An Interview with Richard Webster

1. You’ve written about numerous subjects ranging from palmistry to feng shui to psychic pets. How did your new series on archangel communication come about and how does it fit in with the overall spectrum of your work?

I’ve always been interested in angels and wrote about them for the first time in Spirit Guides and Angel Guardians , published by Llewellyn in 1998. At that time, I had no intention of writing anything further on the subject. However, after it was published I started receiving letters and emails from people asking questions about angels. Many of these were about archangels and I discovered there was hardly anything available on the subject. I was too busy to write another book on angels at that time, but am happy that it worked out that way, as I like to let my ideas germinate for a while before starting to write. I think the archangel series fits in well with the overall spectrum of my work. My writing has always had a spiritual basis, even in the lighter books, such as Is Your Pet Psychic?

2. A great many people all over the world celebrate a belief in angels. In the series, you explain that angels can be found in several spiritual paths and cultures. While many may be familiar with angels as they are known in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where else do they appear?

Angels are found in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

3. What is the difference between an angel and an archangel? And why are Michael , Gabriel , Raphael , and Uriel so important and revered in the Angelic Kingdom?

Angels are spiritual beings who act as messengers or go-betweens. Archangels look after the other angels and care for humanity as a whole; they also deliver God’s decrees to people on Earth. Gabriel, for instance, appeared to the Virgin Mary to tell her she would give birth to the Savior. The word “archangel” comes from the Greek word archein, which means “to be at the top.” Consequently, they look after, and direct, groups of angels. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel are important for a number of reasons. Michael provides protection and courage. Gabriel provides guidance and the gift of prophecy. Raphael provides healing and wholeness. Uriel provides peace of mind, and assists people to help others. They also look after the four directions, seasons, and elements . Raphael looks after the East, spring, and the element of Air . Michael looks after the South, summer, and the element of Fire . Gabriel looks after the West, autumn, and the element of Water. Uriel looks after the North, winter, and the element of Earth.

4. An important theme of the series is that archangels are not only there to protect us in times of peril, but they can be contacted to help us in our day-to-day lives. What is it they can do to help us?

Archangels can help us in our everyday lives. Whenever a situation seems too difficult to handle, we can call on Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, or Uriel for help. The choice of the archangel is determined by the particular problem. Naturally, we should try to solve our problems ourselves and not pester the archangels with trivial matters. However, if the matter is important, we should call on the angelic kingdom for assistance. Angels want to help us. If someone required emotional healing, for instance, he or she could call on Raphael for help. Likewise, someone needing courage to right a wrong would benefit by calling on Michael for help.

5. The series suggests a wide variety of methods for contacting the archangels. Where do these techniques come from and what have you found most effective in your own experience?

The techniques come mainly from the psychic development classes I taught years ago. They were a good example of the teacher learning more from the experience than the students. We experimented with a variety of methods, and the ones I’ve included in the books were the ones we all found most successful. I guess it was a trial-and-error approach.

6. The fourth book in the series focuses on Uriel, who is not mentioned in the Bible. Why is that, and what is Uriel’s role as an archangel?

I’ve always felt sorry for Uriel, as he came close to being named in the Bible. An ancient Jewish tradition claims it was Uriel who wrestled with Jacob for a full night. The Bible gives a vivid description of the fight, but does not identify the angel by name. If it had, Uriel would be as well known today as Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Until the eighth century Uriel was considered one of the most important angels. In 745 C.E., Pope Zachary called a church council to discuss the growing interest in angels. The council decided that people could revere the angels identified by name in the Bible and Apocrypha, but all the others had to be abolished. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael were the only angels who passed this test.

Another pope added to Uriel’s woes. During the Renaissance, Pope Clement III ordered images of Uriel to be removed from churches because he mistakenly thought Uriel was connected with a heresy that claimed John the Baptist was the Messiah.

Uriel’s main role as an archangel is to protect mankind from natural disasters, such as earthquakes. He warned Noah about the coming flood, for instance. He also motivates and inspires teachers and anyone involved in creative activities. He provides peace and tranquility, and helps people who want to serve humanity.

7. Uriel is known as the Archangel of Light, and is associated with transformation. How can Uriel help us with personal transformation and self-improvement?

Uriel is sometimes called the Angel of Transformation, as he allows us to see situations from a different perspective. Uriel also helps us understand that a situation that seems devastating at the time may be considered a blessing when looked at in hindsight. The “light” in Archangel of Light refers to the divine light that holy people experience when they achieve oneness with God. This is not reserved solely for highly-evolved souls. Uriel will help anyone to experience this.

Uriel is keen to help anyone involved with self-improvement. He sometimes carries a scroll to indicate his interest in learning. The “light” can also be visualized as the light of knowledge.

8. In the book, you mention that Uriel is arguably the most accessible of the archangels. Is this because of his ability to provide peace and tranquility?

Yes. Uriel can provide peace of mind even in desperate situations. I heard an example of this yesterday. The daughter of a close friend of mine was in an abusive relationship. She wanted to leave her partner, but was terrified at what he might do to her, their two children or other members of her family. One evening, while her partner was out drinking, Uriel visited her and freed her from her fears. Afterwards, she had a deep sense of peace, and was able to think calmly and clearly about the situation. She went to bed feeling happy for the first time in several months. The next day she told her partner she and the children were leaving. Despite his threats, she remained totally calm and his words had no effect on her. Her partner could not believe how calm and decisive she’d become, and burst into tears when she and the children left. If Uriel had not provided her with that inner peace and tranquility, she would probably still be trapped inside the relationship.

9. You describe a lot of direct experiences you and others have had with the archangels. What is one of the more remarkable experiences you remember?

Many years ago, I walked up the main street of the city I live in on a Sunday evening. Members of a fundamentalist church had just finished their meeting at the Town Hall as I walked past. Some of them recognized me, as I’d been on TV a few nights earlier talking about psychic matters. They were angry at seeing me and chased me up the street. I ran as fast as I could, and finally called on Michael for help. As I did this, they stopped chasing me, and returned to the Town Hall. I was so relieved that it didn’t occur to me until much later how ironic it was that I had called on Michael to help me from people who were, apparently, good Christians.

10. What other projects are you working on these days?

I have two main projects at present. I have almost finished writing a book on magical symbols of love and romance . That has been a wonderful project to work on, and I’ll be sorry when it’s finished. I’m also writing another book on angels. I’d rather not say anything more about it just yet. However, it is completely different to any other angel book, and I’m finding it difficult, stimulating and exciting.