Archangels + Tarot: Invoking Celestial Protection

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction: Celestial Allies

Archangels are the mighty warriors and messengers of the divine—beings of immense power, unconditional love, and unwavering protection. They exist beyond religious boundaries, available to anyone who calls upon them, regardless of faith or tradition. And tarot provides a beautiful, accessible way to invoke their presence, receive their guidance, and work with their specific energies.

Each archangel carries a unique frequency and purpose: Michael offers protection and courage, Raphael brings healing and wholeness, Gabriel delivers divine messages and creativity, Uriel illuminates wisdom and transformation. When you combine their celestial power with tarot's archetypal language, you create a potent practice that bridges heaven and earth, bringing angelic support directly into your readings and life.

This guide reveals how to work with the four primary archangels through tarot—understanding their unique energies, invoking them for specific purposes, recognizing their presence in readings, and creating powerful practices that combine angelic and tarot wisdom.

The Four Primary Archangels

Archangel Michael: Divine Protector

Name Meaning: "Who is like God"
Primary Role: Protection, courage, truth, clearing negativity
Element: Fire
Direction: South
Color: Royal blue, gold
Symbols: Sword, shield, scales

Tarot Correspondences:
- The Emperor: Authority, protection, structure
- Strength: Courage, inner power
- Justice: Truth, fairness, divine law
- King of Wands: Protective masculine energy
- Seven of Wands: Defending boundaries

Call Upon Michael For:
- Protection from negative energy or entities
- Courage to face challenges
- Cutting energetic cords
- Finding truth in confusing situations
- Clearing fear and doubt
- Strength during difficult times

Archangel Raphael: Divine Healer

Name Meaning: "God heals"
Primary Role: Healing (physical, emotional, spiritual), travel protection
Element: Air
Direction: East
Color: Emerald green
Symbols: Caduceus, healing staff, fish

Tarot Correspondences:
- The Star: Healing, hope, renewal
- Temperance: Balance, healing integration
- The Sun: Vitality, wholeness
- Queen of Cups: Emotional healing
- Six of Swords: Moving toward healing

Call Upon Raphael For:
- Physical healing and recovery
- Emotional healing from trauma or grief
- Healing relationships
- Safe travel
- Healing practitioners seeking guidance
- Restoring balance and wholeness

Archangel Gabriel: Divine Messenger

Name Meaning: "God is my strength"
Primary Role: Communication, creativity, divine messages, new beginnings
Element: Water
Direction: West
Color: White, copper
Symbols: Trumpet, lily, scroll

Tarot Correspondences:
- The High Priestess: Divine messages, intuition
- The Magician: Communication, manifestation
- Judgement: Divine calling, awakening
- Ace of Cups: New emotional/creative beginning
- Page of Cups: Messages, creative inspiration

Call Upon Gabriel For:
- Receiving divine messages or guidance
- Creative projects and inspiration
- Clear communication
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- New beginnings
- Developing intuition and psychic abilities

Archangel Uriel: Divine Illuminator

Name Meaning: "Light of God" or "Fire of God"
Primary Role: Wisdom, illumination, transformation, grounding divine light
Element: Earth
Direction: North
Color: Ruby red, gold
Symbols: Flame, book, lantern

Tarot Correspondences:
- The Hermit: Inner wisdom, illumination
- The Tower: Divine lightning, transformation
- The World: Completion, enlightenment
- King of Pentacles: Grounded wisdom
- Eight of Pentacles: Dedicated spiritual work

Call Upon Uriel For:
- Wisdom and understanding
- Illuminating truth
- Transformation and alchemy
- Grounding spiritual insights
- Problem-solving and clarity
- Earth healing and environmental work

Invoking Archangels in Tarot Practice

The Four Directions Invocation

Before Reading:

"I call upon Archangel Michael in the South, protector and warrior of light. Surround me with your blue flame of protection.

I call upon Archangel Raphael in the East, healer and guide. Fill this space with your emerald healing light.

I call upon Archangel Gabriel in the West, messenger of the divine. Open my channels to receive clear guidance.

I call upon Archangel Uriel in the North, illuminator of wisdom. Ground divine truth in this reading.

I am protected, healed, guided, and illuminated. Thank you, beloved archangels."

Specific Archangel Invocation

For Protection (Michael):
"Archangel Michael, I call upon you now. Surround me with your protective blue light. Clear this space of all negative energy. Stand guard as I read these cards. Thank you for your unwavering protection."

For Healing (Raphael):
"Archangel Raphael, divine healer, I invite your presence. Fill this reading with your emerald healing light. Guide me to messages of healing and wholeness. Thank you for your loving care."

For Guidance (Gabriel):
"Archangel Gabriel, messenger of God, I open to your communication. Speak through these cards with clarity and truth. Help me receive and understand divine guidance. Thank you for your clear messages."

For Wisdom (Uriel):
"Archangel Uriel, light of God, illuminate this reading with your wisdom. Help me see truth clearly. Ground divine insight into practical understanding. Thank you for your illumination."

