SHEM ANGELS: WHY WORK WITH THEM?
These days, we have many options regarding the kinds of spirits we can work with. Adding to this excitement is the fact that more grimoires and spirit registers than ever before have been found and translated, opening up even more worlds of possibility. Today, I want to speak a bit about the Shemhamforash Angels.
As I've shared in previous posts, Shem Angels are uniquely connected to Earth and humanity, unlike the average angel. This is a hunch and a conclusion drawn from their correspondences and existing systems. Many of these Angels possess powers directly impacting real-world issues, a characteristic that sets them apart from other angelic registers. This 'this-worldliness' is particularly appealing in the current trend of magic that delivers results. It's as if these Angels were designed for this very purpose, making them a fascinating and efficient choice for your magical endeavors.
There can be a bias away from working with Angels. One is that it involves ceremonial magic to do the work. Fasting, purifications, special days and hours—all of that gets deter folx who don’t want to do the level of intense work traditional ceremonial magic requires. I get it. I am in traditions that do this form of magic and other ceremonial magic that are even more involved and complex. There are times when you don’t feel like doing all of that. And yet, other times, you don’t have the time or convenience for a long, drawn-out ritual.
When it comes to ceremonial magic, I understand that the level of intensity and complexity can be daunting. However, I've found a way to make it more accessible and efficient. By drawing on ceremonial magic’s historical connection to folk magical forms like Hoodoo, I've developed an adapted approach that allows for the same powerful magic in a more manageable and respectful way. This is not about making things up but about studying the historical relationship and finding ways to bring it into the present. I believe I've achieved this based on the positive feedback from my students.
There are a few great teachers who share what I am talking about. But even with an adapted approach, nothing I have found replaces the importance of having an established relationship with a spirit BEFORE asking it to do a bunch of stuff with or for you. This is the role of something like the Ruling Angel of the Shem system. Even though that angel comes from a particular decan, zodiacal period, etc., it is your lead activator and “crossroads” spirit. The solidity of your connection with them ensures that you can work with the energies of their angelic counterparts to achieve a specific goal that the secondary angel is adept at.
Another reason I think folx shy away from Angels is because they are not dark enough. There is an implication that so-called darker spirits are spirits with less restraint and more willingness to get things done by any means necessary. That may be true for some, maybe even many. But my experience with different spirits is that the more wild they are, the greater the chance of problems or blowback with them.
However, if you can’t do magic without a dark edge, have no fear! The Shem Angel system I teach and adapted actually understands the Angels in their Night aspect and evil angel side. The information about these things is not well spelled out, so it becomes a place of experimentation, an opportunity to bond and connect with these Angels more deeply to develop your practice.
Working with Shemhamforash Angels is different from working with other Angels. I invite you to join me and discover just what I mean.
The link to the course is here: https://www.theblackthorneschool.com/courses/working-the-names/.
See you in class!
