ANGEL ASSIGNMENTS

BUT WHAT ARE ANGELS?
To the systematists and the dissectors of world religion, angels are representative of an ancient cosmology. They are simply remnants of an old mythology with roots in Judaism, Christianity and Islam (the Three Sisters of modern world religions). Great efforts have been made to establish a connection between "angels" and the "spirits" of our ancestors. In some minds, this connection is clear and the angels are no more than ghosts of the past. For others, they are as real and vital as anything else on this plane of existence.
Angels serve a singular function in one of two ways, according to traditionalists. They mediate the divine presence on Earth either as agents of revelation or as executors of divine will. Their manifestation on Earth and in the lives of people are a function of contemporary views, so angels in the Middle Ages performed different jobs than the angels of today.
Cynics and pessimists will tell you that this evidence of changing roles is proof that angels are simply a reflection of the spiritual or psychological needs of each era. We might argue that the role of cynics has changed equally over the years, and perhaps they are simply vaporous manifestations of our inner doubt. And, as Oscar Wilde said, "A cynic is a person who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing".
Biblical reference to angels is sparse, as is reference in the Koran. In the sixth century, a man named Pseudo-Dionysius established the hierarchy of angels from seraphim at the top to archangels and angels at the bottom. Popular beliefs about angels stem from his writings and nobody knows how or where he got his information. Perhaps he received an angelic visitation. After all, one of the main functions of angels is as messengers of the divine plan.
Wherever angels come from, there can be little doubt that something strange is happening around the world. More and more people are reporting angelic activity, from simple visitations to actual interventions. In fact, so many of these stories are reported that we cannot simply dismiss angels as hallucinations, the result of brain chemistry. The phenomena definitely falls under the grace of faith. People with little faith are not likely to see angels or to feel divinity in their lives. Those with a sense of faith are inclined to feel the presence of angels at one time or another. "For those who believe, no explanation is necessary."
By the christian point of view, an angel is a pure spirit created by God. The Old Testament theology included the belief in angels: the name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will.
The Scriptures give no indication of the precise time of the creation of angels; their existence is assumed at the earliest times.
In the New Testament they are numerous and seven orders are mentioned: Angels, Powers, Principalities, Dominions (ations), Thrones and Archangels the Old Testament specifically mentions two others Seraph (im) and Cherub(im).

God bestowed upon angels great wisdom, freedom, and power, and their many appearances in the New Testament are indication of the lead role assigned to them.

Both the New Testament and Old Testament refer also to the fallen angels. The Temptation of Adam and Eve presupposes the existence of bad spirits or demons who were cast into hell from which they have no hope of redemption.

Angels are purely spiritual or bodiless persons (Mt 11:30), some of whom behold the face of God and thus are in bliss (Mt 18:10). These spiritual beings comprise the celestial court and are called angels (from the Greek for "messenger") because, according to the Bible, they carry out missions at God's command. In order to complete these missions, they can at times assume bodily form. According to the Bible, their missions are sometimes of great importance - eg, the Annunciation (Lk 1:26; 2:9-14).

The angels are the objects of God's grace and love. But because, unlike us they are non-bodily creatures, their response to God's love did not require time and reflection to grow and mature. As soon as they were created and received grace, they had the opportunity to respond to God's love and thus be welcomed into bliss. While many did so, some did not.

The Nine Orders of Angels
Seraphim:
The word Seraphim is the plural for Seraph. The word Seraph is a conjunction of two Hebrew words, Rapha meaning healer, and Ser meaning guardian angel. Do not get these beings confused with a normal guardian angel, however! It is said that if any living being were to lay eyes upon a Seraph, that living being would be instantly destroyed, literally incinerated on the spot due to the immense brightness of the Seraph. Their apperance is frightening, being very tall and ominous. Each Seraph has six wings and four heads. These four heads point out into the four cardinal directions. The Seraph are few in number compared to the other orders of the angels, but their power and virtue surpass all of their subordinates. In Christian mythology they are said to be in the direct presence of God and His glory. Some reputed leaders of the Seraphim are Metatron, Kemuel, Nathanael, Gabriel, and Lucifer.
These are the highest order or choir of angels. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". the only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.
The Seraphim are Love Angels of the purest love. They are sometimes referred to as "burning fires of love." The intensity of their love is so great that it fills all creation in and through God. They reflect God's goodness, His Absolute Holiness. Each Seraphim reflects God in a special way, as do all angels. The Seraphim are angels of the purest and deepest created level of adoration. The intense love of the Seraphim protects the whole cosmos. It spills over and guards the entire world as it pours down through the lower Eight Choirs of Angels.
The Bible states that they constantly circle the throne, chanting "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his Glory." Their name in Hebrew means "flaming."

Dominations
The highest of the Angels of the Cosmos dwell in the Choir known as Dominions, though some have referred to them as Dominations. The power of the Dominion Choir is so vast that it transcends the human imagination. All leadership over created matter emanates from the Dominions, who receive their power and assignments from the Thrones. Their power is then mediated from the Dominions to the lesser Choirs of angels over the entire cosmos, including the planet Earth. The Dominions represent exquisite order and discipline of order. The law of perfect cause and effect flows through them to all creation.
Dominions are angels of leadership. They dispence to the lower Choirs of Angels, who travel about the cosmos and the world showing people the proper things to do and the attitudes to preserve in order to be happy. Those who befriend the Dominion Choir of Angels and allow their Guardian Angel to access their power level have no difficulty making correct decisions. They have fulfilling and prosperous relationships. They enjoy their lives immencely. They are "natural" leaders, for all authentic leadership resides in God and is mediated according to His Will.
The Dominions are know as Spirits of Wisdom. The Prophet Isaiah calls wisdom the highest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit of Love. Understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, godliness, and fear of the Lord flow from the gift of wisdom. Those who bear the favor and protection of the Dominion Choir of Angels draw near to the Holy Spirit of Love and experience a profusion of those gifts.
All angels, but especially the Dominions, are filled with wisdom. Their assignment is the universe in which we dwell. They mediate perfectly the Holy Spirit of Love. They long to communicate the Holy Spirit of Love. to us.
Those who have befriended the powerful Dominion Choir of Angels may not see these Angels of Leadership, but they constantly experience their effects. Living replicas of Devine Beauty, the Dominion angels are filled with zeal for the splendor and order of creation.
The Dominions greatly transcend the sovereignty of the lesser Choirs of Angels, who are subject to them in obedience.
Their love is a powerful tool when we invite them to lead with us in our tasks and assignments. The more significant the assignment, the more that is needed of the graciousness, wisdom, and power of God that resides in the Dominion Choir of Angels.
The Dominions, as bearers of Devine Wisdom and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are great Ministers of God's Justice to the cosmos and the world. They govern the forces of chaos, especially unruly passions. The Dominions receive their instructions directly from the Thrones, who dwell in the very presence of God. For that reason Dominions are far above Powers and Virtues, who may approach the Dominions only at their beckon. The mediated guidance of the entire Angelic Court is a mystery of God's Graciousness.
Also known as the Hashmallim or Kunatetes, they are members of the second triad of angels, below the first triad of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. The Dominations, according to Dionysius, have the duty of regulating the tasks of angels, and maintain the minute details of cosmic existence. They are believed to wear green and gold, and carry a sword and scepter. Their chiefs are Hashmal, Zadkiel, Muriel, Zacharael, and Yahriel. ( Bunsen, Matthew: Angels A to Z)
The order of Dominations comprises the fourth order of angels. The Dominations are said to regulate the duties of God, which I take to understand as looking over what He has created and making sure that the universe moves steadily along without any major hitches. It is said that in their heaven, the celestial letters of the Holy Name of God hang upon their ceiling. Some reputed leaders of the Dominations are Zadkiel, Hashmal, Muriel, and Yahriel.
Dominions, first in the middle triad of angels, rule, or dominate, angels in the lower orders. They reveal the majesty of God and regulate angel duties. In addition, they teach people how to control the human senses (desires and passions) in order to overcome tempation.

