The Third Choir Of Angels

The third Choir Angelic Orders (the Dominions, Virtues and the Powers) concern themselves with the governing of a specific planet, as well as those angels assigned tasks below them. These angels flow in an intensity of power. They also carry out the orders they get from the Angels of the above Choirs. Third Choir angels deal with the cosmos and its interconnectedness.

 Within the Seventh Order of Angels are those beings that distribute and maintain connections between all beings and things within physical realms.  They are known as Dominations or Dominions.  They are so called because "they rule over all the angelic orders charged with the execution of the commands of the Great Monarch."

They are also known as the Lords, Kyriotetes or Hashmallim, whose purpose is to regulate the duties of the lower angels.

They act as a form of middle management between the upper Choir and the lower. Receiving their orders from the seraphim and cherubim these bright spirits make known to us the commands of God and ensure the cosmos remains in order. Their main virtue is zeal for the maintenance of the King's authority. Only on very rare occasions do they reveal themselves to mortals, instead they quietly concern themselves with the details of existence.

They integrate the material world with the spiritual, continuing balance and order between the two. They are described as carrying an orb or scepter as their emblem of authority.

Function and Philosophy

Also called the Dominions and the Lords, Dominations are one of the 12 accepted orders of Angelic Princes, ranked seventh overall. They belonged to the Third Choir with the Virtues and Powers.   According to Dionysius, the Dominations have the duty in the Heavenly Host of regulating the activities of the angels. Through the efforts of these spirits, the very order of the cosmos is maintained. They handle the minute details of cosmic life and existence, designating tasks to the lower orders of angels.

The Dominations are gifted with the ability to take part in the different corporeal aspects of the Symphony; seeing the world through an endless array of eyes. They are the most alien of all of the Orders, capable of experiencing life in ways other angels can only imagine, but they are also closest to the human experience in many ways.

Quote from Dionysius the  Areopagite text:

"The name given to the holy Dominions signifies, I think, a certain unbounded elevation to that which is above, freedom from all that is of the earth, and from all inward inclination to the bondage of discord, a liberal superiority to harsh tyranny, an exemptness from degrading servility and from all that is low: for they are untouched by any inconsistency. They are true Lords, perpetually aspiring to true lordship, and to the Source of lordship, and they providentially fashion themselves and those below them, as far as possible, into the likeness of true lordship. They do not turn towards vain shadows, but wholly give themselves to that true Authority, forever one with the Godlike Source of lordship."

In the traditions of Angelology, Dominations are the first Angels (and therefore the oldest Angels) created by God.

Characteristics

They are sometimes perceived as travelers, appearing in widely separated spaces and times. By custom Dominations are believed to wear green and gold, and their symbols are the sword and scepter. This denotes their lordship over all created things. In turn, the dominations receive their instructions from the Cherubim or Thrones.

On a magical basis, anything concerning leadership falls under the area of the Dominations. To reach the Dominations burn a white candle for Divinity and a pink candle for the Dominions.

Members of this Angelic Order

Hashmal  Zadkiel  Muriel  Zacharael (Yahriel)

 Those beings of light that act as generators within the physical realms belong to the Eighth Order of Angels.  They manifest in this Universe as astronomically large beings, and generate various amounts of light.

They are called Virtues and also known as the Malakim and the Tarshishim, they commune directly with  stars and the nebulae which give stars birth, and with even larger astronomical phenomena.

Said to work miracles on earth, the Virtues bestow grace and valor to those worthy. The Virtues' primary job is to move massive quantities of spiritual energy to the earth plane and the collective human consciousness. The Virtues are said to be very fond of those striving to achieve more than people say they can. They love all the go-getters and the positive people who try to enlighten and lead others toward harmony. Virtues work with movement, guiding the elemental energies that affect the planet. When you work with elemental energies, it is the Virtues who listen to you and assist you. When you are sick or scared call on the Virtues.

Quote from Dionysius the  Areopagite text:

"The name of the holy Virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies; not being weak and feeble for any reception of the divine Illuminations granted to it; mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the Divine Life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the super essential Virtue which is the Source of virtue: fashioning itself, as far as it may, in virtue; perfectly turned towards the Source of virtue, and flowing forth providentially to those below it, abundantly filling them with virtue."

