As a primary element of the Divine triad, the angelic kingdom manifests through the will of the Divine. As an instrument of Divine Will they are said to have no free will of their own. Void of ego and personal desires they are the high point of service.
An angel is a messenger. They can easily interface with our Higher Self , that part of us aligned with Divine Will as well. Angels hold all potentials and are beyond gender, duality, and polarity. As such, they are the ideal Celestial interface, intermediary for humans incarnate. They function on a call basis and, will not intervene without being summoned.
Learning about the angels can be very useful for the conscious human as they can gather assistance, insight, support, and more by knowing who to call. Only the guardian is able to intervene…an element we shall look at in a bit.
Although there are many, especially in the New Age, who celebrate their angelic connection and entourage, there is, as yet, any definitive understanding of the angelic structure/hierarchy. The idea of angelic hierarchy is common so, for now we shall use this perspective. In the Christian perspective there are nine orders or choirs are separated into three spheres.
1st Sphere
These angels serve as heavenly counselors. Known as angels of contemplation, they have little human contact, being more concerned with the workings of the Universe
Orders:
Seraphim
At the throne of the Creator singing the music of the spheres, they contemplate divine order and providence. Exuding immense amounts of Light, they have 6 wings, standing at the throne chanting, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory”
Cherubim
These are the angels of wisdom, contemplating divine essence ad and form, said to be guardians of the light and the guides of the stars.
Thrones
Angels of contemplation who are active in connecting to the next sphere.
2nd Sphere
Made up of beings who work as heavenly governors, keeping the universe in order. Known as angels of the cosmos
Orders
Dominations
Managers and architects of the angelic orders below them.. They are an organizing force of the Cosmos.
Virtues
Said to literally infuse the world and all in it with spiritual energies. They are the angels of miracles, encouragement, and blessings for those struggling with their faith. They bestow grace and valor upon humans.
Powers
Maintain the harmony of the universe. They are said to be the record keepers and historians guiding the development of religion and consciousness. Guide the lost souls who have left the body and cannot find heaven.
3rd Sphere
Have the most contact with humanity, functioning as guides and messengers.
Principalities
Act as guardian angels to large collectives of nations, communities, and religious organizations, protecting and guiding them and their leaders.
Archangels
Guides and guards of larger areas of human activity, each ruling a different province in life, from healing and protection to mercy and death.
Angels
Most closely associated with humanity as protectors, companions, healers, teachers, guides, and intermediaries.
The Qabalistic view places different angelic orders in each sephira on the Tree of Life. Each order rules a particular sphere. The archangels are separate from the 10 angelic orders, residing on a higher plane of existence. Mystics describe the individuals of each order as cells in the body of the ruling archangel, working in total harmony with direction from that archangel whose body extends across the cosmos.
The 10 angelic orders , their archangel director , their Sephira and their Angelic Choir:
1. Chaioth ha-Quadesh, Metatron, Kether, Seraphim
2. Auphanim, Jophiel, Chokmah, Cherubim
3. Aralim, Tzafkiel, Binah, Thrones
4. Chashmalim, Tzadkiel, Chesed, Dominions
5. Seraphim, Chamuel, Geburah, Virtues
6. Malakim, Michael, Tipereth, Powers
7. Elohim, Haniel, Netzach, Principalities
8. Beni Elohim, Raphael, Hod, Archangels
9. Kerubim, Gabriel, Yesod, Angels
10. Ashim, Sandalphon, Malkuth, Ascended Masters
New Age Theosophist emphasis on the Seven Rays focuses primarily on archangels and the Elohim, seen as the major humanity connected ones. Archangels handle the spiritual side of the Divine directive while the Elohim manifest the material into the physical universe. The specific associations with the Seven Rays using angelic pairings and Ascended Master chohan are as follows:
- First Ray/Color Red/ Elohim Hercules and Amazonia/Archangels Michael and Faith /Ascended Master El Morya
- Second Ray/Color Blue/ Elohim Apollo and Lumina/ Archangels Jophiel and Christine/ Master Lento
- Third Ray/ Yellow/ Heros and Amora/Chamuel and Charity/ AM Paul the Venetian
- Fourth Ray/ Green/ Purity and Astrea/ Gabriel and Hope/ Ascended Master Serapic Bey
- Fifth Ray/ Orange/ Cyclopea and Virginia/ Raphael and Mary/ AM Hilarion
- Sixth Ray/ Indigo/ Peace and Aloha/ Uriel and Aurora/ AM Lady Nada
- Seventh Ray/ Violet/ Arcturus and Victoria/ Tzadkiel and Amethyst/ Saint Germain
Specific Archangels
Michael
