The Essential Doreen Virtue Collection Part 8

2. Angels.

These are the beings of light who respond to our calls for guidance, a.s.sistance, protection, and comfort. G.o.d's thoughts of love create angels. The angels are here to help us, especially when our intent is to bring joy and healing to the world. Ask for as many angels as you want to surround you. Ask for angels to surround your loved ones, your home, and your business. Angels receive great joy from helping us, and they ask only that we occasionally remember to say, "Thank you" in grat.i.tude for their help.

3. Archangels.

These are the angels who supervise the guardian angels and angels upon the earth. You might think of archangels as the "managers" among the earthly angels' hierarchy. You can call upon an archangel whenever you need powerful and immediate a.s.sistance.

Since angels are purely spiritual beings, they have no time or s.p.a.ce restrictions. An archangel can help many people in different geographical locations simultaneously. So, never worry about calling upon an angel because you fear that your need isn't "big enough" or that the angel might be busy. Your call for help is sweet music to an angel's ears.

Because of the "Law of Free Will," angels and archangels cannot intervene in our lives unless we specifically ask for their help. The only exception to this is a life-endangering situation, where we could die before our time. Otherwise, it's up to us to remember to constantly invite angels and archangels into our lives.

Angels and archangels come to your a.s.sistance the moment you call them. You don't need to say a formal invitation or invocation ritual, and you don't even need to verbalize your call aloud. Just the thought, Angels! is enough. If your request for angelic a.s.sistance is sincere, the angels appear in response to your call, often before you've finished calling them!

The Archangels.

Each archangel specializes in a different human condition. It's helpful to learn which archangel handles which function so you'll know whom to call in a time of need. Here is a summary of the roles and names of the four major archangels: 1. The Archangel Michael, whose name means

"Who is like G.o.d" or "He who looks like G.o.d."

We often call Michael, "St. Michael," especially since Pope Pius named him the official patron saint of police officers and soldiers. No wonder: Michael is the defender of light and goodness, and his chief role is to escort fallen people away so they cannot hurt other people. Michael and his a.s.sistant angels, known as "The Band of Mercy," take negatively minded people (both living and deceased) to the light of G.o.d, where their minds are healed.

Call upon Michael whenever you feel frightened by negative sources. If you are in a crowded place populated by upset people, for instance, ask Michael to cleanse away the negative energy. If you suspect that an unevolved earthbound spirit is with you, Michael can take that being to the light.

In the same vein, whenever you become burdened by worries and fears, ask Michael to cleanse your mind and heart. Angels can enter deep inside our bodies and thoughts, and help us to see things from a more loving point of view.

Paintings of Michael often show him holding scales of justice in his hand, as he is the overseer of truth and fairness. If you feel someone is treating you unfairly, ask Michael to intervene. You'll receive a miraculous solution, such as the other person suddenly calling with an apology or a change of heart.

Michael can also help you resolve frightening situations. I called upon Archangel Michael when my husband was frantically searching his computer files for an important doc.u.ment. My husband (whose name is also Michael) was afraid that he had accidentally erased his doc.u.ment, as he couldn't find it anywhere. Meanwhile, I sat nearby and asked for St. Michael's intervention. Instantly, I saw a large figure appear over my husband's left shoulder, and the angel appeared to be fiddling with the computer. Within a minute of this vision, my husband exclaimed, "I found it!"

It's a good idea to invite Michael's presence into any room of your house or office that has a negative energy "feel" about it. For instance, if you live in a home previously occupied by unhappy people, ask Michael to purify the environment. I always ask Michael to clear the energy in the auditoriums in which I give workshops. Michael's angelic energy creates a relaxed, loving atmosphere for the audience and me.

Whenever you are upset, call upon the Archangel Michael to restore harmony and peace. If you ever travel into neighborhoods that feel unsafe in any way, be sure to ask Michael to guide and protect you. You can ask him to intervene into contentious partners.h.i.+ps or marriages suffering from discord. Think of the Archangel Michael as the protector of joy, and you'll always know when it's time to call for his help.

2. The Archangel Gabriel, whose name means

"Hero of G.o.d" or "G.o.d is my strength."

