DIVINE PHYSICIAN AND MERRY COMPANION
The Angel of Healing and of Science and Knowledge, the Archangel Raphael is one
of only three angels named in the Bible, the others being fellow
Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Raphael first appears in the
Apocryphal Book of Tobit, where, disguised as a fellow traveler, he
shows Tobias how to use and prepare various parts of a great fish to
help rid him of the demon Asmodeus. He then shows him how to use the
fish's gallbladder to restore his father Tobit's eyesight. The
story is the best scriptural example of Raphael as a teacher of
the healing arts . Another famous story of Raphael tells of how
God sent him with a ring to assist King Solomon in the building of the
Temple. The ring's seal was a pentagram with the power to bind
demons. Known as "The Seal of Solomon," it is one of
the most important tools of ceremonial magic and forms the basis for
the important angel invocation known as the Ritual of the
Pentagram. The pentagram is one of the oldest medical symbols and
pharmacists in Europe were still using it as a trademark until recent
times.
ASSOCIATIONS AND SYMBOLISM
Raphael stands in the East and rules the Element of Air. His day
is Wednesday, the day of Mercury (mercredi in French) and
he is closely connected with the planet Mercury, once embodied by the
Greek/Roman god Hermes/Mercury.
The Egyptian Hermes, Hermes Trismegistus or Thoth, brought to mankind
such sacred arts as geometry and alchemy. The correct use of
these "Hermetic" arts is to heal the rift between humanity
and Heaven. This transformation was the goal of the alchemists
who petitioned Mercurius, as they called him, to assist them. The
name Raphael means "The Shining One Who Heals" and Raphael,
like Mercurius, helps us to heal ourselves and shows us that we can use
knowledge to reach the Kingdom of Heaven. He also has a
great sense of humor and is an amusing guide and companion on the
journey of life. As such he is often depicted dressed as a
pilgrim wearing a hat, holding a caduceus staff in one hand and a vial
of medicine in the other. Raphael is designated Chief of the
Virtues and is said to have wings at his temples, his shoulders and,
like Hermes/Mercury, at his ankles. His colours are those of the
dawn: yellow, orange and pale blue.
