An Angel Treasury: A Celestial Collection of Inspirations, Encounters and Heavenly Lore

Are they still being formed? (Is Michael older than other angels?)

The angels were created at different times, or not, depending on which source you read! Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel (or Ariel) are usually said to have been formed at the same time, though. Are angels still being formed? I think that only God knows the answer to that one, but spirit is being created continuously so I don’t see why not.

Are the ‘Fab Four’ (Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael) the strongest, or just the most popular?

Michael and Gabriel are given ‘leader titles’ in many texts. They are the most well known of angels, which may make them seem the most popular. Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael are also thought to have guardianship over the Earth and so are ‘our’ angels.

Can people become angels, or just saints?

Angels have been named saints, but people are not made into angels (in most traditions). Having said that, there are two archangels who are said to be the ascended spirits of humans: Archangel Metatron was given the role of an angel (having once walked the earth as Enoch) for his services to God whilst in human form. Other sources say that the Archangel Sandalphon (recognized as the twin of Archangel Metatron) was once the prophet Elijah.

These two are certainly exceptions to the rule, because the spirit mat resides in the human body is of a different form and type to that which is angel.

‘Every man contemplates an angel in his future self.’

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

‘I have been on the verge of being an angel all my life, but it’s never happened yet.’

MARK TWAIN

The Mormons recognize the angel Moroni, who visited their founding prophet Joseph Smith. Moroni was said to be once human and the son of the prophet Mornon, and to have become an angel after his death, and there is a statue of Moroni on top of most Mormon temples.

Kabbalists (followers of a Jewish mystical tradition) also believe that as well as being created by God special humans can also develop into angels.

Have angels ever incarnated?

As far as we know, only Enoch and Elijah have ever been human, although angels do make brief appearances in human form.

‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for therby some have entertained angels unawares.’

HEBREWS 13:2

How would I be able to contact angels?

In any number of simple ways beginning with ‘just ask them’. For more ideas, check out the section on Communicating With Your Angels, page 281.

‘We should pray to the angels, for they are given to us as guardians.’

ST AMBROSE

What do our angels actually do for us?

They send us positive thoughts and energy, and love and protection (in its simplest form).

‘What know we of the Blest above but that they sing, and that they love?’

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

How much are they permitted to do to help us?

They are not allowed to interfere with our ‘free will’ or anything that may obstruct with any lessons we have pre-planned for ourselves. Although angels do help to lessen the pain, or help with variations of a plan when a choice is proving too difficult for us. Sometimes our pre-birth choices are just too hard for us to handle!

‘We are never so lost our angels cannot find us.’

STEPHANIE POWERS

I often see people in my room at night. Are they angels or are they spirits who want to communicate with me?

Probably spirits. But they may not want to communicate, see you, or even know that you can see them. Spirit overlays our very life – heaven is not ‘up there’ but right here. During the night our own spirit is more fluid within our bodily shell which takes us closer to the realms of spirit (we sort of meet ‘in the middle’). You can ask your angels to help make these spirits unseen to you if this is what you want.

‘Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HAMLET. ACT V, SCENE 2

How do I know if my angel is with me? What signs of their presence should I look for?

Angels are around us a lot but if you want further proof of their presence you can always ask them for a sign. Don’t expect a being of light to suddenly jump out of the wardrobe – it simply doesn’t work that way. They will indicate they are around in more subtle ways.

Sometimes they will communicate their message through a stranger. A woman at the bus stop may strike up a ‘meaningful’ conversation for example. Someone may present you with an angel pin, or perhaps a white feather will appear where there were none before. Maybe you will just ‘feel’ your angel come close to you.

‘All God’s angels come to us disguised.’

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

How do our angels choose us?

Angels are attracted to our energy and goals…like a magnet!

Do we choose our own angels between lives?

It doesn’t really work like that with angels. We each have spirit guides (more advanced and experienced souls like ourselves) whom we plan to work with during our life on earth.

Are angels similar to the spirit guides that mediums use or are they not permitted to perform this function?

No, not really, although mediums can communicate with angels in this way, they usually don’t.

Are they the messengers of God as the Bible claimed, or do they have a different purpose?

One of the translations of Angel is ‘Messenger’ but they have so many more roles!

‘Beside each man who’s born on earth, a guardian angel takes his stand, to guide him through life’s mysteries.’

MENANDER OF ATHENS

Does helping us help them? (In other words, by helping us in our lives are they paying back a karmic debt in their own?)

No. Angels are created as pure beings of light and are not thought to follow the same rules of Karma as ourselves. Helping us brings them extreme joy. It is their very reason for being.