Archangel Tarot Spreads

Archangel Protection Spread (Michael)

5 Cards:
1. What needs protection: Vulnerable area
2. Source of threat: What to guard against
3. Michael's protection: How he's guarding you
4. Your role: How to work with his protection
5. Outcome: Result of divine protection

Archangel Healing Spread (Raphael)

6 Cards:
1. What needs healing: Core wound or imbalance
2. Root cause: Origin of the wound
3. Raphael's healing: How he's working to heal you
4. Your healing work: Your part in the process
5. Support available: Additional healing resources
6. Healed state: Vision of wholeness

Archangel Message Spread (Gabriel)

4 Cards:
1. Gabriel's message: What the divine wants you to know
2. How to receive: Opening to divine communication
3. Creative guidance: Inspired action to take
4. New beginning: What's being birthed

Archangel Wisdom Spread (Uriel)

7 Cards:
1. Current situation: Where you are now
2. Hidden truth: What Uriel illuminates
3. Wisdom needed: Understanding to cultivate
4. Transformation required: What must change
5. Grounding practice: How to embody wisdom
6. Divine alchemy: How lead becomes gold
7. Enlightened path: Way forward in light

Four Archangels Council Spread

5 Cards:
1. Michael's guidance: Protection and courage needed
2. Raphael's guidance: Healing and balance needed
3. Gabriel's guidance: Message and creative action
4. Uriel's guidance: Wisdom and transformation
5. Synthesis: Integrated angelic guidance

Recognizing Archangel Presence

Signs in Readings

Michael's Presence:
- Sudden feeling of safety or protection
- Blue light or flashes
- Warmth or tingling
- Strength cards appearing
- Clear, direct messages about boundaries

Raphael's Presence:
- Green light or healing energy
- Sense of peace and relief
- Healing cards appearing
- Gentle, nurturing feeling
- Physical sensations of healing

Gabriel's Presence:
- White or copper light
- Sudden creative inspiration
- Clear intuitive hits
- Message cards appearing
- Feeling of divine communication

Uriel's Presence:
- Ruby or golden light
- Sudden clarity or "aha" moments
- Grounded, solid feeling
- Wisdom cards appearing
- Deep understanding emerging

Working with Archangel Energy

Archangel Altar

Create Sacred Space:
- Michael: Blue candle, sword or knife, protection stones (black tourmaline)
- Raphael: Green candle, healing herbs, green stones (malachite, jade)
- Gabriel: White candle, feather, clear quartz
- Uriel: Red/gold candle, book, ruby or garnet

Place Corresponding Tarot Cards: Add cards that represent each archangel to their altar section

Archangel Meditation with Tarot

Process:
1. Choose archangel to work with
2. Select corresponding tarot card
3. Light appropriate colored candle
4. Invoke the archangel
5. Gaze at card, visualizing archangel
6. Enter meditative state
7. Receive messages, visions, healing
8. Thank archangel
9. Journal experience

Archangel Card Carrying

Daily Protection: Carry card image of Michael for protection
Healing Support: Keep Raphael card during illness
Creative Projects: Place Gabriel card on workspace
Study/Learning: Keep Uriel card while studying

Advanced Practices

Archangel Sigil Creation

Combine archangel symbols with tarot imagery to create power sigils:

Michael Protection Sigil:
- Sword from Justice card
- Shield shape
- Blue flame
- Your intention
Combine into one protective symbol

Archangel Invocation Ritual

Full Ceremony:
1. Cast circle calling four archangels to directions
2. Light four colored candles
3. Lay out four corresponding tarot cards
4. State intention
5. Pull cards for each archangel's guidance
6. Receive messages
7. Thank and release archangels
8. Close circle

Archangel Healing Grid

Create Crystal-Card Grid:
- Center: Your photo or intention
- Four directions: Archangel cards
- Corresponding crystals at each card
- Activate grid with prayer
- Leave for healing/protection

Ethical Considerations

Respect: Archangels are powerful beings; approach with reverence
Free Will: They won't override your free will or others'
Highest Good: Always invoke for highest good of all
Gratitude: Thank them for their service
No Demands: Request, don't demand
Trust: Trust their wisdom even if answer isn't what you wanted

Conclusion: Heaven's Warriors

The archangels are always available, always ready to assist, always surrounding you with love and protection. You don't need to be religious or specially gifted to work with them—you simply need to call upon them with sincerity and openness. And tarot provides a beautiful, tangible way to receive their guidance and feel their presence.

Whether you're seeking Michael's protection, Raphael's healing, Gabriel's messages, or Uriel's wisdom, the cards can serve as a bridge between your human consciousness and their celestial frequency. They speak through the archetypal images, offering exactly the guidance you need in forms you can understand and work with.

Start today. Light a candle, invoke an archangel, and pull a card. Feel their presence. Receive their guidance. Trust their protection. The archangels are here, ready to serve, waiting only for your invitation. Call upon them, and they will answer.