Angels, Fairies, Demons, and the Elementals. John Van Auken

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СКАЧАТЬ and are gods within the one God. Notice that the term Congregation of God implies that all in the congregation are godlike, made in the image of God.

      When speaking of angelic beings, the Bible uses the terms “messenger of God” (melakh Elohim), “messenger of the Lord” (melakh Adonai), “Sons of God” (b’nai Elohim), and the “Holy Ones” (ha-qodeshim). Other terms are used in later texts, such as “the upper ones” (ha’oleevoneem).

      Metatron is considered the highest of the angels in Kabbalistic mysticism. Metatron is briefly mentioned in the Talmud and figures prominently in Merkabah mystical texts. In 3 Enoch, or the Book of Heavenly Palaces (Sefer Hekhalot), there is a link between Enoch (son of Jared who was great-grandfather of Noah) and his transformation into the angel Metatron. Surprisingly, there is the same connection in the Edgar Cayce readings! As strange as the name is, this is the highest angel in almost all listings of angels.

      Michael, who serves as a warrior and an advocate for Israel (Daniel 10:13), is considered to be the guardian angel of the Israelites; and Gabriel is the guardian angel of the Ishmaelites (modern-day Arabs). This began with the two sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. Gabriel is mentioned in the book of Daniel (8:15-17) and briefly in the Talmud, as well as in many Merkabah mystical texts. And Daniel’s visions name the archangel Michael—which is the first time in the Bible that an angel’s name is spoken.

       Seraphim and Cherubim

      In Jewish and Dionysian lore, the Congregation of Angels is arranged into two main choirs: Seraphim and Cherubim.

      Seraphim are the highest order of angels and attend to the throne and altar of God. They are variously referred to as the “burning ones,” the “red ones,” and “beings of fire,” because of their association with the fire on the altar of God and the fire of truth, particularly the “test as by fire” that the archangel Michael requires of every soul who attempts to pass to higher levels of heaven. In the Bible, seraphs (mentioned only in Isaiah 6:2 and 6:6) surround the throne of God and bring Isaiah a coal from the fire on the altar of God with which to cleanse his lips and speech.

      Seraphs are often depicted with six wings. The colors red and white are associated with them, as well as the element of fire. Cayce’s reading 275-35 actually refers to the “Seraphim choir” when instructing a young man about his music training, noting that the “Prince of Peace was a harpist” in the Seraphim choir.

      Cherubim, on the other hand, are mentioned throughout the Bible. Their name is derived from the Assyrian (or Akkadian) word kirubu, which means “one who prays, blesses, or intercedes,” and are often seen as those who intercede between God and humans. As the second order of angels, they are often depicted as winged children, but this originated during the Middle Ages and is not an original image for them. Cherubs are depicted as having four wings, and blue is the color associated with them, because of their connection with the sky and, in some cases, with the wind and the element of air.

      Cayce’s readings portray the angels as active beings, much involved with the lives of humans. They were and are co-creators with the Creator, and as such, created much of the universe that we see. How many angels were created? According to the Egyptians, each star in heaven is the light of one angel, and there are more stars in the portion of the universe that is visible from earth than there are grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts of earth!

       The Nine Choirs or Orders of Angelic Beings

      The traditional order of the angelic hierarchy fits with the three Triads of the Tree of Life in Kabbalah (Celestial, Moral, and Mundane), and in each of the three Triads are three choirs of angels. Here is the order:

       First Choirs

      Seraphim

      Cherubim

      Thrones

       Second Choirs

      Dominations (Dominions)

      Virtues

      Powers

       Third Choirs

      Principalities

      Archangels

      Angels

      • The Seraphim are the highest order of the nine orders of angels. They surround the throne of God continually singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the God of Hosts!” They are said to be so bright that humans cannot look at them. Lucifer was among the Seraphim before the rebellion in heaven that led to his fall and that of many angels. The Prince of this choir is Michael.

      • The Cherubim were God’s choice for the Ark of the Covenant. Dionysius the Areopagite (judge of the Areopagus, in the biblical book of Acts 17:34) wrote much about the lore of angels, and he taught that these were the angels of knowing or knowledge. They were assigned to guard the Tree of Life from humanity, less we eat from it and become physically immortal rather than spiritually so. (Genesis 3:24, in the Revelation 22:14 this restriction is rescinded, allowing spiritualized humans to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life.) Cherubim are humanlike in appearance and are guardians of God’s glory. In Muslim lore, the Cherubim were formed from Michael’s tears over the sins of the Faithful. They are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Revelation (chapters 4-6). The Prince of the Cherub Choir is Gabriel.

      • The Thrones represent God’s divine justice. Dionysius wrote, “It is through the Thrones that God brings His justice upon us.” This third choir is known as the “many-eyed ones” because, when viewed by humans, they are covered with eyes. They are known for their humility and submission to God’s will. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower choirs of angels need the Thrones in order to access God. The Prince of the Thrones is Orifiel, the angel of Saturday and the planet Saturn. He is also Chief of Talismans.

      • The Dominions are considered the “Angels of Leadership.” Dionysius wrote that theirs is the position of authority, regulating the duties of the angels and making known the commands of God. “Through them the majesty of God is manifested.” The Prince of the Dominions is Zadkiel, angel of the fourth emanation of Mercy and Lovingkindness on the Kabbalah Tree of Life.

      • The Virtues are known as the “Spirits of Motion” and control the elements (more on this in the chapter on the Elementals). Some refer to them as “the shining ones.” They govern Nature. They have control over the seasons, stars, moon, and sun. They are also in charge of and perform miracles, and provide courage, grace, and valor. The fifth choir of angels acts on the orders of the Dominions and represents the power of God. The Prince of the Choir of Virtues is Uzziel, one of the principal angels in rabbinic angelology. According to the Sepher Rezial Hemelack: The Book of the Angel Rezial, Uzziel is among the seven angels who stand before the throne of Glory.

      • The Powers are warrior angels who fight against evil and defend the heavens and earth. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to bring chaos into the harmony of life. The Prince of this choir is Kamael (also, Camael). In Druid mythology, Kamael is the Angel of War.

      • The Principalities is the seventh choir in the hierarchy of angels. Surprisingly, they have hostility СКАЧАТЬ