Hey! Stop taking yourself AND Archangel Uriel for granted!

Take a deep breath with me. Breathe in fresh air down to your toes. Feel it swirl through your veins as it collects all that smoky, sticky energy that does not serve you. Now exhale. You may even cough for a few seconds afterwards.

2023 is teaching us to put ourselves first. Like the advisement we receive from airplane flight crews, it’s critically important we take a breath from the metaphorical oxygen mask first before we assist anyone else. That’s the lesson we have to learn, and master this year. Self-care comes first. 

I mention this, because I am STILL recovering from a flu I got in December. If I do too much, forget to drink water or rest when my body is screaming to stop, then the illness tries to come back. Even knowing this, I slip up. I forget myself. Take myself for granted. 

No angel embodies this better than Archangel Uriel. Haven’t heard of him? I hope after this episode you fall in love with this essential celestial being.

Uriel’s name

Well known to Russian Orthodox faithful, Uriel’s name translated to, “God is my flame.”

In the Gnostic book, the Secret Book of John, written by Zebadee’s son, and James’ brother, Uriel is said to be placed in charge of demons. He is the third angel named in the Testament of Solomon.  He is mentioned in the Second Book of Esdras, found in biblical apocrypha in which Ezra asks God a slew of questions and Uriel is sent by God to instruct him. 

In the Christian apocryphal gospels Uriel and his role differ depending on the source. In one, Uriel was critically important in the rescue of Jesus' cousin John the Baptist from the Massacre of the Innocents ordered by King Herod. He carries John and his mother Saint Elizabeth to join the Holy Family after their Flight into Egypt. Their reunion is depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks.

If you haven’t seen this da Vinci painting, do a web search. It will be familiar. Uriel is seated on the right, has auburn curls and wears a gray