Connecting With Angels
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Connecting With Angels
Written by Carolyn Hoppe, MA
Introduction
What Is An Angel?
What Is The Purpose Of Angels?
Why Are Angels Here?
What Do Angels Look Like?
Orders Of Angelic Beings
Related Elemental Beings
How Angels Work
Blocks To Angelic Connections
Ways To Communicate
Exercises
We Are Angels, Too
Conclusion
Bibliograghy
Introduction
The cultures of the earth plane all have countless stories of angels contacting, rescuing, and bringing messages to us. The historical record, in the Bible and in the oral traditions passed from one generation to the next, is full of accounts of connections made from entities appearing and communicating in profoundly meaningful ways. The wisdom of the divine has, by all of accounts, been given in such purposeful ways as to reveal an agenda of unconditional love and concern for our well-being and evolution.
In her book, The Angel Book (1988), author Karen Goldman says, "Angels have been spoken of by all the greatest saints, prophets and poets through history. They've been sung about and dreamed of, sculpted and painted, and hung from windows and ceilings through the centuries. Angels are mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. There is an unmistakable and profound reason why every culture, every religion, every nation down through the ages and in every part of the world extols angels as fit representations of man's highest conception of love and goodwill." This constant reminder of the divine presence in the stories of our cultures is empowering. It brings us the hope to feel the connection of ourselves to the spiritual realm we all share.
Goldman continues with a poetic exploration of how this contact with the divine impacts us: "They affect our highest senses, inspire our noblest thoughts, reflect our greatest aspirations. We cannot overlook them as a part of our existence. Angels can come in our dreams or a sudden flash of inspiration. They can come as a ball of light or through a stranger that shows up just in a moment of great need." These inspiring words show how we can be nurtured by reaching out to our guides, to the presence that loves us without judgment and with mindfulness to our connections with each other.
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What Is An Angel?
The word angel means messenger. Angels are literally messengers who are themselves the message. Angels are holy beings who perform divine tasks in the service of the Holy Spirit and the greater good. They bring messages of hope and joy. In her book, Ask Your Angels (1992), Alma Daniel beautifully describes their nature: "Angels are citizens of inner space whose responsibilities include the harmonious organization of the inhabited universe… Some people believe angels are the thoughts of God, while others hold that they are the creation of the divine Mother Spirit. Angels work with our souls in conjunction with the universal mind, to help us raise our sights and spirits by reminding us of the truth, purity, and goodness that exists within everything."
All major religions of the world include celestial cosmologies. Their scriptures all contain references to angelic interventions. In Hebrews 13:2 it says, "Be careful when entertaining strangers, for by so doing, many have entertained angels unawares." You may have interacted with angels who look like humans without being aware they are heavenly beings. Thus, anyone who acts angelically is an angel. The Talmud says, "Every blade of grass has an angel bending over it saying, "grow, grow." Every flower, tree, raindrop, and living thing has an angel overseeing its life cycle.
Sophy Burnham, in her book A Book Of Angels (1990), writes of the experiences of George Washington and Russian Cosmonauts who had angelic encounters. George Washington, who could not swim, was at Valley Forge when he fell out of a boat. As he was sinking, he felt hands push him up to the surface, saving his life. A group of six Russian Cosmonauts, who were atheists, sighted a band of angels up in space on two separate occasions. They were performing medical experiments when suddenly they were blinded by a brilliant orange glow. They saw seven giant figures in the form of humans, but with wings and mist-like halos. They appeared to be hundreds of feet tall with a wingspan as great as a jetliner. Their faces were round, with cherubic smiles and they were all identical. The band of angels followed the space capsule for about ten minutes and then vanished. Twelve days later all seven angels returned and this time three more scientists saw them as well. They were smiling as though they shared a glorious secret."
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What Is The Purpose Of Angels?
