AKRIEL
Akriel: The Angel of Barrenness and Hidden Fertility
Akriel is a lesser-known but deeply significant angel in Jewish mystical and magical tradition. Often described as the Angel of Barrenness, Akriel presides over the domain of infertility—not as a punitive force, but as a gatekeeper of transformation. In this role, Akriel becomes a paradoxical figure: an angel whose domain is limitation, yet whose power lies in the potential to reverse that very limitation when invoked with reverence and intention.
Though Akriel is not mentioned in canonical biblical texts, his name appears in Jewish magical lore, particularly in contexts of prayer, healing, and fertility. He is referenced in invocations where specific scriptural verses are combined with angelic names to activate divine energies. Akriel’s presence is most strongly felt in prayers for conception and childbirth, especially among those who have experienced barrenness or delay.
Name and Meaning
The name Akriel is believed to derive from the Hebrew roots “Akar” (barren) and “El” (God), translating roughly to “God of Barrenness” or “Barrenness of God.” The name reflects not only the condition but the divine force that oversees it. However, in mystical interpretation, this association is not negative—it is Akriel’s position over this domain that gives him the power to lift its effects.
Some scholars also interpret Akriel’s name as meaning “God is my crown”, aligning him with themes of elevation, divine favour, and spiritual sovereignty.
Akriel in Jewish Magical Tradition
In Jewish folk magic, especially in traditions drawn from the Kabbalah and Sefer Raziel HaMalach, Akriel’s name is invoked in prayers for fertility and the healing of the womb. These prayers are often accompanied by the repetition of specific biblical verses, most notably:
“If you pay attention to these laws… the Lord your God will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb…” (Deuteronomy 7:12–14)
When Akriel’s name is spoken alongside these verses, it is believed to activate the divine promise inherent in the scripture. This technique—blending sacred text with angelic invocation—is a cornerstone of Jewish magical praxis, transforming words into channels of metaphysical energy.
Akriel is also invoked in amulets, incantation bowls, and childbearing rituals, especially when other forms of divine intercession have failed. His name may be inscribed on parchment or whispered during moments of deep yearning, often by midwives, mystics, or healers.
Functions and Symbolism
- Guardian of Barrenness Akriel is not seen as a punisher, but as one who governs a state of spiritual or physical delay. He oversees the womb in its quietest moments—the space where transformation is not yet visible but fully possible.
- Unlocker of Fertility As the angel who presides over barrenness, Akriel is also the one with the authority to remove it. When called upon with humility and faith, Akriel is said to petition divine mercy and awaken the forces of renewal.
- Mediator of Delay and Divine Timing Barrenness can be symbolic of any time in life when nothing seems to be growing. Akriel teaches patience, surrender, and trust in the process of divine timing. His presence reminds us that some things require spiritual gestation.
- Spiritual and Emotional Healing Akriel’s energy is tender and subtle, often working through dreams, intuition, or inner shifts. Those who feel emotionally barren or cut off from creativity, love, or divine connection may find comfort in Akriel’s quiet companionship.
Mystical Associations
- Element: Earth (fertility, grounding, physical manifestation)
- Domain: Womb, fertility, delay, divine timing, hidden transformation
- Kabbalistic Sphere: Often linked to Yesod (Foundation) or Malkuth (Kingdom) — centres of manifestation and the feminine mystery
- Planetary Correspondence: Saturn (associated with delay, contraction, and spiritual endurance)
Akriel may also be seen as the shadow twin of more well-known fertility angels such as Raphael or Gabriel, balancing their overt blessings with a quieter, more complex role.
When to Call Upon Akriel
- During struggles with physical or spiritual infertility
- When seeking to conceive a child after delay or loss
- When mourning what has not come to pass
- When needing to understand the deeper reasons behind divine delay
- When working with ancestral or generational healing around childbirth and motherhood
Akriel stands as a testament to the sacredness of stillness, waiting, and hope. Though known as the angel of barrenness, his deeper role is that of guardian of unmanifest potential. To call upon Akriel is to open a conversation with the divine about what is hidden, delayed, or quietly forming beneath the surface.
In this way, Akriel is not merely an angel of absence—but an angel of the silent promise, waiting to bloom into life when the soul is ready.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Angels by Rosemary Guiley
