| Subject: Re: The Archangel Michael |
Author:
Penny
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Date Posted: Mon, Nov 03 2003, 20:23:31
In reply to:
Penny
's message, "Angels" on Sat, Nov 01 2003, 19:54:23
FIERY PRINCE OF LIGHT AND CHAMPION OF HUMANITY
Michael is probably the best known of all the angels, mentioned by name in the Old and New Testaments and the Koran as an archangel. His name means "Who is as God," a perfect reflection of divine light. He is the Prince of Light, leading the forces of good against the powers of drakness. Conqueror of Satan in the War in Heaven, he will lead the heavenly hosts in the final conflict. It was Michael who rescued Daniel from the lions' den and, according to Christian tradition, he antagonizes Satan by visiting each soul at the moment of death and offering the opportunity of redemption. Muslim lore desribes him as having wings covered with saffron-coloured hairs, each of which has a million faces with a million mouths, all imploring God to have mercy on humanity.
Michael is the Dragonslayer, the heavenly counterpart of St. George. This is often thought to represent the triumph of Christianity over paganism, but in fact is rather the triumph of divine order over the chaotic powers of darkness. The most warlike of the archangels, he has appeared during battles, most memorably at Mons during World War I, when an overwhelmingly superior German army was inexplicably put to flight. German prisoners from the battle described a phantom army over the Allied lines, led by a resplendent figure on a white horse.
ASSOCIATION AND SYMBOLISM
In alchemical terms Michael represents the golden lion, the transmuted and perfected energy of the base primordial dragon. He is the patron of high places, and many hilltop churches in Europe are dedicated to him, usually as Saint Michael. The term saint reflects the ambivalence towards angels in Christian tradition.
Michael is guardian angel of both the Roman Catholic Church and the state of Israel. In art he is most often depicted wearing red and green, white, or shining armor. As Dragonslayer he wields sword or lance with his foot on the dragon's neck, and as angel of death and divine justice he holds a pair of scales. As Archangel of the South he represents the element of fire and the season of summer. He is best visualized in the fiery colours of red.
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