Patron Saint Raphael & How to Begin Working with Him
Hebrew for HEALER | Flower: Iris | Feast day: October 24 | Color: Emerald Green | Chakra: Anahata
It was a rainy day here in Atlanta, and just so happened to be the first day of Mercury Retrograde in Pisces. I had just woken up, did my morning routine and made my cup of morning joe. Turned on HGTV because Home Town was having a marathon and I just couldn’t help myself. My cards called to me and spirit told me it was time to relax and find out what this Mercury Retrograde had in store for me.
I’m shuffling and watching this beautiful boho chic renovation take place when spirit hands me The Lovers card. One’s initial reaction to The Lovers card would be that love is on its way to me! While divine love is always welcome, since I was asked what this retrograde was bringing into my awareness, I knew this card was centered around healing of the sort.
If you take a look at The Lovers card, you’ll see an Angel, front and center with its wings and arms spanned out. The Man looks at the Woman who looks up at this Angel, signifying the pathway of our conscious mind to our subconcious to Source, essentially. One can assume the Angel on the card is Archangel Raphael, the angel of healing.
My interpretaton from asking my first question was that this Mercury Retrograde would be the perfect time for me to do some work with Archangel Raphael and heal the emotional aspects of myself blocking me from getting all this dope ass blessings.
Right now they’re just sitting, collecting dust and I just wont have that. We need to clear this energy and space so we can make it rain blessings and abudnance, okay! So I started on my journey to learn more about Raphael. Before I do any spiritual work, I like to get a general understanding and build a relationship with the diety I’m doing work with before I go asking for all the things.
I’ve learned so much and want to share what I’ve learned with you all so that you may also start your healing journey on the right foot. I’ve also provided you with a simple meditation to help you jumpstart your journey and connect to Archangel Raphael.
WHO IS ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL
If you’ve ever been called to heal parts of yourself, be it emotional or physical, try working with Archangel Raphael. The name Raphael means God Heals or He Who Heals. With the prefix Raph being hebrew for healer, Raphael is regarded as the angel that carries God's healing powers. He heals the mind, body and spirit so we can enjoy peace and good health to the fullest extent.
Archangel Raphael is the polar opposite to the more well-known Archangel Michael, in that Raphael has a more soft, gentle energy or nature about him. Each angel holds a specific aura and Achangel Raphael’s aura is emerald green, the color of the heart chakra.
The Story of Tobias, the departure of the Archangel Raphael, c. 1750 by Francesco Guardi
ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL IN SCRIPTURE
Historically, we know the traditional Bible to not carry all the Books of Scripture so we’re missing out on a lot of information, stories, fables and lessons. The Book of Tobit (or Tobias) is one of them. The message in the Book of Tobit is that God is both just and free. It offers bouts of wisdom on suffering and how suffering isn’t punishment, but moreso a test. In the Book of Tobit, Archangel (or Saint) Raphael heals Tobias of his blindness.
We see a direct reference to Archangel Raphael, where he claims “I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord” (Tobias 12:15).
Saint Raphael is also mentioned in John 5:1-4 where text states, “From time to time [Raphael] would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.”
It’s important to note that all Archangels are non-denominational so they belong to all things, and not one specific religion or denomination. They are pure, egoless beings who are not human in the sense of having personal identity. The only identity they have is that of God’s will.
SIGNS ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL IS AROUND YOU
BRINGS NEW INFORMATION OR IDEAS THAT PROMOTE HEALING
In Archangel Raphael: Loving Messages of Joy, Love and Healing for Ourselves and Our Earth, Mary LaSota and Harriet Sternberg state that Raphael is known to grant petitions quite expeditiously and will guide you through the healing process. If healing is for you, watch for signs in the form of thoughts, ideas or an inner message.
Look to Raphael to inspire you with the right info to help with healing. He will energetically promote healing but my Capricorn stellium won’t let me not dish this advice: remember that sometimes what we are going through is just a part of our divine plan and cannot be changed.
PURSUING HEALING NOT ONLY FOR HUMANITY BUT FOR MOTHER EARTH AS WELL
In his book, Raphael: Communicating With the Archangel For Healing and Creativity, Richard Webster states that when you see something strikingly beautiful in nature, you have Raphael to thank. If you’re looking to get assistance from Archangel Raphael, be sure to honor him by doing your part to make our Home a better place for current and future generations. Honor Raphael by honoring our planet.
"More and more we are awakening to the understanding of how closely linked emotional issues are to disease in the body, and that working on the spiritual levels will almost finitely help with all types of illness." - Christine Astell: Gifts from Angels
Because we have free will, God and the Archangels can't interfere with our choices. They sit patiently and wait for us to freely ask for their guidance and thats when they step in to intervene. Here is a quick and easy meditation to get you warmed up.
A Meditation to work with
Archangel Raphael
When working with Raphael, you can say your request out loud or address both God and Raphael. Many write the petition and express thanks for the blessings soon to come. Just remember it’s not how you ask, just ask! Pour your heart out to Raphael, expressing emotions, frustrations, feelings and inner truths.
Find a quiet, peaceful spot where you won’t be disturbed. While sitting with your hands crossed over your heart, start by taking 3 deep breathes, inhaling for 5 seconds, holding for 5 seconds and exhaling for 5 seconds, steadily.
While continuing breath exercises, visualize an emerald green ball of light emerging in the center of your palms. With each inhale and exhale, envision that green light growing bigger until it eventually encapsulates you within.
Continue breathing deeply and steadily. Follow any divine guidance that may come to you and continue asking for help until the end of your meditation, as long as you chose.
Ask Archangel Raphael to touch your intention with his light and envision the outcome you wish for.
And so it is. Thank Saint Raphael and trust that he will do what is right for your highest good. Ase
NOTE: Any hesitation to receiving Raphael's help with block or slow your healing. Be 100% sure that you want the healing being called in before presenting it to Patron Saint Raphael. Being sure is the foundation for receiving healing and blessings.
CRYSTALS TO USE:
Malachite is associated with Venus and the earth element, but because of its healing abilities, it has been linked to Raphael. As a healing stone, it is helpful in recharging the immune system, relieving migraines and strengthening the heart. Malachite can also be used to attract luck and money and is also an invaluable stone at home or work to shield us from harmful electromagnetic fields, such as those from electronics or telephone poles.
Aventurine is another green stone associated with Raphael because of its healing attributes. It heals the eyes and helps with anxiety as well as heart palpitations. Aventurine is also a prosperity stone, often referred to as “the gambler's stone”, bringing the owner luck. It can aide in clairvoyance, psychic dreaming and seeing into the future. Aventurine is well-liked by nature spirits, so leaving a small tumbled stone outdoors, perhaps by a tree or tucked into a flower pot, may keep faeries from behaving too mischievously.
Herbs/flowers to use:
Carrot, Celery, Caraway, Cinquefoil, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Fern, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Mandrake, Maidenhair Fern, Lilly of the Valley, Palm and Vervain
Essential Oils to Use:
Bergamot, Rose, Lemon, Lavender, Rose Geranium, Tea Tree