We have all heard of Archangel Michael and his ability to help those in need of immediate protection. It isn’t only Catholics that pray to him. In fact, even in the Hoodoo traditions as well as the African diaspora, he is commonly petitioned. However, Archangel Raphael is rarely discussed within Hoodoo, Conjure and the Diasporic traditions. Raphael is more commonly advertised as helping one with abundance, prosperity and healing. But there is another side to him as well. There is a story about him which sheds another light on what he can assist with.
Within the book of Tobit, is the story of Sarah and Tobiah. Tobit, Tobiah’s father had become blind and within a moment of agony, he prayed that God would end his life and the misery of being perpetually blind. In the distant town of Media lived Sarah, who was afflicted by a demonic enitity named Asmodeus, who had been following her and killing off seven of her husband’s on their wedding nights. Yes, you read that right, Sarah had been married seven times and on each night of Sarah’s weddings, her husband had died.
Sarah could not stand the pain and suffering that the demon was causing her. She wanted to end her life. In desperation, she begged and pleaded with God to end her life. She had lost all seven of her husbands and there was no hope for happiness.
Tobit sent his son, Tobiah on a mission to Media to obtain some money that he had deposited there. On the way to Media, he had met a traveler, who was no other than Archangel Raphael disguised as a man. During their journey, Tobiah had been attacked by a large fish. Raphael instructed Tobiah to catch the fish, then kill it and remove its gall, heart and liver. When they arrived in Media, Raphael led Tobiah to the family home of Sarah, who Raphael informed was available for marriage.
You see, Archangel Raphael had a plan. He instructed Tobiah to place the fish’s heart and liver into the fire before Sarah was to go to bed, thus driving out the demon. Once Asmodeus fled Sarah’s home, Archangel Raphael banished him. The gall of the fish had been placed on the eyes of Tobit, curing his blindness. Tobiah and Sarah married and neither Sarah nor Tobit continued to suffer their afflictions.
This story reminds us that supernatural enitities can attach to us and affect our physical and psychological well-being. This is especially true within the astral planes. When I started on my astral journey, I had a similar experience to Sarah’s.
The reason for burning the fish is pretty obvious. Spirits although without physical bodies, can smell. In fact, they have stronger senses than we do, albeit in the form of energy. Anything smelly or pungent will drive away lower-vibrational spirits. Fish are naturally odorous, and since they come from a source of water, they also have the ability to cleanse as well as heal. This is also the reason why Archangel Raphael is always pictured with a fish.
The image of Archangel Raphael is represented by Tin Djo Alagwe, the Leader of the Indian Division within the tradition of the 21 Divisions, or Sanse. The Indian Division is comprised of Taino and Arawak Indians native to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands. These spirits rule over water and are consulted to spiritually cleanse, bring about prosperity, luck, love, healing and the removal of obstacles.
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