Angels of the Zodiac
A brief background in Astrology and the Zodiac is helpful in understanding the term, Guardian Angel, as it is a mix of the spiritual and of science. Astrology is a system of beliefs that discus the relative position of celestial bodies and how they may affect us in our daily lives. These effects and details are considered helpful in areas such as personality traits, relations with others, our professional paths, and other matters that encompass our life on this earth and the decisions we make. A person that practices astrology is either called an astrologer, or an astrologist. Many astrologers in modern times view astrology as an art form and a way of spiritual communication with others. Some view it as means of divination.
As early as 3000 BCE, evidence has been found in the practice of astrological concepts throughout many parts of the ancient world. During this time, and before the modern era, astrology and astronomy were considered indistinguishable. Looking into the sky for answers from the divine was an astronomer’s primary concern. Early scientists dedicated their entire lives gazing upward to find reason and meaning in their lives on earth. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, astronomers began to distinguish their profession as a strictly scientific study of celestial objects and anything pertaining to them. Speculation of, and personal relation to this study was eventually known as astrology.
Astrology eventually developed into a system that helped individuals decipher events of the past, present and future. It stands also as a means of spiritual communication for many, who follow its prescribed guidance religiously. Astronomers and other scientists generally view astrology as a nonsensical form of communication through the stars. It’s considered by many to be superstitious and full of myth. Though these claims are expressed freely by the scientific community, polls indicate that almost a third of Americans believe that astrology has some validity. Another third actually believe it is purely scientific and on the same level of understanding as Astronomy.
Now that we’ve introduced a simple history of the study of the heavens, the Zodiac should be easier to understand in its relation to guardian angels. The term zodiac comes from a Greek word meaning “circle of animals”. It is also derived from a Sanskrit word, sodi, which means “a path” – and in this case, a path of the sun. Over the course of a calendar year, the path of the sun as we see with the naked eye, travels through twelve different constellations or ‘stations’. When the sun is overhead, usually around noon, the sun finds itself positioned in one of these twelve constellations. The cause of the change is because of the earth’s slow rotation on a tilted axis over the course of a year. Collectively, these twelve constellations make up the Zodiac. It is known as the first celestial coordinate system. Astronomers in Babylonian times are credited with the development of these signs. Most are named after animals, although the classical Greek zodiac contains the constellations: Virgo, Aquarius, Gemini and Libra, which are not animals.
The old world contains many references to the zodiac and astrology, although Greece didn’t produce any writings on the subject until around 500 BCE. Aristotle made reference to the “circle of animals” in 4th century BCE. In Hellenistic Egypt (4th through 1st centuries BCE) a magnificent ceiling representation portraying the zodiac was constructed in the temple of Denderah. A “twelve-spoke wheel” of heaven was spoken of in the Rig-Veda, a compilation of sacred text and hymns dating 1500-1000 BCE. Some zodiac references also survive in the bible.
The tradition of angels in correlation to the zodiac states that there are seventy-two Divine Energies (angels) that correlate specifically with the twelve signs (constellations), degrees of the zodiac (5 degrees each), and planets. Each angel is said to carry specific attributes, strengths, and divine qualities that are available to us as humans if we seek them out. The angels also form a hierarchy in accordance to their closeness to God. These seventy-two angels are often referred to as Guardian Angels. Other names include: Bestowers of Grace, Bringers of Miracles, Divine Messengers, etc… They are said to inhabit the “nine angelic choirs of the tree of Life”. Man and woman’s responsibility on earth is to find out which angels correlate with his or her “natal chart” (a deep astrological outline, detailing positions of celestial bodies at the exact time of one’s birth). The information contained in the chart is said to act as guidance during this life to be able to fully connect with our strengths and recognize our weaknesses. It better enables us to connect with our own ‘guardian angels’ and through them, connect with the divine.
The following are twelve angels and their corresponding signs: Aries: Machidiel, Taurus: Asmodel, Gemini: Ambriel, Cancer: Muriel, Leo: Verchiel, Virgo: Hamaliel, Libra: Uriel, Scorpio: Barchiel, Sagittarius: Adnachiel, Capricorn: Hanael, Aquarius: Gabriel, Pisces: Barchiel.
All Lines of Angels