Jacky Newcomb

The Triadic Hierarchy

For thousands of years the angels have been split into three distinct levels and within that three more levels or classes of angels. Each section is given different roles and tasks and each with its own ruling angels.

Variations exist between the names of these levels depending on the different sources and authorities. One of the most used versions of the angelic hierarchy is that by Pseudo-Dionysius, also recognised by the great Thomas Aquinas.

The higher levels of angels are those closest to God and the lower levels are nearer to human kind. The angelic hierarchy does help the human mind to bridge the gap between God being the highest source and to us an impossible concept to imagine. Archangels are second from the bottom of the list on the right, but are the more senior of the angels that work with the earth. The guardian angels (see table right) are at the bottom).

When you search into the many names associated with each level you often find angel names appear on several of the levels. They seem to move up and down the chain of command as required (the archangels in particular).

1 First Sphere

  1.1 Seraphim
  1.2 Cherubim
  1.3 Thrones

2 Second Sphere

  2.1 Dominions
  2.2 Virtues
  2.3 Powers

3 Third Sphere

  3.1 Principalities
  3.2 Archangels
  3.3 Guardian Angels

An Angel Treasury

A lot of the information in these pages comes from my book An Angel Treasury. Although this book is out of print now we can still get copies to sell through this website. All books will be personally signed for you.

Angels of the week

Angels can also help with different days of the week. As with other angelic information, different sources list different angels to rule over each day. Find out what day of the week you were born on and that is the angel that you work with. You can also call on any of these angels - depending on which day of the week it is!

Archangels

The archangels each have their own specialities, talents and roles. (Although not everyone agrees on what these might be!) Some of these roles are traditional and some are more modern interpretations of the archangels own skill areas. Each of these angels has their own area of expertise and many people wish to work with the right angel for the right job! You probably wouldn’t call a plumber to lay your carpets or expect a beautician to be the best person to fix your car so this makes a lot of sense.
Some of the archangels’ roles are more obvious, for example Raphael is the patron of doctors and therapists (one of the translations of his name is ‘Divine Healer’). Gabriel is well known as a messenger angel, so naturally Gabriel is the patron of messengers, and postal workers. This stems back from 1951 when Pope Pius XII declared Gabriel to be the angel over all areas of telecommunications!

Angels of the Zodiac

Which angel looks over your birth sign?

Copyright image of Author Jacky Newcomb
Photo Credit: Charles Francis
Artwork: Alan Clough

Angels of the Seasons

Do you need an archangel to help with a specific time of year? Choose one of the following.

The Archangels and their roles

Archangel Ariel - Overseer of Nature

Archangel Azrael - Angel of Death

Archangel Chamuel - Gatekeeper to the world

Archangel Gabriel - Heavenly Communicator

Archangel Haniel - Angel of the moon

Archangel Jeremiel - Overseer of souls

Archangel Jophiel - Angel of Paradise

Archangel Metatron (Formerly the human Enoch) - Angel of the presence

Archangel Michael - Commander in Chief of the Heavenly Armies

Archangel Raguel - Angel of Earth

Archangel Raphael - Guardian of the Tree of Life/Divine Healer

Archangel Raziel - Angel of mysteries

Archangel Sandalphon (Formerly the human Elijah) - The tall angel/Prayer gatherer

Archangel Sariel - Presiding angel of the sun/Prince of presence

Archangel Uriel - Angel of the presence/regent of the sun

Archangel Zadkiel - Archangel of Mercy and Benevolence

Archangel Names

Really, angels don’t have names at all! As a race, humankind have designated angels names. Many of these names appear in religious texts and historical documents, and traditionally these names relate to the angel’s roles and the fact that they work through the Divine Source (God).

‘Arch’ – the prefix of the word Archangel, means principal. So, archangel literally translates as the angel in charge or principal angel.

Angel names in current use nearly all end in the suffix ‘el’ or ‘il’ which is Hebrew for ‘of the Lord.’

Or ‘elf’ (Old English), ‘aelf’ (Anglo-Saxon), ‘ellu’ (Welsh) and ‘aillil’ (Irish) meaning ‘shining one’ or ‘radiant being.’

The combination makes up the name and role of the angels. Some sources confuse Ariel and Uriel. Others list the various spellings as separate angels.