The Archangel Gabriel

The Archangel Gabriel

Winter starts today, where I am, it begins at 9 am. Yesterday, the last official day of Autumn here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, it was snowing. We joked at supper, that it already feels like winter, what would the difference be at 9 am the next day? But there is a profound difference within.

The Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael

Each season is ruled by an Archangel. The Archangels are the beings that are directly above the realm of the Angels. Angels are more personal beings, each human has an Angel. The Archangels are the leaders of humanity, they help to impart knowledge of the Christ to groups, nations and ages of humanity. It was determined that an Archangelic Age was 354 years and three months, and is led by one of the seven main Archangels.

The Archangel Gabriel is best known for his announcing to Mary that she would bear the Christ Child. Gabriel is known for his participation and rulership over all things to do with birth and heredity. We are told that during his last age which was from the 1500's through the late 1800's that he was helping to create organs of perception of the Christ in humanity.

It is fitting that Winter is ruled by Gabriel, that Gabriel is associated with Christmas. Winter is the time of gestation, of preparation for new birth in Spring. These long dark nights of Winter are times of dreaming, of planning and preparing for the coming of the Sun and the renewal of life in the Spring.

I love this period of time between the Winter Solstice and Epiphany. For me, these dark days are full of treasure, are an invitation to brood, to nest, to turn in quiet to the mysteries of the Cosmic birth of the Christ. I love the image of Gabriel announcing to Mary her destiny. But more importantly, as an example to us all, Mary said yes to this cosmic destiny to the benefit and freedom of us all.

The Madonna as symbol is the representative of the ideal of humanity. The Madonna, the story of Mary is for us to say yes to the Divine, say yes to the Christ. Humanity evolves in relationship to comprehending the Christ. Gabriel announced the coming of the Christ, Gabriel helped to fashion human physicality to comprehend the Christ. When darkness descends during this time of the year, we can more accurately comprehend this miracle.

Blessings to you on this Winter Solstice day, may your dreams bring you peace