Thrones
The Thrones (or Ophanim) are assigned to planets. They carry the name "many eyed ones", sort of private investigators of the divine, as well as instructors of humility. Their name comes from the idea that all the power of divinity rests on their shoulders. Justice is important to them. The prince of the thrones could be Oriphiel, Zabkiel, or Zaphkiel. Other names given are Raziel and Jophiel. Thrones take great interest in what humans do although they may channel their energies through your guardian angel rather than deal with you directly.
Thrones are the third most powerful angelic order within the hierarchy. They are also known as the Ophanim or Galgallin. They are supposedly very swift, possibly the fastest of all the angels, and are often depicted as wheel-like beings with many eyes, hence their nicknames "Great Wheels" and "Many Eyed Ones". It is not known how many wings the Thrones have, if they have any at all, considering they are depicted as wheels. Their leader is said to be Raphael.
The Thrones are the wheels of the chariot of God, and "the many-eyed ones". According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Thrones have the task of pondering the disposition of divine judgments, meaning that they carry out or fulfill the justice of the Lord. They are just as brightly shining as their brethren in the two higher choirs, yet they are intensely humble, an attribute which allows them to dispense justice with perfect objectivity and without pride or ambition.
Their chiefs are primarily Jophiel, Zaphiel, Oriphiel, and Raziel, and some texts name Raphael as head. According to some lines in Milton's epic, Paradise Lost, some of the members of this choir joined Satan in his rebellion and were known as "rebel thrones". The bulk of them, however, stayed with the heavenly host, but there will be more about that in The Fallen. ( Bunsen, Matthew: Angels A to Z )
The Thrones are the lowest-ranking angels within the highest group of the Nine Choirs. As Angels of Pure Goodness their primary characteristic is pure humility. It is their glorious humility that allows God to dispence His Magnificent Favors to creation through the Thrones. They are named Thrones because the very power of God that emanates to all that is created in the heavens and the cosmos and the earth "rests" upon the Thrones. All the lower Choirs of Angels are dependent upon the Thrones to access God.

The Thrones are so filled with humility that God, who presides over them, carries out His Devine Justice through them. God has so ordered His Creation that the wicked are punished by the very actions they perform. The Thrones, angels of God's justice, see Truth clearly. They mete out God's Will.
Every cosmic enity, from the smallest submicroscopic speck to the greatest celestial body, depends for its very existence on the power of God. God is Truth. The humble Thrones are quite busy dispensing the justice and power of God to the Angelic Court in charge of the cosmos and the earth.
Many of humanity's finest moments have been steeped in the benevolence of the Thrones. History has been touched also by the justice of the Thrones. How sad a Guardian Angel must be to have the sorry duty of carrying out an assignment from the Justice of God given through the powerful Thrones. God has clearly given the angels authority to inflict punishment upon us. God is slow to anger and warns us always. Those who access Angel Power are usually able to disern God's Will. They spare their Guardian Angel much pain. Those who spare their Guardian Angel pain will be spared.
Thrones, the third order of angels, bring about God's justice. Dionysius called them God bearing because they bear the grace of God withing themselves. Through the thrones, the power of justice comes to earth to help kings and rulers make the right judgements.

Cherubim:
The Cherubim are the second mightiest order of angels. Unlike the common depiction of these angels in art, their 'actual' appearance is not anything like it. The Cherubim have four wings and four heads. The four heads point out in the four cardinal directions. So much for child likeness! Cherubim is plural for the word Cherub, and derives from the Hebrew word Kerub meaning knowledge or one who intercedes. They are the next closest to God in Christian mythology and are also the bearers of His chariot whenever he decides to leave and roam about the universe. In the Book of Genesis it is the Cherubim who force Adam and Eve out of Eden and bar the gates and also keep watch over Eden until the Day of Judgement.
In Islamic lore, the Cherubim were supposedly created out of the tears shed by the archangel Michael for all the sins of humanity. However, their historical origins can probably be traced to Babylon and Sumeria in the keribu, the stone statues guarding the entrances to temples and palaces. They had the bodies of a winged bull, an eagle,or a sphinx and the face of a man or lion. They were so impressive to the Hebrews under the Babylonian Captivity that they adopted them as a basis for their own angelic beings.
The cherubim guard the gates to Paradise and the Tree of Knowledge with a flaming sword, posted there after the expulsion of Adam and Eve. They are also the carved figures on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, as detailed in Exodus 25.
Ezekiel describes the cherubim as having four wings and four faces, symbolizing eternal vigilance and knowledge. Lore says that their chief duty is to sing praise to God, but they also drive God's chariot. Interestingly enough, they are also the record keepers of heaven, and see to the myriad details that must be fulfilled in maintaining the heavenly host.Their members are chiefly: Cherubiel, Gabriel, Ophaniel, Raphiel, Uriel, and Zophiel. (Bunsen, Matthew; Angels A to Z)

Genesis 3:24 says that God placed "on the east side of the Garden of Edeen cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." The Cherubim function as guardians of light and stars. They are exquisite in form and supposedly "outshine" all the other angels. They are assyrian or Akkadian in origin, and their name means "those who intercede." -Might spirits of knowledge and boundless love. Many human depictions of them are that of half human half animal. Originally they were not angels at all but made their way into the hierachy over time. They guard any religious temple. By name we have Ophaniel, Rikbiel, Cherubiel, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Zophiel.

Cherubim radiate the light and knowledge of God. That is, having been given knowledge of the mysteries of God and the depths of his wisdom, they pass this knowledge onto others. Cherubim, translated from hebrew means "great understanding." According to the bible, cherubim used flaming swords as they guarded the tree of life adn the gates to the garden of eden after Adam and Eve were evicted.

Virtues:
Angel Virtues, the lowest-ranking Angels of the Cosmos, are exquisitely strong angels. They are known as Spirits of Motion. They have control over all the elements. The winds and the rain, the ice and the snow, the stars and the moon, and even the sun are subject tio their command. The Virtues govern all of nature. They have great love for us. They watch over us most tenderly. Their special job is to help us grow in holiness and to avoid accidents. They are so strong they can order a comet to stop falling.
They are known as Malakim, Dunamis, and Tarshishim. The Virtues are the angels that are in charge of making miracles. I guess they go about this when God has too many other things to do besides awe people with His power. Their nicknames are "The Brilliant Ones" or "The Shining Ones". Some angels that are said to be the leaders of the Virtues are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Bariel, Tarshish, and Satan(el).
The Virtues take part in all the duties of the members of the second triad, namely the ordering of the universe. However, their specific task is to preside over the elements of the world and celestial life. Thus, the heavenly bodies-- from stars to planets to galaxies--are kept in their divinely appointed routes and progress. On earth, they watch over nature: rain, snow, wind, etc.
Thomas Aquinas also pointed out that the Virtues are in charge of miracles. Virtues are especially fond of people who try to go beyond their capabilities to achieve more than everyone says they can. These are the angels of nature.
As if those duties weren't enough, the Virtues also stow grace and valor within the mortal heart. They give encouragement and help bolster a person's ability to survive hardship and turn always to the good. They are connected closely to the saints.
Virtues the second int he middle triad of angels, are filled with divine strength. Members of this order work miracles on earth and act as the chief givers of grace and valor. Through them, worthy saints can receive the ability to work miracles of healing.

