Magical Almanac: Practical Magic for Everyday Living - Lauryn Heineman 2018

Raziel: The Archangel of Magic by Chic and S. Tabatha Cicero
Air Magic

When you hear the word “angel,” what comes to your mind? Is it an image of a chubby-cheeked cherub on a Christmas card? Or is it a symbolic reminder of a religious upbringing that you have grown out of?

While it is true that angels are primarily found within the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, they are neither unique nor exclusive to those faiths. Angels and archangels have freely crossed cultural and religious boundaries over the centuries.

In the Hellenistic world of late antiquity, pagans also invoked angels. One account tells of a Christian shrine dedicated to the archangel Michael in the Asia Minor city of Colossae, reputed to be the source of a healing spring. Pagans and Christians alike were drawn to the shrine to petition the mighty archangel for his miraculous curative power. Some ancient texts, such as the Græco-Egyptian Magical Papyri, show that polytheists were quite willing to acknowledge and incorporate the angels of Judeo-Christian as “gods.”

Nevertheless, the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially including the noncanonical literature, the so-called forgotten books of the Bible, is a primary source for much of our knowledge of angels and archangels. Angels are spiritual beings that are considered to be specific aspects of God, each with a particular purpose and jurisdiction. The word “angel” comes from the Greek angelos, which is itself a translation of the Hebrew word melakh, meaning “messenger.” They have been described as “messengers of the soul.” More precisely, an angel is “an intermediary intelligence between the human and the One in the Great Chain of Being,” according to Adam Forrest, distinguished Golden Dawn magician and scholar.

The chief significance of angels is not what they are, but rather what they do. Their essential nature is inseparable from their relationship with the Divine: the Transcendent God or the Absolute Source of All. Yet they are also inseparable from their chief human witnesses—mystics and magicians—who encounter and communicate with them.

These divine intermediaries work with the magician in two ways: as emissaries between us and the Divine, and as governors in the spiritual hierarchies who command lesser angels, spirits, and elementals to carry out the goal of the ritual.

Angels invoked in ritual are chosen because of their attributions and correspondences. Prayers and invocations recited to angels for the accomplishment of a specific magical purpose are affirmations that the magician’s will is in alignment with the will of the Divine. An image of the angel may be created through the faculty of the imagination. This image will act as a focal point for the magician’s willpower and can result in the ritual’s ultimate success.

Angel names often end in the suffixes “-el” and “-yah” which are Hebrew god-names, indicating that these entities are aspects “of God.” They act as spiritual messengers, helpful intercessors, and intermediaries between divinity and humanity—they are our companions in the Great Work.

Raziel, Herald of the Divine

Magic is the art of the possible. It is the science and art of causing change in both consciousness and circumstance to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science. This definition takes into account the power of the human mind to effect an inner spiritual change that can effectively influence the outer, physical world.

One particular archangel who could be considered the primary angel of magic is Raziel, whose name means “the Secret of God,” as well as “the Herald of God” and “the One Sent Forth from God.”

Raziel is the archangel of Chokmah, the Second Sephirah or emanation of divine power on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Chokmah means “wisdom”—the essence of illumination resulting from perfect knowledge and perfect understanding. Chokmah is that aspect of the Divine that is complete action and movement as well as the vital, energizing element of existence. The wheel of the zodiac, and all the star lore that accompanies it, is attributed to Chokmah.

Raziel is the ruler of the angelic host known as the Ophanim (sometimes spelled Auphanim), which means “the wheels,” derived from the word auph, meaning “to surround or encircle.” As head of this group of angels, Raziel is sometimes called Ophaniel. The Ophanim are known as the “many-eyed ones” and are sometimes called the Galgalim, or “spheres.” They are the wheels of the Mercabah, or Throne of God, and are sometimes pictured as wheels with spokes and wings. Their duty is to direct the flow of the divine force into form, thus keeping the cycles of manifestation in constant motion. They provide constant energy and motivation in the ritual work of the magician.

The Herald of God also bears the title “Angel of the Mysteries.” According to angelic lore, Raziel is “the angel of the secret regions and chief of the Supreme Mysteries” and author of the mysterious Book of Raziel, “wherein all celestial and earthly knowledge is set down,” writes Gustav Davidson. This book, reputed to be written on sapphire, was said to have been given to Adam and passed on to the great Hebrew teachers, including Noah and King Solomon. It contained secrets of the stars, the zodiacal signs, the courses of the planets, and the effects they have on every aspect of Creation. The prophet Enoch was said to come into possession of this book and consequently renamed it the book of Enoch.

