Archangel Uriel
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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Archangel Uriel is often petitioned by those facing severe crisis, and is believed to sometimes warn individuals away from danger. He is recognized as an archangel in Jewish and the Orthodox Christian traditions, but unlike the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, his name was removed from the Catholic tradition. This came about in 754 A.D. when Pope Saint Zachary, in an attempt to subvert worship of angels and archangels, struck off many angelic names from the list of sanctioned Catholic Church saints. Uriel was among those who were eliminated from the list, but the Eastern Orthodox Church maintained its belief in Uriel's position as an Archangel and venerates him still, and many Catholics still venerate him, even without papal approval. In the Eastern Orthodox churches his Feast Day is celebrated on November 8th, a holiday known as the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers.
Uriel, whose name means light of God, is believed to be one of the angels mentioned but not named in the older books of the Hebrew Bible. Some Jewish mystical traditions hold that Uriel is the angel of Sunday and of Poetry. Tradition holds that he was the angel who checked for blood on the doors of the faithful Israelites during the final plague of the death of the first born children in Egypt. He is also considered by many to be the angel who warned Noah of the impending Flood.
Uriel is usually depicted in fiery shades indicating the meaning of his name as "light of God." He carries a book which originally was the Torah with Hebrew lettering, but in many images today, has been changed to the Holy Bible with English lettering. A blazing sun halo sits at his crown. Hoodoo root doctors and Spiritualist practitioners may keep a statue of Uriel on an altar where work is being performed for the clients in need of blessing, healing, and tranquility or who seek protection while travelling. Uriel is also said to be the archangel who watches over Adam and Eve in the tarot card called "The Lovers."
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