Elemiah: Angel 4 of 72, Regency Dates, Psalm and Symbolism

Who is Elemiah?

Elemiah is the fourth angel on the list, of the Seraphim choir. His name, “Hidden God”, sets the tone: he is associated with what works in depth, with discreet effort, with the paths one travels before seeing their outcome. Esoteric authors make him the angel of persevering work, of journeys (in the literal or inner sense) and of discernment in the face of what lies hidden. His name is also spelled Alemiah or Alamiah depending on the editions.

The name Elemiah comes from a method of reading: the three verses of Exodus 14:19–21 (72 letters each) are superimposed (the second is read backwards), and the 4th column gives the three letters עלם (ayin-lamed-mem). The ending -iah, which recalls the divine name Yah, makes it an angel's name. The meaning most often given to Elemiah is “Hidden God”.

This page is part of our guide to the 72 angels. The correspondences given here (dates, hour, choir, psalm) are presented according to the Kabbalistic and esoteric tradition: they are symbolic reference points, which everyone is free to accept or not. The historical context is detailed in the introduction to the 72 angels.

Elemiah's reference points

Here are the reference points for Elemiah, as given by the tradition.

Please note: depending on the author, these dates shift by one or a few days. Here we follow the calendar of five days per angel, without interruption from 21 March (365-day year); other lists align the periods on the signs of the zodiac. The quinary is the 5-degree slice of the zodiac attached to this angel; it does not exactly coincide with the actual position of the Sun on these dates. The decan (10 degrees) and its planet come from classical astrology: see the page on the sign of Aries and the profile of the associated planet.

Elemiah's psalm

The associated psalm is Psalm 6, verse 5: “Return, O LORD, deliver my soul; oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!” It is the prayer of an exhausted man who asks to be heard. In the Christian tradition, this psalm is the first of the seven “penitential psalms” (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143), grouped together from the early Middle Ages. It begins with a plea and ends on trust: the one praying affirms that his voice has been heard. The theme of a return (“return”) fits the meaning of the name: what is hidden eventually reappears. Note also that the three Hebrew letters עלם can be read as “to hide” (as in the word ne'elam, “hidden”) or as “eternity” (olam): two meanings that the tradition keeps in mind.

Traditional symbolism

Elemiah evokes the patience of what ripens out of sight: the seed under the soil, evening study, the work nobody applauds. Authors attribute to him persevering professional effort and a taste for exploring, whether through journeys or through the questions one asks oneself.

• Groundwork: advancing at one's own pace on what matters, even without recognition
• Discernment: looking at what is hidden in a situation before deciding
• The journey: setting out, physically or in thought, towards an unknown place

These attributions come from the esoteric literature of the 19th and 20th centuries; they differ from one author to another and rest on no established ancient text. They are themes for reflection, never guaranteed effects.

The time of year and the hour of Elemiah

Elemiah's period corresponds to the first fully springlike days of April: the sap rises, the buds swell, the cherry and plum trees blossom. A great deal of invisible work precedes what appears afterwards, which illustrates well the name “Hidden God”. This period also falls between the beginning of Aries and the Sun's entry into Taurus, around 20 April.

Elemiah's hour runs from 01:00 to 01:20. The tradition links each 20-minute slot to an angel: a person born during it would come under Elemiah as the “angel of the hour”. Authors disagree on which time to use, legal time (as recorded on the birth certificate) or solar time. The full method is set out on our calculation page.

A gentle practice with Elemiah

For one week, each evening note one thing you accomplished without anyone noticing, then one thing you sense without yet being able to name it. Add a twenty-minute walk without earphones: movement sometimes helps bring back to the surface what has remained in the background.

A few questions to ask yourself, in writing or aloud:

• What patient work am I doing, without a witness?
• What am I avoiding looking at directly?
• In which direction do I feel like setting out, literally or inwardly?

These exercises belong to personal reflection and do not replace medical advice or psychological support.

What belongs to tradition, and its limits

Let us keep an honest view of this system. It dates from the Renaissance (Reuchlin's list, 1517) and is not recognised by the Catholic Church, which names only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. No experience demonstrates the action of an angel, and the correspondences change from one author to another. Some old books credit him with the power to “unmask traitors”: this idea rests on nothing and is no good reason to suspect those close to you. Psalm 6 is a prayer of distress: if you are going through a very difficult period, speak to someone close to you or to a professional; in France, the 3114 helpline can be reached at any hour, and 112 is the emergency number throughout the European Union.

To put this guide in perspective, see also the guide to the archangels and the page on angel oracles.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to the 72 guardian angels.