Gabriel is the famous angel who told the Virgin Mary of her impending birth, and who later delivered the, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy" news about newborn Jesus. This archangel is G.o.d's messenger, who brings us news of forthcoming events, changes on the horizon, and new experiences in store for us. Gabriel provides a lot of help to humanly messengers, including journalists and couriers.

Expectant or want-to-be parents can invite Gabriel into their lives to supervise the conception and birth of a new child. And anyone involved in a new project of any sort-such as a startup business, a new job, or a change of residence-is wise to ask for Gabriel's a.s.sistance and advice.

The archangel Gabriel also breathes new life into stale relations.h.i.+ps and lackl.u.s.ter businesses. Ask Gabriel to resurrect any part of your life that feels "stuck." You'll receive creative ideas and new opportunities to help you get moving again.

Legends have credited Gabriel with delivering the prophecies about the messiah to Daniel, the Koran to Mohammed, and the inspiration that drove Joan of Arc's mission. Consequently, many people believe that Gabriel is in charge of visions, dreams, and revelations. Ask for Gabriel's help in interpreting any of your dreams that seem mystifying.

3. The Archangel Uriel, whose name means

"Light of G.o.d."

Uriel brings divine light into our lives. He is wonderful at healing our painful memories and transforming our regrets and mistakes so that we feel stronger and more loving. Ask Uriel to take your burdens related to the past. He will instantly ease your heart and mind of old unforgiveness held toward yourself or others.

This archangel helps us to see love in situations where we feel that none exists. For example, if you are having difficult relations.h.i.+ps with co-workers, bosses, or customers, ask Uriel to help you. He will guide you and the other people in miraculous ways so that you'll see the good that is inside all of us. With Uriel's help, you may forget why you were ever angry or fearful toward the people at work in the first place!

Folklore says that Uriel warned Noah of the impending flood. This archangel helps us during times of disaster, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and torrential rains. Ask Uriel to help you whenever you feel fear about these situations. He may guide you to move to a different locale or prepare your home for maximum safety. Uriel also helps families to stay safe and intact during natural disasters.

Similarly, if your life feels like one giant s.h.i.+fting earthquake, ask for Uriel to re-orient your mind and thoughts to regain your peace of mind. Uriel is wonderful at rescuing us from our self-imposed crises, and he also helps us to establish a calm and centered life.

Uriel also helps us to fulfill our goals and dreams. He offers help completely, including giving us good ideas, keeping us encouraged and motivated, and helping us to manifest the material supplies we need for our project. Invite Uriel to become your partner in anything you are currently working on.

4. The Archangel Raphael, whose name means

"G.o.d heals."

Raphael is in charge of all forms of healing. He supervises the healing needs of the earth and also its population. Raphael guides and helps people involved in the healing arts, such as doctors, pract.i.tioners, nurses, counselors, ecologists, and scientists. However, they can always ask for additional a.s.sistance, which Archangel Raphael is happy to provide!

If you currently work in a healing profession, you'll want to invite Raphael into your life. He will whisper guidance into your ear if you feel unsure about which direction to take with a patient. He also gives us creative ideas and needed information so that we can rapidly heal other people. Raphael intervenes during medical crises to ensure that miraculous "coincidences" line up all the right personnel and medical supplies with precious timing. This archangel is wonderful in helping scientists to create new breakthroughs in medical cures. So it's wise for all of us to pray for Raphael's help with health issues that confound the scientific community.

Those who aspire to become healers are the darlings of Archangel Raphael. This archangel knows that the earth needs many of these special people, and he miraculously helps would-be healers to enter their chosen profession. Raphael will help you to choose the best school for you, and he'll also guide you in creative ways to pay for your education. Leave all your concerns and worries about your future healing career to Raphael. He can more easily help you when you are free of tension and fear.

If you or a loved one needs healing, Raphael is the archangel to call upon. Except for cases where a person's death or illness is part of their overall divine plan, Archangel Raphael will deliver whatever they need to evoke a healing. So after you've called upon Raphael, you may receive sudden ideas, thoughts, or inspirations that give you just the right information to help in a healing. You'll want to pay attention to, and then follow, these angelically inspired answers to your prayers. Sometimes the angels don't swoop in and heal us. Instead, they may lead us to find humanly help for illnesses and accidents.