The heavenly purpose of our angels is to give comfort, guidance, and protection as we journey through the stages of our lives. Each one of us has at least two angels with us. One is our Guardian angel, present with us from birth till death. The other is a guide, often an ancestor that has chosen to inspire and assist us in remembering our life's purpose and in discovering our gifts and talents in how to serve the world.
Angels are here to show us our own possibilities. They let us know we haven't been forgotten, and extend a hand to us whether we need a lift or not. Through their intentions they reacquaint us with everything wonderful about living so that we can be reminded of what our life purpose is. When an angel gives us glimpses of our own journey home, it causes a miracle within us. That miracle is the greatest poetry the soul can ever know. Our angels sing with joy when they see us feeling peaceful and happy. If we let them, they can amplify that joy.
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Why Are Angels Here?
Angels are here to assist us in raising our vibration. In the process, they help heal our lives and the world. More and more people are reporting encounters with heavenly beings. According to Doreen Virtue in her book Healing With The Angels (1999), "In their encounters, angels deliver timely messages, healing remedies, and lifesaving measures. Why are angels circling our globe so much lately? Partly because of our prayers for heavenly assistance, and partly because God and the angels know that it's time for us to heal ourselves, our lives, and our world. As we move through the millennial shift, the angels are helping us heal the challenges and ills that keep us from living our highest potential. The angels are here to teach us that God's love answers all questions and challenges. They are here to heal us from the effects of fear. The angels are powerful healers, and you can work with them to speed up their healing efforts. The more we invite angels into our lives, the more readily our lives reflect the splendor of heaven.
There are no limits to angels' healing power." Each contact and conversation with your angels is filled with all the tenderness, love, and wonderment of discovering a best friend you have known forever. Talking with angels is an entirely natural relationship, although over the centuries it's become obscured by the belief that if you can't see something or touch it, it isn't real. The angels are here. They are with us whether we believe in them or not.
The healing task of angels is to help us shift vibrational frequencies to their highest rate. This is the process of ascension. We are all on the pathway of discovering that we are one with God. When we truly understand and live with this knowledge, we are in the state of ascension. This knowledge profoundly effects every interaction with others. Think for a moment how your life would be if you were consciously aware that everyone with whom you talked was the divine aspect of your God-self. You would feel complete and total love for these individuals and for yourself. You would experience life as a heaven on earth. Angels want to help you adapt to a changing world by giving you energy and guidance that will shift your frequency. The angels help you to do so by giving you signs, signals, and divine guidance to help you maintain peace of mind.
In their book The Lifting Of the Veil (1994), Thomas Keller and Deborah Taylor quote the angels as saying, "Dearly Beloved, It is our greatest joy to be with you and assist in all that you might wish to accomplish. Yet if, when you are about your work and play, and you find yourself saying, "I will do this," and are blind to us as you attempt to fulfill your desires, we are helpless to assist. But if, before you begin your expression, you ask the Father to send His Angels to share in your experience, then listen, for we will be there, standing close to guide the hand and whisper in the ear. Yes, we will be a part as surely as you call, for you cannot call without our response. We delight to be with you and share in your expression. So, in all things that you do, ask the Father to let us share with you what we see as living love. When we share with you in this way, living love draws closer to us and closer to you in the process, we all grow." The angels want us to know that when we express our talents we experience God. That expression of God given talents calls forth an angel to assist and enhance that given attribute.
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What Do Angels Look Like?
Angels are seen as radiant pulsing beings of multi-dimensional spheres of light. They can be seen as spirals and cones of light ranging in size from a dot to a galaxy. Their fibers of flowing energy extend outwardly timeless and spaceless to every part of the universe. These fibers are perceived as wings or halos. The larger they appear the more collective their function. Angels are androgynous, having both male and female qualities along with their individual characteristics. They come to us much on their own terms, appearing in ways that are highly personal to each individual. Sometimes they come in disguises too, as animals, nature, or human forms we may or may not recognize. Truly, however, angels are formless consciousness at the core, just like we are.
