Angel Lore
Avenging Angels
An angel is an ethereal creature who assists and serves God or the gods of many religious traditions. In the Christian bible, angels are portrayed as powerful and dreadful, endowed with wisdom, correct in their judgment, holy, but not infallible. When their duties are not punitive, angels are beneficent to man. When their duties are punitive, they are known as avenging angels and are mentioned inverses such as II Sam. Xxiv. 15, in which an angel annihilates thousands on God's command. These avenging angels are used by God to punish men for their sins.
Angel
A supernatural being found in Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Islam. Angel comes from the Latin word angelus, which came from the Greek word, angelos, meaning "messenger". According to these religions Angels typically act as messengers from God.
Though superhuman, angels can assume human form and according to the Hebrew Bible, often appeared to people in the shape of humans of extraordinary beauty. They are also described as pure and bright and are said to be formed of fire, and encompassed by light. Angels are thought to posess wings, and are depicted that way in Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian art where they are also commonly depicted with halos.
In the Bible, angels are a medium of God's power; they exist to execute God's will. Angels reveal themselves to individuals as well as to the whole nation, to announce events, either good or bad, affecting humans.– Pad of Definitions (2.13 Houses of the Holy), Official Website
Contents
Background
Never say never, (...) but in my mind, angels as supernatural beings do not exist. In my opinion there are forces of evil, but the forces of good are human. There might very well be a God, but if there is, he's working in mysterious ways through a band of very imperfect humans.
– Eric Kripke, Supernatural: The Official Companion Season 2, page. 75
In 2.13 Houses of the Holy Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders in which the killers claim they were guided by an avenging angel, although it turns out to be the ghost of a dead priest. Dean is adamant that angels don't exist, while Sam tells Dean that he has faith in God, and prays. Dean reveals that their mother did too.
- Dean: I'll tell you who else had faith like that — Mom. She used to tell me when she tucked me in that angels were watching over us. In fact, that was the last thing she ever said to me.
At the end of 5.13 The Song Remains The Same, Mary first says this to an unborn Dean.
It is not until 4.01 Lazarus Rising that angels actually appear, when Castiel arrives and proclaims himself an "Angel of the Lord", and reveals that he saved Dean from Hell.
Culture
Angels are collectively referred to as The Host of Heaven, and they dwell in a very hierarchical society. Much of it appears to operate like a military organization, broken down into smaller units called garrisons. According to Ash, angels currently run and manage Heaven and the people in it. This is due to God's absence. Heaven is ruled by a group of angels referred to as Senior Management. They are the caretakers and rulers of Heaven. One of these was an angel called Zachariah, and another was his superior, the Archangel Michael. Michael appears to have been the authority in Heaven for some time.
The Archangels, Gabriel, Raphael, Michael, and Lucifer, are the most powerful angels, although Joshua also has the ear of God. According to Castiel: "Archangels are fierce. They're absolute. They're Heaven's most terrifying weapon." Unquestioning obedience is expected of other members of the Host, and those who question orders may be tortured to enforce compliance as Anna and Castiel find out. Disobedience can be punished by death.
For a long period of time, angels were not allowed to manifest on Earth or take a vessel. They watched over humanity from afar. 4.10 Heaven And Hell,5.13 The Song Remains The Same
God appears to have been absent from Heaven for a long period.
History
Angels are divine beings created by God. Sometime later, humanity was created. Lucifer refused to accept the position in the divine order apportioned to humanity, and defied God's word. After Michael cast him from heaven, Lucifer twisted a human being to create the first demon, Lilith. For his crimes, Lucifer was imprisoned in a cage locked with The 66 Seals. This conflict had lasting repercussions, including Gabriel's descent to Earth. At some point, God also departed Heaven, leaving the angels in charge.
Millenia later, the demon Azazel managed to locate Lucifer's prison and to communicate with him. Azazel then proceeded with a long, intricate plan to release Lucifer that required decades of work by Azazel, Meg, Ruby, and even Lilith. Of special importance was the effort to ensure Sam Winchester's availability as Lucifer's Vessel. The plan culminated in the breaking of The 66 Seals.
