The mage engages with many Spirits, the most important of which are the angels of the Heavenly Host. This Chapter considers the Angelic Choirs and Ruling Angels associated with the Spheres of the Tree of Life. The mage who can summon angels for help is Blessed with great power.
The Angelic Hierarchy
Angelology is a complex subject that has been studied for millenia. The tradition is shared by Judeo-Christian, Islamic, and Hermetic traditions, developed from the much older traditions of the ancient Egyptians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, and Zoroastrians. All of them agree that different groups, or choirs, of angels are arranged hierachically in much the same manner as the Tree of Life of the Kabbalah. Only the angels of the kabbalistic traditions are discussed here.
Chioth Ha Qadesh
The supreme order of angels that gaze upon the sphere of Kether, the greater countenance of God, is known as Chioth Ha Qadesh. Its angels are also known as the Holy Living Creatures and equate to the Seraphim of Dionysius. Their archangel is Metatron, refferred to as "He who bringeth others before the face of God." Metatron is the youngest of all angels, and tradition has it that he was once the Biblical Patriarch Enoch. The Talmud says that Metatron is the link between God and Humanity. He may therefore be invoked, despite the fact that Kether itself is beyond the Mage's reach.
Auphanim
The Auphanim are known as the Whirling Forces and the Cherubim in Christian Angelology. These are the angels of Chokmah, ruled by the angel Ratziel, the Prince of Knowledge of hidden things, also called the Angel of Mysteries. The legendary Book Of The Angel Ratziel was said to contain a secret code that held the keys to the Mystery of the World, which not even any other angel knew.
Aralim
The Aralim are the Strong and Mighty Ones. These 70,000 angels are made of white fire and serve the Sephirah of Binah, the sphere of the Eternal Female Principle. Their leader is the archangel Tzaphqiel, the Prince of Spiritual Strife against Evil, whose name means Contemplation of God. When invoking Tzaphqiel, it is appropriate to say, "I allow Binah to show me her true nature." Binah's symbol is the Vesica Piscis, the pointed oval formed by two overlapping circles.
Chasmalim
The Brilliant Ones serve Jupiter in the Sphere of Justice, corresponding to Chesed on the Tree of Life. The ruler of th Chasmalim is the archangel Tzadkiel, Prince of Mercy and Beneficence, who is also a guard of the Gates of the East Wind. He may therefore be invoked from that quarter when the position of Jupiter is not known. When invoking Tzadkiel through Chesed, the sephirah may be addressed as follows: "O thou great one, whose name is mighty and whose nature is just, rule in me that I may show forth thy mercy." Chesed's symbol is the Pyramid of Royal Orb.
Seraphim
In Christian angelology, the Seraphim are the Highest Ranking of all Angels. They are the Flaming Ones, the Avenging Angels of Destruction who serve the Sephirah of Geburah, the Sphere of the Fear of God. Their archangel, Camael (whose name means "he who sees God"), bears the Flaming Sword, the symbol of Geburah. As the Prince of Strength and Courage, he may impart these qualities if successfully invoked or petitioned. When Geburah is invoked, the Mage may say, "O thou most holy, may we pass through thy purging and be clean."
Malachim
Occasionaly referred to as the Shinanin, the Malachim are the Kings of Tiphareth, the Sphere of the Solar Light, whose symbol is a cube. The Malachim are responsible for the motions and cycles of all the stars and the planets of the Universe. They govern all natural laws and are therefore responsible for all miracles that break these laws. They reflect the ideas of virtue, inspiring valor in heroes and grace in saints. Their archangel is traditionally given as Raphael, the Angel of Healing, with Michael as his Lieutenant (these roles are reversed in the Sephirah of Hod). Although this does not tally with the planetary or elemental correspondances, Tiphareth is so benignly disposed toward the Mage that it can be invoked without reference to angels. The best solution perhaps to invoke both angels when invoking either Tiphareth or Hod.
Elohim
The Elohim, which means "gods," equate with the Choir of Principalities. Their ruling archangel is Haniel, Prince of Love and Harmony, which are two great qualities of Netzach, the Sephirah he serves. The symbol of Netzach is the rose, a plant ruled by the corresponding Planet Venus, known in the Kabbalahas Nogah, meaning ''external splendor.''
Beni Elohim
Beni Elohim, the Sons of Gods, equate with the Choir of Archangels and serve the Sphere of Hod, whose symbol is a square apron. Michael, who name means "who is as God," and Raphael are their leading Angels. Hod corresponds to the planet Mercury, mediator of Art and Knowledge.
Cherubim
The Cherubim, meaning "those who intercede," are the Guardian Angels of mankind. They rank as the Second Choir of Angels after the Seraphim and are associated with Yesod, the sephirah that rules the sphere of Action and of the Moon. Their presiding archangel is Gabriel, whose name means "God is my Strength." Gabriel is one of the most revered of all the Angels. It was he who appeared to the Virgin Mary and who dictated the Koran to Mohammed. The symbol of Yesod is a pair of Footprints.
Ishim
The lowest order of angel is the Ishim, associated with the Sphere of Malkuth, the Kingdom, which equates with the Earth on the mundane level. The Ishim are also called the Blessed Souls and the Souls of the Just Made Perfect. In this respect they equate with the Bodhisattvas of Buddhism, being saints who choseto assist their fellow humans. The archangel of the Ishim is Sandalphon, whose name means "Co-Brother." He is also the twin of Metatron, and like his brother he was also once a Prophet, Elias. The Shekinah is the Goddess of Malkuth and shares the same essence as the Virgin Mary, being Daughter, Bride, and Mother of God.
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