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Orders Of Angelic Beings
From Sophy Burnham A Book Of Angels (1990):
The first sphere of angels are "Seraphim" which are the highest hierarchy. They regulate the movement of the heavens as it emanates from God. "Cherubim" are proclaimers and protectors of God's glorious presence. Next are Thrones, which are companion angels of the planets.
The second sphere are angels who work as heavenly governors. "Dominions" govern activities of all the lower angelic groups and integrate the spiritual and the material world. Next are the "Virtues," who are able to beam massive levels of divine energy. "Power Bearers" are the keepers of the collective history, or akashic records.
The third sphere is a heavenly messenger's principality. This includes guardian angels of large groups, from families to cities to nations.
Archangels are over-lighting angels. A few archangels are described below:
Gabriel, Gabrielle: (God is my strength.) In Central and South America this angel can be seen as female, even though Biblical text refers to this angel as male in gender. He/She is the angel who came to Mary and her cousin Elizabeth pronouncing the birth of their sons. In matters of the arts and any kind of creativity, call on Gabriel. He/She is the guardian of emotions and relationships.
Michael: (He who is like God.) Traditionally, he is said to champion the people of God in warfare, and opposes those who are supposed to be the enemies of God, in the discernment of humans.
Raphael: (God has healed.) He is charged with healing the earth and medical missions. It is claimed that Raphael gave Noah the much prized medical book after the flood. He is also called the guide in hell, which is where healing is needed the most. If you are a healer or need healing, invoke Raphael. This power can be brought to bear on physical, mental, and emotional illness.
Uriel: (Fire of God, also Light of God.) Archangels of salvation stood at the gate of Eden with a fiery sword. They were sent by God to warn Noah of the impending flood. Uriel brings transformative energies to the mind in working with science, economics, politics and anything that involves organizations, systems, structures and all work-related issues.
Ariel: (Lion/Lioness of God.) This angel controls the demons. He/She is one of the seven Princes who rules the waters and is known as earth's great Lord. Brings courage and works with the animals, especially near water.
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Related Elemental Beings
Nature spirits could be regarded as the "cousins" of the angelic family, and are on a different wavelength. They are the devas, fairies, and gnomes. They are the presiding patterns that oversee all plants and minerals. They nurture physical environments which they do independently of human efforts. You can connect with the nature spirits whenever you tend to your plants, follow impulses to hug a tree, walk in a garden, or eat anything that has been grown.
Our human bodies also have nature spirits or devas. The devas of our bodies are the organizing principles that coordinate the immense amount of information constantly flowing through the physical body. You might think of these spirits as tinkerers who keep the physical body tuned and in working order, working at the cellular level.
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How Angels Work
Angels work in subtle and natural ways. They work through our thoughts, dreams, music, art, drama, and the written word. They also connect with humans through flowers, sunshine, and rain. They plant seeds in the mind, guide, protect, comfort, inspire, heal, and enlighten. Angels come into dreams and visions. Angels make their presence known through our senses, such as a sudden soft breeze or a scent of flowers. Humans might feel goose bumps or a tingling sensation when angels are near. Angels are literally waiting for you to ask, and will not generally interfere with your life plan. Although they been known to help us in ways that we are unaware of, they do joyfully respond to being asked. Burnham says in A Book Of Angels (1990), "Angels…come as visions, voices, dreams, coincidences, and intuition, the whisper of knowledge at your ear. They come as animals or other people, or as a wash of peace in an ailing heart. Sometimes a stranger may come up and give you just the information or assistance you need. Sometimes you yourself are used as an angel. When we ask, our angels will open us to a level of wisdom and understanding that is rarely available to us in ordinary consciousness. The angels come into all of our lives in a variety of ways. Some people meet them directly in person or in visions and dreams. Others have felt their scintillating presence or hear them speaking or singing. Still others have experienced them as muses who inspire them creatively for a moment, either knowingly or not, speaking words you did not know you knew. But sometimes these beings come as angels, in the very form that artists show as beings of light."
