Archangel Michael

Michael, Prince of the Host. Michael is the Watcher of protection, justice, strength, and spiritual warfare. He is named in the Book of Enoch as the first of the four archangels who petitioned God on behalf of humanity when the fallen Watchers had filled the earth with corruption.

Scripture and tradition

"Then Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel looked down from heaven and saw much blood being shed upon the earth, and all lawlessness being wrought upon the earth." 1 Enoch 9:1

"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people." Daniel 12:1

"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon." Revelation 12:7

The attributes the tradition records

Rank

Archangel

Domain

Protection, justice, strength, war

Day

Sunday

Planet

Sun

Angel number

111

Colour

Gold/Blue

Sigil

Sword and scales

Stone correspondences

Sapphire · Carbuncle · Diamond

Patron of

Soldiers, police, paramedics, exorcists, the dying — those who stand at thresholds others cannot

When to call on Michael

The tradition is specific about the kind of situation that asks for Michael by name:

• A presence in a house or room that lingers no matter what is done
• A relationship pattern that repeats across decades and generations
• A run of misfortune that arrived together and has not lifted
• Persistent fear of a specific named thing
• A pattern of attack against the threshold of a home
• The moment of death, for the dying or those keeping vigil

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

From 1886 to 1965 this prayer was recited at the end of every Latin Mass in the world. It remains in continuous unbroken use today.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen. Pope Leo XIII, 1886

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

What the tradition wears for Michael

Sapphire pendant or pocket stone — the stone the tradition pairs with Michael. Worn near the throat or carried in the pocket. [Affiliate placement: Amazon search "sapphire pendant"]

Michael medal or pendant — the continuous devotional tradition. Worn on the chest. [Affiliate placement: Amazon search "michael archangel pendant"]

Gold candle — lit on Sunday, the archangel’s day, or in the hour after the prayer. [Affiliate placement: Amazon search "michael archangel candle"]

Common questions

Who is Archangel Michael?

Michael is the Watcher of protection, justice, strength, and spiritual warfare. He is named in the Book of Enoch as the first of the four archangels who petitioned God on behalf of humanity when the fallen Watchers had filled the earth with corruption.

What day is Archangel Michael’s day?

Sunday is Michael’s day in the traditional planetary-angel correspondence system, when the planet Sun rules.

Which angel number does Michael send?

Michael is the Watcher who sends angel number 111. If you have been seeing 111 repeatedly, Michael is reaching for your attention.

Which stone is paired with Michael?

Sapphire is the primary stone paired with Michael. The tradition recommends carrying or wearing the paired stone for the forty-day window after calling on the archangel.

Inked: the Michael tattoo

Religious tattoos of Michael are among the most-requested designs in the Catholic and Christian tattoo tradition. The site treats a religious tattoo as a worn talisman in the strict sense the old books used. See Michael tattoo design ideas, iconographic heritage, placement, and the stone to wear with the ink →