Chapter 1

Who Are Angels?

God is...

It all starts with God. Keep the God you have. You do not have to change the God you know to understand the angels. God is God. Don't mistake Him for another being. All we know to tell you about God is what the angels have told us.

No matter how big, huge, all-consuming, or wise you think God is...you do not have Him big enough. Not nearly big enough. God is Love, The Father, The Mother, The Source, The All, Allah, The Divine Mind, The Supreme Being, The Goddess. Whatever you have learned to call Him or Her, God is the one all pray to. Even we angels.

In our classes, students want to know what kinds of angels come to them when they write. For the most part, angels fall into several main categories. A long time ago an ancient scholar named Dionysius was given the Three Hierarchies and the Nine Choirs of Angels. Each of these groupings of angels has a commitment to God and works within His kingdom, carrying out His plan and will.

The angels in the hierarchy closest to the earth are dedicated to working with us while we are here.

We will focus on the groups of angels who will be teaching you the most frequently: angels, guardian angels and archangels, who are all divine beings.

Angels were created by God to be His messengers, to do His will, and to help humankind. Angels are divine beings from God who watch over you and guide you and keep you safe. This group includes many levels of angels assigned to provide help, support, and comfort. Angels have never lived on earth. They are not and never have been human. As a cow is different from a person, so an angel is different. Angels are unique beings and, after God, have the greatest view of the total purpose of earth, its inhabitants, and the universe.

Archangels are God's emissaries to give to earth love and compassion. As you are thinking about your spiritual path, you might want to call on the influence of one or more archangels. They will help you increase your learning and strength.

Many people believe there are seven archangels. There are more, but those named below have been assigned to earth to help us while we are on our planet.

Michael: From the Hebrew, his name means "Who is like God." Michael battles evil, challenges people who have evil or negative intentions, and helps people open up to new ways of thinking, bringing courage for spiritual experiences.

Raphael: This archangel's name means "God has overcome." He works with healers and artists and is helpful to creative souls. Messages from Raphael may help you to focus on creating a space of beauty, a recognition of the beauty that surrounds you, and the healing energy that comes from embracing such beauty.

Gabriel: Most often associated with a trumpet, his name means "Man of God." Gabriel announces God's plans and actions. He brought forth the news of Jesus. He will tell you about your path and purpose and will send help to complete your mission.

Uriel: "Fire of God." Archangel of Prophecy. Uriel helps you complete your goals and your life missions. If you get off-center while on your spiritual path, you can expect new thoughts and transforming ideas from Uriel.

Haniel: "Mercy of God." The nicest things of life are watched over by Haniel. Beauty, love, happiness, pleasure, and harmony are his domain.

parRaziel: "Secret of God." Archangel of Mysteries. Questions and mysteries encountered while on our spiritual journey inspire us to dig deeper in search of divine knowledge. As we seek, Raziel may come through with inspirations and ideas that unlock the truths we are seeking.

Auriel: "Light of God." The angel most closely associated with our future and our purpose and goals.

Guardian Angels were assigned to you personally and are always with you. Other angels may come and go as needed, but your guardian is one hundred percent committed to you for your entire life.

Angels will not run your life. No angel will intrude on your free will. They cannot interfere. The key to receiving help from any angel is to ask for it. They will always be evident when you ask for their assistance. Even though you may be in imminent danger, they pray to God for you and will only go to work if it is God's will to do so.

We never work singly! If you see just one of us, know there are thousands of backup helpers. We always come as a Heavenly Choir of Love. What you need to perceive for your greatest good is what you will perceive.

Every essence, thought, or feeling has a corresponding angel. Whatever your need, there are angels ready to bring help. When you are in a dentist's chair, ask for the Angel of Fearlessness to be with you. Perhaps an Angel of Strength and an Angel of Patience, or an Angel of Calmness. For the dentist, ask for Angels of Steadiness, Swiftness, Painlessness, and Wisdom to guide his hands. Ask for anything you want to have happen, and an angel will be there immediately to blend with your personal energy.

Most of us have been conditioned to think angels look like seventeenth-century paintings. In reality, angels have all sorts of appearances. This excerpt from our soon to be published children's book, God Invented Angels First, explains best what angels look like.

God invented angels before He made everything else.

Angels are God's helpers and messengers.

They tell people what God wants them to know.

There are all kinds of angels.

Big angels. Little angels.

Boy angels. Girl angels.

And some angels you don't know what they are.

Some angels have wings. Some don't have wings.

Some wings are VERY BIG. Some are teeny tiny.

All angels have halo light around them.

This is their energy showing and it is very beautiful.

Angels have names.

Some have important-sounding fancy names.

Some have names like yours.

Ask your angel what its name is. Your angel will tell you.

Yes, you can talk to your angel. It is very easy to chat with an angel.

Angels are always with you to listen and visit with you.

