Religious texts describe angels as celestial beings who act as intermediaries between God and humanity. Guardian angels have their roots in ancient pagan traditions and were later adopted by the early Church and Islamic faith. Medieval illustrations depict angels as white-robed figures with wings and halos, symbolizing their celestial presence. These ethereal beings serve as a link between the divine and mortal realms. Some scriptures mention angels appearing on Earth in human form.
The Origins of Angels
According to some Pauline teachings, Elohim, the divine parents, crafted angels with a purpose: to carry out their will faithfully. Angels were created as architects of creation and to provide unwavering assistance, maintenance, and preservation to that creation. These celestial beings exist beyond physicality, their form unseen, yet their existence is resolute, immortal, and imbued with intelligence and volition. In their eternal existence, they continually contemplate God, ceaselessly glorifying Elohim's divine presence. In their unique essence, each angel embodies a distinct facet of the profound and expansive divine consciousness, adding depth and complexity to the celestial tapestry.
Angels, celestial beings of divine origin, serve as messengers that bridge the realms of eternity and humanity. Revered as God's agents and valiant warriors, angels trace their roots back to the enigmatic depths of creation. They manifest as the first surge of energy emanating from God's boundless consciousness during the universe's birth. With the sacred duty of safeguarding God's creation, angels precede the manifestation of the cosmos. Aligned with this divine blueprint, angels gracefully interact with humankind, weaving the threads of destiny.
It is a common belief among Pauline magicians that magic requires the convergence of three crucial elements: a profound need, an emotion that resonates deep within, and the pursuit of wisdom. This harmonious triad generates an intense desire for transformative change. By embracing the guidance of the angels, one embarks on a path toward achieving true success and fulfillment.
This Historical Evidence of Angels
The evidence of angels can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization. This region, known for inventions such as the wheel, language, agriculture, metallurgy, and mathematics, also possessed profound knowledge of celestial sciences that still shape our understanding today.
In the first century, various Mediterranean cultures embraced rituals, invocations, and amulets associated with angels. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Christians, and Jews practiced diverse spiritual traditions, seeking solace and divine intervention. Jews and Gnostics faced accusations of angelic idolatry, leading to marginalization and persecution.
In the 4th century, as Christianity gained prominence, the Synod of Laodicea prohibited invoking angels in homes and forming groups outside the church. This was done to centralize religious control and discourage practices that deviated from orthodox Christian teachings. The history of angelic practices reflects the interplay between spiritual beliefs, religious authority, and societal norms, highlighting the dynamics of faith and power struggles within religious institutions.
While there may have been folk magic practices related to angel worship, it's important to clarify that the Pauline Arts don't involve worshiping angels. Instead, they seek angelic assistance, recognizing it aligns with the divine plan. As divine messengers, angels possess unique knowledge and abilities to support us in our spiritual journey, offering guidance to those who sincerely seek it.
In the 9th century CE, Peter of Sicily suggested that heresy thrives when ordinary people study the scriptures. This reflects the medieval Church's desire to control access to the Bible, which was kept in Latin and selectively withheld certain texts from the masses.
The Genesis creation story incorporates mythological elements influenced by Babylonian origins. The Old Testament accounts, likely written in the 8th century BCE, draw inspiration from earlier myths in Akkadian, Babylonian, and Sumerian sources.
The Androgynous Nature of the Ancient God El
In the Genesis creation story, the Hebrew word used for God is Elohim. Elohim is a plural word that combines "Eloh," representing the feminine singular, and "im," representing the masculine. It can be translated as "Gods" or "God and Goddess." Initially, it referred to the Canaanite pantheon, which included deities who were the sons and daughters of their chief god, El. El, the sun god, and his wife Asherah, the moon goddess, formed the divine pair. The Ben Elohim, or Sons of El, represented the stars and planets, collectively known as the Host of Heaven. Eventually, Yahweh, a tribal storm god, assumed the role of El as the supreme creator god, and his Hebrew followers referred to him as the "Lord of Hosts."
In 1929, a Libyan farmer discovered the ancient city of Ugarit in North Africa while working in his fields. Among the artifacts found was a stone tablet dating back 3000 years. This tablet revealed that El, a divine deity, had a son named Yah, suggesting that Yahweh was once part of a group of gods called the Ben Elohim. An inscription from the 9th-8th century BCE mentions the names Yahweh and Asherah. Even in modern Israeli texts, El and his son Baal, a deity associated with fertility, are mentioned. The Cabalistic text Sepher Yetzirah portrays Elohim as a symbol of both male and female divinity.
Some biblical scholars propose unconventional ideas, such as the possibility that the Old Testament monotheistic male god had an androgynous or pre-gender nature, with the name 'Yahweh' possibly deconstructed into Jah or Iao and Haweh (Eve).
