The first known recording of angels was by Zarathustra who lived in Persia some time between 1700 BCE and 600 BCE. His religion was called Zoroastrianism. In this belief system there were seven beings who had the status and function of angels with all good qualities and another seven beings with all evil qualities. Central to the beliefs was a constant battle between good and evil.
The 9th C. BCE in the palace of Ashurnasipal II, a winged being is carved on the wall as a protective spirit was the first known picture of an angel.
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible show angels as messengers from God. In the New Testament they are present at all major events: The Annunciation, the nativity, the Resurrection and Ascension. There were angels with Daniel in the lion’s den, in Jacob’s dream climbing the ladder, with Abraham, Moses and the Israelites, and let’s not forget Michael and Gabriel.
The Jewish mystical tradition known as Kaballah includes a female manifestation of God called Shekinah or “Bride of the Lord”, “Angel of Love and Blessings”, the liberating angel. Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize her as the “Holy Wisdom."
Catholic Doctrine notes that we have guardian angels who will intercede with God on our behalf. According to St. Ambrose, “We should pray to the angels who were given to us as our guardians.”
Buddhists believe angels are bodhisattvas, or “enlightened ones” and reveal themselves to humans as forms of light emanations or through meditations. There is also a direct reference to angels during the conception of Buddha when his mother, Queen Maha Maya was carried to the Himalayas by four guardian angels. After conception she was guarded by four angels with swords and for Maha-Brahma angels attended Buddha’s birth.
Although in Hinduism there is no mention of angels specifically, there are spirits who perform similar functions as angels. Gandharvas are portrayed as having wings, are skilled in music and can cast illusions. There are Devas who are angelic beings known as “shining ones” who help men on their spiritual quests.
Islam also has a hierarchy of angels or mala’ika. Islam is an offshoot of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of Islamic faith. They are: the Four Throne Bearers of Allah (symbolized by a bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle). In Christianity the bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle represent Matthew (lion), Mark(bull), Luke(man), and John(eagle). There are also four archangels: Gabriel (Jibril)- the revealer, Michael (Mikal)- the provider, Izrail (Azrael)- the angel of death, and Israfil, the angel of the last judgment of Allah.
Hafazah are guardian angels.
Celts, long before Christianity came to the isles had an anamchara (angel or soul-friend) as part of their daily lives. These spiritual beings were guardians or companions who took very special interest in humans, especially those on their spiritual path. Celtic angels also dwell on several levels. On the highest level are those in constant contact with God, the next level are those ascending to God and the third level are the Anamchairde who can appear in any form appropriate including taking on human form.
Native Americans also have their own form of angels such as the Thunderbird, or Wakinyan, meaning “sacred winged” creature. The thunderbirds live on mountaintops and are the servants of the Great Spirit often carrying messages from him.
In Shamanism, the healer often takes the form of a bird to travel through different worlds in search of his patient’s soul fragment. Today a shamans coat will be made of feathers to demonstrate his ability to fly.
Although neither the Ancient Egyptians or Ancient Greeks specifically mention angels, some of their gods have similar qualities. In Egyptian mythology there is the Phoenix, a symbol of immorality, and Isis who once used her wings to breathe life back into her dead husband/brother Osiris. The Greeks had the Goddess Nike and her son, both winged messengers of the gods.
So as you can see, angels are everywhere.
Other Blog Posts by Peg: I Believe There are Angels Among Us, Have You Experienced the The Magic of Galstonbury?
Subscribe to Explore Beyond the Usual™ by Email
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peg Losee works with angels on a regular basis through readings and healings. She provides services and classes as a Reiki Master/Teacher and IET® Master/Instructor. If you'd like to explore a past life, Peg will act as a facilitator for the "trip". Since Peg has been a teacher of the deaf for over 30 years, she can also provide these services in sign language. After all, energy work should be available to all people in all walks of life. Contact Peg Lossee at peg@angelsenergyhealing.com
Visit her websit at http://www.angelsenergyhealing.com/
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible show angels as messengers from God. In the New Testament they are present at all major events: The Annunciation, the nativity, the Resurrection and Ascension. There were angels with Daniel in the lion’s den, in Jacob’s dream climbing the ladder, with Abraham, Moses and the Israelites, and let’s not forget Michael and Gabriel.
The Jewish mystical tradition known as Kaballah includes a female manifestation of God called Shekinah or “Bride of the Lord”, “Angel of Love and Blessings”, the liberating angel. Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize her as the “Holy Wisdom."
Catholic Doctrine notes that we have guardian angels who will intercede with God on our behalf. According to St. Ambrose, “We should pray to the angels who were given to us as our guardians.”
Buddhists believe angels are bodhisattvas, or “enlightened ones” and reveal themselves to humans as forms of light emanations or through meditations. There is also a direct reference to angels during the conception of Buddha when his mother, Queen Maha Maya was carried to the Himalayas by four guardian angels. After conception she was guarded by four angels with swords and for Maha-Brahma angels attended Buddha’s birth.
Although in Hinduism there is no mention of angels specifically, there are spirits who perform similar functions as angels. Gandharvas are portrayed as having wings, are skilled in music and can cast illusions. There are Devas who are angelic beings known as “shining ones” who help men on their spiritual quests.
Islam also has a hierarchy of angels or mala’ika. Islam is an offshoot of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of Islamic faith. They are: the Four Throne Bearers of Allah (symbolized by a bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle). In Christianity the bull, a man, a lion, and an eagle represent Matthew (lion), Mark(bull), Luke(man), and John(eagle). There are also four archangels: Gabriel (Jibril)- the revealer, Michael (Mikal)- the provider, Izrail (Azrael)- the angel of death, and Israfil, the angel of the last judgment of Allah.
Hafazah are guardian angels.
Celts, long before Christianity came to the isles had an anamchara (angel or soul-friend) as part of their daily lives. These spiritual beings were guardians or companions who took very special interest in humans, especially those on their spiritual path. Celtic angels also dwell on several levels. On the highest level are those in constant contact with God, the next level are those ascending to God and the third level are the Anamchairde who can appear in any form appropriate including taking on human form.
Native Americans also have their own form of angels such as the Thunderbird, or Wakinyan, meaning “sacred winged” creature. The thunderbirds live on mountaintops and are the servants of the Great Spirit often carrying messages from him.
In Shamanism, the healer often takes the form of a bird to travel through different worlds in search of his patient’s soul fragment. Today a shamans coat will be made of feathers to demonstrate his ability to fly.
Although neither the Ancient Egyptians or Ancient Greeks specifically mention angels, some of their gods have similar qualities. In Egyptian mythology there is the Phoenix, a symbol of immorality, and Isis who once used her wings to breathe life back into her dead husband/brother Osiris. The Greeks had the Goddess Nike and her son, both winged messengers of the gods.
So as you can see, angels are everywhere.
Other Blog Posts by Peg: I Believe There are Angels Among Us, Have You Experienced the The Magic of Galstonbury?
Subscribe to Explore Beyond the Usual™ by Email
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peg Losee works with angels on a regular basis through readings and healings. She provides services and classes as a Reiki Master/Teacher and IET® Master/Instructor. If you'd like to explore a past life, Peg will act as a facilitator for the "trip". Since Peg has been a teacher of the deaf for over 30 years, she can also provide these services in sign language. After all, energy work should be available to all people in all walks of life. Contact Peg Lossee at peg@angelsenergyhealing.com
Visit her websit at http://www.angelsenergyhealing.com/
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