the seven Archangels, the oldest of the seraphim and the first celestials to be created by Yahweh, whom he refers to as the Firstborn. These are the only angels who are permitted to speak to the Almighty directly and each one has a throne by Yahweh’s side. The second sphere is occupied the seraphim, the celestial soldiers and healers. The third is where the cherubim like Malakai live. They are watchers and guardian angels. The lower ranking angels live in the spheres further away from Yahweh’s throne room. Out of these, only the malakim messengers appear in the story and they are not named. Their purpose is to deliver a message from the Almighty and they speak in the voice of Yahweh. The ninth sphere belongs to the ishim, the lowest ranking angels who can communicate with some humans such as the prophets via visions.

Beyond the palace is a body water of known as the Pool of Eternal Youth where the souls and celestials, regardless of their rank, may bathe. The angels swim there when off duty. Though each sphere contains rooms for spirits and celestials, there are no beds because they sleep on clouds. Being immortal, angels don’t need to eat food to survive. They do however, drink nectar to revitalize their bodies and to regenerate their powers.