Vessel
A Vessel is a human that an angel possesses in order to manifest on Earth.
The suitability to be a Vessel is innate. Castiel makes reference when possessing Claire Novak that her suitability as a vessel is "in her blood".
Michael, when he is using the young John Winchester as his vessel, tells Dean: “You’re my true Vessel, but not my only one. It’s a bloodline…stretching back to Cain and Abel. It’s in your blood, your father’s blood, your family's blood.” 5.13 The Song Remains The Same
While Demons can possess any human against their will in order to manifest, Angels must contain the consent of the human before they can enter them. However, as Zachariah's treatment of Dean in attempt to get him to agree to be Michael's vessel demonstrates, this consent can be coerced.
It is unknown as to whether or not Gabriel needs a Vessel - Gabriel could have created his body. However this is unlikely as Michael and Lucifer would do the same.
Zachariah's Vessel was never mentioned in Supernatural. He refers to humans as "smelly things". When Dean and Sam see Zachariah in Heaven they still see Zachariah as if he were still using his Vessel. According to Zachariah the reason they perceive him the same way in Heaven is because they are limited.
Anna never used a human as a Vessel. This is mainly because when she ripped out her Grace and fell to Earth she was reborn as a Human. She was then raised by Mister and Misses Milton. Anna Milton was afraid of her real father - her real father is God.
Anyone within the Novak Bloodline can be used as a Vessel for normal Angels, not including Archangels.
True Vessels
Many Angels such as Gabriel have told Dean and Sam that they were destined to be the vessels for the two Archangel's. Zachariah told Dean on many occasions that he is special and that he was chosen to be the vessel for Michael.
Archangel Vessels:
- Dean Winchester - was predestined from the beginning to be Michael's Vessel. Zachariah among others angels refer to Dean as "Michael's Sword."
- Sam Winchester - was predestined from the beginning to be Lucifer's Vessel. In a possible 2014 future, Sam said Yes to Lucifer by giving Lucifer his his consent. According to Castiel, only a 'special' person (prepared vessel) can truly contain Lucifer's essence. In order to do this, the vessel needs an extensive amount of Demon Blood running through their veins. Sam Winchester was set up by Azazel, who prepared him for Lucifer. Castiel states that the Demon blood strengthens the Vessel. Castiel tells the Winchesters that Nick is drinking more than he can handle by containing Lucifer. All this was reveled in 5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight.
- Donnie Finnerman - is the Vessel for the Archangel named Raphael. Donnie was a civilian of Maine and a Mechanic prior to his consent to Raphael.
Angel Vessels:
- Jimmy Novak is the vessel for Castiel. While he initially consented, when Castiel was taken back to Heaven, he is keen to resume his life with his family. He said that being possessed was like being "tied to a Comet". He can hear Castiel's "true voice", which Dean cannot.
- Claire Novak is Jimmy's daughter and is briefly a Vessel for Castiel. After Jimmy was shot by a demon possessing his wife, Castiel possesses his daughter Claire Novak. Jimmy (near death) begs to be allowed to be his vessel again. It is not stated what happens to Jimmy Novak.
Plan B Vessels
Plan B vessels are vessels that angels use for short periods of time. The background info on this particular type of vessel is as of now unknown.
Examples of Plan B Vessels:
- Nick- Nick is a man who was grieving for his murdered wife and child who consents to be Lucifer's Vessel when Lucifer promises to help him get justice for his family. Lucifer later tells Sam that Nick is not the ideal vessel and can barely contain him. Nick was dispossessed in episode 5.22 Swan Song.
- John Winchester- Michael used young John Winchester as his temporary vessel in The Song Remains The Same. As Michael said it runs in the Winchester blood-line, this enabled him to use John as a "Plan B" Vessel.
- Adam Milligan - In 5.18 Point of No Return, Zachariah tells Adam he will be a vessel for Michael in place of Dean, although his plan is to use Adam to trap Dean into saying "yes". Castiel says that Adam being used as Michael's vessel is a possibility, since he is of John Winchester's bloodline. In 5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight, Castiel told Dean, Sam and Bobby that Michael is currently using Adam as his Vessel. In Swan Song, Michael does use Adam as a Vessel for his final confrontation with Lucifer.
Other uses of humans by Angels
Lucifer used a dead nun as a mouth piece to communicate with Azazel at St. Mary's Convent.
Prophets , like Chuck , are also a method through which Heaven communicates with humanity, but they are not physically possessed by angels.