Powers:

The Powers, also known as the Dynamis, Potentates, or Authorities, are described by Dionysius as having the task of defeating the efforts of demons to overthrow the world. They are the great defenders of the cosmos against all evil. They are the guardians of all paths between heaven and earth, which means some involvement with humanity. They are the great harmonizers in this respect: they assist the soul in overcoming temptation. Their colors are green and gold and they carry a flaming sword. Their chiefs are Camael, Gabriel, Raphael, Verchiel, and Lucifer.Because of their close dealings with humanity, as with all other members of the triad, a great number is believed to have fallen with Lucifer after the war in heaven. This only made the remaining Powers all the more vigilant against evil. (Bunsen, Matthew: Angels A to Z)
The Powers are ranked second among Angels of the Cosmos by Saint Thomas Aquinas. They are recognized as special Warrior Angels against evil. They defend the cosmos, including humans, against evil. The Powers particularly watch over and come to the assistance of those who govern countries, cities, congregations, and agencies. They are tireless defenders of goodness. They are so inntelligent that they can detect schemes and tricks before they happen. They always send warnings to us when others seek to hurt us. Survival requires that, through the mercy of God, we hear their voices. They speak only in silence.
Powers also go by Dynamis, Potentiates, and Authorities. The Powers were supposedly the first groups of angels created by God on the second day of all creation. Their main purpose is to be on constant lookout for any intrusion of Hell's Legions into Heaven or earth. It is said that during the War in Heaven, the greatest number of angels fell from this order. The leader of the Powers is reputedly the Archangel Camael.
Ranking third in the middle triad, powers have power over Satan. They keep the world from being overthrown by evil, and they help individuals in their struggles against evil thoughts.

Principalities:

The Angel Principalities are the highest-ranking Angels of the World. They are Administrative Angels. It is not known how many of them there are.
But each nation, city, province, town, village, and hamlet has a special Angel Principality whose job it is to guard and guide that particular place along with the Guardian Angel assigned to that place. It is probable that the Guardian Angel of a place would be from the Angelic Choir that most closely resembles the location's destiny. There are countless numbers of Principalities. Throughout the centuries, some experts have referred to them as Princes because they are beleived to specifically be in charge of nations, cities, countries, regions, places, and communities.
Their influence upon human beings occurs in many ways. They communicate ideas, stir up circumstances, and even interfere in human affairs to accomplish the direct Will of God. It is in this area of the indirect Will of God that these angel Principalities are empowered by human behavior to influence the life-style of those who inhabit their sphere of influence.
The Principalities have jurisdiction over those who govern people and places. The wisdom of these angels guides events to bring blessings of contentment and abundance to the places they protect.
Not too much has been said of this order, but a few angels belonging to this order have done some famous things in Christian mythology. For example, the angel Hamiel is the angel who supposedly took the prophet Enoch up into Heaven when he died. Also the angel Cervill, who is also known as the Prince of Strength, was the one who aided David in his battle against Goliath. The leaders of the Principalities are supposedly Nisroch (originally Assyrian, later an angel who fell from Heaven), Anael, and Hamiel.
They're members of the third Angelic triad (with the Archangels and Guardians). They work with the guardians, who watch over every specific person, and apparently more of the administrators, if such a concept exists in heaven. They are empowered with more strength than the guardians and receive permission more frequently to have direct dealings with mortals. They have the ability to move the hearts and minds of mortals and perform miracles that are noticed and often inexplicable and dismissed by humankind.
Two other areas of concern, according to Dionysius, are religion and politics. For the former, they encourage prayer and spiritual encouragement; for the latter, they seek to regulate and guide the thoughts and ethics of the leaders of the world.
Their symbols are the scepter, the cross, and the sword. Their chiefs are Haniel (who took Enoch directly to heaven to become the angel Metatron), Cerviel (who aided David in his battle with Goliath), and Amael.
First in the lower triad, principalities have control over the lowest order of angels. These angels raise worthy individuals to political office. In this way t hey protect religion as they watch over leaders and help them reach the right decision.
Archangels:
Archangels are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique role as God's messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is celebrated throughout the Church Sep 29. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly.
Though the Archangels fall into the eigth slot of the hiearchy, don't let that fool you into thinking that they are not as strong as their brethren. Archangels are best known for their roles as messengers in the Bible. For example, it is the Archangel Gabriel who told Mary of her upcoming birth of Jesus Christ. Archangels are said to be very powerful. They include an impressive list of names. For now, some of the angels included within the order of the Archangels include Michael, the supreme commander of the armies of Heaven, Gabriel, whose name appears more than once as the leader of more powerful angelic orders, and Raphael, who is said to be the leader of the Cherubim who guard Eden.
Here are the names of the archangels:
METATRON-Angel of the Presence
RATZIEL -Herald of Diety
TZAPHKIEL- Conteplation of God
TZADKIEL- Justice of God
KHAMAEL- Seveerity of God
RAPHAEL- Divine Physician-EAST- AIR- YELLOW
HANIEL- Grace of God
MICHAEL- Protector of God- SOUTH- FIRE- SCARLET
GABRIEL- Man-God- WEST- WATER- BLUE
SANDALPHON- Messiah
ORIEL(Uriel?)-NORTH- EARTH- GREENS & BROWN
Note: In some texts that there are only 7 archangels.

Second in the lower triad, archangels bring messages of divine decrees to earth. They are called heralds of good news, and they announce great and glorious events. They receive understanding of God's will from the higher orders of angels and relate it to the lower order, the angels that interact with humans.

Angels:
Most people think that Angels are strickly a Christian belief. This is a false assumption. Angels have been with us sense the begining of time. Belief in angels date back to pagan times. To the Buddhist, angels were called "Devas", beings of light. The Japanese have tells of the "Tennin", euphonious female angels who fly with wings and play musical instruments. The Hindus called angels "Asuras". The Araibians called angels "Shaitan" and "Jinn", and the Lakota Sue Indians had their "Thunderbirds".
In the ancient pagan myths of Greece and Rome, the Gods and Goddesses sent angelic-like beings to earth as messengers to humans. The goddess of the rainbow, Isis, is one such messenger. The winged Cupid is a messenger of love and Hermes is a divine messenger with wings on his feet. The greek Genius and Juno existed long before the christian gaurdian angel. Each gaurdian angel could be a guardian of an individual, a family, or even a city. Every male child was born with his own Genius, and every female born with her own Juno. The Genius and Juno watched over the person throughout that persons life. In later times however, Pagan Gods were demoted to fairies and Pagan angels to demons.

The key of the abyss is in Satan's mind, for he has the mind of an Angel and knows the knowledge of the Universe as only an Angel can know, for he was once the greatest Angel in God's creation.
The fall of Satan was in this way. Satan the greatest Archangel rebelled against God, for he found he had power over all the angels and wanted to rule them in God's stead. When God refused his request to be the supreme overseer of the Angels, Satan plotted against God and sought to overcome him with the Angels under his command.
But not all Angels would follow Satan. Only a few in relation to the total number but the total number of Angels was in the billions and the total of fallen Angels is in the millions. These rebellious Angels sought to destroy God but God sent Michael the Archangel to wrestle with Satan, for the honor of God. Whoever won the match would win all, for if Satan won he would have dominion over the heavens; but if Michael won, Satan and all his followers would be thrown from Heaven forever.
Oh the battle that was fought raged through Heaven in the fury only God could understand. God chose Michael, for in His Mind at the beginning of the Creation of Heaven God foresaw Satan's betrayal just as Jesus foresaw the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. So God created Michael with strength of soul surpassed only by God himself. This battle was a battle of the spirit, for Angels have no bodies.
When Satan was overcome by the Spirit of Good in Michael, God threw Satan and all his followers out of Heaven and banished them to the dark planet earth, the same earth that God later chose for the habitation of men.
These beings, because of pride, did not return God's love. God did not destroy them, but permits them a limited scope of activity. Their condition is permanent for no creature can turn away from the perfect good of the beatific vision once he has come to enjoy it, and no additional reflection could change the mind of a purely spiritual being who has turned away.
Brief overview of fallen angels
Fallen angels...what do people think of when they hear or see this phrase? Most people might just give a confused look and think nothing of it. Others might think of Lucifer and what happened to him. However, the fall of the angels goes far beyond what most people think. Tied up within all of this mythology are a couple of reasons why this myth was created. There are three possibilities,they are:
1). The myth is a way to explain the problem of evil in the world, whether it be evil done by nature, such as natural disasters, or evil done by people, either physical or moral evil.
2). It is a way to show what can happen to people if they do not follow the Word of God. After all, if angels were punished, what does that say about people?
3). The problem of salvation. If there were no evil in the world, how can one distinguish what is evil from what is good and and after passing on, receive the fruits of their actions if they were good, or receive punishment if they were bad.