Archangel Michael is the divine warrior and protector. In ritual magick, he is associated with the element of fire and the direction of south, as he is the keeper of the flaming sword or flaming spear. Michael teaches about the development of will, to stand fearless in the face of danger when doing our divine will. Modern practitioners call upon him to release unwanted spirit attachments during healing sessions. Qabalistically, Michael has been associated with both the sphere of Tiphereth (the Sun) and of Hod (Mercury). Most texts say he rules one sphere and co-rules the other, jointly with Raphael, showing his association with healing. I prefer the solar attributes myself, as Michael is a leader among angels, and many consider him second only to God and perhaps Metatron. His name means “he who is like God.” Some believe it was Michael who appeared to Moses in the burning bush to deliver the divine message. The Koran states that the Cherubim are formed from Michael’s tears. His colors are red and sometimes blue.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3232-3239). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Gabriel
Archangel Gabriel is the archangel of the direction of west, the element of water, the Moon, and the Qabalistic sphere of Yesod. With all the water associations, which occultists link with love, emotions, and healing, Gabriel is the messenger and is best known for delivering the news of Jesus’s upcoming birth to Mother Mary. He is also said to have dictated the Koran to Mohammed. Gabriel is also associated with Joan of Arc. Why then, does he have a water association, when metaphysically he seems more linked to air? I asked this question while meditating, and received the answer that Gabriel is the messenger of the heart, and all these messages come through the heart first, to be translated later by the head. Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength,” but this may refer to the emotional and spiritual strength of God, rather than the physical. Watery colors, such as blue and sea green, as well as the lunar colors of silver and violet, are appropriate for Gabriel.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3240-3246). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Raphael
Archangel Raphael’s gifts are well-known in the realm of healing, as he is the divine physician. His name means “God heals” or “healed by God.” He is the archangel of the eastern quadrant, the element of air, and either the sephira of Tiphereth (the Sun) or Hod (Mercury). I prefer the Mercurial associations, as the archangel of air. Raphael’s colors are yellows, blues, and oranges. He is said to have healed Abraham’s pain after circumcision, as well as Jacob’s thigh, and he gave Noah a book of medical knowledge. Raphael even personally gave King Solomon his magick ring to bind spirits to build his grand temple. Air is associated not only with the knowledge of healing, but also the knowledge of magick. Most Mercurial figures are magician archetypes.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3249-3252). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Uriel
Of the four main archangels, Uriel is one of the most mysterious and interesting. Though all are androgynous, Uriel, sometimes spelled Auriel, is the most feminine of the four, with the feminine pronoun most often used in angelic literature and ritual. Uriel means “light of God” in most translations, yet is associated with the north and the element of earth in ceremonial magick. Sometimes she is described as dark winged, and as an angel of death, interring the body back to the earth. Teachings on grounding, being secure in the material world, and prosperity are her domain, as the archangel of earth. Uriel’s other associations are with Uranus and, in some Qabalistic systems, the hidden sphere of Da’ath, which means “knowledge.” Da’ath is the gateway between the day side and the night side of the Tree of Life, and is the mysterious center in the abyss separating the three upper powers from the rest. With the Uranian associations, Uriel is connected to sudden and swift knowledge, like a burst of lightning awakening the intuitive mind to divine truth. Uriel was said to give to humanity the knowledge of alchemy and, some say, the Qabalah itself. She gave secret arcane lore to Ezra, warned Noah of the flood, and lead Abraham out of Ur. With the Uranian connection, which rules sudden changes, disasters, and revolutions, as well as Earth changes, Uriel helps protect us from disasters, human made or otherwise, by giving us advance warning and insight so we can take appropriate action. She also has an association with electricity, and can be called upon to help repair any type of electrical device. Uriel’s colors are greens, browns, and black for Earth, and electric blue, yellow, and ultraviolet for Uranus.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3253-3260). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Tzadkiel
Tzadkiel, also known as Zadkiel, is the archangel of benevolence. His name means “the righteousness of God,” and he is associated with the planet Jupiter, the sephira Chesed (which means “mercy”), and the violet flame of transmutation. Tzadkiel was the angel who stopped Abraham from slaying his son in God’s name. He is also an angel of memory, called upon to improve our human faculties of memory whenever we need his aid.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3274-3277). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Jophiel
Jophiel is the archangel of beauty, and his name means “beauty of God.” Modern practitioners call upon this being to aid in all artistic and beautifying projects. Jophiel is the companion to Metatron, but is also one of the angels who drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3282-3284). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Metatron
