Original Myth
"Archangels: Directing God's Hands and Feet on Earth." Spiritual-Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. Apr.-May 2015.
According to the Spiritual Encyclopedia, Archangels form part of the nine celestial choirs of the heavens. Each choir has a hierarchical position in the heavens that go as followed starting from the bottom working toward the choir closes to God: first-Angels, second-Archangels, third- Principalities, fourth-Virtues, fifth-Powers, sixth-Dominions, seventh- Thrones, eighth- Cherubim, and lastly the ninth- Seraphim. The most commonly known celestial choir is the one of the Angels because of their close proximity to the earthly level. People have determined because of the word of the Bible that each celestial choir is divided in to groups or "bands" and that's when Archangels need to perform their duties and that is to be in charge of each band of Angels. Just like organization is essential for people, the heavens are also organized as if its a huge company that is dedicated to help people. Every heavenly being is dedicated to do a specific task. Each one of the heavenly being has to work by an important aspect of God or "ray". There's seven Archangels who are in charge of certain powerful places on Earth. These are the names of the seven along with their specific ray:
- Michael: Is the leader of all the Archangels and all Angels, he serves God under the "blue ray" which is the ray of protection.
- Jophiel: This Archangels serves God under the "Yellow Ray" or the ray of illumination.
- Chamuel: Archangel Chamuel does the work of God under the "Pink Ray" which symbolizes love. People turn to Chamuel when they are having problems in the Love department.
- Gabriel: Archangel Gabriel is one of the most popular Archangels do to the fact that it is told in the Bible that he was the Archangel who told the Virgin Mary about the birth of Baby Jesus. Gabriel serves God under the "White Ray" that represents purity.
- Raphael: Raphael on the other hand serves God under the "Green Ray" that represents divine healing. Some people turn to Archangel Raphael when in physical need such as when in need of food or shelter.
- Uriel: Uriel serves under the "Purple Ray" that represents peace. When people are having a disagreement with one another, they could definitely request for Uriel to bring peace back to them regardless of the disagreement.
- Zadkiel: Finally comes in as the Archangel of forgiveness and serves God under the "violet ray".
Novels
Shinn, Sharon. "Archangel (Samaria Series)." Sharon Shinn. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://www.sharonshinn.net/HTML/samaria.html>.
Kosowski, Marysia. "Archangel by Sharon Shinn." Fantasy Book Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Sharon-Shinn/Archangel.html>.
Author Sharon Shinn has brought to life a story that takes a spin off of the original myth of Archangels. In her first installment of the Samaria Series she wrote the book "Archangel". This book illustrates the perfect society of Samaria where Jovah (God) has sent his archangels to maintain order and also to watch over the mortals. Archangels and humans are encouraged to live together in harmony and to love one another. In this perfect society people from diverse ethnicity and different cultural backgrounds live in peace with one another making it a society that is rich in customs and traditions. The fate of Samaria is in hands of those who come together to sing for Jovah. Shinn depicts the Archangels as having human traits that include love, envy, passion etc. Jovah has placed one of his Archangels to be head of Samaria, in this case Archangel Gabriel is the one chosen. Archangel Raphael on the other hand wants to force himself into power and over throw Gabriel and take his place.
Poem
Long, Zack. "Archangel"Hello Poetry Eliot York, 5 Sep,2014 Web. 19 Apr, 2015.
Another appearance made by the Archangels and more specifically by Archangel Michael was made in the book of revelations. In this part of the bible its said that there was a war in heaven of which archangels are battling against Lucifer's (Satan's) angels. Poet Zack Long wrote a poem called "Archangel" that talks about the end of days, and even though the poem doesn't name the archangel its safe to say that he is referring to Archangel Michael.
Two wings of burning fire upon your back
Light the way through darkened nights
Shadows cast forming dancing sprites
Armageddon hides in the wake of your flight
Finger on the button to exterminate the entire human race
Vermin scuttle through the streets
The sound of trampling feet
Crushing all who fall beneath
The archangel with eyes of crimson rides tonight
("Archangel" 1-9)
Films and Television
"Legion." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1038686/?ref_=nv_sr_1>.
In the movie Legion, director Scott Stuart depicts a story based on the "end of days" where God sends his legion of Angels to destroy man kind. The main character in this movie is former Archangel Michael who decides to cut his wings to become mortal and give humanity a second chance. In this movie Michael decides to help man kind by helping them battle God's angels. Michael's main objective is to save pregnant Charlie's unborn child because he believes that her son is the future savior of man kind. After the movie's release in 2010, the SyFy channel released a series loosely based on the film by the name of Dominion that takes place 25 years after the end of the movie.Works of Art
(Archangel Raphael as the Caduceus, the staff of healers)
"Caduceus a Monumental Bronze Sculpture Allegory by James Muir Bronze Allegorical Sculptor-Artist." Caduceus a Monumental Bronze Sculpture by James Muir Bronze Allegorical Sculptor-Artist. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Sculptor James N. Muir brought to life a 12 feet tall bronze sculpture of Archangel Raphael. In this sculpture Raphael is shown as the "Caduceus" or the Archangel of healing. As mentioned before, Archangel Raphael performs God's deeds under the Green Ray that represents "divine healing". The word "Caduceus" roots come from the Greek word "karykeion" which also means herald's badge of staff. Archangel serpents and wings are also displayed many times in the medical field by medical staff such as nurses and doctors. The sculpture is currently being displayed at the Hozho Plaza in Sedona, Arizona.
"Caduceus a Monumental Bronze Sculpture Allegory by James Muir Bronze Allegorical Sculptor-Artist." Caduceus a Monumental Bronze Sculpture by James Muir Bronze Allegorical Sculptor-Artist. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Sculptor James N. Muir brought to life a 12 feet tall bronze sculpture of Archangel Raphael. In this sculpture Raphael is shown as the "Caduceus" or the Archangel of healing. As mentioned before, Archangel Raphael performs God's deeds under the Green Ray that represents "divine healing". The word "Caduceus" roots come from the Greek word "karykeion" which also means herald's badge of staff. Archangel serpents and wings are also displayed many times in the medical field by medical staff such as nurses and doctors. The sculpture is currently being displayed at the Hozho Plaza in Sedona, Arizona.
Psycosocial Significance
Steiner, Rudolf, and Christopher Bamford. "Page 249." The Archangel Michael: His Mission and Ours: Selected Lectures and Writings. Hudson, NY: Anthroposophic, 1994. N. pag. Print.
In his book Archangel Michael: His Mission and our author Rudolf Steiner explains how Archangels are essential for our life. In his book he explains each Archangel's duty and how they work to protect all human beings. The archangels are the beings sent by God to guide each individual through their life time and escort them to the eternal life after they have parted the mortal world. He also believes that archangel are responsible for a major part in the human evolution. In another part of his books he specifies how each archangel are responsible of giving the humans certain virtues for example Michael gives intelligence whereas Gabriel is the guardian of physical propagation.
