Archangel Uriel

The number and names of the archangels varies among religious traditions, but four particular archangels are recognized by most all religious traditions: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.

Uriel's name means "Light of God." It is said that archangel Uriel illuminates our minds with inspiration, ideas and insights and is known as the patron of music. He is also considered by many as the intellectual archangel, the one to call upon for wisdom, knowledge and understanding - he can even help you focus when multitasking. I had an artistic challenge and Uriel came through in a big way.

I recently asked my angels for color inspiration for this portal series of abstracts I'm working on. That night, I received two vivid color combinations in my dreams - two in one night! The second color combo was this one: bright yellow surrounded by white surrounded by gray with a hint of purple. 

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Sunny Window 8x6" Oil on canvas panel

Available on my art blog.

I later found out archangel Uriel, whose name again means "Light of God," is associated with pale yellow candlelight. Since he is known to illuminate us with inspiration, ideas and insights, there is no denying who brought me the specific inspiration for this little painting. I plan to enlarge it to 30x24" soon. Now the lines between my art blog and angel blogs are blurring!! Love it!!

Do you have any stories of inspiration you have received that could have come from Uriel?? 

Art Inspiration from Raphael and Gabriel

Three years ago, I had a color dream - I simply saw vibrant wonderful colors: vivid lime green surrounded by brilliant white, surrounded by teal. It was so inspiring. I'm an artist but I wasn't painting or even a fan of abstract work at that time, so I created a still life entitled "Cream and Sugar." In the dream, the colors did appear in the form of orbs within orbs.

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Cream and Sugar  8x10" oil on canvas panel 

Contact me to for purchasing info.

Two years later, my landscapes were becoming so abstracted I was started painting abstracts. Then I remembered my memorable color dream. So I created an abstract painting from it I call "Inspired Dream." Lime green, surrounded or grounded by white, all surrounded by teal. This story is of angelic significance because green (emerald green, even teal) is the color of archangel Raphael. I now know the hits orange or bronzy colors represent the presence of archangel Gabriel, who inspires artists. So I feel very inspired, connected to and supported by Gabriel and Raphael. Woohoo!

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Inspired Dream  30x24" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas 

Contact me for purchasing info.

Yes, someone above knew before I did that I'd be painting abstracts. I've been painting for a number of years, but painting this felt different, freeing, exhilerating. I was painting wildly, using the palette knife for the first time and following my heart instead of my head. Was so much FUN!!

Do you receive inspiration from above?? In what form? Music, art, screenplays, designs? New concepts, ideas to solve problems? I'd love to hear!

P.S. In the prior post, I tried hard to get the type to match my other posts - black. But nothing doing. Then I realized the type color was teal green and the post was all about Raphael. So he definitely wanted the type to be GREEN. And so it is!

Archangel Raphael

I feel very close to and blessed by Archangel Raphael. He is the archangel of healing. I have invoked him to help my parents' with their health and my own health, and he has really come through. He is represented by the color emerald green. 

Raphael's name means "Medicine of God" in Hebrew, or "God has healed." In the book of Tobit, Raphael reveals himself as one of the seven archangels "who stand before the Lord" (Tobit 12:15). It's said that the longest speech by an angel appears in Chapter 12 of the book of Tobit. Here Raphael takes human form and cures Tobit of blindness and helps Tobit's son on his travels and delivers Tobit's family from many difficulties.

I just learned tonight that Raphael healed Tobit of blindness! My parents have both recently had fabulous results with cataract surgery, after I invoked Raphael on their behalf. They have had healing breakthroughs in many areas. Yay!! 

I often have massages by my spiritual friend and great healing worker Anne Marie Palmer. She invokes the angels and particularly Raphael before a massage. With my eyes closed I see colors in my minds eye. During my last massage I could "see" emerald green light from corner to corner of the room - in my minds eye with my eyes closed. It was a powerful feeling - surprising and comforting. I came home, checked my angel books and yes, it is indeed Raphael that is represented by green light. So he was clearly there helping Anne Marie help me! 

I recommend you invoke Raphael's assistance when you or a friend need healing. You are likely to feel or see green light, feel a tingling sensation in your limbs as Raphael does his healing work. Let me know what happens when you call upon Archangel Raphael. Ask and expect amazing healing. It may take time but it will come.

The Archangels

After telling you about my guardian angel Allison, I thought I would write about the archangels. Multiple religious traditions tell us there are nice choirs of angels immenating from Divine Source. Our guardian angels and the archangels are in the outer realms and have the ability to take physical form. Some say the archangels oversee the responsibilities of the guardian angels and other celestial beings that guide us.

I have invoked the most commonly known seven archangels with amazing success - was a stunning and emotional experience. I have also been in the presence of Remiel when my 98-year-old grandmother was transitioning out of our physical world. I will save my personal stories for another day. For now, I thought I would introduce you to the seven archangels with whom I am familiar. Some say there are twelve and the number varies by tradition. But I can attest that these seven heard and answered my call.