What is a fallen angel, though? A fallen angel is a being created by God and who, for some reason, disobeyed Him and for punishment, was hurled from heaven to dwell within what we know as hell. Fallen angels come from all orders of the celestial hierarchy, from the rank of the Angel, to the rank of the Seraphim, like Lucifer. If you parallel this to mankind, then any person, whether it be the leader of a powerful nation, to the person next door, could fall. It makes for interesting and provoking thought...

Reasons for their fall:
There are seven hypotheses for the fall of the angels, although I personally feel that out of those seven, only three have legitimate backing from Christian and Jewish mythology, as well as the interpretations of those myths by scholars in religion. I will provide all seven hypotheses so that way you can decide for yourself what seems to be most plausible for you.
The following information was obtained from Malcolm Godwin's book Angels: An endangered species.
Hypothesis One: The Shadow of God
The first hypothesis deals with God having two sides to him. One was his 'bright' or divine side, and the second was his 'dark' or shadow side. This is where the idea of Satan comes in. This shadow side of God was the side through which God was able to communicate with mortals. If people were to see his bright side, that would be the end of them since His radiance would incinerate people on the spot. As Judaism evolved, so did these two sides of God. The Shadow became God's Word, then the Voice, and finally it became its own being complete with its own free will. This is where the trouble comes in. Now that the dark side of God had been completely removed from Him and hence separate, it began to take on the aspects that most of us are familiar with: destruction, betrayal, temptation. This caused the dark side of God to now become what we know as Satan. The word Satan, incidentally, is really a cut version of the Hebrew word Ha-Satan, which merely means adversary. By the time the Bible was fully written, Ha-Satan became synonomous with Satan and splits completely from God and becomes known as the Accuser. This Satan was released and found a new home and became to be known as the Prince of the Evil Spirits.

Hypothesis Two: The Consequence of Free Will
The second hypothesis deals with free will and the problems that creatures who possess it can run into. This hypothesis was first put forth by Origen of Alexandria, a member of the Greek Church. He believed that God had created his angels, who were all equal and free. However, by having the power of free will, some of these angels began to move farther away from God by their own chice. Origen maintained that those who drifted the least remained in the regions closest to God. Those who moved further out fell into the lower air, and these became what we know as angels. Those who moved still further away became humans, and finally those who moved the furthest away from God became the Fallen Ones, or demons. These Fallen are those that make up Hell. This one is very interesting because Origen also stated that although these angels fell and became humans or demons, all hope is not lost because men can become angels and demons can also regain their former angelic appearance. The flip side to this, however, is that angels can also fall to become men, and if depraved enough, can become demons.

Hypothesis Three: Lust
The third hypothesis comes from a series of non-canonical books title The Three Books of Enock, a set of books found in the Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. A simple verse from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament also alludes to this event but nothing more is said about it in the Bible. What happened was that God asked a select group of angels to assist the Archangels in the creation of Eden. This groups of angels are known as the Watchers. The Watchers who descended to earth saw the daughters of man and became enchanted with them. Consequently, they began to reveal to man secrets of Heaven such as the movement of the heavenly bodies (Astrology), the art of making weapons, and also the enhancement of the face and body with perfumes and make-up. The Watchers fell in love with the women and some of them even took wives and created offspring, giants, known as the Nephalim. This made God angry, so angry in fact that He cursed those who betrayed Him, threw them out of Heaven, and made them mortal or transformed them into what we know as demons. This is where the story of The Flood comes in because the Nephalim made such a mess of earth, by wanton killing and destruction, that God got so fed up that he had to drown the entire earth to get rid of them. Some notable angels who fell in this account are Semyazza, Sammael (Satan), and Azazel.

Hypothesis Four: Pride
The fourth hypothesis is a well known one, which involves Lucifer. Lucifer was the first angel and a Seraph to be created and the mightiest. He had the most intelligence and power in Heaven second only to God himself. To prove this, God created Lucifer with twelve wings instead of the normal six wings that all other Seraphim have. His radiance outshone that of any other angel and his beauty was unmatched anywhere in Heaven. Unfortunately, it appears that all of this power eventually went to Lucifer's head. He became very ambitious and self-centered until one day, he decided that he was going to show everyone his power. To prove this he was going to raise his throne to the height of God's throne. Well, this did not sit too well with God, and He did not want another lower being trying equal Him in His power. When Lucifer went ahead with this God instantly hurled him out of Heaven. It is said that the force which God used to throw Lucifer down caused a great explosion on earth and caused Lucifer to be driven straight down into the center of the earth. The reason that Lucifer fell was because of pride, or Hubris in Greek. Lucifer is presumed to be still there, fuming and cursing God and coming up with ways to thwart His plans.
It is interesting to note that this account for the rebellion might come from ancient Canaanite manuscripts that deal with one of their own deities, a being by the name of Shahar. Shahar was thrown out due to the same shortcoming that Lucifer had, pride.

Hypothesis Five: War
There are two accounts for this. One says that the war took place on the second day of creation. The second says that the war took place after the creation of man. The myth goes that God created the angels with free will, but He observed that they were fallible. God thought that his creation might give in to sin too easily. His solution was this; He strengthened some of his angels, two-thirds of them, in their pursuit of goodness by an act of Grace. He then created another group of angels, but this time he did not give them the His Grace and waited to see what happened. As He thought, this second group of angels gave in to sin. War erupted in heaven and ended with Michael and his legions casting out the sinners.

Hypothesis Six: The Passion of the Redeemer
This account of the fall comes from Saint Augustine, and is very interesting. It is said that for this hypothesis, Lucifer and his angels have already fallen, have tempted Eve, and have dominion over humans. However, the real fall of Lucifer and his angels takes place when Christ is born. Up until this time, Lucifer had control over mankind, but God decided to make a full reconcilitaion with man. He was to feel as we feel and to suffer as we suffer inder Lucifer's reign. So, in the form of Christ, God delivered himself, like the of us, to Lucifer. God decided to bait Lucifer by using Himself, and since Lucifer already hated mankind, what is one more soul to him? What Lucifer did not recognize was that Christ was both divine and sinless. Lucifer had an agreement with God, that was Lucifer only had dominion over sinners and so by breaking the contract he was forever damned. In his unsuccessful temptation of Christ, Lucifer was puzzled and could not decide whether Christ was divine or not. Lucifer has suspicions that if Christ really is the Incarnation, to seize him will bring ruin upon them all. When Lucifer actually goes for the soul of Christ, he takes the bait. Instead of grabbing a sinner, Lucifer finds God there instead.