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Blocks To Angelic Connections
Negativity is a big block to feeling and connecting to the angels around us. If we are clogged up with negativity we can't open to our angels. When we let go we free the energy to receive the wisdom and love they bring us. Angels ask you to unburden yourself by forgiving in order to set yourself free. Forgiveness is a way of freeing your spirit and becoming an unlimited being. They want you to let your light shine so you can be a blessing to the world, and also be an angel for others. Ask the angels to surround you, your family, and your home with white light. The calmer you are emotionally, the clearer you can inwardly perceive. Turn off external sensing and turn on internal heart sensing. Look to your heart rather than your head. Imagine how frustrating it must be to be around a loved one all day long who never notices you or tries to communicate with you. This is how it feels for an angel sometimes, especially when the angel wants to help, but cannot unless you ask for the help. When you trust and tune in to your angel you will be divinely protected and guided in life in the most heavenly ways.
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Ways To Communicate
The first step in communicating is to have an intention to connect to your angelic friends. In the Epistle of James in the Bible, it reads: "Draw near to the angels and they will draw near to you."
The second step is to find ways to go within. A few suggestions to tune into your angelic team is to first find a quiet place, away from all distraction, perhaps in nature, to meditate and pray. Imagine your angel in your mind. Simply talk to your angels about your problems as if they are your best friends. Then listen to the thoughts and feelings that come. Be specific in your request. Visualize brilliant light surrounding the problem or situation. Believe and receive this blessing. See yourself and others through the eyes of an angel. Listen for a whisper in your heart.
Angels may send the right person or experience to give you the answer, so be observant throughout your daily activities. Ask to have their help in solving a problem in your dreams. Before you sleep at night, say: "I am open to you, angel. I invite you into my dream." Create a heavenly hang-out in your home, an angelic oasis of peace, love, and harmony with beautiful objects, music, fragrance, plants, and an atmosphere of loving feelings. In the video, Speaking With Your Angels (1997), Trudy Griswold and Barbara Mark teach the following steps:
Four Fundamentals
- Ask
- Believe
- Let it happen
- Express gratitude (Gratitude connects us to God)
Steps to Communicating
- Pray for truth and a gift of spiritual healing
- Breathe deeply
- Listen
- Write what you hear in your mind and heart
- Accept what you write
- Trust the guidance
- Take three deep breaths
Affirm: "I am now surrounded by angels, I call upon God and angels to help guide me." Pray for "guidance and wisdom to enlighten me today."
Sophy Burnham, A Book Of Angels (1990), gives an angel invocation: "eee nu rah eee nu rah eee nu ra zay," which means: I bring all of myself, mind, emotions, body and soul together in the company of angels.
Write out your questions and write the answers to your questions when you feel divine wisdom coming through you.
Dearest Angels,
What are my gifts?
What is my purpose?
How can I serve?
What do I need to know?
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Exercises
Exercise 1
Opening Your Heart
Doreen Virtue "Angel Therapy"
Do a grounding meditation first. Repeat this exercise whenever your heart feels shut down. It may be useful to do over a number of days. You can use this to come to a more loving state with yourself.
- Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Begin to breathe slowly and deeply. Relax your shoulders and forehead. Open your wings.
- Sense the presence of your angel. Feel it sitting in the chair facing you. Feel your angel breathing with you, opening its wings to you.
- Bring your attention to your heart and feel it beating in the center of your chest. Place your hands on it and feel it pulsing for a few minutes. Continue to breathe slowly and deeply with your angel.
- Tune in to the feelings in your heart that you want to heal. Allow yourself to experience them fully.
- Sense your angel's heart, directly across from your own. See and feel it pulsing with a warm, joyful light.
- Out of this pulsing light that is your angel's heart, a ray of light begins to shine forth, beaming directly toward your heart. It is a warm, wonderful light. Notice what color it is. Feel that light beaming into your heart, warming and filling it.
