Angels and Animal Communication

When people consider the possibility of animal communication, they often wonder about other connections as well, especially with angels.  If animal spirit guides can visit us in our thoughts and sleep, then why not angels?  If pets or wild animals can help humans heal, then maybe angels seem less far-fetched.  Indeed, the angels want to help!  Moreover, they can actually support your efforts at animal communication.  

I wrote my 1995 honors thesis on the role of Archangel Raphael in Milton’s Paradise Lost.  Research for that paper involved weeks in UNC-Chapel Hill’s rare books library, where I poured over a 17th century text called Thomas Heywood’s Hierarchy of the Blessed Angels.  Written in 1635, this controversial book collects centuries of traditions about angels, including associated days of the week, colors, mythological figures, legends, domain, and expertise. 

Milton knew this source and used it as background for his 1667 epic poem about the Fall of Mankind.  Learning the traditions and seeing where Milton departs from tradition reveal clues about Milton’s underlying message.  Some people may consider Paradise Lost one of those requirements best left to the drudgery of high school English class, but Milton was truly a man ahead of his time!  He wanted to explore the Garden of Eden, free will, the role of food in Paradise, and the relationship of humans to their environment. 

All of their environment, including animals, angels, Spirit, and Mother Earth. 

With the growing interest in raw foods, animal communication, guardian angels, mood/food connections, spirituality, and saving the environment, many of Milton’s 17th century concerns are now in the process of becoming mainstream.  Paradise Lost focuses mostly on Archangel Raphael, whose name literally means “health of God,” “God heals” or “God, please heal.”  Over the years, I’ve found Raphael a very helpful guide for any practitioner of the healing arts.  Raphael helps with all creative endeavors, transmuting complex or esoteric ideas into forms the masses can understand.  He also aids in matters of vision, visions, and escaping negative spiritual influence.  In the Apocryphal Book of Tobit, Raphael helps Tobias heal his father’s blindness with “the gall of a fish,” bringing one of the first tales of an animal helping a human “see” and heal.

Lesser known than Raphael, three Archangels in particular lend support to animal communication:  Ariel, Uriel and Jophiel.  The following information comes from a variety of sources, including Thomas Heywood, OKcupid.com, Doreen Virtue, and my own experiences in working with the angels during intuitive sessions and healings.  I’ll spend a little time introducing them here, and if you resonate with their descriptions, feel free to ask for their assistance. 

Ariel:  Known as the Archangel of the Earth, Ariel works closely with all the energies associated with Mother Earth.  Traditionally, Ariel directs fairies, elves, gnomes, sylphs, and water nymphs.  He also inspires and instructs wild animals, especially lions, jaguars, tigers and wolves. 

Ariel wants to help environmentalists and nature lovers protect the planet, and he provides courage to act in bolder ways when defending Mother Earth.  He plays a role behind organizations like Sierra Club and Keep Tahoe Blue.  People who work with Bach Flower remedies frequently have a known or unknown connection to Ariel, as do those with an attraction to amphibians, especially salamanders!

Ariel, whose name literally means, “Lion of God,” lends confidence to people who fear their own gifts and visions.  I once knew a woman with a cat named Ariel.  Myteriously, this cat had appeared at a time when the woman lived in a haunted house.  A devout Catholic, she lived in terror of ghosts she’d seen on several occasions in her home.  After Ariel’s appearance, the ghosts stopped showing themselves, and the woman soon found another place to live. 

Some of you may recognize the name Ariel from Shakespeare’s The Tempest or from Disney’s The Little Mermaid (based on a story by Hans Christian Anderson).  These characters and their names allude to qualities of Archangel Ariel.  In The Tempest, the nature sprite Ariel acts as the magician Prospero’s “eyes and ears.”  In The Little Mermaid, Ariel (a merperson) demonstrates possibilities of interspecies communication.

Uriel: Often confused with Ariel, Archangel Uriel also acts as an Archangel of the Earth.  He makes an appearance in the Apocrypha as a rescuer of John the Baptist and the reuniter of Jesus’ family with that of John the Baptist when King Herod tried to kill all the baby boys.  (See Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks for an artistic interpretation.)  In addition to rocks, trees, and other Earth Elements, Uriel influences storms and supports those affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and tsunamis.

Uriel stands guard at the Gates of Eden.  In Paradise Lost, he mistakenly lets the fallen angel Satan into the Garden; however, Milton’s treatment of Uriel departs from tradition.  Thomas Heywood considers Uriel the angel of Sunday, as well as Angel of the Earth, and modern literature frequently alludes to Uriel as a planet or spiritual figure.  Authors like George Eliot, Madeliene L’Engle, Dean Koontz and many others attribute various powers of insight and judgment to Uriel.  As one of the four highest Archangels, Uriel sometimes appears as “the angel of repentance,” and therefore helps those who suffer from shame, depression, guilt, anger, or victimization.  Uriel’s association with storms and natural disasters emphasizes his ability to wash away stormy emotions, offering solace in the wake of destruction.

Uriel works closely with counsellors, especially those born under the Earth signs of Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.  In my experience, Uriel offers strong support to people who till the land (revealing secrets of the Earth), as well as those who love cows, bulls, or goats.  Chinese Astrology’s “ox” signs also receive protection and respect from Uriel.  As an angel of the Earth, Uriel enjoys summers of growth and oversees all aspects leading up to “harvest,” including the harvest of spiritual fruit we manifest through personal growth.

Jophiel:  A lesser-known, but influential angel named Jophiel provides wonderful support for those who wish to expand their animal communication skills.  Jophiel specializes in highly detailed work, illuminating complex information and opening the doors of mind and spirit.  As patron saint of all artists, Jophiel enjoys supporting inventors and revolutionary thinkers, including people exploring telepathy.  Because animals communicate in untraditional ways, Jophiel can help humans cull through the meanings of word-pictures.

“Ekphrasis” (pronounced ek-FRAY-sis), which is the verbal representation of visual representation, or the visual representation of verbal representation, formed the basis of my Master’s Thesis.  A Greek term, ekphrasis is becoming more pronounced in the spiritual and visionary artwork of our time.  Much of these new creations seek to invoke music or narratives via visual means.  Jophiel’s unusual ability to collect and reorder multi-dimensional information makes him a primary agent of ekphrasis.  Since animals usually do not speak English, they often share images and feelings that Jophiel can then help translate into words.  Many of the animals with whom I communicate offer deeply beautiful and artistic tales, and Jophiel’s presence can amplify the healing effects of these animal stories.

Many traditions consider Jophiel the angel who exiled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.  Some also hold Jophiel as guardian of the Tree of Life and protector and beautifier of planet Earth.  Perhaps you notice common themes in such roles and feel encouraged by recent efforts to return to simpler, more compassionate ways of eating and living. 

 

I have worked with animals and angels for years; however, they do seem to be speaking louder these days.  In fact, several animals practically “ordered” me to start this blog!  Archangel Raphael has become such a force that in February 2008, I commissioned a painting of him to hang above my desk.  I can’t wait for it to arrive from Virginia!  Interest in animal communication sessions and angel healing continue to nudge at mainstream consciousness.  Together, the angels and animal spirits long to heal and nuture Mother Earth and her many children.  With their great love, they offer abundant resources to beautify our world.

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