Your thoughts on Angels

[Cassie]

There have been a few threads on this subject but I am curious to know what the people here think about Angels.

Philosophia gave some good links in another thread about Angels in various cultures and traditions, see here (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=2950968&postcount=5).

Do you believe in them? Do you work with them, if so, how? What do you think they are exactly?

This is one subject on which I'm really not sure what I believe.

[David19]

I do believe in angels, and I find them quite interesting, not the modern New Age approach (where there all "love and fluffy") but the historical ones (in Judaism, there are angels of death, disease, war, etc). I particularly want to learn more about Jewish angels (in both mythology and folklore), Christian, Islam and also Zoroastrianism (I've heard angels appear in Buddhism too, but I'm not sure if that's just the western world imposing "our" words on Buddhist concepts and beings).

The only thing I don't like is when you get some authors (mostly Llewllyen) who'll say angels aren't just Judaism, Christian or Muslim, which might be true, but they'll use Jewish angels in their rituals like Michael, Uriel, etc - Michael is a warrior for YHWH (so not exactly fluffy), trying to fit those particular angels into another system is like trying to put Enki or Aset into the Aztec pantheon, etc.

Anyway, kind of went on a rant towards the end, but cool thread ;).

[LacyRoze]

I believe in angels. Can't say I've worked with any but I want to learn more about them. I see angels as energy and spirits but also as having distinct personalities. I don't believe they are all love and roses either, I believe they each have a purpose.

That's what I believe,, as of now anyway.

[Philosophia]

I do believe in Angels and I love the mythology, art, stories, etc. that surround them. I don't work with them in the sense of "using" them but I do have give them respect and reverence in the form of prayer. Even though, predominantly they are seen with white wings, etc., I see them more as spirits or bodiless masses of pure energy. They may come across in the "typical" sense but I don't feel that that is what they are.

I don't believe that they are all "good" either but, like LacyRoze stated, they have a purpose. The traditional names, i.e. Micheal, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, etc., can be seen in Christian and Islam mythology as well and I generally view them as the purposes they are described.

[RunningRiot]

I believe in alot of different types of angels. I think they're close to what a demi-god could be described as, and always work for a sort of master, like a deity or will of nature.

[imapepper]

I believe in angels, and the angels I work with aren't of the bubblegum variety either, though I believe in those sweet ones as well, also calling upon them at times. I mostly work with the angels you'd consider warrior angels like Michael, who I envision as a soldier. In fact I envision that all my angels are pretty fierce with mighty swords and a merciless temperament, they're my personal spiritual soldiers. I don't believe angels are necessarily spirit beings with wings in robes, I mean as far as appearance goes, I always see them as very massive, tall creatures of light and even fire.

:hahugh:

[Wicce]

I've always wondered why in mainstream thought if you believe in ghosts, you're a kook, if you believe in angels, you are good and spiritual. Personally I think that any spirit of any sort is going to be filed into the categories we feel most comfortable with - that the things we might call ghosts, fairies or angels are actually all similar, but we need to filter them into what we know to understand them. In that way, I do believe, but in a different way :)

[Lorrie]

I have met a few, they are wonderful energy.

[latin_baller]

I dont believe in them. If they exist I thnk theyre merely thoughtforms.

[David19]

I dont believe in them. If they exist I thnk theyre merely thoughtforms.

You're entitled to your opinion, but even "thought-forms", in some traditions, are considered independent.

E.g. in Hindu mysticism, a sorcerer may create another being, and to the western mind (which bastardized a lot of Eastern teachings and don't really understand them either), that being may be a "thought-form" but in Hindu thought - that being is now a real being as you or me (also, in Tibetan Buddhism, you, me, this computer, etc are considered not "real" too - it's quite a really cool concept if you go deeper into it).

Anyway, just wanted add that, I don't believe they're "thought-forms", but like I said, everyone is entitled to believe what they want :).

[Sage Rainsong]

At one point in my history of practicing magic, I was working extremely heavily with angels, almost to the point of exclusivity. I have since stopped working with them for personal reasons. IMO they are extremely powerful otherworldly beings. If you want to know specifics on how I worked with them you can pm me if you'd like.

[Adrianus]

I believe angels are very powerful spiritual entities. I believe they can be called upon (and prayed to) for help, and at times they come to earth to help us, sometimes with and sometimes without our specific request.


The only thing I don't like is when you get some authors (mostly Llewllyen) who'll say angels aren't just Judaism, Christian or Muslim, which might be true, but they'll use Jewish angels in their rituals like Michael, Uriel, etc - Michael is a warrior for YHWH (so not exactly fluffy), trying to fit those particular angels into another system is like trying to put Enki or Aset into the Aztec pantheon, etc.

I think some authors in writing about angels and magic, may derive their information about angles from Ceremonial Magick, in which the Jewish angels seem to play a very important role. This is also intertwined with Quaballa and its importance in Ceremonial Magick.

Personally, I work with land spirits, friendly spirits that wish to help, spirits of deceased family members, and also occasionally directionals (elementals) when needed. It's not specifically in my Trad to call upon angels; however, it does seem like a very interesting thing to explore.


...I particularly want to learn more about Jewish angels (in both mythology and folklore), Christian, Islam and also Zoroastrianism.

Zoroastrianism is a fascinating religion. I recall many years ago reading that some scholars believe Zoroastrianism to be the origin of Judaism. It appears the basic holy service in the Temple in Jerusalem was an abridged form of the holy fire ritual of in the temples of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians used only fire, which they consider to be holy. Of course, the Jews used animals along with fire (to cook the animals). Fire is not holy in Judaism. Nevertheless, the time line seems to fit. Abraham could have well known Zoroastrian ritual before leaving for Israel. I should note that I am not sure if this belief is still considered viable.

Yeh, neat thread.

[omar]

I dont believe in them. If they exist I thnk theyre merely thoughtforms.

According to the Buddhists everything in the Universe is thought form.:spaceman:

[Sequoia]

I believe in Angels. What they are, exactly, I couldn't tell you. I think they're related to God somehow, but all of that is beyond my human understanding. :heartthro

The mythology behind angels in western religion is really fascinating. Real or not, I like 'em.