Yahweh comes from the Hebrew YHVH, meaning 'He causes to be what is.' After Moses encountered the divine presence on Mount Sinai, he received the name "I am That I am." Before Moses, the Hebrews called their god 'El Shaddai,' the 'Shining God of the Mountain.' When Abraham was blessed by the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek of Salem, he referred to El Elyon, meaning 'the God Most High.' El was an ancient god associated with mountains.
Understanding Lucifer's Fall in Ancient Mythology
Historical evidence and biblical accounts suggest that ancient Hebrews worshipped deities alongside Yahweh. The Israelites struggled to establish monotheistic worship, while some held onto the worship of Elder Gods. During their exiles in Babylon and Egypt, the Hebrews also adopted foreign gods. It has been proposed that Israelite monotheism was influenced by the Egyptian concept of a supreme solar god introduced by the heretic pharaoh Akhenaton.
In Babylonian and Sumerian mythology, Marduk held great significance as a god known by titles such as 'The Light of His Father,' 'The King of Heaven,' and 'The Shepherd of the Gods.' He was often depicted as defeating the sea serpent Tiamat with a curved sword, symbolizing the battle against Elder Gods and the realm of chaos. Marduk's creation myth predates the biblical version by over a thousand years and describes how he named and brought Earth, forests, and living beings into existence.
The figure known as Helel, also referred to as Lucifer, desired to ascend above God's stars, mirroring the fall of Lucifer described in Isaiah 14:12-15. The mention of a star descending from heaven to earth in Revelation adds depth to this narrative. In contrast, the challenge of the Canaanite god Baal to his father El adds another intriguing dimension.
Ancient myths contain two deities resembling Lucifer: Shamesh, the sun god, and Helel ben Sahar, the god of the radiant morning star. The fall of Lucifer from heaven holds significance in various ancient mythologies. Lucifer is often associated with dark powers and is intertwined with Titans, giants, and Elder Gods in Babylonian, Hittite, Canaanite, Iranian, Norse, Egyptian, and Greek mythologies. These narratives depict a cosmic struggle between a youthful, rebellious god and a supreme father god who represents order. Ultimately, the supreme father god restores divine harmony by defeating the would-be usurper or adversary. These conflicts trace back to a primordial era predating Marduk and encompass the inception of humanity, exerting a profound influence on our planetary evolution that surpasses our mortal comprehension of time and space.
The Ancient Story of Lucifer and the Schism of the Celestial Realm Revealed
In the book of Genesis, Elohim creates Heaven and Earth from darkness. He commands, 'Let there be Light,' and Light appears. This Light symbolizes Lucifer, the firstborn of creation. According to Blavatsky, Lucifer represents the active energy of the universe, intertwined with fire, light, life, struggle, effort, thought, consciousness, progress, civilization, liberty, and independence. Blavatsky portrays Lucifer as the spirit of intellectual enlightenment and freedom of thought, overseeing the Luminous Truth like the sun illuminates the day. Lucifer liberates humanity from base animal instincts and emancipates the human spirit.
"The Ancient Story of Lucifer" helps us in understanding Lucifer's fall, as it delves into the evolution of humanity, from its humble origins to the emergence of archetypal manifestations of nature. Each angel oversees various aspects of life and nature, guiding the development of a semi-angelic race led by Adam and Eve. Humanity strives towards an elevated state as it progresses, following the divine blueprint known as the "Ray People."
Adam and Eve resided in the celestial Garden of Eden, while early humans resembled hairless apes on Earth. Alongside familiar lifeforms, the Angels also designed archetypal creatures such as dragons, griffins, unicorns, sea serpents, and faery folk. These ethereal beings serve as a blueprint for Earth's ideal paradise. Lucifer, the angel of intellect, elevated the consciousness of early humans. However, Lucifer's rebellious proposition to expedite the transformation from ape-like to angelic forms caused discord among the angels, leading to the infamous War in Heaven.
Proto-humans evolved by assimilating flesh into the Ray People, adopting both a human and an angelic form. Lucifer suggested enhancing the Ray People to speed up the evolution from apes to their angelic forms. Tempting Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, Lucifer led to their expulsion from Heaven and the belief in a loss of innocence.
Lucifer introduced ego into the human mind, leading to suffering on Earth. According to the Ancient Story of Lucifer, a key to understanding Lucifer is by understanding that his mission is to gently guide us in purifying arrogance from our consciousness. Once his error is rectified, he will return to his place in heaven, and we will awaken to our true selves in Eden. The fall from Grace began when Adam entered a deep slumber, during which he dreamt of God separating Eve from him. Before this, Adam existed as a harmonious being beyond gender. The Fall symbolizes our descent into slumber, from which Lucifer has come to awaken and guide us out of our nightmares.
The Fall of Adam and Eve: Impact on Creation and Human Consciousness
According to Thomas Aquinas, the Fall had a detrimental effect on humanity's supernatural faculties, severing their connection with their inner voice. Aquinas introduced the notion of "original sin," which Christianity seems to associate exclusively with sexuality.