It appears that when the highest ranking angels discovered the plan, they decided to allow it to proceed. According to Zachariah, they intend for Lucifer to be freed so that Michael can finally battle and defeat him, bringing about paradise. However, to maintain order, the angelic hierarchy commands the rank and file angels to descend to Earth, and even take vessels to prevent the breaking of The 66 Seals. Angels aware of the master plan included Zachariah and Michael. Even some of the angels who were kept ignorant of Heaven's plan decided not to oppose the breaking of the seals, but for a different reason. Uriel and his fellows wanted to see Lucifer rise so that they could follow him.
Most angels worked to maintain the seals, including Castiel. He was sent to rescue Dean from Hell, but did not reach him before he broke the first of the The 66 Seals on Lucifer's Cage. It is likely that Heaven wanted Dean returned to Earth, not to prevent the first seal from breaking, but so that he would be available to be Michael's Vessel.
Eventually all of the seals are broken and Lucifer is released. However, the ultimate goal of Michael's followers is not achieved, because the final confrontation between Lucifer and himself is prevented by the combined efforts of Sam, Dean, Castiel, Bobby Singer, Gabriel, and the demon Crowley, among others. In the end, both Lucifer and Michael are confined in Lucifer's Cage.
Following the loss of Michael, Castiel speculates that Heaven will be in chaos. He intends to return to Heaven and help if he can.
Characteristics
Their angelic power exists in the form of "grace", the absence of which renders them mortal. Anna voluntarily removed her grace in order to be reborn human. She described the grace as "an energy", but this energy is somehow connected to an angel's true form. Anna said that the removal of her grace was very painful. An angel's true form varies depending on the type of angel:
Zachariah's angelic form has four faces and six wings5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon
Castiel's states that his angelic form is far bigger than The Chrysler Building6.07 Family Matters
Raphael's angelic form is so strong that it can destroy normal angels5.03 Free To Be You And Me
Some humans can perceive this true nature, but to most it is "overwhelming" and painful, or sometimes fatal, to behold.
According to Ash, when angels converse with each other in Heaven, they speak Enochian. Anna, before realizing that she was an angel, was able to hear angels speaking without them being physically present. Dean referred to this communication as "angel radio", and it appears to be a common method of relaying information between angels. This might be referred to as a telepathic link; angels also have some ability to read minds.5.14 My Bloody Valentine
An angel's true voice is often heard as an ear piercing, high pitched sound which can shatter glass. Castiel tries to speak to Dean with his true voice in 4.01 Lazarus Rising, and is surprised when Dean cannot understand it. An angel's form is often seen as a brilliant light. Pamela loses her sight when she psychically looks on Castiel's true form. Michael's voice and form prove fatal to the bar patrons in 5.18 Point Of No Return. For these reasons, angels most often communicate with humans through dreams or through a vessel.
Angels occupy a human vessel in order to manifest on Earth. The person they possess must consent to this, as opposed to demonic possession which is non-consensual. Angels and their vessels appear to be matched based on bloodlines. It appears that while occupied, the vessel's blood is altered by the angel's presence. Castiel comments in 6.03 The Third Man that he cannot use his "own" blood for a ritual, because he is "not human". See also Demon Blood.
Some an angelic powers are innate, and some can be curtailed or enhanced by the hierarchy of The Host of Heaven. Castiel finds his abilities limited after he rebels and helps Dean: "I'm cut off from heaven and much of heaven's power. Certain things I can do. Certain things I can't."5.02 Good God Y'All. Castiel appears essentially mortal in the alternate future in 5.04 The End, after he reports Heaven has abandoned Earth. After he directly acts against Heaven in 5.18 Point Of No Return, Castiel returns almost mortal. He receives enhanced angelic powers from God in 5.22 Swan Song. Abilities also vary with the rank of the angel.
Abilities
- Angels have superhuman strength.
- Can transport themselves, and humans, through time and space.
- The appearance and disappearance of angels is often accompanied by physical phenomena, such as a sudden wind. Castiel's appearance has caused lights to shatter, and Raphael claimed to have blacked out the Eastern Seaboard in manifesting.4.01 Lazarus Rising, 5.03 Free To Be You And Me
- Angels can also appear without warning, as Anna Milton did when attacking Uriel, and as Castiel did when attacking Zachariah's henchmen 4.16 On The Head Of A Pin, 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil
- Dean refers to teleportation as "beaming", and on some occasions as "zapping". The process can be uncomfortable for humans, according to Dean.5.03 Free To Be You And Me
- By placing two fingers on a person's forehead, angels can render someone unconscious or change their memories.
