Cosmology

The agreement of various theologians, philosophers, and prophets seems to point to the presence of four realms of existence:

• The Mundane World: This is the world we see around us, governed by the Laws of Matter and Laws of Magic. The whole is surrounded by a great vault, sprinkled with the lamps called the stars, across which the seven visible planets move.
• The Realm of Light: Known as Heaven or Paradise to some, the World of the Gods to others, this plane of existence is often seen as a world of order and contentment for the honored dead.
• The Spirit World: Existing side by side and impenetrating the Mundane world this plane is where disembodied spirits move and act.
• The Second World: This plane is commonly known as Hell, the Abyss, the Pit, is considered to be a world of unending chaos and evil, the source of evil spirits and demons.

The actual nature of each of these realms is hotly debated among various scholars.

Christians, Jews, and Muslims argue that the Realm of Light is the only permanent reality. The Mundane World is a temporary creation, a stage for the great drama of history. They further argue that Hell will pass away at the Day of Judgement when its inhabitants pass into the Lake of Fire. The Spirit World, to some Christian theologians, isn't actually a separate reality, but rather a condition of the beings dwelling “there.”

Zoroastrians, believe that the Realm of Light and the Spirit World are ruled by Ahura Mazda and are essentially good, possessing no matter, which is inherently evil. The Mundane World and the Second World are ruled by Ahriman and are essentially evil, being composed of matter, which itself is evil.

To the Pagans, the Realm of Light belongs to the gods, the Spirit Realm to their kin and rivals the Jotuns, and The Second World is a grim warehouse for the dead.