The concept of original sin is not inherently sexual; rather, it refers to the ancient notion of the initial mistake of asserting independence from God. This idea is personified by Lucifer, depicted as the serpent in the Garden. It is important to note that the consequences of this mistake do not originate from God but are a product of Adam's mind. In the story, after Adam falls asleep, there is no indication that he wakes up again. Therefore, we can infer that the remainder of the biblical narrative is the story of Adam Kadmon's dream.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam Kadmon remains in slumber, their mind creating dreams of separate genders and bodies. Lucifer enters their dreams and gently rouses them from their nightmares. Though it feels like an eternity in their dreams, their awakening is a mere fleeting instant.
Lucifer's lesson is that all pain and suffering result from perceiving ourselves as separate from our creator, thus isolating ourselves in a world that doesn't exist. Our minds are mighty, and we project these imaginary thoughts onto the screen of space, where they appear to us as form and function. We then interact with these illusions, which thus perpetuates the deception. Kabbalists called Adam Kadmon the 'Heavenly Adam,' both male and female. The Zohar mentioned that Adam was adorned with a celestial garment emitting heavenly light during his time in the Garden. After the Fall, God gave Adam and Eve "coats of skin," symbolizing their new physical bodies (Genesis 3:21).
According to Kabbalists, Adam Kadmon possessed superior faculties to angels in their astral form. Graves and Patai (1964:77) suggest that Adam was amazed by Eve's nakedness because her "sheet of light" had disappeared. When he ate the forbidden fruit, his outer skin of light vanished, and he became a physical being.
Jacob Bohme's cosmology states that Adam was created with two bodies: one representing wisdom, the other belonging to the physical world. In Gnostic myths, Adam and Eve are direct emanations of Ineffable Light created in Heaven. Their journey involves stages of evolution as their luminescence condenses. They eventually descend to Earth, taking on tangible form.
The Masculine and Feminine in Creation Myths
In Kabbalistic beliefs, Adam Kadmon is the original archetype encompassing both male and female aspects. According to Genesis, Adam and Eve were initially androgynous before separating into distinct genders. Ancient civilizations like the Babylonians, Gnostics, and Theosophists also embraced androgyny. Carl Jung introduced "anima" and "animus" to describe the unconscious masculine and feminine aspects, leading to psychological wholeness in Jungian psychology.
In rabbinical legend, Samael, an angel, taught human reproduction to Adam and Eve. Samael is often associated with Lucifer and Mars. However, the connection between Lucifer, Mars, or any other planet is questionable. He is also known as the companion of Lilith, further linking him to darkness and temptation. This association with Lucifer adds symbolism, as the serpent in the Garden of Eden commonly represents male sexual desire and temptation. Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery
In the book of Genesis, the serpent entices Eve with forbidden fruit, promising knowledge of good and evil and god-like status. However, there is power in understanding Lucifer's mistake was not in offering something that didn't belong to Eve by divine right, but rather in offering it on his terms, not God's. His error came from making autonomous decisions detached from divine guidance. Instead of aligning with the divine will, he succumbed to the illusion of a separate ego, resulting in the rise of a world filled with unnecessary tragedy and suffering. However, Lucifer yearned for redemption and devoted himself to awakening the fragmented egos of humanity. The Fall symbolizes our path toward wholeness, reminding us of the significance of wise choices guided by wisdom. By overcoming arrogance, we empower ourselves, finding purpose in challenging times as we embrace obstacles with open hearts and minds guided by divine wisdom.
As we traverse the unfathomable intricacies of our existence, the story of Adam, Eve, and the serpent serves as a poignant allegory. It underscores the necessity of humility, wisdom, and divine guidance in navigating the labyrinth of life. In the grand cosmic drama, each of us a player, embodying Adam and Eve's dual states - physical and divine, and encountering serpentine temptations.
Just as Lucifer yearned for redemption, we are on a perpetual quest for enlightenment, seeking to transcend our egoistic illusions. The Fall, thus, is not a moment of eternal damnation but a call to embark on a journey toward spiritual evolution. It is a reminder that even in our gravest mistakes and darkest hours, there lies the potential for growth, wisdom, and awakening to our divine essence. As we step into the world each day, let us remember to tread with humility, armed with wisdom, guided by the divine bearer of light within us. May our journey be one of continuous growth, self-discovery, and ultimate return to the luminous core of our being.
Suggested reading:
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- Howard, Michael (2004). The Fallen Angels. Holmes Publishing Group
- Graves, R., & Patai, R. (1964). Hebrew Myths. New York: McGraw Hill Book Co.
- Jung, C. G. (1963). Two essays on analytical psychology. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Goodrick-Clark. (2008). The Western Esoteric Traditions. Oxford University Press