Occult Encyclopedia

Hierarchy of angels

In the angelology of different religions, a

hierarchy of angels is a ranking system
of angels. Higher ranks have greater
power or authority over lower ranks, and
with different ranks having differences in
appearance, such as varying numbers of
wings or faces.
Three choirs of angels and the archangels who rule
over them as depicted in Meteorologica Cosmica

The most influential Christian angelic

hierarchy was put forward around the
turn of the 6th century AD by Pseudo-
Dionysius the Areopagite in his work De
Coelesti Hierarchia (On the Celestial
Hierarchy). He claimed to be an
important figure who was converted by
Paul the Apostle, who authored most of
the New Testament, and his work
enjoyed greater influence than it would
have if he had used his actual name, until
Erasmus publicized doubts about the age
of the work in the early 16th century. In
his 1623 work, Meteorologica Cosmica,
occultist Robert Fludd established that
specific archangels rule over each choir.

Angels are organized into nine orders, or

Angelic Choirs. It is mirrored in some
ways by the hierarchy of Hell, which
organizes demons into categories and
ranks them according to ability.

The nine orders

Pseudo-Dionysius (On the Celestial
Hierarchy) and Thomas Aquinas (Summa
Theologiae) drew on passages from the
New Testament, specifically Ephesians
1:21 and Colossians 1:16, to develop a
schema of nine Choirs of angels, which
were later expanded by other authors.
These have been incorporated into
writings concerning the 72 Kabbalistic
angels.

A 10th choir is sometimes added to the

standard nine. This additional choir
contains non-angels, the Innocents,
Martyrs, and Confessors. It is balanced
by an additional degree of infernal spirits,
the Witches, Apostates, and Infidels.
 Divine Ruling Corresponding
Number Choir Ruling Archangel
Name Planet Demon Degree

Primum
1 Seraphim Metatron Ehieh False Gods
Mobile

Archangel Raziel Starry

2 Cherubim Iah Spirits of Lies
and Jophiel Heaven

Archangel
3 Thrones Elohim Saturn Vessels of Iniquity
Zaphkiel

4 Dominions Archangel Zadkiel El Jupiter Revengers of Evil

Samael and
5 Powers Elohim gibor Mars Deluders
Camael

6 Virtues Archangel Michael Eloah The Sun Aerial Powers

Jehovah
7 Principalities Archangel Haniel Venus Furies
Sabaoth

Elohim
8 Archangels Archangel Raphael Mercury Accusers
Sabaoth

Tempters and
9 Angels Archangel Gabriel Sadai The Moon
Ensnarers

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