- They have the power to exorcise demons from humans by touching them.4.10 Heaven And Hell
- Angels can see things outside of human perception, such as Reapers and Enochian Sigils.
- Angels are unaffected by plagues, and are immune to all diseases. However when Castiel is on the verge of becoming mortal, Pestilence is able to infect him. 5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight
- Angels have the ability to heal, harm, or resurrect humans.
- Michael heals Sam, and Castiel heals Dean.5.13 The Song Remains The Same, 5.22 Swan Song
- Zachariah gives Dean stomach cancer and removes Sam's lungs. 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil He also injures Adam, causing him to cough up blood 5.18 Point Of No Return.
- Gabriel resurrects Dean 3.11 Mystery Spot, and so does Heaven we he is returned from Hell 4.01 Lazarus Rising; Joshua resurrects Sam and Dean 5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon; Zachariah resurrects Adam5.18 Point Of No Return; Castiel resurrects Bobby 5.22 Swan Song
- A related power is their ability to maintain their vessels without food, water, or sleep, and to heal them after they are injured.
- Angels can move objects telekinetically.
- They can implant visions into a prophet’s mind, as demonstrated when Zachariah uses Chuck.5.01 Sympathy For The Devil
- Castiel claims that Leah is not a prophet because he has every prophet's name "seared" into his brain, and it is likely that all angels do.
- They can rescue humans from Hell.
- Certain types of angels, in the Cherub class, can bring couples together.
- By reaching into a human's chest, an angel can read marks left on the human's soul by another angel. This procedure is very painful for the human, but leaves little physical damage.
Vulnerabilities
- A flaming circle of Holy Oil can be used to trap an Angel. Castiel uses a molotov cocktail of Holy Oil to temporarily banish Michael at Stull Cemetery5.22 Swan Song
- An Angel Banishing Sigil can be drawn in human blood on a wall or door.
- When a hand is placed on the sigil, angels are temporarily banished from the area. It can be used by humans and angels, and the angel who uses it does not disappear with the others.
- Castiel uses an extreme form of this when he carves the sigil into his Vessel's chest; on this occasion, he vanished with the other angels, and returned near mortal.5.18 Point Of No Return
- Angel Killing Sword, a short blade that can be used by humans and angels, causes death.
- Death's Scythe can kill angels and even archangels according to Crowley5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight
- Jesse - a Cambion - has the power to transform Castiel into a toy. Castiel says that Jesse could "destroy the Host of Heaven."
- The Colt's power against angels is uncertain. It was ineffective against Lucifer, but he stated that only five beings could not be killed with this weapon, so it is likely that the Colt could kill most angels.
- Enochian Sigils can be used to hide a human's location from angels; Castiel carved the symbols into Sam and Dean's ribs. Enochian sigils can also be used to keep angels from entering a building 4.16 On The Head Of A Pin5.10 Abandon All Hope
Michael
Michael is an archangel. He is the oldest brother of Lucifer, Gabriel and Raphael.
God ordered Michael to banish Lucifer from Heaven and then God imprisoned him in a Cage locked with 600 seals. Michael obeyed, but his relationship with Lucifer would be forever damaged. Although Michael still professes great love for his younger "brother", as he refers to Lucifer.
Anna reveled that only 66 seals had to be broken for Lucifer's cage to open. Sometime after the creation of humans, God left heaven. According to Michael, shortly after Lucifer's banishment, their family fell apart, which was why God left. In God's absence, Michael was left in charge of Heaven and God's angel army. Michael also supports the release of Lucifer so that the two of them can engage in a final battle. Michael sees the defeat of Lucifer as his destiny and the act of "a good son".
Dean is Michael’s true vessel, although when Dean continues to refuse this role, Michael is able to use Dean's half-brother Adam. He was also able to employ Dean's father, John Winchester, as a vessel in order to intervene in 5.13 The Song Remains The Same.
Michael appears to have a telepathic link with Zachariah, his subordinate.
Lucifer
Lucifer is an archangel. He is the younger brother of Michael, and the older brother of Gabriel and Raphael.
