The Three Archangels and the Major Arcana
© Elizabeth Bissette
The Archangels, Source Unknown
Archangels are depicted on three cards of the Major Arcana : The Lovers, Temperance and Judgment. They are frequently mentioned in the sacred scripture of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Although Michael is assigned to these in the Golden Dawn tradition, understanding the role of Archangels in the religious traditions they emerge from can shed light on other meanings the cards may have for you personally in readings.
In Western religion, Archangels are the messengers of God. The idea of heavenly messengers is as old as civilization. They are first mentioned in Sumerian or Chaldean astronomy and mythology. Sumer/Chaldea was located in what is now the Middle East. Their accounts of the Gods are the earliest myths recorded. Some scholars speculate that the idea of Archangels originated there and was then adopted by Islam. If this is the case, the messenger concept could have been adopted by the Jewish people at the time of the Babylonian exile, then continued in Christianity.
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Archangels play an important role as the servants of God. They act not only as his messengers but are also his warriors. Sometimes they help mankind.
There are seven Archangels. In the Book of Enoch and in Islamic scripture, all are named. In the canonical scriptures (the Christian Bible), seven are also mentioned. Three are mentioned by name: Michael (Who is like God?), Gabriel (God is my strength) and Raphael (God heals). These three Angels are depicted on three cards in the Major Arcana.
In Christian tradition, Michael is a Guardian Angel and Gabriel is Angel of Judgment. Judaic tradition assigns the role of Judging Angel to Michael and the role of Guardian Angel to Gabriel. For clarity's sake, this article assigns Michael to the Lovers card, Gabriel to Judgment.
Keys 6 The Lovers
Michael is mentioned twice in the Old Testament. He also appears in:
The Book of Adam
The Letter of Jude
The War of the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness and
The Revelation of Moses.
Michael is assigned many roles. His primary one is patron Angel of nations that did not fall from grace and special protector of the Jewish people. He is also:
The copyright of the article The Three Archangels and the Major Arcana in Tarot is owned by Elizabeth Bissette. Permission to republish The Three Archangels and the Major Arcana in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
