archangels

The Adversary is an archetype found across cultures, manifesting as figures such as Satan, the Devil, Iblis, Mephistopheles, and Samael. Sometimes depicted as separate from God and other times an agent of them, this figure represents the inclination of evil in humanity.

Images: Hell, Hans Memling, 1485 | Satan, Gustave Doré, in John Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1866 | Adam and the Angels watched by Iblis, Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Jarīr al-Ṭabarī, 1415 | Jacob Wrestles with the Angel Samael, Gustave Doré, 1855

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The names, figures, seals and amulet sigils for each angel of the seven days of the week. From “The discouerie of witchcraft” by Reginald Scot, 1584. Source: Wellcome Library


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Samael: in Jewish mythology he’s an archangel AND demon, whose name means “Venom of God”. He acts as the Angel of Death & has Satan-like roles, but he’s not considered necessarily evil. He’s unique because while he encourages men to sin, he remains God servant. Art: Gustave Doré

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