As God’s herald, Raziel is a divine envoy with a specific mission: he is the personification of wisdom whose primary duty is to bestow wisdom on those able to receive it. He is the archangel of creative force and energy. This teacher of wisdom stands atop the White Pillar on the Tree of Life, sometimes envisioned as the Holy Mountain, where each day he proclaims the secrets of the universe in a great, loud reverberating voice. This makes him the perfect archangel of magic. Meditations and rituals that focus on Raziel can be used to increase spiritual awareness, improve psychic faculties, and gain wisdom in all aspects of the magical arts.

Readers can facilitate a connection with Raziel by obtaining a suitable image of him, by creating a dedicated altar to the archangel, by daily meditation, and by a brief invocation ritual that requests his knowledge and aid.

The Image of Raziel

The Golden Dawn teachings tell us “by names and images are all powers awakened and reawakened.” We are visual beings, and it is far easier to connect with a spiritual entity if you have a visual image associated with it.

Since Raziel is not one of the more common angels depicted in art, any generic image of an angel photocopied from a historical source or downloaded from the internet will suffice. However, it would be more effective to draw or paint your own image. If you are not artistically inclined, try making a collage from a photocopied image of an angel combined with colors and symbols associated with the angel and his corresponding Sephirah, Chokmah.

Overall Colors

Raziel’s main color is gray, ornamented with black and white. Gray is the basic color of Chokmah, while black and white are the “flashing colors” associated with gray, used to highlight sigils, symbols, and other details against the gray background.

Symbols

Key symbols are the zodiacal wheel, all twelve zodiacal signs in their appropriate colors, all seven symbols of the planets in their appropriate colors, an eye, a book, a scroll, a key, a lamp or lantern, a straight line, an equal-armed cross constructed of two straight lines, and any symbol represented in duplicate to indicate the number two (two books, two lanterns, etc.).

Telesmatic Image

The Hebrew alphabet is a hieroglyphic language of images, colors, numeric values, mystical concepts, and more. Therefore, you can elect to build up a magical image of Raziel based on the Hebrew letters of his name: Resh Zayin Yod Aleph Lamed (). These five letters have the following associations:

Beginning with the letter Resh at the angel’s head and ending with the letter Lamed at his feet, the various images, symbols, and colors assigned to the letters of Raziel’s name can be combined to form a potent magical image used to represent him. It might look like the following: A bright, youthful angel whose colors range from golden-orange to yellow to green. His bronzed head is framed by golden hair and crowned with the rays of the Sun. He bears a sword in one hand and a book in the other, showing that he is the protector of sacred wisdom. The letters that compose his name are overwhelmingly airy and mercurial, and this could be represented by wispy clouds and gossamer wings surrounding the figure. He may wear a yellow robe or kilt, and his feet may stand upon the rich green grass of a lush pasture. Based on these guidelines, there are few limits on your creativity for building up an appropriate image.

The total gematria (numeric value) of the name Raziel is 248, a number he shares with Auriel, the archangel of earth and the “Light of God.” It is also the number of the Hebrew word gemarah, which means “teaching” or “study.” Raziel is well-equipped to teach the secrets of magic and shed light upon the mysteries of the universe.

Raziel’s sigil, or magical signature, can be easily created from the Golden Dawn’s diagram of the Rose of Twenty-Two Letters from the Rose Cross Lamen. This sigil can be placed within a circle, cut out, laminated, attached to a ribbon or chain, and worn around your neck as a lamen (a magical pendant) during your work with the archangel. On the reverse side of the lamen you may include the protective figure of the upright pentagram or the image of a winged, spoked wheel to represent Raziel as the leader of the Ophanim.

Building an Altar to Raziel

Whether you have a temple room that is dedicated to your spiritual practice or simply a convenient area of your bedroom available, set aside some tabletop, desktop, or mantel space that can be devoted to the archangel.

If possible, try to orient the altar toward the east, the direction of sunrise. If this is not possible, don’t let it deter you. An altar situated in the east will lend itself to ritual worked at any hour of the day, but it is especially advantageous for morning rites. Southern, western, and northern altars are advantageous for midday, evening, and midnight rituals, respectively.