The lore of Metatron is one of the strangest for angelic mages. The meaning of his name is unclear, because, unlike the other angels’ names, Metatron does not end with the “el” suffix, which translates to “of God.” His name has been translated to mean “measurer,” “guide,” or the “one who sits at the throne next to the throne of God.” Metatron is considered the most divine of all the angels. He is called the archangel of the presence, and is associated with the top sphere on the Tree of Life, acting as an intermediary between the Creator and all of creation. He has two common images—either that of a creature described as the tallest of all beings, with thirty-six wings and countless eyes, or that of a small, peaceful child. Though Metatron is not listed in any of the traditional scriptures, occultists see him as trumping all other angelic beings. Some say Metatron is far removed from the human plane, having no interface with humanity, while others say he was once human, the scribe and prophet Enoch, who ascended to heaven with the aid of the Sefer Raziel and transformed into Metatron, and is still keeping watch over his human brethren. Magicians sometimes call him in ritual for the center of the circle and the element of spirit. If and when Metatron does make contact with humans, his presence is said to mark a pivotal spiritual shift in the life of that human, and his wisdom should be heeded, despite his appearance.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3290-3300). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Sandalphon
Sandalphon is the only other archangel besides Metatron who is associated with a human life on Earth. Most strongly associated with Elijah, but also with John the Baptist, Sandalphon is the archangel of Malkuth, the earthly realm, and some see him as having a place in the planetary hierarchy of ascended masters, as humanity’s first link to the angelic realm. His name is said to mean “brother,” referencing his association with his “twin,” Metatron. Many think of Sandalphon and Metatron as two sides of the same coin, as Malkuth is simply the Kether of a lower Tree of Life. Sandalphon appears in the world as a wise old man, but his feet are said to be in the earth and his crown in the heavens. His other forms include the classic Qabalistic Princesses (or Pages) of the tarot—the Princesses of wands, swords, cups, and pentacles.
Penczak, Christopher. Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth & Healing for the New Aeon (Kindle Locations 3301-3306). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
Guardian Angels
The concept of guardian angel has been around as long humans misplaced their own conscious connection with Source. Someone has to watch over me…but, the reality of that has been a subject of debate, religiously and spiritually. According to long standing angel 101 perspectives the angels are aligned with Divine Will and do not act out of their own accord. This takes away the likelihood that one is watching over you or me ready to pluck us from disaster as they would have to act of their own volition.
In light of this the notion that your guardian is a post incarnate human who is taking care of you from the Celestial realms. Consider the notion of the ancestors watching over us. Interesting. Add to this that in shamanic traditions it is the animal totems who give us messages and steer us from the cliffs of life…if we pay attention and listen. There is a growing list of candidates here.
Consider, if you will, the one existing Celestial servant who is constantly present for you…your own Higher Self. The HS is devoted to bringing forth moments of living in forms that serve your own remembering of your Divinity in consciousness. Would it not follow that the HS is looking out for you as well. Can the Higher Self pluck you from a storm like the traditional angel, replete with superhuman powers, can? Well…consider that once you leave the limitations of the earth plane beliefs you have direct access to spiritual law and all the capabilities that that entitles. That makes it possible to move my car from a collision that seemed inevitable in the blink of an eye…in Rhinebeck, New York in 2007. Certainly plausible to me.
When we step outside of fear based living we attract very different experiences. As we grow into our own design we lose the investment in drama and experiences necessary to learn and, voila…one’s life changes for the flowing better. Just something to consider here.
When it comes to angels we can take solace in another way that we are not alone…never have been. Then, knowing that, you are invited to get active with making and massaging the connection. With the information given above you are able to establish communication with the being of your choice for they will respond…in a way that speaks to you…as soon as you get out of your way and become aware. Even a nuance is worth a response from you because you just don’t know the language yet.
Ask and you shall receive. It is the law. The more you ask then the more opportunities to notice and receive. Play with the idea and see what comes. Some say there are angels assigned to almost everything that pertains to human (see Doreen Virtue) so go ahead and ask for guidance on what to pick off the menu, or which toilet paper to buy, or which day to go to the beach. I’m playing but the spirit is there. Its not the idea of creating dependency on your part, but to exercise the connection and increase the communication potential. Once you develop some trust and fluidity then you can be comforted in knowing they will come when you call in a real time of need.
Isn’t life a hoot? Enjoy it. It was all put in place for your dining and dancing pleasure. Call the angels…on all levels and see what works for you. Why not?!