Hypothesis Seven: Disobedience
This myth combines both pride and disobedience to bring about the fall of Lucifer and the angels. It is said that when God created mankind, He wanted to have His angels acknowledge mankind by bowing down to him. Lucifer, who was at that time the greatest of the Seraphim and Regent of Heaven, refused to bow before mankind. "How can a Son of Fire bow to a Son of Clay?" was his response. God was not pleased with this reaction and in His anger, He hurled Lucifer out of heaven and one-third of the angels decided to follow him.
There is an interesting note to this one, however. There is a Sufi version of the story that goes like this. According to this legend, it was Lucifer who loved God the most. Here is the catch; at the time of the angels' creation, God told them to bow to no one but Him. However, God created mankind, whom He considered were superior to the angels. God commanded them to bow before the new figure, forgetting His previous commandment. Lucifer refused, partly because he could not forget the first commandment, but also because he would only bow to his Beloved God. God did not understand this and so He cast Lucifer down for his insubordination. The worst pain of hell for Lucifer is the absence of God. Hell is the terrible lonliness of seperation from love.
The following is a list of regular angels who fell
Adirael, Atarculph, Azael, Azaradel, Azibeel, Azkeel, Azza, Badariel, Baraqel, Batarel, Chobaliel, Ertrael, Exael, Ezeqeel, Gadreel, Gurson, Hosampsich, Iomuel, Jeqon, Junier, Kasdaye, Kasbeel, Mammon, Moloch, Omiel, Orus, Phenex, Regent, Rugziel, Sameveel, Samsapeel, Seriel, Shaftiel, Tamiel, Thausael, Tiril, Xaphon, Zavebe, Armaros, Azaradel, Batarjal, Busasejal, Dagon, Daniel, Flauros, Hakael, Jetrel, Kokabel, Mulciber, Penemue, Rimmon, Samsawiel, Saraknyal, Sariel, Shamsiel, Simapesiel, Tabaet, Thammuz, Tumael, Turael, Urakabarameel, byael.
Although the Bible says more about what Satand does than where he came from, Christians believe he is a fallen angel. Christian theologians as well as secular writers have many opinions on when and how the fall occured. The poet Dante reasons that the fall took place less than twenty seconds after God creted the angels. Milton, in Paradise lost, placed the angelic creation and fall just before the temptation of Eve int he Garden of Eden. Teh most widely accepted Christan view places the time of the fall before the creation of the world, soon after God created the angels.
Some Christians see a connectionn between verses in the Old Testament's Book of Ezekiel and the New Testament's book of Revelation. They believe the following verses describe Satan.
Ezekiel 28:
12. Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorneded you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so i ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

8. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
9. The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
According to these verses, Michael and the holy angels fought against Lucifer (now known as Satan) and the angels that followed him. Satan lost the battle and was cast out of heaven along with his angels. Because they fell from heaven, these angels, including Satan, are known as fallen angels. Other verses indicate that about one third of the angels God created fell. Some were held prisoner in hell while others fell to earth. These are dark angels or fallen angels.
Billy Graham believes Lucifer's revolt against God and the fall of the rebellious angels was teh greatest catastrophe of all time. Many Christians believe the fall of the angels was the birth of evil.
Graham and other theologians believe that verses in the New Testament describing Satan and the fallen angels as enemies of God clarify the meaning of Old Testament verses concering Satan. Others, including modern Bible scholar Charles Ryrie, argue that the verses in Ezekiel do not refer to Satan, but to the king of Tyre, a man under the influence of Satan.
Guardian Angels
Who are our Guardian Angels?
No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to His Angels God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91: 10-12
A heavenly spirit assigned by God to watch over each of us during our lives. The doctrine of angels is part of the Church's tradition. The role of the guardian angel is both to guide us to good thoughts, works and words, and to preserve us from evil. Since the 17th century the Church has celebrated a feast honoring them in October throughout the Universal Church. Since the last calendar revision this feast is Oct 2.
They exercise continual watchfulness over the souls committed to their care. Their number is exceedingly great, and it is not necessary when an angel has accompanied his charge into heaven, that he be again assigned to a soul in any future generation. Our guardian, who is our companion in life, will also be forever at our side in heaven. The joy of these angels is immeasurably increased when souls entrusted to their care enter heaven. The guardian angels of the lost souls are not deprived of their share of joy. God in His justice increases also theirs with the others, and then assigns them to the special guard of the Queen of Angels, where they with great joy praise the Infinite Justice of God.
Guardian Angels differ from one another. Some appear more active and energetic than others. Some are more reserved, more timid, and these are assigned to persons who are called to suffer much. They appear dressed in red and wear a small crown. Other guardian angels are dressed in white, their expression is always joyful, a beautiful crown adorns the head, they are the angels assigned to innocent souls, and they are servants of such souls rather than companions.
Children have exceedingly lovely angels. Their garments are light blue, decorated with pearls, and a wreath of beautiful everlasting roses surrounds the head, their hands are always folded in prayer and their eyes continually directed towards heaven.
The angels of sinners have a beautiful majestic bearing. Their garments are of a deep red color, a crown adorns the head, their arms folded across the breast, and their faces turned upwards to heaven with an imploring and painful expression. How deeply must a mortal sin offend God when His angels are filled with such grief. Holy souls who live in very unchristian surroundings and persons who have a special mission to perform, receive special angels from God.
Many people, especially Catholics, believe everyone has a guardian angel nearby at all times. A Time magazine poll reported 46 percent of people they asked believed that they have an angel.
Muslims also believe in the existence of angels who can help and protect them. However, the empahasis in Islam is on self help rather than on reliance on guardian angels. Muslims believe angels come to the aid of people who strive to do their best on earth. Proof of this striving includes worshiping God, promoting his word, and making a better life for themselves and society.
Some people believe everyone is assigned a specific angel. Others believe hosts of angels exist to serve where they are needed. At any given time one person may be surrounded by many, one or no angels, depending on the need.
Some of those who do not practice a specific religion find it easy to believe in guardian angels and bypass God and religious obediance. A commitment to God requires obedience, but a guardian angel can protect, comfort, and guide wihtout any demands. As a result, guardian angels are extremely popular.

If so many guardian angels are around, then why do accidents happen??
One explanation is that God created the world along with a set of natural laws that cannot be broken without penalty. For instance, when the natural laws of motion-gravity, speed and direction are broken, accidents occur. It appears that God seldom chooses to everturn his own laws.
Another explanation is that angels strive to protect the spiritual well being of people more than their physical health. According to this belief, angels may be always be acting in a person's best interest even when someone suffers bodily injury in an accident. Perhaps the victim will benefit spiritually in ways they do not understand at the time.
see list on Gellack uv Great Archangels
There are many associations for the great archangels of the universe. Many people have tried to define and delineate their individual responsibilities, but we must keep in mind that there is great overlapping. We may say that one is for healing and another for protection,but at that level within the hierachy they each can perform any of the functions of the others. There are simply areas of greater focus and responsibility for them.
Four of the multitude of archangelic beings work intimately with the earth. These four are Raphael, Michael, Gabriel and Auriel. Associated with each of them are one of the four elements of the earth, specific colors, one of the four directions or quarters of the earth, three signs of the zodiac and a variety of energies and powers. Understanding these associations and looking at them in relation to ourselves can help us determine with which of them we are most likely to resonate.
Michael
Element of fire
The southern quarter of the earth
The autumn season
The colour red
The astrological signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
Hebrew Mikha'el means "Who is God?" His name is a battle cry.
Captain of the heavenly host, leader of the archangels, viceroy of heaven
Also known as St. Michael
The lord of the way
The slayer of the dragon of evil intentions
Guardian of holy places
Ruler of the fourth heaven
Often equated with the Holy Ghost
Midday angel clad in armor, with shield and weapon
Fights first Satan and his demons, then all the enemies of God's own people
Known as an angel who cleanes persons, groups, or localities of discord and evil
Represents the right, the creative, that which should be done
The master of the energy of balance
Colours-Deep greens, vivid blues, golden and rose red
Invoked as a champion against all adversity and when you need courage and a strong defender; success
Direction to invoke: south
Inspired Joan of Arc to help the king of France
Michael is the archangel of protection and balance. This being works to bring patience and protection against any psychic inbalances or dangers. Michael helps us to tear down the old and build the new.

