Archangel Azrael Drops By

This is the sixth in a "Getting to Know the Archangels" series.  There will be a total of fifteen.

I feel compassion for Archangel Azrael, being misrepresented in pop culture as the dark Angel of Death or worse yet, the Grim Reaper... not good for the reputation!  Instead of being someone to fear, Azrael is our daily companion, as the sun dies to the night, as the flowers die to the winter, as our loved ones die to the next phase in their existence.

I had an unusual synchronistic experience recently that brought Azrael to my side.  This is a story of Divine Timing and an abrupt farewell to a friend.  I had been going through some deep, troubling personal issues, and decided to walk away from as many obligations and circumstances in my life as I could. 

One thing that was difficult to put aside was my visits to the hospital.  Anne-Marie had been my friend for over fifteen years.  Sometimes we socialized and spent time together; sometimes we would go months without communicating.  That never stood in the way of our friendship. She had been in and out of the hospital for years with a serious illness.

One night I was doing some work on my computer and I had to check my old email account.  I had stopped using it last year in favour of a different account.  There were many old messages, most of them advertising and such, but among them was a message from Anne-Marie’s husband.  It informed me that Anne-Marie was in Hospice! 

The bottom dropped out of my stomach.  I visited my friend as soon as I could.  She was awake and lucid.  I sat with her and held her hand, as was our habit.  We talked; she asked about the issues that she knew were going on in my life.  She became tired and her speech began to wander.  Her eyes fluttered and she dozed, occasionally mumbling and sighing.  I prayed, I hummed, I talked to angels:  Archangel Azrael, of course, who guides and comforts souls as they make their transition, and healing angel Raphael. 

I connect with angels through colour, and I see Azrael as a beautiful creamy-white feather, and Raphael as a sparkling emerald green light.  As I held Anne-Marie’s hand, I visualized these colours around her, with comfort and love from these angels.  In my mind, the two colours blended into a soothing mint green.

I had a restless sleep that night and kept half-dreaming about mint green.  I had to go to a course the next day, so I shut my phone off.  When I checked it after lunch, I saw I’d missed a call.  I was shaking as I listened to the message:  Anne-Marie had passed earlier that morning.

I was slightly shocked as I reviewed the events in my mind.  From getting the misplaced email, to visiting Hospice, to finding out Anne-Marie was gone, all in the space of about 33 hours.  

I am humbled by Divine Timing.  It allowed me to have one last visit with my friend before she moved on.  Anne-Marie knew how to live and she knew how to die.  She was optimistic and inspirational during her illness.  She took charge of her own destiny by directing all medical procedures and decisions.  She was unafraid and ready to go in whatever direction life led her.  I am still amazed by how these events unfolded.  I am so grateful for the entire experience, and the connection with Archangel Azrael, certain that his presence helped to ease and erase pain and fear.

Later that week, I did an Angel Therapy session for someone I met at a course we were both taking.  She had some issues with grief, loss and fear.  Two of the three cards I drew for her reading were messages from Azrael.  

It was so timely, as this person had been receiving visitations from relatives beyond the veil.  She was also having a lot of feelings about a change in her role and self-image as she retired from work.  How perfect that Azrael let her know that he was present to assist her.

Azrael is there for us during any difficult time, dealing with the little deaths we experience each day.  He assists those making their transition as well as those of us left behind.  He is an unseen guardian and guide for grief counsellors.

Death, transition, grief, loss... these are the domains of the loving and comforting presence of Azrael.  Invite him in with love and without fear.
          Each night, when I go to sleep, I die. And the 
          next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn.
          - Mahatma Gandhi 
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