ZOROASTRIAN ANGELOLOGY
>hear stories of heavenly beings, messengers of God
>archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel appear in texts
>later Christianity keeps these names, builds hierarchy of angels
>but origins go deeper
>Zoroastrianism = Persia, predates much Jewish angelology
>Ahura Mazda = supreme God, aided by Amesha Spentas (holy immortals)
>Amesha Spentas = 7 divine emanations, protect creation, guide humanity
>each Amesha Spenta = divine attribute + cosmic force
>examples:
>Vohu Manah = Good Mind / compassion could become Raphael (healing, guidance)
>Asha Vahishta = Truth / cosmic order Michael (war, protection, enforces divine law)
>Kshathra Vairya = Divine Power / ideal dominion Gabriel (messenger of authority, revelation)
>Spenta Armaiti = Devotion / piety Uriel (light, wisdom, spiritual insight)
>Haurvatat & Ameretat = Wholeness & Immortality combined in angelic care of life, sustenance
>Babylonian Jewish texts start elevating angels: Michael as protector of Israel, Gabriel as divine messenger
>later Jewish apocalyptic works (Daniel, Enoch) expand angel hierarchy
>Christianity inherits this, codifies hierarchy: Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Archangels
>archangels now: mediators, cosmic enforcers, healers, bringers of divine revelation
>ritual reverence = “angel worship,” really structured veneration
>prayers, protective amulets, church art all reflect Amesha Spentas’ attributes
>dualism persists: good angels vs. fallen angels (Satan/Lucifer echoes Angra Mainyu, destructive spirit)
>planetary and cosmic associations emerge later:
>Michael = Sun / Mars war/protection
>Gabriel = Moon / Mercury communication, revelation
>Raphael = Mercury / Venus healing, guidance
>Uriel = Sun / Saturn illumination, wisdom
>essentially: Jewish/Christian angelology = Zoroastrian cosmology adapted to monotheism
>humans now have spiritual scaffolding: angels mediate divine will, enforce cosmic order, guide souls
>archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel appear in texts
>later Christianity keeps these names, builds hierarchy of angels
>but origins go deeper
>Zoroastrianism = Persia, predates much Jewish angelology
>Ahura Mazda = supreme God, aided by Amesha Spentas (holy immortals)
>Amesha Spentas = 7 divine emanations, protect creation, guide humanity
>each Amesha Spenta = divine attribute + cosmic force
>examples:
>Vohu Manah = Good Mind / compassion could become Raphael (healing, guidance)
>Asha Vahishta = Truth / cosmic order Michael (war, protection, enforces divine law)
>Kshathra Vairya = Divine Power / ideal dominion Gabriel (messenger of authority, revelation)
>Spenta Armaiti = Devotion / piety Uriel (light, wisdom, spiritual insight)
>Haurvatat & Ameretat = Wholeness & Immortality combined in angelic care of life, sustenance
>Babylonian Jewish texts start elevating angels: Michael as protector of Israel, Gabriel as divine messenger
>later Jewish apocalyptic works (Daniel, Enoch) expand angel hierarchy
>Christianity inherits this, codifies hierarchy: Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Archangels
>archangels now: mediators, cosmic enforcers, healers, bringers of divine revelation
>ritual reverence = “angel worship,” really structured veneration
>prayers, protective amulets, church art all reflect Amesha Spentas’ attributes
>dualism persists: good angels vs. fallen angels (Satan/Lucifer echoes Angra Mainyu, destructive spirit)
>planetary and cosmic associations emerge later:
>Michael = Sun / Mars war/protection
>Gabriel = Moon / Mercury communication, revelation
>Raphael = Mercury / Venus healing, guidance
>Uriel = Sun / Saturn illumination, wisdom
>essentially: Jewish/Christian angelology = Zoroastrian cosmology adapted to monotheism
>humans now have spiritual scaffolding: angels mediate divine will, enforce cosmic order, guide souls
