Invocation of Archangel Raphael

Greetings Angel-Workers!

This post is loooong overdue!  We performed our annual invocation and feeding of the Archangel Raphael way back on May 30th of this year (2018), but I have been so busy with magick, business, and life this year I haven’t had much time to maintain this blog.  😦  So, without further ado, I’ll jump right into it:

We decided to feed Raphael when Mercury entered the sign of Gemini, which it rules.  It did so this year on May 29th – a Tuesday and the Full Moon.  We decided the next day – Wednesday, sacred to Mercury – would still be within the Full Moon phase.  If we tried to wait until the Moon waxed again, Mercury would have already passed out of Gemini.  So there was only one day we could do this one!  May 30th it was.

Archangel Raphael

Raphael – the Healer of God – is the Archangel of Mercury and Wednesday, Prince of the second heaven, Lord of Medicine, Communication, Travel, Invention, Education, Mathematics, Science, Language, Magick, and Divination, as well as Business, Deception, Acting, Writing, and Sleight of Hand.  He is also the angel of Elemental Air – traditionally associated with the West, but many modern systems associate him with the East.

Some traditions place him as the Archangel of the Sun, and the chief angel of Tiphareth (Majesty) on the Tree of Life.  This solar association works well with his modern assignment to the eastern point of the compass.

According to Biblical legend, Raphael was the angel who taught language to Adam and Eve.  He also appears in the Book of Tobit, where he accompanies the young Tobias on his long journey, unites him with his future wife, and protects them both from the wrath of the demon Asmodeus.   Raphael is also the chief angel of the Hermetic arts, as well as the Golden Dawn and its current.  Historically, he is closely associated with figures such as Hermes (aka Mercury) and Thoth – sometimes even bearing the former’s famous Caduceus Staff – the symbol of both Hermeticism and Medicine.

 

 

Offering Ritual for Archangel Raphael

It is best to choose a Wednesday when Mercury is well aspected in the heavens, and he should be above the horizon at the time of working if possible. Dawn is best. The most powerful times of year to do this ritual are when Mercury resides in either the sign of Gemini or Virgo.  The Moon should be in increase.

On Wednesday evening, cover a table or altar with a multi-colored, orange, yellow, or white cloth. Place a talisman and/or image of Archangel Raphael upon the altar. (If it is a talisman, place it in the center. If an image, set it toward the east facing westward.) You will need a censor and an incense of Mercury:

1 part Benzoin

1/4 part Frankencense

1/8 part Lavender Blossoms

Also prepare all elements of the offering to Mercury : Eight candles – either rainbow color or orange, eight glasses of water, a glass of wine, a glass of half-and-half cream, eight pieces of bread covered with honey, strawberries, a pomegranate cut into eight slices, and a mix of colorful flowers.  For his meat, we grilled a whole fish, as the “Ichthys” is sacred to him in Biblical tradition (as in the Book of Tobit).  It should be grilled over hazel wood if possible.  Otherwise, grill it over natural wood or wood charcoal, and add Mercury incense to the fire.  Season the meat with the incense as well.

On Wednesday just before sunrise, wash yourself and don a white, pied, or orange robe. At sunrise, set the offering to Mercury upon the table. Place seven of the candles around the edges, and one in the center – directly upon the talisman if there is one. Set a glass of water beside each candle. Around this arrange the food offerings. You may also add any gift offerings for Raphael, or items you wish for him to touch – such as jewelry or trinkets, talismans, stones, oils, currency, written prayers or petitions, etc.

Light the censor and candles with their proper exorcisms, and add fresh incense to the coal. Then exorcise and consecrate the offerings with holy water and the censor.

Then move to the eastern side of the working space, facing outward. If you have a consecrated bell or trumpet, sound it and recite the following call (or one similar to it):

In whatsoever place ye may be, Raphael, who are invited to this feast, come ye and be ready to receive our offerings, presents, and sacrifices!

Move to the south and repeat – first sounding the bell or trumpet, then repeat the call. Do this again in the west and the north.

Finally, return to standing west of the altar facing eastward, and recite the following invocations:

Prayer to Elohim Zabaoth

Elohim Zabaoth, God of the Hosts of Heaven, Divine Splendour, the sphere of fleet-footed Mercury, Lord of Words and Letters, of Speech and Knowledge. You are the Logos and the Speech in the Silence. Director of Spirits and Angels. Your Messengers protect travelers on their ways, and guide pilgrims upon the Paths of Mount Abiagnus, the Sacred Mountain of Initation. Lord of all Magick, Spells, Invocations, Divinations, Evocations, Talismans, Characters, Sigils and Signatures, and Seals. Establisher of boundaries, and pathways, travel, communication, and commerce. Lord of fortune and wealth and the Gods of the underworld.

I invoke thee, God of Hosts, and humbly ask in Thy Holy Name to bless and saanctify these offerings. May all spirits of deceit and illusion be cast therefrom, and only the good and fortunate enter therein. May these sacrifices by found pleasing to You and your Messengers.

Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen

Eight Mercurial Psalms

39 (I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.)

52 (Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?)

54 (Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.)

55:16-23 (As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.)

57 (Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me.)

63 (O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.)

101 (I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.)

119:9-16 (Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?)

Invitation to Raphael

O’ Raphael, Divine Physician! Messenger of God! Labbiel the Rescuer!

Raphael! Fleet-footed Hermes! Six-Winged Angel of Mercury and the Sun who bringeth Healing in Thy Wings!

Raphael! Serpent-Bearer! Psychopomp! Lord of Crossroads!

Raphael! Revealer of Loagaeth, the Speech From the Logos!

Lord of Initiation! Light of the Sacred Lamp! Fool! Mage! Protector of Lovers!

O friendly companion of Tobias, who protected him from evil upon his long journey, as you protect us upon ours. As the Patron of writers, teachers, and mages, you are the source of our life and livelihood. You are the Chief Archangel of my Order. Therefore, I ask that you come and partake of these offerings, prepared in thy honour and to the splendour of the Lord of Hosts! May you find them pleasing and empowering, and bear our offerings and prayers of thanksgiving to the Divine Court. Cast your light before us upon the Path, and offer your blessings upon my household, my family, and business. In the name of Elohim Zabaoth. Amen.

Repeat the Invitation eight times. Then, share in the feast you have offered to the Angel – taking bites of each food item, sips of the liquids. Leave the offerings in place until the candles burn completely away (or no less than eight days). Place the remains in a natural place, into running water or at a crossroads.

– End –