Michael is the highest ranking of all the angels who interact with humans in Jewish and Christian writings and most secular literature. According to Islamic beliefs, Michael is outranked by Gabriel, the angel who delivered the Koran to Muhammed.
The name Michael means "who is like unto the Lord," or "who is as God." The prefix arch-suggests high authority, the angel above all angels. Michael is considered the guardian angel of the nation of Israel. He is God's messenger of law and judgement. As such, he appears in Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible, as he leads the armies of God against Satan: "And there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back."

According to the Talmud, Sarah recognized Michael as one of the three angels Abraham entertained under the oak tree. These angels brought the message that Sarah and Abraham would have a son although they are very old. The son was Isaac. Michael is also thought to be the angel who stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. This story is recorded in the Old Testament's Book of Genesis.
Some Jewish scholars credit Michael as being the angel of the Lord that appeared in the flames of the bush that didn't burn. He told Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt where they were being held in slavery.

Islamic literature describes Michael as having wings of emerald green covered with saffron hairs, each wing with a million faces that cry out to God for pardon in a million dialects. As Michael cries for the sins of the faithful, cherubim form from his tears.
Joan of Arc claimed that Michael brought her the message that she should liberate France from England. As a result, she led the french armies in the Hundred Years' War and regained the throne of King Charles VII from the English.
The Archangel Michael, whose name means 'who is as God', is generally considered to be the foremost of the seven archangels and the leader of the Host of Heaven. He derives originally from the Chaldeans by who he was worshiped as something of a god. He is the chief of the order of virtues, Prince of the presence, angel of repentance, righteousness, mercy and sanctification: also ruler of the 4th Heaven, tutelary sar (angelic prince). He is the prince who defended the Israelites. According to the Book of Revelations, Michael and his angels' are described as fighting the dragon and his angels. Hence Michael is often shown fighting or overcoming a dragon armed with spear or sword as God's Warrior.
Gabriel
Element of water
The western quarter of the earth
The winter season
The colours of emerald and sea green
The astrological signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
Hebrew gebher means "man and el," or God
Gabriel means man of God or strength of God
Presides over paradise
Associated with a trumpet, symbolising the voice of God
Usually portrayed as carrying a lily, olive branch, or torch
Bringer of good news and maker of changes
Annunciation, resurrection, mercy, truth
The potency of God
Love is his great force factor
Associated with-Late afternoon; peaceful vibration Fluidlike activity, water
Colours-Tans, brwons dark greens
Invoked towards the west
Favourite day: Monday
Importabt figure in Muslim religion: the guardian angel of the prophet Mohammed

Gabriel is the archangel of hope, illumination, and love. He guards the sacred places of the world and the sacred waters of life. He provides intuitive teaching and illumination of spiritual duties. This includes awakening within us a greater understanding of dreams.
The Archangel Gabriel, explained to Daniel his vision of a ram and a billy-goat foretelling Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia and a prophecy foretelling the freeing of the Israelites. In both these cases the archangel is mentioned by name but it has also been suggested that Gabriel is the angel who wrestles with Jacob in the form of a man and that he was involved in the destruction of Sodom and Gommorah. Enoch says that Gabriel was sent to destroy the giant children of the fallen 'watchers' and did so by turning them against each other In 'Paradise Lost'.
The Hebrew name Gabriel means "God is my strength." One of the most prominent angels in the Bible, Gabriel serves primarily as God's messenger of mercy and promise. In the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament, he helps Daniel understand his prophetic vision. When Gabriel appears to Daniel again, Daniel recognizes him and reports that Gabriel flew swiftly, came close, and touched him.
In the New Testament, Gabriel announces the coming birth of John the Baptist to his unsuspecting parents. Then a few verses later, Gabriel informs the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God.
The Old Testament describes Gabriel as carrying a sword as the angel of judgment. In other literature he is said to have destroyed the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He also protected the infant Moses, the future leader of the Hebrew people, as the Egyptian princess pulled him, in his basket, from the Nile River.

Raphael
Element of air
The eastern quarter of the earth
The spring season
The color blue (or blue and gold)
The astrological signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
Leader of powers
Intellect, curiosity, and instruction in the sciences
Guardian and treasurer of creative talents
Symbol: a sword or an arrow that has been well sharpened
He carries a golden vial of balm
Time of day: the dawn
Colours-Soft greens and all tints of blue
Hebrew Rapha' [to heal] and 'el [God]: God has healed Raphael means God heals or divine healer.
He is charged with healing the earth, and through him the earth furnishes an abode for humans, whom he also heals.
Healing and mercy: He directs spiritual beams into hospitals, instituations and homes where his healing beams are needed.
Raphael is the healing archangel. This being works to stimulate energies for life and success. Raphael awakens a sense of creativity and beauty which stimulates higher mental faculties. Raphael is the keeper of the Holy Grail.
The Hebrew word raphael means "God has healed." Raphael is found in the Book of Tobit. Although neither Jews nor Protestants accept this book as part of the scriptures, Catholics include it in their canon. Catholics believe Raphael serves as supervisor of all guardian angels and that he specializes in healing and creativity.
According to the New Testament, Gabriel, the messenger of mercy and promise, informed Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God.

The archangel Raphael, In Hebrew this means 'God Heals'. Raphael is not named in the canonical books, but only in the apocryphal Book of Tobit as the companion and guide of young Tobiasto whom he eventually reveals himself as one of the 'seven holy angels'.In the Book of Euoch he is the guide to Sheol, the Judaic underworld and it was he who was sent to bind the fallen 'watcher' Azazel, burying him under rocks in a desert place on earth.

Uriel
Hebrew: fire of God
Angel of prophecy who inspires and conveys ideas to writers and teachers
The angel of interpretation and salvation
Shown with a scroll as his symbol
Leader of the seraphim
The alchemist imparting transforming ideas for the realization of goals {especially those discouraged and weak}
Associated with the arts, with music in particular
One of the leading angels in noncanonical lore, and ranked variously as a seraph, cherub, regent of the sun, flame of God, angel of the presence. Presided over Tartarus (Hades), archangel of salvation. In the latter work he acts as heavenly interpreter of Ezra's visions. In Enoch I, he is the angel who "watches over thunder and terror." In The Book of Adam and Eve he presides over repentance. Uriel "is supposed to be the spirit who stood at the gate of the lost Eden with the fiery sword." The Book of Adam and Eve designates him as this spirit. He is invoked in some of the ancient litanies. He has been identified as one of the angels who helped bury Adam and Abel in Paradise. He is known as the dark angel who wrestled with Jacob at Peniel; as the destroyer of the hosts of Sennacherib ; as the messenger sent by God to Noah to warn him of the impending deluge, all of which feats or missions have been credited to other angels, as elsewhere noted. In the view of Louis Ginzberg, the "prince of lights" in The Manual of Discipline refers to Uriel. In addition, Uriel is said to have disclosed the mysteries of the heavenly arcana to Ezra; interpreted prophecies, and led Abraham out of Ur. In later Judaism we find Uriel instead of Phanuel" as one of the 4 angels of the presence. Uriel is also the angel of the month of September and may be invoked ritually by those born in that month. The Magus claims that alchemy "which is of divine origin" was brought down to earth by Uriel, and that it was Uriel who gave the cabala to man, although this "key to the mystical interpretation of Scripture" is also said to have been the gift of Metatron. Milton describes Uriel as "Regent of the Sun" and the "sharpest sighted spirit of all in Heaven"
The name Uriel (Hebrew: Auriel, aleph, vau,resh, yod, aleph, lamed) literally means "Fire of God," "Flame of God," or "Light of God." As such, Uriel can be compared with Agni, the Hindu Lord of Fire. Some accounts place the Archangel Uriel at the head of the third Order or Company of angels. Others identify Uriel as one of the Seven Spirits before the Throne. Kabbalistic writings assign Uriel to the middle pillar of the Tree of Life, to the sephirah Tipheret: the Christ center, or Malkuth, the Kingdom.
The Book of Enoch describes Uriel as "one of the holy angels, who is over the world and over Tartarus... the leader of them all." Later we read in the same book: "Uriel showed to me, whom the Lord of glory hath set for ever over all the luminaries of the heaven... the sun, moon, and stars, all the ministering creatures which make their revolution in all the chariots of the heaven."