Drape your altar with a neutral gray or soft blue cloth. Upon this, place your image of Raziel—this will be the centerpiece of your sacred space. Place a small white votive candle before the image, and surround the candle with a number of symbols attributed to Raziel. These might include old-fashioned skeleton keys, a small scroll, amaranth flowers or seeds, turquoise or star ruby gemstones, and a journal and pen for writing down any messages you might receive during the working. You can also use all four tarot pips associated with Chokmah: the twos of each elemental suit. For an appropriate incense or essential oil, use musk.

Invoking Raziel

Prepare for the ritual by sitting quietly for a few moments with your eyes closed, breathing rhythmically and relaxing your mind. When you are ready, light the altar candle and anoint your forehead with the essential oil. Gently open your journal to a new page. Gaze upon your image of Raziel and give the following invocation:

Eternal and Universal Fountain of Love,

Wisdom, and Happiness;

Nature is the book in which your character is written,

and no one can read it

unless he (she) has been taught in your school.

Grant unto me the attention of your mighty archangel,

Raziel, the Secret of God!

Raziel of the Sapphire Book of Wisdom!

Holy Raziel of the many-winged,

many-eyed Wheels, the Ophanim!

Key-Master of the Hidden Mysteries,

I invoke you! Raziel!

Oh Circle of Stars compared to which my Soul

is but the younger sibling!

Marvel beyond imagination!

Therefore, by pen and paper, by door and key,

and by lamp and light of my entire being,

do I invoke you, whose name and Power are Secret.

Oh Raziel!

Oh Secret of Secrets that is hidden

in the being of all that lives,

Secret and most Holy!

Angelic guardian of that Source of Light,

Source of Love, and Source of Liberty!

Be here now and at my side from this day forward

to aid me in my quest for Knowledge,

That I might remain forever in your abundant Wisdom!

So mote it be!

When you feel a connection with the archangel, you may ask for spiritual wisdom. Possible questions include the following:

• What portion of your spiritual essence can you share with me at this time?

• Can you teach me about the Sephirah Chokmah?

• Can you teach me about the Ophanim? In what magical operations may the aid of these angels be most appropriately and beneficially invoked?

• What type of magical operation would work best for my specific purpose?

• What teaching which could be of particular benefit to me at this point in my life and Work (or in relation to a specific situation)?

• Is there a particular skill that you can teach me?

• Show me a temple of your realm. What is the name or title of this temple? What is its particular function?

• Can you teach me a new meditation?

• Can you teach me a new mode of healing or enhance my understanding or practice of an existing mode of healing?

• Can you teach me a new mode of divination, or enhance my understanding or practice of an existing mode of divination?

• Can you teach me a new technique of magic or enhance my understanding or practice of an existing mode of magic?

• Can you teach me how I can help others (or another) at this time? (Name specific circumstances.)

• How can you help me advance in the Great Work?

• Can you teach me a new prayer or invocation?

• Can you help me understand arcane knowledge about (name topic—be specific)?

• Can you give me a word, name, sign, or symbol that will help me connect with you when I am away from this sacred altar?

• What can I do to enhance my psychic abilities?

• Teach me how I may balance my magical life with my mundane life so that both are enhanced for the better.

Be sure to write down any communication you receive in your journal. Thank Raziel before ending the rite.

Don’t worry if your early sessions don’t immediately result in communication. The practice of magic is just that—a practice. Your connection with the archangel will improve with time and effort. Avoid the trap of high expectations and you will find yourself pleasantly surprised in the long run. Above all, do the Work. You will find that Raziel has much to teach.

Sources

Cicero, Chic, and Sandra Tabatha Cicero. Tarot Talismans: Invoke the Angels of the Tarot. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2006.

Coleman, Wade. Sepher Sapphires: A Treatise on Gematria. Austin, TX: Golden Dawn Trust, 2004.

Davidson, Gustav. A Dictionary of Angels. New York: The Free Press, 1971.

Forrest, Adam. “This Holy Invisible Companionship.” In The Golden Dawn Journal. Bk. 2, Qabalah: Theory and Magic. Edited by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1994.

Godwin, David. Godwin’s Cabalistic Encyclopedia. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1994.