an introduction to the 7 archangels and guardian angels

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By: Gabrielle Bernstein | Updated: September 2024

  • Gabby Bernstein is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and an IFS practitioner trained from the Internal Family Systems Institute. Her new book, Self Help, charts a path to healing that can literally change your life—a simple, powerful method informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy.

Angels have always been an important part of my life… but I held myself back from sharing about them in depth. I was worried I might freak people out or make someone feel like they had to share my beliefs.

But when I sat down to write Super Attractor, I felt called to push the metaphysical envelope and speak openly and unapologetically about the spiritual realm. When we become willing to see a world beyond our physical sight, then life becomes easier, we feel safer and we can access our true power.

angels and spirit guides: what i believe

My overarching mission has always been to help crack you open to a spiritual relationship of your own understanding. I never aim to force my ideas onto you, but it’s my job to offer to you what I know to be true for myself.

With that in mind, here’s how I put it in Super Attractor:

I believe there are beings of the highest truth and compassion working on our behalf to guide our thoughts and energy back to love. They are not physical and are not bound by the natural laws of this world. They are spiritual beings. These beings come in many forms and they have different purposes. But their common goal is to help guide us back into alignment with the love of the Universe.

– Super Attractor, Chapter 6

When you get stuck in a fear-based thought or pattern you can turn to your spirit guides to help lead you back to love. To receive their guidance, all that’s required is your willingness to surrender your fear and see with spiritual sight.

There are different kinds of nonphysical guides, and you can go in-depth by reading Super Attractor. Today I want to focus on angels.

Angels protect you, guide you, and offer you great inner wisdom and healing messages.

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Angels are nondenominational and will help you in whatever spiritual or religious form resonates with you. And while they’re often depicted in human form, you can envision them in any way you wish.

So without further ado, here’s your introduction to angels and archangels. First I’ll introduce them, and then I’ll share some ways you can connect with them.

the 7 major archangels

Many spiritual texts reference seven key archangels. Let’s meet them now.

archangel michael

archangel michael

Archangel Michael is probably the most well-known of the archangels. He’s the great protector and the most powerful of the archangels.

You can call on Michael when you need protection of any kind. If you’re scared or concerned for your safety, Michael will be there to help you.

He offers courage and guidance when you feel lost, and he loves to help healers perform their work.

Archangel Michael is often depicted holding a golden sword. When practicing a cord-cutting meditation, you can envision Michael swooping in and cutting the negative energy cord with his sword.

I often experience Archangel Michael’s presence when I see a glimmer of blue light. Sometimes I can even feel his presence — it’s like the room is expanding and a huge energy has come into the space. Michael makes himself known if you’re open to experiencing him. (You don’t have to feel his presence the way I do in order to connect.)

archangel rafael

archangel rafael

Archangel Raphael assists in physical healing. He’s there for you when you’re sick, and if you’re a healer or work in healthcare, then you can trust he’s always by your side.

When it comes to mental health or addiction, Raphael will guide you to clear fear and stress so you can restore your inner peace. He will always lead you toward harmony.

Archangel Raphael is often associated with a healing emerald green light. You can envision this light surrounding whatever health concern you need his help with.

archangel gabriel

archangel gabriel

Archangel Gabriel is a messenger for God and the angel for communications. I often call on him when I write and speak. He helps artists, writers and teachers share their messages with clarity and meaning.

You don’t have to be a professional communicator to call on Gabriel. If you’re having trouble speaking up or putting something into words, Gabriel will help you find the right way to say it.

He’s also a powerful guide in relation to children. Archangel Gabriel is the angel to call on if you’re having trouble with conception, pregnancy or birth.

When I was trying to conceive I continued to get messages from Gabriel that I was on the right path. He’s often depicted holding lilies, and as I share in Super Attractor, lilies were an important sign for me along my conception journey.

archangel ariel

If you love animals and care about protecting our environment, connect to Archangel Ariel! She’s the angel of nature, and she protects the planet’s resources, the ecosystem and all animals.

You can call on Ariel when you want to connect more deeply with nature. You can invite her to accompany you on a hike, a swim or a bike ride. If you’re an animal advocate or environmental advocate, call on Archangel Ariel to support your work. You can also ask Ariel for help when you have a sick pet or just want some extra support during a vet visit.

ariel’s presence will help you heal the environment and feel deeply connected to our planet

archangel jophiel

archangel jophiel

Jophiel, whose name means “beauty of God”, is the archangel who supports artists. She’s the archangel of creativity, wisdom and fresh ideas. Jophiel clears chaos and brings calm into our lives. You can call on her to manifest beauty into your life and guide your thoughts back to love. She will always help you gain a new perspective!

archangel azrael

archangel azrael

Archangel Azrael helps people when they’re dying and assists newly crossed-over souls adjust to the spiritual realm. Azrael is also there for you if you’re grieving a loss. You can ask him for comfort and strength in your grief.