- As your heart fills with this light, the walls of your heart and each of the four chambers are glowing. The light moves into all the wounded places in your heart, melting your protective armor, healing old heart wounds.
- If there is anyone you need to forgive, beam out this light to them. Picture the person receiving the healing light.
- Let the light within you work to melt the specific feelings that you've been holding and bring you to a place where you can forgive yourself for any pain you've caused others.
- Let this light pour out of your heart and fill your entire body. It is the light of angelic love, and you are now infused with it. It overflows and spills out of your body, surrounding you in a radiant cocoon of light.
- Thank your angel for its gift of healing love. Be aware of your breathing and of yourself sitting in the chair.
Exercise 2
Asking The Angels Questions For Another Person
Sophy Burnham, A Book of Angels (1990)
For this process you need to be grounded. To quickly ground yourself, think of being pulled toward the Earth by gravity and feel the heaviness of physical existence.
- Sit quietly, with eyes closed, about six to ten inches away from your partner.
- Invoke your angel and the presence of your friend's angel. Ask these angels to be with you as you open to receive information that will serve the highest good for all.
- Bring up an image or a feeling of your angel. Whatever you get, welcome it as a manifestation of angelic presence.
- Now allow an image of your friend's angel to come up.
- See the angels interacting in your mind's eye. Imagine that they are greeting each other. How do they do that? Do they shake hands? Ruffle their wings? Dance? Bow formally?
- Bring the image of the angels into your heart chakra. Hold it there for a few moments until you begin to experience a warmth in your heart and can sense the angel's presence.
- Now place the image of the angels in your third eye and hold it there, too.
- When the heart and third eye are filled with the energy of the angels, ask the question. Imagine that the words are written in your heart and third eye.
- When you begin to hear words, or receive impressions, open your eyes and write down or tell your friend what you are receiving.
- When the words stop, remember to thank both your angels and the angels of your friend.
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We Are Angels, Too
The divine presence makes use of our goodness to do his work and serve as human angels. You, too, can be an angel by inspiring someone or by sharing your smile, your laughter, your time, your energy, or your caring heart. You can be an angel by touching and hugging someone, and sharing your warmth. Be ready to listen to the impression that comes to you to lend a helping hand or a listening ear wherever you go. You are being called to do an angelic favor and will be blessed for following through. You never know the difference a small act can make in someone's life.
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Conclusion
The angels uplift and inspire us to recognize our true divinity. They minister to our needs by bringing us messages of hope and joy. Angels are always ready to lighten our load in life by helping us carry the weight of our responsibilities and problems. The angels are waiting to be asked into our lives. You can call in expert angels for anything you need help with. For example, if you want help with such things as career, romance, or parenting you simply ask for the angel experts in that field to come in and tell them exactly what you would like them to do and then thank them. In the book, Ask Your Angels (1992), Alma Daniel states, "Living with angels allows us to simply be the person we always knew we were inside. The angelic connection expands our human capabilities and extends our capacities. As you move through your world, let your inner light shine forth for everyone to see. Claim your radiance. Honor your visions. Know that you and everyone you see are vibrant and radiant beings, connected in a luminous web of light that encircles our dear planet and shines out to the farthest reaches of the universe."
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Bibliograghy
Burnham, Sophy 1990 A Book Of Angels. Ballantine Books; New York, NY
Daniel, Alma, Timothy Wyllie, Andrew Ramer 1992 Ask Your Angels. Ballantine Books; New York, NY
Goldman, Karen 1992 The Angel Book. Simon & Shuster; New York, NY
Griswold, Trudy, Barbara Mark 1997 Speaking With Your Angel. (Video) Virtue Doreen, Angel Therapy. Hay House Inc.; Carlsbad, CA
Griswold, Trudy, Barbara Mark 2001 Blue Mountain: You Will Always Have an Angel Watching Over You. Sps. Studios; Boulder, Colorado
Virtue, Doreen 1997 Angel Therapy. Hay House; Carlsbad, CA