At other times, Raphael might point out to you that your thoughts have triggered the health problems. For example, Raphael may ask you to surrender old anger to him to release your body from the ravages of rage's poisonous effects. You'll then feel as comfortable in surrendering your anger as you would in disposing of yesterday's newspaper. When the anger is gone, your body becomes relieved of its anguish, and Raphael's legendary healing will have occurred again.

Raphael exudes a beautiful bright and clear emerald green light. This is the color of healing, and also of the heart chakra's love energy. As you call upon Raphael, you might see, with your inner eye, the emerald light surround you like a glorious rain shower of glowing light. Feel your cells drink in this quenching bath, and feel replenished and completely healed by its loving nourishment.

Raphael also has a second specialty: He guides and protects travelers of all sorts. Whether you are on a spiritual journey or about to embark to Europe, call upon Raphael to smooth the way.

To angels and archangels, no job is "big" or "small." All miracles are equally important to these beings who love us with all the might of G.o.d. All they ask, in return, is that we thank them for their help, share in their devotion to G.o.d, and that we fill our lives with joy and service.

Nature Angels

The ancient spiritual text, The Talmud, says, "Every blade of gra.s.s has an angel bending over it saying, "Grow, grow." Imagine, then, how many angels are in your own backyard or a nearby park. Every blade of gra.s.s, flower, tree, sand grain, and raindrop has one or more angels overseeing its lifecycle. We also know nature angels as faeries and devas. These diminutive angels sing beautiful hymns as they tend to the needs of nature's growing bounty.

During my angel therapy sessions, the angels frequently advise my clients to spend more time in nature. One reason why angels prescribe "nature therapy" is its rapid healing effect. Imagine yourself sitting beneath the shade of tree with flowers and gra.s.s growing all around you. See yourself taking a deep breath and meditating upon G.o.d's glory, which is in and around you right now. Visualize the nature angels surrounding you with hugs and caresses, which heal every cell in your body and thought in your mind. Feel the gentle touch of the nature angels' loving embrace, as you imagine yourself in their midst.

If I feel stuck, drained, or fatigued, a brief sojourn to a natural setting restores my vitality and loving outlook. Try any natural setting that gives you some solitude, such as a lake or ocean sh.o.r.e, a mountain, a trail, or a forest area. Even an apartment balcony garden will do in a pinch. The nature angels live among the plants and mineral kingdom, no matter where.

Mentally alert the nature angels before you walk upon gra.s.s or ground, so they can move out of the way of your feet. Warn them, also, before you mow or spray your lawn. Nothing can harm a nature angel, in truth, since they have no physical bodies. They also have no fear or animosity, as they are pure love. However, you show the nature angels kindness and consideration by giving them ample time to scurry out of the path of your feet or lawnmower.

Animals, too, have angels around them. Your dog, cat, bird, or other pet has two or more guardian angels. You can commune with your pet's angels whenever you hug, pet, or play with your animal. Feel the special loving energy of these magnificent angels.

You'll probably agree that your own pet functions as an angel in your family. Many animals are on angelic a.s.signment from G.o.d to provide solace, comfort, and companions.h.i.+p to us humans. Pets also perform the heavenly function of absorbing stress from our household, much like an air filter suctioning smoke out of a room. Angels, such as your pet, thrive on feeling loved and appreciated. They ask for so little, and yet give us so much in return.

Asking for Angels

Sometimes, I'll see people whom an entourage of angels surrounds. I always stop them and ask whether they purposely called the angels. Always, the answer I hear is, "Yes, I asked to be surrounded by angels." The more we call upon the angels, the more they can come to our a.s.sistance.

Angels want to surround us, and they greatly desire to give us help. Our joy brings them enormous pleasure. Yet, they cannot help us unless we ask. A universal law that binds angels says, "No angel shall interfere with a human's life unless asked, with the sole exception of a life-threatening emergency. An angel will not make decisions for a human, but-when asked-an angel may offer advice and different ways of looking at the given situation." So an angel may nudge you or encourage you, and an angel may create a miraculous coincidence for you. However, an angel cannot help you unless you choose to accept the help, because you have free will.