If you help people who are healing from grief, you can call on Azrael to work with you and to protect your energy so that you don’t absorb others’ emotions.

It’s important to note that Azrael doesn’t just help with the final transition. If you’re going through any kind of change in life, you can call on Azrael for guidance.

archangel chamuel

archangel chamuel

Archangel Chamuel’s mission is to help bring peace to the world. You can call on him when you’re suffering from anxiety, struggling in a relationship or having a hard time forgiving someone.

Chamuel helps us deal with difficult times and gives us courage when we feel defeated and alone. He is the archangel to call on if you’re working through problems in a marriage, healing after a breakup or want to bring peace to any type of relationship.

Chamuel’s presence is very important on a societal scale, too. If you want to heal division and separation within communities, find common ground, and restore oneness, call on Archangel Chamuel.

your guardian angel

We all have a guardian angel devoted to our spiritual growth. Their mission is to serve, guide and protect you while helping you along your spiritual path.

Whereas archangels work with everyone, your guardian angel works exclusively with you. They have unconditional love for you and are always by your side. While they’re always available to you, they won’t intervene in your life without your free will (or unless there’s a life-threatening situation that occurs before it’s your time to leave your body). Your guardian angel is always on call.

Anytime you’re struggling, you can call on your guardian angel for help.

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Your guardian angel is your protector, and they can absorb your emotions to help you through difficult times.

In the low moments of life, when we feel immense grief or despair, we can get the sense that there’s a presence with us — even if that sense is very subtle. That feeling is the presence of our guardian angel.

But your guardian angel isn’t just for life’s hardest times. You can call on them anytime you want support and protection. For example, I have a guardian angel named Peter, and I call on him whenever I sit down to do a book signing. He helps me sustain my energy and lovingly guards my energetic field as I greet hundreds of people.

In fact, I never do anything challenging without inviting Peter to support me. Your guardian angel has been eagerly awaiting your invitation!

meditate to meet your guardian angel

gabby meditating

One great way to start communicating with angelic guides is to introduce yourself to your guardian angel.

Get comfortable in a quiet space, close your eyes and begin breathing long and deep.

Silently send out the request to your guardian angel that you welcome them to reveal their name to you.

Then begin any type of relaxation meditation that you use to get calm, centered and connected to the Universe. You can sit in your meditation for as long as you like. You may hear your guardian angel’s name as an intuitive thought or an audible sound, or you may be guided to write in your journal.

If you don’t receive the name in your meditation, you can trust that it’s coming. Don’t be surprised if hours later a name comes through in some unexpected way, like in a song or on a license plate!

Your guardian angel will share their name in an unmissable way, so pay attention and trust your intuition. Don’t question the name you receive, even if it sounds strange to you. Your guardian angel has been patiently waiting for your invitation! Expect miracles.

Enhance your practice today with my free Spirit Guide Meditation to connect with your guides and angels.

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pray to your guardian angel and the archangels

You can call on as many angels as you wish and as often as you desire. They love to come to your aid!

You can call on an archangel or your guardian angel with a simple prayer. Your sincere desire to connect is all that is required. For example, you can say, “Thank you, Archangel Michael, for helping me through this scary situation. I welcome your protection and guidance.”

As I’ve mentioned in my article about spirit guides, it’s important to be clear that you’re inviting in only the guides of the highest truth and compassion. As long as you do this, you can trust that no lower-vibration beings will cruise through the door. (By using an archangel’s name, you are being clear about who you’re connecting to.)

Here’s a prayer I often say when I want guidance from any angel or spirit guide:

Thank you, guides of the highest truth and compassion, for revealing to me what I need to know.

Your prayers are intentions to receive support. I like to begin these prayers with the words “thank you” because they remind me that guidance is already on the way.

Remember that all spirit guides, including angels, intervene in your life only when you ask for their help. You can exercise your free will to determine whether you will receive spiritual guidance —and whether you’ll follow it.

angels will help you in many ways

Asking archangels and your guardian angel for help gives them the freedom to help you even more. The more you nurture these relationships, the more they will grow.

As soon as you welcome the presence of angels, you’ll feel your thoughts and energy begin aligning with the love of the Universe. Angels will always give you clear direction when you feel misguided, lead you to solutions of the highest good for all, and remind you that you are love.


Enhance your practice today with my

FREE SPIRIT GUIDE MEDITATION

to connect with your spirit guides and angels

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