Angel Mihael (no. 48): reign, psalm, symbolism and reading

Who is Mihael, angel no. 48?

Mihael is the forty-eighth angel on the list, the last of the choir of Virtues. His name resembles that of Mikael (no. 42) and that of the archangel Michael, but his letters are different: Mem, Yod, Hé, not Mem, Yod, Kaf. He is therefore not the same figure within the list of the 72.

French editions see in him an angel of peace, of union between two people and of faithfulness. His themes touch on life as a couple, but also on every kind of alliance: friendship, family, association.

Mihael bears the number 48 in the list of the 72 angels of the Shem HaMephorash, which the Kabbalistic tradition draws from three verses of Exodus (14:19 to 21). Everything that follows is presented according to the Kabbalistic and esoteric tradition. For the origin of the system, read our presentation of the 72 angels.

Reference points in tradition

Dates follow the most common calendar (angel no. 1 reigns from 21 to 25 March, then five days per angel over 365 days); sources sometimes shift by a few days, and leap years are handled differently: see the guardian angel calculation. According to many authors, the hour is counted in local solar time.

The verse and the name

The verse from Psalm 98 proclaims that the Lord has made known his salvation and revealed his justice in the sight of the nations. The psalm begins with “sing to the Lord a new song”: it is a hymn of collective joy, in which justice is presented as good news. In the Catholic liturgy, it accompanies the Christmas season.

The name is formed from the Hebrew triplet מיה (Mem, Yod, Hé) followed by the ending El. Authors disagree on how to read it: some hear in it the Hebrew word “mi”, “who?”, as in the name Michael (“who is like God?”), while others reject this connection. The verse keeps the same number in Hebrew and English-numbered Bibles. The Vulgate places this psalm at number 97.

What tradition associates with Mihael

French tradition links Mihael to several close images:

• Peace between people, harmony within a household or a group.
• Union and faithfulness: keeping one’s word in a relationship.
• Fruitfulness, in the broad sense of what bears fruit in a couple, a project or a friendship.
• Reconciliation after a disagreement.

Some works speak of fruitfulness in the literal sense; this is a traditional symbol, not a promise, and it does not replace a doctor’s advice in case of difficulty conceiving. These attributions vary from one author to another.

A reading for today

Mihael can be read as a simple reminder: a lasting relationship calls for small, regular gestures more than for grand impulses. Saying thank you, asking forgiveness, offering time together are concrete acts of care, and the figure of an angel of peace makes them a little more visible.

If a relationship frightens or hurts you, this figure is not a solution: speak to a trusted person or to a professional (in France, 3919 is the national helpline against violence toward women; in case of immediate danger, dial 17 or 112, the emergency number across the European Union).

His period of the year and his sign

Mihael’s period, from 11 to 15 November, falls in autumn (northern hemisphere, within the framework of the original calendar). Roughly speaking, it covers the sign of Scorpio. 11 November, Armistice Day in France, falls within it: a coincidence of the calendar, with no particular significance, but it recalls that the idea of peace runs through this period. In the table of the 36 decans, each ten-day span receives two angels: Mihael shares his with Asaliah (no. 47).

In the choir of Virtues

In the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius (around 500), the Virtues are placed in the second triad, between the Dominions and the Powers; the word comes from the Greek dynameis, “powers”. Tradition sees in them the angels of the strength of the soul and of “signs”. In the list of the 72, this choir groups angels 41 to 48 and follows that of the Powers (33 to 40), whereas Dionysius reverses the two.

Mihael is the eighth and last angel of the Virtues. After him opens the choir of Principalities, with Vehuel: one passes from inner strength to the guidance of communities. In the image of the choir, the peace that Mihael evokes is the fruit of mastered strength rather than mere calm.

To place Mihael in the sequence of angels, here are his immediate neighbours: Asaliah (no. 47) before him and Vehuel (no. 49) after him. The choir is presented in detail on the page Choir of Virtues.

A gentle practice with Mihael

A fifteen-minute gratitude exercise:

1. Think of an important person in your life: a partner, a friend, a parent, a colleague.
2. Write down three things you appreciate about them, concretely (a gesture, a sentence).
3. Add a sentence of thanks that you have never said.
4. Read verse 2 of Psalm 98, then decide freely whether or not to pass this message on.

This exercise serves to clarify what you feel, not to oblige anyone. You may also simply keep the letter to yourself.

What to keep in mind

This system is symbolic, not an established fact. No angel chooses your partner or guarantees the faithfulness of a relationship, and no one can promise you an outcome. Read these pages for the images they offer and for the reflection they inspire.

The Catholic Church does not recognise this system: it retains only the three archangels named in Scripture, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. It does not, however, ignore angels: the Christian faith speaks of guardian angels, without names or calendar. Believers of all denominations also find in the psalms texts for prayer.

See also the guide to the 72 angels and the guide to the archangels.

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.