Function and Philosophy

The virtues are ranked eighth in the heavenly host out of the 12 Orders of Angels. There is a little mixed-up in the ranking of Virtues, some places them above Powers and some below, whichever, they are members of the third Choir with Dominations and Powers. As a member of this triad, they take part in the duties given to the Choir, namely the ordering of the universe. The virtues specifically preside over the elements of the world and the process of celestial life. Thus all heavenly bodies-from the stars and planets to the galaxies themselves-are kept in their divinely appointed routes and progress. On earth the angels maintain a watch over nature, marking and guiding every facet of natural life: rain, snow, wind, etc. It has also be speculated that Virtues are in charge of miracles.

As if these duties were not enough, the angels also assist humanity by stowing grace and valor within the mortal heart. They encourage humans to turn always to the good and help enhance the person's will to endure hardship and suffering and to have the personal strength to turn ever toward God. As the angels in charge of miracles, they receive their orders from the Order above them, but they are also closely interlaced with the saints.

To reach the Virtues burn a white candle for Divinity and an orange candle for the Virtues.

Members of this Angelic Order

Chamuel Uriel Gabriel  Michael  Tarshish  Peliel  Barbiel  Sabriel Haniel  Hamaliel

 The Ninth Order of Angels are those beings who maintain the laws set into motion we call the physical realms.  They are keepers and teachers of the laws and are known as Powers. These are information gatherers and depositors of truth and information to all things that exist.

According to tradition, the Powers are Guardians of order (peace & order), a form of Celestial Police Force, who attempt to assure order in the World (according to God's will).

In scripture the Powers are said to stop the efforts of "demons" to overthrow the world, or else they preside over demons, making them "evil", as claimed by St. Paul. They are however, the keepers of human history. They are known as the angels of birth and death and they organize the world's religions and send divine energy to keep the positive aspects of religion growing. Powers work through the human 6th sense, and are the angels of warning.

The Powers are Virtues embodied. They were not created with the other Angelic Orders, but came into being during Lucifer's rebellion. The noblest and purest angels, led by Archangel Uriel, became a new kind of celestial, warrior angels so resolute that they could not Fall. Since then, they have been Heaven's first and last line of defense against the diabolical hordes.

Quote from Dionysius the  Areopagite text:

"The name of the holy Powers, co-equal with the Divine Dominions and Virtues, signifies an orderly and unconfined order in the divine receptions, and the regulation of intellectual and super mundane power which never debases its authority by tyrannical force, but is irresistibly urged onward in due order to the Divine. It beneficently leads those below it, as far as possible, to the Supreme Power which is the Source of Power, which it manifests after the manner of Angels in the well ordered ranks of its own authoritative power."

Function and Philosophy

One of the 12 Angelic Orders, Powers are also known as Potentates, Authorities, Dynamics, and Forces. They are placed in the third Choir along with Dominations and Virtues, numbered ninth overall. Some believe that the Powers like the Thrones were supposedly the very first of the angels created by God. However, this disagrees with the theory that all angels came into existence at a single moment and with the believe that they came into being during the Angels war with the evil forces.

Powers have the task of defeating the efforts of the demons in overthrowing the world. They are declared awesome defenders of the cosmos against all evil and the maintainers of all cosmic order and equilibrium. They are the guardians of the heavenly paths, policing the routes to and from heaven to the earth. This means they concern themselves with humanity as well. The great harmonizers, they assist each soul to overcome the temptations place before it to do evil and to lean instead toward the proper action (that being to Love and worship God.)

During heavenly warfare they are a major line of defense. They are also tasked with guarding the celestial byways between the two realms and ensuring that souls which leave the mortal world reach heaven safely. Perhaps not surpassingly, given their proximity to the nether regions, there are more angels from the ranks of the powers listed as fallen than from any other member of the hierarchy.

Characteristics   Powers' colors are green and gold, and their symbol is a flaming sword. On a magical basis, the Powers are warrior angels, and you can call on them when you're in trouble. These angels will defend your home, property, children or any group of people who call on them for protection and defense. To reach the Powers, burn a white candle for Divinity and a yellow candle for the Powers.

Members of this Angelic Order

Gabriel  Raphael  Camael  Verchiel