He claims that he was expelled from Heaven "for loving God too much". After Lucifer created Lilith, the first demon, in defiance of God, he was imprisoned by God and bound by 600 seals, and only 66 seals had to be broken for his cage to open. The demons multiply, and come to view Lucifer as their deity or 'father', although few have seen him.3.04 Sin City
Lucifer is freed from his cage when Sam kills Lilith - her death breaks the final seal. Once on Earth, Lucifer possesses the body of a man called Nick, although his true Vessel is Sam. He brings about chaos on Earth in the form of the Apocalypse. Epidemics and natural disasters result, and the Four Horsemen roam free.
After Sam assents to being Lucifer's Vessel, in an initially unsuccessful ruse to trap the devil, Lucifer faces Michael. He argues that they do not need to fight, but Michael says that Lucifer must be destroyed. Before they can begin the final battle, a moment of connection with Dean allows Sam to wrestle control of his body back and fling Lucifer, and Michael, into the the cage which was opened by the Horsemen's Rings.
Gabriel
Gabriel is an archangel. He is referred to as the younger brother of Michael and Lucifer.
Gabriel loves his family (God, Michael, Lucifer and Raphael) deeply. Tired of the conflict between Lucifer, the other angels, and God, Gabriel decided to leave Heaven so that he would not have to witness further strife. He goes to Earth and disguises himself as a Trickster. In this role he goes about giving people their "just desserts" - punishing people in a way that ironically fits what he sees as their 'crime'. He likes the good life - wine, women and food.
In his role as the Trickster, he meets Sam and Dean several times. After Lucifer is freed, Gabriel attempts to force Sam and Dean into accepting their roles as vessels so that the fighting between his brothers will at last come to an end. Sam and Dean counter with the suggestion that Gabriel join the fight against Lucifer, but Gabriel still finds the prospect of doing harm to his family, or watching them do harm to each other, difficult to bear. Like Michael, Gabriel continues to profess love for Lucifer even after what he's done.
Finally Gabriel chooses to fight for humanity against Lucifer, claiming that God was right: humans are better than angels. He dies providing Sam and Dean the chance to escape. He also reveals the potential of the Horsemen's Rings to imprison Lucifer and stop the apocalypse.
Raphael
Raphael is an archangel, like his brothers Michael, Lucifer and Gabriel. While manifesting on Earth, Raphael causes the eastern seaboard to black-out. Although Michael is Heaven's primary commander, Raphael holds a significant amount of authority over other angels. Raphael supports the plan for Michael to battle Lucifer; he tells Dean that he can bring him to Michael.
Raphael may be the archangel that is assigned to protect the Prophet Chuck Shurley. It is assumed that he is Chuck's protector, because he finds and destroys Castiel, who is in Chuck's presence. Castiel and Dean Winchester trap Raphael in a circle of Holy Oil, but he denies knowing the whereabouts of God.
Zachariah
Zachariah is a powerful angel of Heaven who has four faces and six wings in his true form. He has significant authority over other angels. Zachariah is superior in rank to Castiel and even Joshua, an angel who talks directly to God.
Zachariah plays a major role in the plan to allow Lucifer to be released so that Michael can kill him. Once Lucifer is freed, Zachariah takes increasingly aggressive actions to force Dean to consent to being Michael's Vessel. His failures on this score embitter him. According to Zachariah, he was greatly respected by all of his angel colleagues before being assigned Dean's case because he delivered consistent successes. His reputation is damaged by Dean's refusals, and he is 'fired' by his superiors. Michael then gives Zachariah one more chance at the task of recruiting Dean with a plot involving the resurrection of Adam, Dean's brother.
Ultimately even this effort fails, and Zachariah is killed by Dean with an Angel Killing Sword .
Uriel
Uriel is an angel of Heaven. He is first introduced as a "specialist" who is part of Castiel's garrison. He exhibits disdain for both humanity and demons. By 4.16 On The Head Of A Pin, he has been made Castiel's superior. He clandestinely breaks the Devil's Trap holding Alastair, intending for him to kill Dean. Uriel secretly supports the release of Lucifer so that the archangel can return to power. He is one of a group of rebellious angels with this goal, and he has been trying to recruit other angels to the cause; he kills those who refuse. He eventually reveals his plans to Castiel in an unsuccessful attempt to recruit the other angel, and they fight. Uriel gets the upper hand over Castiel, but Anna kills him, saving Cas.