In Paradise Lost, John Milton mentions "Th' Arch-Angel URIEL, one of the seav'n, Who in Gods presence, neerest to his Throne... Regent of the Sun." In his oratorio, The Creation, composed in Vienna in 1797, Franz Joseph Haydn has Uriel announce the words from Genesis: "And God saw the light, that it was good... And God said, Let there be light in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day from the night, and to give light upon the earth... He made the stars also."

Colin Wilson describes encounters between Uriel and the 16th century scholar, Dr. John Dee. Dee's scrying assistant, Edward Kelley, saw a cherub in a crystal ball. Dee identified the cherub from his Kabbalistic knowledge as "Uriel, the angel of light." And in 1582, Dee had a vision of a child angel floating outside the window, holding a crystal egg. Again he identified this with Uriel. Wilson claims that the crystal egg is preserved in the British Museum. [Colin Wilson. The Occult: A History (Random House, 1971, pp. 273-4]
Uriel is often referred to as the Great Archangel of the Earth. One contemporary account describes the archangel thus: "He (or she) is the keeper of the mysteries which are deep within the planet, underground and in the hidden depths of the living world." [Archangel Uriel, Patron of Ecology]
The feast day of the Archangel Uriel is celebrated July 28. Uriel's influence is believed to peak during the summer months. According to Corinne Heline: "The beautiful Uriel stands guardian over the activities of the summer. The ripening of grain and the floodtide of blossom are under his guidance. He also supervises the Nature Spirits, those fascinating little sprites who inhabit the elements of earth, air, fire and water, and who lend so much to the beautification of all nature. The highest initiatory teachings belonging to the New Age... are under the direction of Uriel." [Corinne Heline. The Blessed Virgin Mary. New Age Press, 1971, p. 110.]
Auriel
Element of earth
The northern quarter of the earth
The summer season
The colour white and all earth tones
The astrological signs of Taurus, virgo, and Capricorn
Angel of the night
Associated with the earth
The seed is in the earth and all is dark
Helps us contemplate the future
Winter colours: black, brown, gray
Auriel is the archangel of alchemy and vision. This being is known as the tallest of the archangels awith eyes that can see across eternity.
Auriel oversees the work of all nature spirits and works to assist humanity by awakening to them and working in harmony with them.
Working with Auriel will open you to the fairy kingdoms.
Auriel is the Archangel of Earth; the literal meaning is "Light Of God." In keeping with our namesake, we, as a Sanctuary, are dedicated to discovering and spreading the Light of God through hermetic teaching. Through self-mastery, our aspirants learn to integrate magical principles into every aspect of earthly life.
Auriel is known as the Archangel utilized as the guardian and representative of the earth. Unlike the other three, who have all been canonized as saints by the Roman Catholic Church, there is little printed information on Auriel and just exactly what aspects of the earth that he represents. Standard workings in the Golden Dawn Grade of 1=10 begin with "communing" with him and learning from personal experiences thereafter. Indeed most documented work with Auriel (also known as Uriel) appears to be of a personal nature. While the other three, Micheal, Gabriel, and Raphael are purported in various canonized writings to have done many things on a grand scale, often affecting many people, the only fleeting reference to Auriel is in the book of Genesis where he wrestles on the ground with Jacob. Most other available sources of experience with Auriel appear to be either channeled by individuals or some form of close personal experience. This may lead us to believe that Auriel is such a Personal experience for the individual that perhaps there was little need or desire to propagate much written opinion of him as a being. Often people do not wish to relate personal miracles to others. Perhaps Auriel has affected humanity, as a whole, just like the other three but in a different way; one person, intimately, at a time.
Perhaps, if we take a look at Auriel's nature and look at some of the sparsely available accounts of individual experiences with him, we can grow to understand this little known, but oft called upon, archangel better.
The meaning of the name Auriel or Uriel is "The Light or Fire of God." He is said to be related to Haniel and Phanael, both of these archangels are considered to be in the Briatic aspect of the sephira of Netzach which relates them to Venus. Haniel means "The Grace of God," Phanael means "The Face (appearance) of God." Depending on the situation, Auriel can express himself in our lives in either one of these aspects. The energies represented in these names can be summed up in the quotation "The Lord makes his Face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee." The Light of God gives the ability to perceive, and give life to, his images. As The Face of God, his images are there to be perceived by the Light. As both The Light of God and The Face of God, he is constant creation and recreation, he is truly the living aspect of earth. The face of God can be seen in the stones beneath our feet, in the trees that grow and in all else that is manifested in the earth, and the Light of God gives it life.
Within ourselves, we imitate Auriel in our attempt to understand God and the world in which we live. We are capable of reflecting both the Light and Face of God within ourselves. In this way, we create the images of the world as we each know it and breathe life into those images with the Light of God within us.
"As The Archangel of the Face (appearance) of God, Auriel is responsible for our perceptions of divinity in even the most ordinary ways. It is all very well for isolated Mystics to have blinding visions of spiritual heights unreachable by common mortals, but Divinity should be closer to us than that." Through the devotion of his Venus aspect, Auriel brings divinity to us.
Sometimes our struggles with him are of a very direct nature, as is shown in the book of Genesis: "…And he rose up that night, and took his two wives and his two womenservants and his eleven sons…and he took them, and sent them over the brook and sent over all that he had. …And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled with a man until the breaking of the day. …And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he (Jacob) said, I will not let thee go except thou bless me."
In several accounts of this excerpt of scripture, it is said that the "man" with whom Jacob wrestled was Auriel. According to one account this was Auriel in his Phanael or "Face of God" aspect. Obviously no wrestling would take place if Jacob and "Face of God" were in harmony with one another. In that Jacob sent away his wives and possessions, he elected to sacrifice most external things that would stand between him and God. However, Auriel presented Jacob with some "faces" or inner obstacles that he had yet to sacrifice, these are perhaps the hardest of all. Hence the act of "wrestling" with an archangel on the ground. Often we make it through our inner conflicts with a briatic force as Jacob did and begin to see day breaking in the form of enlightenment, the beginnings of atonement with God. At this point it is easy to believe that our work is done and "Let go for the day breaketh." Then the fact that this is a final spiritual illusion is realized and this too needs to be sacrificed in order to exude unconditional Love and become one with Adonai. Hence Jacob said "I will not let thee go except that thou bless me." At this point, Jacob had come to terms with and clearly beheld the Face of God. In telling Auriel his name, he freely gave himself up, he had sacrificed himself to the higher. In this process Auriel renamed him Israel. "…For as a prince hast thou the power with God and with men and hast prevailed."
Auriel provides us with the same opportunity that Jacob had for personal redemption with the face of Adonai. He, through his power of earthly manifestation, gives us a way of personal self sacrifice and ultimate oneness with God. Some aspects of sacrifice are easy and then as the way becomes more difficult we too must "wrestle" with Auriel until the break of day and even until he gives his blessing. Even as Jacob did, we must be willing to go that extra amount of struggle in order to "ask" for his blessing.
Then we may behold in ourselves that devotional Light of God in and feel its warmth and Love. In this way we have grown, and elevated ourselves more toward reflecting that Face of God within. This will be shown to others along the way in our earthly deeds and allow others to behold that "Israel" through us. In endeavoring to do Auriel's work and show that Face of God to others, we are giving them the same opportunity that we have, to discover their own paths of redemption. Though our struggles and falls in Auriel's path are many, he affords great rewards. The only true mistake that we can make is to get caught up in our own self illusion and turn our backs on The Light of God.
Now that we have seen what his energies are like in a sort of "working model" fashion, let's take a look as some of Auriel's characteristics and some of the views on him and is acts as written by others in various texts of Biblical, apocryphal and eclectic origins. In most works Auriel is referred in different aspects, each having a different angelic name. As Auriel, he is known as the Light of God; as Haniel, the Grace of God; as Phanael, the Face of God; and finally as Uriel, the Fire of God. In all of these forms, Auriel is manifesting some aspect of God. Ultimately it is always in some Assiac form, hence his connection with Earth. In nearly all written accounts relating to him, some form of human action is taken.

