Knowing your Angels

Belief in angels is nearly universal. Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims all believe in angels. Most spiritual and “new age” beliefs acknowledge angels. Though different, these philosophies share the belief in these heavenly messengers.

Angel Duties

Angels have human qualities and human roles. Hebrews 2:7,16 describes them as having will and understanding, and being capable of disobeying. Yet they almost never do. With the rare exception of fallen angels, an angel’s existence is dedicated to spreading love, joy and celebration. They are heavenly beings made to serve God through helping man. The Gospel of Mark describes angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” In other words, their goal is to bring us closer to God and the love, faith and joy that is synonymous with the divine.

Different religious and spiritual traditions assign angels different roles. In Christianity and Hinduism they are messengers between God and man. This is the most common definition, according to JC Cooper’s An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols (1978, Thames and Hudson Ltd). In Islamic symbolism angels surround Allah’s throne, and the Islamic holy text The Koran writes that each person has two angels assigned to them.

Sidebar: Angel Astrology

Jewish tradition connects angels with astrology. In the Jewish mystical book the Kabbalah, a presiding angel is assigned to each of the seven worlds. Each angel has different qualities, and you may call on them when you need these qualities.

1. El: Represents the realm of Jupiter. El represents strength, power and light.
2. Elohi: Represents the realm of Mars. Elohi bestows strength in times of war and affliction.
3. Tsebaoth: Represents the realm of the Sun and gives the Sun motion, brightness and heat.
4. Elion: Represents the realm of Mercury. Elion offers goodness, motion and intellect.
5. Adonai: Represents the realm of Venus. Adonai’s qualities are majesty, mastery and ownership.
6. Shaddqi: Represents the sphere of the Moon. Offers change, especially increases and decreases.

7. Elohim: Represents Earth: Gives knowledge, understanding and wisdom.