Uriel is also seen in 5.13 The Song Remains The Same when Anna travels to 1973 and recruits a younger Uriel to help in her attempt to kill Mary and John Winchester and prevent Sam's birth.
Castiel
Castiel is the angel who saves Dean from Hell. As a result of his interactions with Dean, he begins to develop empathy for humans. This leads to his demotion because his superiors view this as dangerous.4.16 On The Head Of A Pin At one point, Castiel is forcibly removed from his vessel, Jimmy Novak, and sent back to Heaven where it is impressed on him, under torture, that he must follow angelic orders.4.20 The Rapture Ultimately, he does disobey and acts to help Dean escape Zachariah in order to try and stop Sam from unknowingly freeing Lucifer.4.22 Lucifer Rising.
As a result of this action Castiel is killed, but is then resurrected by God. He next embarks on a mission to find God in order to stop Lucifer. He becomes disillusioned after Joshua reveals that God will not intervene to stop the Apocalypse. After he takes drastic action against a group of angels in 5.18 Point Of No Return, Castiel awakes in a hospital with his angelic powers all but gone. After being killed by Lucifer in the confrontation at Stull Cemetery, he is resurrected by God a second time, with enhanced powers.
Castiel returns to Heaven following the imprisonment of Michael to help restore order.
Anna Milton
Anna was originally Castiel and Uriel's superior, but she chose to remove her Grace and become human. When Dean is saved from Hell, she begins to hear the angels speaking. Alastair wants to capture her in order to find out what the angels are doing, but Dean and Sam rescue her, and Pamela Barnes helps her regain her memories of having been an angel. Anna is under a death sentence for disobedience, but she is able to regain her Grace from Uriel and becomes an angel again.
Later, Anna tries to get Castiel to join her and stop following orders, but he refuses. She kills the traitor Uriel to save Cas. After the events of 4.21 When The Levee Breaks, Anna meets with Castiel in an undisclosed location, and a group of angels take her back to Heaven for "reprogramming".
When Anna returns in 5.13 The Song Remains The Same she travels back in time to kill Sam's parents and prevent his birth. She believes this will prevent Lucifer from possessing him and end the Apocalypse. She fails, and Michael disintegrates Anna with a touch for interfering with Heaven's plan.
Joshua
Joshua is an angel who communicates directly to God. Although they do not converse face to face. Joshua was seen in Heaven in 5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon.
Balthazar
Balthazar is an angel who fought alongside Castiel during the last angelic war. Castiel thought that he had died in the fighting. In fact, Balthazar faked his death, taking a number of powerful artifacts, including the Staff of Moses and Lot's Salt, with him. He has been on Earth enjoying a rather hedonistic lifestyle, and has bought at least one human soul.
Cupids
There are dozens of cupids on Earth according to Castiel, who refers to them as cherubs, third class. Cupids are very low on the Celestial Chain of Command, and are charged with bringing together certain special couples.
A cupid is first seen in 5.14 My Bloody Valentine.
Angel Henchmen
Zachariah - and later Raphael - appears to have significant authority over these anonymous angels. He is often accompanied by two or more of them. They appear to follow his every order - they do not speak and stand obediently at his side when not performing an appointed task. The extent of their powers and abilities is unknown. Their first appearance may be in 4.21 When The Levee Breaks, when they come to capture and escort the fugitive Anna Milton back to Heaven. Castiel kills two angel henchmen in 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil, and in the same episode Dean banishes them along with Zachariah. In 5.18 Point Of No Return, Castiel kills two more at the site of Adam Milligan's resurrection, and a fifth in the subsequent attempt to rescue Adam. In the same episode, he banishes four others with an Angel Banishing Sigil carved into his vessel.
In Season 6, a group of henchmen acts as soldiers for Raphael in his attempts to gain control of Heaven. During 6.03 The Third Man, a henchman spying on Castiel speaks for the first time. Of the three soldiers in the episode, Balthazar dispatches one, Sam and Dean banish a second, and Castiel kills the third. The henchmen appear in the following episodes: 4.21 When The Levee Breaks, 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil, 5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon, 5.18 Point of No Return and 6.03 The Third Man.
Angels in Lore
Angels or divine beings described as messengers of God, or guardians of souls occur in many religious traditions.
- Angels on Wikipedia
- Angels in Roman Catholicism
- Angels in Islam
- Angels in Judaism
- Reported encounters with angels
