The Archangel Michael is the closest to the Lord in the Jewish scriptures, for his very name means "Like Unto God." As the eldest Archangel, he is given captaincy of all of God's natural phenomena, including rain, wind, fire, snow, thunder, lightning, and hail. Michael is believed by many Jews to have appeared to Moses as the fire in the burning bush and to have led Daniel from the lions' den.
In the Christian Bible, Michael is said to be the Angel who told the Virgin Mary of her approaching death.
According to Muslims, Michael's body is covered with fine hairs and each one, like a tongue, implores the Mercy of Allah on behalf of sinners.
As the Archangel of battle and defender of Heaven, Michael is said to be the Patron Saint of policemen. Additionally, because it is said in the Book of Revelations that Michael will lead God's troops against the dragon and his angels at the final battle, many people seek the aid of Michael against wrong-doers on Earth and all people in need of protection from crime or from physical or spiritual enemies may petition the Archangel for help -- and many have reported benefits from keeping an Angel Michael novena candle burning in the home.
Because of Michael's eminent position, holy cards, religious chromo prints, pewter holy medals and aluminum wallet cards, candles, and anointing oils bearing the likeness of this archangel have long been available in the marketplace. These are used by spiritual practitioners who wish to keep the image of Michael before them as a simple adjunct to their prayers and devotions. It is said that those who light a novena candle to the Archangel Michael and recite the 91st Psalm will be under his protection as long as the candle burns.
There are a total of seven Archangels according to ancient Jewish beliefs -- one for each day of the week. The four best known are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel (Oriel) -- and in African American hoodoo folk magic or rootwork, two of them are associated with a powerful natural curio called Angelica Root or Archangel Root. Archangel Michael, the eldest, is used with Angelica Root as a defender of women. Archangel Gabriel who is concerned with the announcements of pregnancy, is allied with this root in its role as an herbal tonic for women's reproductive health. |