Info-dump on starting angel work
Because it's been a while since I've posted about angel work!
People particularly work with Archangels because they are the leaders of their domains. There are theoretically infinite angels and you could really pray to any in any domain but we'll get back to that.
There are many different groups of Archangels, rather than one agreed upon "pantheon"
I work with the Ars Paulina system, which includes but isn't limited to (because there are many):
Archangel Samael = Angel of Execution
Archangel Haniel = Angel of Grace
Archangel Raphael = Angel of Healing
Archangel Gabriel = Messenger Angel
Archangel Michael = Angel of Protection
Archangel Zadkiel = Angel of Mercy
Archangel Cassiel = Angel of Temperance
Archangel Azrael = Angel of Death
Archangel Uriel = Angel of Wisdom
Lists in this post courtesy of my friend @angelmilkdreams <- amazing blog for angel work btw
Ars Paulina is the angel version of Ars Goetia and is part of the Lesser Key of Solomon
You can also look into your birth angels or sun & moon angels through this system! They're your teaching angels, so they can sort of tell you what you may do in this life or something about your energy. The angels are assigned by zodiac:
Traditional:
Aries & Scorpio = Samael
Taurus & Libra = Haniel
Gemini & Virgo = Raphael
Cancer = Gabriel
Leo = Michael
Sagittarius & Pisces = Zadkiel
Capricorn & Aquarius = Cassiel
Modern:
Scorpio = Azrael
Aquarius = Uriel
Pisces = Asariel
For more about your birth angels, I suggest checking out Ariel Gatoga. I still recommend him after all this time.
If you ever get into angel work, you might want to explore different sets of angels to see who resonates with you. You also don't have to work with every angel in a pantheon. The main ones I call upon are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel and Haniel. I bring in other angels for prayers to others, though
Practitioners have different opinions about this, but I think angels are one of the easiest spirits to work with!
Because they love unconditionally. They love to help us and their purpose is assisting creation! They do still exist beyond this material world though - so it's not like strict servitude to humans
Another great reason: they don't require ceremony to be summoned. You may come across things like ceremonial magic for angels, or enochian magic etc. Ars Paulina also has rituals for summoning but I found you don't need them (maybe if you're asking for huge stuff).
That's cool if people want to do that though you simply need to use your words. Just invite them into your life, or your space, or something (like job, if relevant). There's no structure to prayers but you can be inspired by helpol prayer format if you so choose.
"Archangel Haniel, Archangel of Grace and Harmony, I invite you and your blessings into my life."
This is a good enough prayer to say to start a devotional connection with Archangel Haniel.
Angels don't need offerings but they're still nice to give. We usually say you venerate angels or work with angels rather than worship. But it's up to you as well - this way is just more common.
Some offerings can include angelic imagery or icons, flowers, things that remind you of angels, items that are specific to certain archangels (oils, sachets of herbs, amulets and talismans), incense!
Where do they come from?
Who knows? /hj
Depends on your belief system.
I believe angels come from a variety of sources. I believe angels came from the universal source, I believe they probably came from God too. I believe pagan gods have angels. I believe Hermes, Iris, Eros and Thanatos are angels who have their own angels. It doesn't really matter to me where they came from - I just know they exist in different forms across religions
Fun fact: Did you know the most common hierarchy of angels was written by a guy named Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite? His book was called On the Celestial Hierarchy
Extra fun fact: His inspiration is said to be the Chaldean Oracles and Hekate's triad of angels. The iynges (don't know too much about these ones), the synochesis (intercessors and guides) and teletarchai (something to do with initiation, probably with mysteries).
Extra extra fun fact: Zeus was said to have an angel (angelos) in inscriptions at Stratonikeia, Hekate's most significant town as a civic/patron goddess. Some scholars theorise the unnamed angel in Stratonikeian inscriptions could be Hekate herself
Anyway, angels like devotional acts too! Prayers are a good way to communicate with them. It is possible to sense the energy of angels! I noticed a difference in my room when I started working with angels - I could tell they were around, and they made things a little brighter
Can you use prayers from Christianity and Catholicism for the angels if they resonate? Yeah sure
You can also get into astrology with angels. It's a pretty big part of Ars Paulina (the planetary aspect). If you want to work with Haniel at a peak time, do it on a Friday when the planetary hour is aligned with Venus. If you want to do the same for Gabriel, Monday on Moon hours. For Raphael, Wednesday on Mercury hours.
Angels have sigils and symbols. You can use the planetary symbols as sigils for them too. I've attached a couple sigils for Raphael here
This website has information from Ars Paulina - another I still recommend after all these years: https://www.archangels-and-angels.com/
Ariel Gatoga's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/arielgatoga
Let me know if you'd like to know anything else about angel work! Practitioners can have varying opinions about all this, so be sure to research and consider what works for you. It can also change over time.
