Angels in Religion, Art, and Psychology

Angels are intercessors of man before God, heralds of His will, and defenders of all creatures. We observe them in the Talmud as servants of Adam in paradise, in the New Testament – in battle with the Antichrist, in the... Quran – as helpers of the prophet Muhammad, as well as guardians in Kabbalistic astrology. 

Angels are present not only in monotheistic religions but also in most cultures around the world. Over the millennia, angelology has formed, a special discipline that interests theologians, philosophers, mystics, artists, and even psychologists. Artists, inspired by the Scriptures, have portrayed angels predominantly as beautiful corporeal beings. But how were they seen by Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, or Carl Gustav Jung? How should we relate to modern visions of angels, for example in altered states of consciousness? Let us turn to traditions and accumulated knowledge over millennia and attempt to relate them to today's practices and science.