Angels are spirits found in various religions and mythologies. They are depicted as benevolent beings who act as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth. The word angel means messenger. Their role is to protect and guide humans for the higher good. They are found in the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And yet, angels described as Divine helpers are found in the ancient writings of Sumer, Babylonia, Persia, Egypt, and Greece. These writings influenced the future religions. There are also benevolent beings mentioned in other religions: Hinduism has avatars and Buddhism has devas and bodhisattvas. Spirit guides are mentioned by many tribal cultures throughout the world. Since these similar beings are all seen as messengers from Heaven, it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of the angel. References to angels have existed as long as recorded human history.
Angels are often described as beings of light. They are above average human height, and often portrayed with halos and/or wings. Their wings are shown to signify the idea of traveling back and forth from the earth realm to the spirit realm. Wings were symbolic of the travel between life and the afterlife, and depicted on ancient gods like Hermes in Greece and Nepthys in Egypt. Wings also appear on animals like the griffin, winged lions, and bulls. The Vikings had winged Valkyries, this female figure visited battlefields to choose who lived or died, while taking the chosen slain back to Valhalla. Angels have been appearing on battlefields for centuries.
In the 5th century, Syrian monk, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, studied the angels in passages from the New Testament, and concluded there was an intricate hierarchy of angels, which he divided into three spheres. This hierarchy he created is met by skepticism, but it is still accepted today and is found in his book De Coelesti Hieratchia (On the Celestial Hierarchy). One of the debates is that the Syrian monk was trying to defend the hierarchy of the Catholic Church by creating a hierarchy amongst the angels.
First sphere: Seraphim, Cheribum, and Thrones (Serve as heavenly counselors)
Second sphere: Dominions, Virtues, and Powers (Serve as heavenly governors)
Third sphere: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. (Serve as heavenly messengers and soldiers)
Out of all the spheres of angels the most well known are the archangels. They carry God’s most important messages to humans. There are said to be twelve Archangels, of course this is debated as well, the main four are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. These four work most closely with humans. Archangel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. Gabriel also appeared to Muhammad and revealed to him a verse from the Quran. The Gospels also speak of angels at Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Archangel Michael is often shown as a warrior, complete with armor and sword, as he battles with evil. He is also depicted with the scales to weigh the souls of the dead, which sounds a great deal like the Egyptian god Maat. Michael is the protective angel.
The Angels are our closest intermediaries to God, and each of us is assigned an angel at birth. Our Guardian Angel’s loving guidance awakens us to our true potential. Angels do not judge as they hold unconditional love for us. They understand the perfection of creation and recognize the Divine inside us. They are here to help with our human journey, but due to free will, they need your permission to assist you. Be sure to ask for their help, guidance, or healing when needed. In art, angels are often portrayed with human features, but in essence they are spirit energy of love and light. The Guardian Angel is different from the spirit guide, who is also with us from birth, but unlike our spirit guides, angels have never been human.
“For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalms 91: 11, 12.
Since the beginning of time angels had made appearances in the earth realm. Many have felt their presence, and there are scores of stories surrounding these amazing encounters. George Washington often spoke to his guardian angel and credited his success in Valley Forge to the inspiring heavenly being. Abraham Lincoln was known to call upon the wisdom of the angels to help guide him and heal the nation. I have also called upon my guardian angel and received amazing responses. Angels were created when light was created, at the dawn of the beginning; they have infinite wisdom to share.
In my book The Wallflower’s Godmother, Lady Saint Eden speaks to the angels, and with their help, she assists her goddaughter in reshaping her destiny. This book will be released this year.
A special thank you to: Doreen Virtue, Archangels & Ascended Masters and How to Hear Your Angels. http://healingdeva.com/ranks-angels/ The History Channel, History of the Angels, http://angels-angelology.com/hierarchy-and-orders, and http://www.heirarchyofheaven.com/TheWayofSpirit/HeirarchyofHeaven.htm