Michael: His name means "Who is God." Michael is considered the number one archangel and is known as the protector, warrior and leader of the celestial armies. He is passionate about protecting you and helping you move into action and overcome fear.

Gabriel: Her name means "God is my strength." She governs your emotions, calming doubts and anxiety, helping you gain confidence. She is also known to coach and inspire artists and communicators (hope she is helping me now). 

Raphael:  Her name means "shining one who heals," so it's no surprise that in the Judeo-Christian tradition, Raphael is most known for healing. In Islam, Raphael is called asIsrafel. Call upon Raphael for healing of body, mind and spirit.

Uriel: Uriel's name means "God is my light," "fire of God," "flame of God," "light of God." Uriel is often considered the great archangel of the Earth, the patron of music and the messenger of warnings.

Raguel: This archangel's name means "friend of God." He is the angel of justice and fairness and acts like a police officer to keep us (ourselves and others) in line. He is considered the angelic ambassador of harmony, balance and orderliness and is a powerful champion of peace.

Sariel: This archangel's name means "Command of God," "Commandment of God" or God's angelic commander." Sariel is known for being an angel of guidance and knowledge. Call upon Sariel to help keep things in order when events and life seem like chaos.

Remiel: His name means "mercy of God." This is the angel of vision and the angel of hope. He is responsible for true divine visions and is assigned to greeting us at death's door and escorting us to heaven.

I encourage you to invoke each one individually as needed, and for powerful intercession, invoke them all by slowly chanting their names and breathing between their names. Be prepared for it will be a powerfully moving experience - and be ready to state your request and to be heard and answered! 

I will write about each one individually over for the next few weeks, and then write about the 9 choirs of angels and what is generally understood about them. Unless you have other topics you would like for me to address. :-) Would love to hear from you. Send me your angel story. Those are always inspiring and wonderful to share. 

Have a blessed day!! 

Conversing with my guardian angel.

I grew up believing angels were part of the heavenly arena, and was told as a child I had a guardian angel. It wasn't until my early thirties though that I realized this was a reality for me and everyone else.

Living in Chicago in 1991, I was going through some life challenges and was praying for guidance. I started receiving unexpected "messages" - concepts or thoughts started popping into my head. After testing these messages or directives, I realized something outside myself or beyond my physical understanding was there to help me or make my day just a little brighter, whether it was running into a good friend after something told me to walk a different path to work or the perfect luminous acrylic paint for my artwork mysterious dropped off the art supply store shelf right in front of me.

So who / what was this voice? One day, the voice directed me to go to mass late on a week day afternoon when all I really wanted to do was go shopping. After a wacky back-and-forth banter in my head, I was convinced to go. I was "reminded "I would still have 15 minutes afterwards to get to William Sonoma to buy the item I wanted. I was convinced so I walked into mass and discovered it was the feast of the guardian angel!! I felt she/he was slowly revealing her presence to me. I was blown away and began reading lots of angel books.

After moving to Austin in 1993, I read a book called "Ask Your Angel." After following just two of the five exercises they suggested, I was in touch!! I discovered my angel's name is Allison and since that day she has given me enormous support and guidance (mostly via writing exercises). When I am fearful, frustrated, angry, happy or in need of inspiration, I go to Allison and she encourages me, offering guidance and clarity I am not able to see on my own. This has helped me enormously!!

If you or anyone you know is interested in meeting their angel and receiving divine guidance, I am thinking of starting some angel workshops. I just have an outline at this point and a few pages of notes geared to help you open to and listen to the unique way your angel can communicate with you. Hope to do a run through with my friends soon to optimize the format. So stay tuned.

As for Allison - why don't you say hello! Her words are normally just for me - she has told me she is an expert on ME. Though she has graciously offered to give me a message for my first post, and I sure hope she'll have more in the future. So here is a message to you from my guardian angel Allison (I am transcribing right now so here goes):

Allison: "Dear friends of my precious Debbi. I am sure you already know what a special creature and Godspirit she is, whether you know her well or not. I assure you, she is kind hearted and deeply committed to discovering the Divine Will for her life and for others. So I hope you will inquire - call, write or let her know you are interested in learning more about our angelic guidance - always available for each and everyone of you to help you however YOU need guidance. We are here for YOU. No one else. You have free will to act however you wish. But if you get the notion to discover more, we all above encourage you to take that step. We can't wait to talk to you!!! A big door is opening for so many on this planet, so I hope you will read on your own or visit Debbi's blog, but get in touch with your angelic guides. We can't wait to hear from you."

Debbi: Wow!! Thank you Allison!!! Much love to you!! You always come through for me!!

This is how it works, folks. I ask a question by typing it on my computer, and then I hear answers in my head, not my ears, and type them out. Kind of like how your would remember someone saying something in your head. Allison's vocabulary is a bit broader than mine, too. I save my writings so I have encouraging words to read later. Let me know what you think. Many of you may already have a connection like this on your own. If so, I'd love to hear from you as well. Happy angelic conversing to you all!!!

P.S. This image is from a Christmas card my parents gave me last Christmas Eve.