Angels even will talk back to you.

The truth of angels is they have many shapes, forms, sizes, appearances, and duties. No one angel is like another. You will see angels as you need to see them. Sometimes you may see only a burst of light in a darkened room or a cloudy form around a person's body. Often angels will appear as a recognizable human, perhaps even someone you know or have known of. Other times they will transform into a symbol that you will understand. Need a warrior? Ask for one. Need some joy in your life? An angel can bring it to you.

Sometimes you will connect with beings who are not angels in the classic sense but souls who have lived on earth and who now can teach from the other side. Many people also refer to this group as angels, although in the strictest sense of the word they are not truly angels, even though they also work for God.

Masters and spirit guides are wise, elevated souls who have usually lived on earth as human beings. Often they are recognizable, such as Jesus, a saint, or a biblical character. If you belong to a religion or group with a loving head or teacher, this master may appear to you.

Masters and spirit guides are the majority of beings who will be coming to you with messages. They frequently teach and are here to help you with your life problems and lessons to keep you on your path. Because they have lived on earth they have compassion and understand your problems. They are committed to your life and understand you even more than you do. They know how you are interconnected with other souls. They know your life goals and can see into your future. They protect you, warn you, and love you.

This also includes the groups known as teachers, guides, and ascended masters. They have different personalities and appearances and constantly remind you of your strengths, virtues, purpose, and lovingness. Masters and spirit guides are workers and teachers.

Many Catholics feel especially close to a saint. Jews may relate well with a prophet, while Hindus revere one or more gurus. Whatever your religious background or belief, expect many personalities and interesting contacts when you are working with masters.

Barbara's main guide is the Old Testament Joshua. While on the earth, Joshua was a warrior, and he comes to Barbara as a no-nonsense guide and fierce protector.

Trudy's guardians go by the name John-Paul. These are two energies who have joined together to be her master teachers. John was a healer and disciple of Jesus. Paul was a teacher. Trudy's work this lifetime is to be a healer-teacher, and these energies help her with this work.

Because you are spiritual beings having a physical experience this lifetime, when your earthwork is done you will pass over to the other side, join the angels, and help those still on earth.

Deceased mortals are those who have made their transition from the earthplane to afterlife. These are simply people who have died. They are not ghosts, though they are sometimes mistaken for them. They are souls with whom you can communicate in the same way you did when on the earth together. They may be a spouse, parent, grandparent, or friend, and they quently nizable.

Our biological father comes to us occasionally when we need loving support. We can tell it's him because he smells like Dad, and we physically experience his essence and presence.

We recognize our mother because she kisses our cheeks when she is with us. The sense of unconditional love we feel has brought us to tears as we experience the true and total love of Mom.

Some of us have relatives and friends we do not care to see again -- on any side of life. But we assure you, that beings who have died or "gone to the light" are now beings of light and will not bring you anything but love. When the body dies, the part of the person that was cranky, or mean, or unloving does not make the transition to the light. Painful and negative earth energy stays behind on the earth. Therefore, when you meet up with a "dead relative" -- even if they were despicable on earth -- you will meet them only as the love they have become. They become a form of pure and unconditional love that will be a transforming experience for you when you encounter it.

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Less than loving entities that show up are NOT of the angels. Such entities are not welcome, and you should invite them out firmly, just as you would an unwanted guest in your home. Prayer is the best method of allowing only loving, positive energy to come to you. Always pray before seeking spiritual contact.

Angels have the most universal knowledge and the most broad perspective. Masters are superb teachers with access to your innermost thoughts as they relate to the world. A deceased mortal's best work is done through unconditional love and comfort.

We call all the groups "angels." With a collective, small "a." There is an infinite number of angels, masters, spirit guides, and teachers. Most often you will not have any idea as to the type of "angel" you are receiving. This is fine. It is not so important WHO you receive, but only that you ARE receiving and that it touches your truth. You will learn from all of them.

Your higher self is your most perfect and knowledgeable you. Your higher self is not the angels, even though your higher self frequently comes to you as guidance. It is a combination of wisdom of all that you are, all that you have been and ever will be.

You are body, mind, and spirit. All three parts of you grow in different stages. A healthy higher self looks like an equilateral triangle. If one side grows too fast, the other sides have to catch up. Your higher self takes care of the balance.

It is us. The angels. We have become your teachers. There is a whole group of us on this side who are here for you. We are not here to run your life. We are not here to tell you what to do. Our purpose is to give you perspective. This perspective is not only from our level, but from the perspective of the larger picture, the greater meaning, which will give you a new form of guidance. We are called angels because the real meaning of our work is to be messengers of God. We are here to help carry out His plan, to be a support to those who seek, and to always give unconditional love. Your highest good is always first and foremost with us.

Copyright © 1995 by Barbara Mark and Trudy Griswold