- This article is for the spirit being. For the Russian city, see Archangel.
Archangels[Footnote 1] are powerful beings who serve God. "Archangel" is a greek term meaning "first" or "ruling angel";[Footnote 2] the term "angel" means "Messenger"[1].
Powers[]
Archangels are high ranking angels who possess unfathomable power that exceeds that of any other character directly encountered in the series.
In Skin Game, when Harry Dresden suggests that Uriel would be capable of destroying the solar system, he corrects him by stating that he had the power to obliterate several galaxies. Nevertheless, a set of extremely restrictive "rules" or even "laws" appear to limit the extent to which archangels can exercise their power, although some can apparently be bent, particularly by Fallen Angels, such as when a Fallen influenced Dresden in Changes or when a powerful entity worked with the Denarians in Small Favor to create the massive pentacle. When the rules are violated in such manner, agents of God are allowed to balance the scale, though not to retaliate.
According to Uriel, archangels have the power of transubstantiation[Footnote 3]: an archangel can pass his Grace[Footnote 4] to a mortal, temporarily giving them all of his power—and obligations. Should the mortal choose to use that power for evil or break the rules restricting the archangel's act, the archangel who entrusted them his Grace will Fall. Furthermore, until the mortal returns the Grace to him, the archangel himself becomes mortal and vulnerable just as humans are.[2]
Known archangels[]
- Main article: Uriel
Uriel, also known as the Watchman, is the archangel with the most extensive interaction with Harry Dresden, acting as a guide, mentor and advisor.[3]
Michael, also known as Prince of the Host[4], is the archangel who offered Esperacchius to Sanya, after the latter left his Fallen, Magog, in Venice.[5]
Rafael, also known as the Demon Binder, takes burdens on his own shoulders (according to Mab) and either he or one of his lieutenants placed warding on the Carpenter panic Room.[6]
Gabriel, also known as the Trumpeter, is always said to appear in a chorus of light (according to Mab) yet also the one least seen in the Dresden Files.[4]
Lucifer, also known as the Prince of Darkness, is also considered an Archangel in the Dresden Files. Dresden suspects him of providing the power behind the Signs in Small Favor. Chauncy the Demon also says to Dresden that "The Dark Prince" was most upset when they lost the soul of Margaret Dresden.[7] It is likely that Lucifer is master of both demons and Fallen.[8]
In the series[]
Fool Moon[]
- Main article: Fool Moon
In Fool Moon, Harry Dresden believes the third circle of Harley MacFinn's greater circle of power could hold archangels.[9]
Proven Guilty[]
- Main article: Proven Guilty
In Proven Guilty, Lasciel confirms to Harry Dresden that the magic protecting the Carpenter family's panic room is Angelic Work, stating that feels like Rafael or one of his lieutenants.[6]
Small Favor[]
- Main article: Small Favor
In Small Favor, when Harry Dresden prays, he notes a few details. First, that "angels aren’t allowed to stick their toes in unless the bad guys do it first" and second, that the Denarians must have had more power than a Fallen Angel, even as much as an Archangel, in order to cast their spells. Third, he notes that he can only think of one Archangel that would be helping them.
Following his prayer, Dresden is met by a Janitor named Jake, who Queen Mab then tells him is actually an Archangel. She identifies four Archangels without calling them by name: the Prince of the Host, the Trumpeter, the Demon Binder, and Watchman.[4]
Turn Coat[]
- Main article: Turn Coat
In Turn Coat, Harry Dresden tells Molly Carpenter that Angels have Intellectus.[10]
Ghost Story[]
- Main article: Ghost Story
In Ghost Story, the angel Amitiel, who is guarding the "purgatory" office of Captain Murphy forces Harry Dresden's Sight to close when he is observed.[11]
Bob informs Dresden that Uriel is the "black-ops" guy of the archangels and that he has conned the Father of Lies himself.[12]
When Dresden finds a wounded Father Forthill, an angel of death is watching over him. According to the angel, her purpose is not to choose when a life ends, but to escort and guard the soul to safety. In the case of Forthill, she is there as his "bodyguard" in case he passes.[13]
Uriel freezes time and shows Dresden that a Fallen Angel whispered a lie into his ear during the lead up to the events of Changes, robbing him of his free will and bringing him to believe that he should end his life. Dresden claims that Uriel is Heaven's spymaster, Gabriel is an ambassador, Michael is a general and that Rafael is a healer and spiritual champion. He is also under the impression that Uriel is the quietest and most dangerous of the archangels. There are multiple guardian angels standing at various points around Michael Carpenter's home.[14]
Due to the whispered lie, Uriel is permitted to whisper seven words of his own into Dresden's ear, which he does during a confrontation between Mab and Demonreach.[15]
Skin Game[]
- Main article: Skin Game
In Skin Game, Uriel loans his Grace to Michael Carpenter, who asks what would happen if that Grace were to be misused. Uriel replies "I would Fall." Harry Dresden considers the last time that an archangel fell, and the consequences that had.[2]
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Merriam-Webster
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Skin Game, ch. 31
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 2
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Small Favor, ch. 46
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 15
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Proven Guilty, ch. 30
- ↑ Fool Moon, ch. 11
- ↑ Death Masks, ch. 21
- ↑ Fool Moon, ch. 1
- ↑ Turn Coat, ch. 37
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 2
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 35
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 37
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 50
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 51
External links[]
- Seven Archangels - Wikipedia
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Angels
- ANGELOLOGY - JewishEncyclopedia.com
- Archangel List of Names - Sandalphon, Jeremiel, Rafael, Chamuel, Uriel, Metatron, Zadkiel, Jophiel, Azrael, Ariel, Gabriel, Michael, Haniel
- List of Archangels
- Introduction to Archangels
- Angel Of The Day
- Seven Archangels - Catholic Answers Forums
- Introduction to the Angels
- ARCHANGELS
- Working with the Archangels and Archangels of the eighth choir
- Archangel - Super-wiki
- Angels & Demons List