To begin, here are some general characteristics and their origins:
*His angelic force, in the Hanael aspect, applies on the path of ayin. This is known as the Lord of the Gates of Matter and Prince of the Power of Air as well as the Devil card in the Tarot. Here choices and struggles are represented in action oriented ways. This also falls under the sign of Capricorn, Fire of Earth. This aspect is said to apply to the month of December. In some writings Hanael is credited with transporting Enoch to Heaven.
*In the Phaneal aspect, he was the angel who wrestled with Jacob. Phanael is also called "The archangel of penance" and was said in Enoch 1 to "fend off the Satans" that they may not "Come before the Lord of spirits to accuse them who dwell on earth."
*The Uriel aspect of Auriel seems to appear in the most written accounts. The name Uriel is said to have been derived from the name of Uriah the prophet. He has been equated with Auriel, Uryan, Jeremkel, Suriel , Prurel, and, as aforementioned Phaneal and Haniel. He was reprobated at a Church Council in Rome in 745 C.E. He was said to be canonized as Saint Uriel later with an open hand holding a flame as his symbol. The "Fire of God" has been ranked, in various writings as a seraph, cherub, flame of God, angel of presence, presider over Hades and an archangel of salvation. This definitely is supportive of the saying "Whether I rise to Heaven or Make my bed in Hell, behold thou art there."
Uriel was also, in the book of Enoch, the one who, with Raphael, Micheal and Gabriel, beheld the deplorable condition of earth and warned Noah of the impending deluge.
In Auriel's ability to offer individual atonement with God, he is further described as follows:

"…As one of the immortal angels of the undying God who, on the day of Judgement, will break the monstrous bars framed of unyielding and unbroken adamant of brazen of Hades, and cast them straightway, and yea of the ghosts of the ancient Titans and of the giants and all the flood overtook…and of all these shall he bring to Judgement seat…and set before God's seat."
In summation, could be said that Auriel, in his Fire of God aspect, is alchemical in nature as well as God's avenger and redeemer and is the giver and manifestor of Life on earth. He is the Living earth itself and both our friend and adversary in his "Face of God" aspect. Finally in his Grace of God aspect he shows us the beauty of Life itself and acts to show each of us our own personal way to become one with God. In that "Darkly Splendid World," the Light of God is always within reach.

Fallen Angels:
Also called devils, unclean spirits, demons and denizens of the hoary underworld, Fallen Angels are those angels that for whatever reason decided to rebel against God. They struggle against all that is holy, sacred and good, seeking ever to corrupt the innocent, destroy the beauty of the cosmos, plunge the universe into chaos, and snuff out the prefect and unapproachable light of God's Love.
I have compiled a list of some of the most famous and infamous members of the hierarchy of hell. They all, for the most part, once belonged to the angelic choirs.
Abigor: Grand Duke of Hell
*Devil: The Evil One
Adramelech: President of the high council of demons
Friar Rush: Bartender in Hell; tempter of Monks
Ahriman: Persian Devil
Alastor: The executioner
Alocer: Commands thirty-six legions of demons
Amducias: Grand Duke of Hell
Amy: Demon hoping to return to heaven
Antichrist: Great enemy of humanity
Ashtoreth: Appeared at Loudun in 17th century
Asmodeus: Demon of lust and anger
Azazel: Standard-bearer of Hell
Baalberith: Secretary of Hell
Balan: A king of Hell
Baphomet: Bearded demon
Beelzebub: Prince of Hell
Belphegor: Tempter
Cagrino: Gypsy demon
Cagrino: Gypsy demon
Dagon: Phoenician demon
Furfur: Count in Hell
Incubus: Seducer of women
Keteb: The noonday Demon
Leviathan: A sea demon
Lilith: Adam's first wife; fearsome demoness
Lucifer: The fallen light-bearer
Malphas: Grand president of Hell
Mammon: Master of avarice
Mephistopheles: The tempter of Faust
Nebiros: Field marshal of Hell
Old Scratch: A form of the Devil
Rabdos: The strangler
Satan: The great fallen angel
Succubus: Seducer of men
Zabos: Grand Count of Hell
*Satan
Satan is the Hebrew word for "adversary," or opponent, competitor, or enemy. Some Chrisitians believe Satan was once Lucifer, the brightest and best of all God's angels. However, when Lucifer saw that he was so much better than the other angels, he began to think he could raise himself above God. In the resulting battle lucifer and one third of the angels were thrown from heaven. Christians believe Satan continues in his battle with God by competing for the human soul. He uses deception (making wrong seem right) as he tempts humanity to disobey God. His most successful weapons are money, power, and lust.
Iblis (The Devil)
Iblis comes from the Greek word diabolos, which means "devil." Iblis is a Muslim counterpart of the Christian Satan. According tot he Koran, when God created Adam, he ordered the angels to bow down to the first man. All the angels bowed except Iblis. Iblis, made of fire, argued that he was better than the man, who was made of lowly clay, and refused to bow. As punishment for his rebellion, Allah (God) banned Iblis from paradise. Seeking revenge, Iblis deceived the first woman, Hawwa, into eating the forbidden fruit. When Allah discovered what she had done, he cursed her with the pain of childbirth and cast her from paradise among with Adam. Although Iblis is counted among the angels, Muslims view him as a jinni or spiir that can take human form and influence human events.
Malik
Found in the Koran, Malik means "one who is in charge." According to Muslim beliefs, the angel Malik oversees hell. In the Koran, sinners imprisoned in hell cry out to Malik for death as a release from their suffering. However, Malik tells them they must remain in hell forever because they rejected the truth. Under Malik's command, nineteen angels guard the boundaries of hell.
Harut and Marut
Islamic scholars disagree on the interpretation of the Koran regarding Harut and Marut. For example, Abdullah Yusef Ali believes they were mortal men who are called angels because of their knowlege, wisdom, and power. S.Abdul A'La Maududi believes they were angels sent by God to tempt mankind.
Harut and Marut are credited with teaching either science or magic. Many people who came into possession of this knowledge used it for evil. For this reason, Harut and Marut seemed to be teaching evil and appeared to behave like fallen angels. Muslims do not believe angels fall and therefore maintain that these angels remained virtuous and did not fall out of favour with God. According to Islamic tradition, they may have been men who possessed great knowledge and power or angels sent by God as tempters, but they were not fallen angels.
Tales of these angels named in the sacred books of the Muslim, Christian, and Jew also grace the pages of secular legend and lore. Some people believe the lore and some believe the sacred writings. Others see a mystery and search for the truth.
Many traditions speak of the angelic contact that occurs through the signs of the zodiac and through the planetary influence. General aspects and qualities associated with each sign and each planet, as found within any general astrology book, will help you determine how these angelic beings are likely to be affecting your life.
There are angels of the sign Cancer who assist individuals with their feeling nature and angels of Aquarius who assist us in seeking ourselves. There are angels working through every sign. As each month passes and a new astrological sign comes into play, the influence of that particular group of angels working through that sign is felt more strongly by everyone. They are also more easily attuned to during that month. A good monthly meditation is to visualize a door engraved with the astrological symbol of the sign of the new sign of the zodiac. Then you should walk through the door and commune with the angels of that particular astrological sign.

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