Angel Hierarchies - Part 4

The landscape in which we now enter becomes more mysterious as we are propelled through space ever closer to the throne of God.

The Powers variously named Dynamisamis, Potentiates and Authorities were supposedly the first angels created by God. Powers inhabit a special region in space between the first and second heavens. According to Dionysius it was the Powers who prevented the demons from taking over the world after the fall of Satan and his hoard. They may be likened to a border patrol--the border patrol of heaven.

Although no named angels appear in the Christian Bible or the Hebrew Scriptures, Dionysius designates Cama-el as the chief angel in this group. His name means he who sees God. Cama-el is named by some authors as one of the favored seven angels who stand in the presence of God. Cama-el is said to have a twin named Chamu-el.

According to some, Cama-el also has a darker side and represents a balance between good and evil. He is identified by some as a Duke of Hell, having the body of a leopard, which would, of course, preclude his being a heavenly angel. In occult circles he is known as the ruler of Mars. To the Druids, Cama-el was the god of war.

It is the Powers which seem to be involved in Christian lore more than the others. Here the soul is considered the battleground between the forces of good and evil. Being in charge of souls gives the powers intriguing, far-ranging and often capricious territory. According to legend, Cama-el was chastised by Moses when he tried to prevent the Lawgiver from receiving the Torah from God.

Powers are adopted by some to be spirit guides to those who have suddenly left their bodies and have lost their way in the astral plane, due to insufficient time to prepare for their journey.

Of all of the angelic groups, Powers is considered to have provided the largest defection of angels to accompany Satan in his disobedience, subsequent fall and banishment from heaven. Beleth, a one-time powerful prince is now a Duke of Hell commanding 85 legions of demons.