To ask for angelic a.s.sistance, you needn't conduct a formal invocation ceremony. G.o.d and the angels aren't complicated, due to their true nature of pure and simple love. Only our lower-self ego believes that spirituality is necessarily complicated, because it cannot believe that something so powerful and great could be accessible to everyone instantly. Yet, it's true.

The angels hear the prayers of your heart, and just by your mental cry for help, they flock to your side. You can also consciously ask for more angels to surround you or your loved one. Parents can ask for angelic baby-sitters to guide and protect their children throughout the day. If a loved one is traveling, ask Raphael and the angels to watch over the journey. Ask the angels to help your friends who are in need of comfort and direction.

Some ways to call upon the angels include: * Writing a letter to the angels. Pour out your heart when discussing your confusions, hurts, and anxieties. Hold nothing back, so that the angels can help every part of you and your situation.

* Visualizing. Call it your inner eye, your imagination, or your third eye-the term doesn't matter. Visualizing angels is a powerful way to call them to your side. See the angels flying in circles around you or your loved ones. See powerful angels thronged by your side. See the room you are in crowded with thousands of angels. These visualizations are angelic invocations that create your reality.

Angels are glowing with the light of love, so they don't have a physical form. However, angels can take on a physical appearance by projecting a mental image to us, if this will help us. So if you visualize cherubs, large glowing beings, or a beautifully dressed angelic woman, the angels will take on this form to help you recognize them.

* Mentally calling upon angels. Think, Angels, please help me, and they are with you instantly. If you are sincere in your call, the angels hear your mental cry for a.s.sistance. You can word your request as an affirmation, such as "I have hundreds of angels surrounding me now," or as a pet.i.tional prayer: "Angels, I am in pain and need your help now." You can ask G.o.d to send you angels, or you can call the angels directly.

* Speaking to angels aloud. You can verbalize your request, and sometimes we do this unconsciously, such as when we say, "Oh, G.o.d" during distress. You might find that spending time alone in a quiet setting, especially outdoors in nature, is a wonderful opportunity to have a verbal conversation with the angels.

You Know That Angels Are Near When . . .

You feel the angels' presence. Perhaps you sense a warm brush across your face, shoulders, hands, or arms. You might feel their hug, or the brush of a wing across your skin. The air pressure changes when angels enter a room. There is a palpable thickening, as if a delicious cloud just rolled in to s.h.i.+eld you from the heat. Also, the room temperature may seem to s.h.i.+ft, or you might catch a whiff of a beautiful lilting fragrance that you can't quite identify. When the angels hug you, you feel a deep warmth flow through your chest, and your heart expands with unearthly love.

You see the angels' presence. The calling cards of angels are visible. A sparkle of white, blue, or green light out of the corner of your eye signals that an angel is near. A glowing shadow moving so fast that you wonder if it's your imagination is another signal. And the beautiful angels you see in a darkened room, or standing beside a beloved friend or teacher, confirm that the angelic kingdom visits you.

You hear the angels' presence-a loving whisper in your ear that urges you to improve your life. Or an unmistakable shout warning you to, "Watch out!" A voice inside your mind counseling you to reach for the stars, and the sweet strains of music coming from out of nowhere. These are the sounds that angels make.

You know the angels' presence. When you suddenly get an idea that dramatically transforms your life, an angel has just delivered a message from G.o.d and has tucked it safely within your heart. When you have an unmistakable knowingness that angels are near you, trust that it is so.

You experience the angels' presence. When they miraculously avert a near-tragedy, or a door "coincidentally" opens for you at just the right moment, you know that angels are helping you in the background. When you walk through nature and feel free and joy-filled, you can be sure that angels walk beside you along the way.

Quieting the Mind

Our guardian angel continuously talks to us and gently offers advice and guidance. When we consciously ask for additional help and summon extra angels to our side, we receive an even steadier stream of divine communication.