Michael : Captain of the Lord’s House; Prince of the Heavenly Host

If there was ever an angelic popularity contest, it’s likely that Michael Archangel would win. Michael is beloved by Pagans, Jews, Christians, Muslims, and the unaffiliated. His name means “who is like the Lord.” Statement or question? You decide.

Michael is head of the Lord’s Army. He crushed the Rebel Angels. Legend has it that if Lucifer could only have persuaded Michael to join him, Heaven would have been overthrown.

Michael is the angel of righteousness—he does what is right. He cannot be bribed. He is allegedly among the few angels who know the Ineffable Name of Power.

Michael is invoked for protection from anything that frightens you. If you are worried about the safety of loved ones, Michael may be petitioned on their behalf. He accepts petitions from one person on behalf of another. He is the archangel of justice and may be invoked to provide justice for crimes committed against you. He is the special protector of victims of rape and may be invoked for protection against sexual abuse.

An old verbal charm invokes Michael’s vigilant protection:

Michael to the right of me,

Michael to the left of me,

Michael above me,

Michael below me,

Michael within me,

Michael all around me,

Michael, with your flaming sword

of cobalt blue, please protect me.

This charm’s power is enhanced by simultaneously visualizing being surrounded by cobalt blue flames emanating from Michael’s sword. Further appeals may be added at the end of the charm. (For example, Michael, please protect my cat, my dog, my true love and so forth. Be as specific as possible. Name and visualize your desire.)

Michael has dominion over fire magic and candle spells. He is the angel of fire safety, also invoked for safety at sea. He is the patron of those suffering from sea sickness or motion sickness. Moroccan folklore suggests that precipitation (rain, snow, hail) falls from a celestial reservoir or sea. Michael presides over this sea. Precipitation only occurs according to his command.

Michael serves as a psychopomp, escorting dead souls to the next realm and guarding them on their journey. Russian folklore envisions him as a ferryman bringing good souls toward Paradise’s radiant light. Michael guards the gates of Paradise. At the Final Judgment, he will weigh the souls of the dead.

Michael is the Angel of Insomnia, which he both heals and causes. According to Jewish legend, the reason King Ahasueros couldn’t sleep in the Queen Esther story is because the Creator sent Michael to afflict him with sleeplessness.

Michael makes frequent public appearances. Apparitions of Michael have been recorded in Mexico, Italy, and France. Most recently, in 1995 and 1996, Egyptian Christians and Muslims witnessed numerous apparitions of Michael in the Church of Saint Michael in the village of Kafr Yusuf Samri. He appeared in various forms both with and without wings. Miracles recorded include exorcisms, healings, and multiplication of oil.

John Travolta played the warrior angel in the 1996 movie, Michael.

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Theoretically Michael as humanity’s defender is everyone’s guardian, but he is also specifically patron of firefighters, warriors, paratroopers, radiologists, fencers, sword smiths, knights, ambulance drivers, artists, mariners, and law enforcement officers. Judaism, Coptic Christianity, and Roman Catholicism all claim him as their special patron. He also favours professionals who utilize scales, including chemists, pharmacists, bakers, and grocers, possibly also drug dealers and weight watchers.

MANIFESTATION:

Michael takes many forms ranging from a classical winged angel to a being of brilliant, blinding light to a head of garlic. Garlic contains his essence and is thus more than just a protective amulet; it is an actual manifestation of Michael.

ICONOGRAPHY:

Michael is frequently portrayed as a winged Roman soldier. He is commonly portrayed with a dragon; this is now interpreted as representing his victory over Lucifer, but this image may hark back to the days when Michael was worshipped as a deity in Babylonia and Persia. He may once have ridden that dragon. (Sometimes a devil is substituted for the dragon.)

ATTRIBUTES:

Shield, sword, and scales

Planets:

Sun, Mercury

Plant:

Angelica archangelica, garlic

Elements:

Fire, water

Direction:

Various directions are attributed to him, usually south or east; the Kabbalah places Michael on the right side. (Gabriel, his compatriot, is on the left.)

COLOURS:

Red, silver, and cobalt blue

Date:

29 September, the feast of Michael mas. Coptic tradition recommends the twelfth of each month for requesting protection and help from Michael.

SACRED SITES:

Michael is the patron saint of France. Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy was dedicated to Michael in 708 CE after the archangel appeared to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, in a series of dreams, ordering him to transform it into a shrine dedicated to him. Pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel allegedly guarantees smooth passage to the next life. (The waters here Demonstrate some of the strongest tides on Earth.) Mont-Saint-Michel bears a mystical reputation, sometimes associated with the Grail. It may be part of an aligned chain of sacred standing stones including Delos, Delphi, and Mount Carmel.

OFFERINGS:

Frankincense, myrrh, angelica, garlic. In Sicily, he is given sugar and sweet liqueurs.

SEE ALSO:

• Belié Belcan
• Gabriel
• Hermes
• Ma’at
• Mercury
• Ogun
• Peacock Angel
• Raphael

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.

A Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle.
Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

— Pope Leo XIII