Be Not Afraid: Practice HopeCore with the Archangels
I first viewed Darren Aronofsky’s Noah (2014) when it premiered in theaters. The opening scene—a cosmic montage that guides us through the journey of nothing (no thing) to everything (every thing) and ends with a cycle of the violence that has plagued our human story since the “Fall”—has stayed with me ever since. It’s a haunting reminder that the human experience has always encompassed the tangling of light and darkness, the reconciliation between good and evil, the ongoing war of Self, the looming feeling that our world, this beautiful garden of a planet, is on the precipice of changes that are not only overwhelming but unfathomable.
We’ve entered a time that feels as though everything exists on a razor’s edge between creation and destruction, and many of us feel an emotional void that, perhaps, is hard to name. It’s beyond exhaustion—it’s something deeper, a quiet, aching grief for the world as it is, compared to the world as it could be. We scroll through endless news cycles, witness history repeat itself, and feel powerless in the face of it all.
Weltschmerz—a German word that roughly translates to “world-weariness”—is the closest term I can offer that resonates. It describes the melancholy that comes from realizing the world cannot live up to our hopes or ideals. It is the weight of history pressing upon the present, a feeling that what is has strayed too far from what could be. And yet, history also reminds us that even in the bleakest of times, there have always been those who refused to submit.
Consider Joan of Arc, a peasant girl in 15th-century France who defied all odds, led armies, and believed with unwavering certainty that divine guidance fueled her mission. Her conviction turned the tide of history, as she boldly declared: “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”
Or, in more recent history, Malala Yousafzai, who at just 15 years old was shot for daring to demand education for girls. She should not have survived—but she did. And rather than allowing fear to silence her, she emerged even stronger, transforming pain into power. She stood before world leaders and proclaimed: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” In the face of violence, she chose courage. In the face of oppression, she chose hope. And in doing so, she became an icon of resistance and resilience.
Both of these women stood at the precipice of despair, looked into the abyss, and chose to fight for something greater than themselves. Their stories remind us that even in dark times, resistance is not futile – and hope, when wielded with conviction, becomes a weapon against hopelessness.
#HopeCore
Thus, we come to the idea of Be Not Afraid and #HopeCore. This deck is meant to serve as a tool to tap into a fearless energy that refuses to lose hope, and maintains faith in something beyond the world we know. It is a reminder that optimism—especially in times of uncertainty—is a radical act. To hope, to believe in a future that is not yet visible, is itself an act of defiance against the forces that would have us believe the world is already lost.
It may seem strange to use the angelic as the inspiration to solidify this concept, but, for us as creators, angels are not just beatific winged beings, but messengers.
Within the angelic realms we explore in this deck, there exists a hierarchy of celestial energies that, when engaged with intentionally, can be channeled for higher powers. In this hierarchy, archangels are the intermediaries between the divine and the human, bridging the seen and unseen. In Be Not Afraid, we follow the Western esoteric tradition, working with Uriel, Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel – but one not need to be a follower of a particular religion or dogma in order to work with these energies, they are able to be accessed by anyone with a willing heart and mind.
Our guidebook provides more detailed practices for calling in the celestial, but in this blog post, we invite you to attune to their presence through a felt sense—an energetic impression that speaks beyond words.
By working with color, scent, and incantation, you can create a sensory bridge to these forces, allowing their essence to move through you in a way that is both personal and profound – to embody your highest self, and from there, tell a new story.
Working with the Four Archangels
Uriel – For Light
Archangel Uriel is associated with the north and the element of earth, offering grounding and illumination in times of confusion and uncertainty. They provide guidance, helping you see beyond illusion, set stronger boundaries, and discern who has access to your light. Uriel’s presence cuts through deception, revealing the truth with clarity. Call upon them when seeking self-knowledge and the courage to stand in your autonomy.
Keywords: Grounding, integration, discernment, autonomy
Perfume: Le Labo Lavande 31 Eau de Parfum is a powerful olfactory channel for Uriel’s energy. The interplay of lavender, bergamot, and a resinous base mirrors the process of integration—cutting through illusion while reinforcing inner strength. Lavender, long associated with purification and wisdom, aligns with Uriel’s role as a guide to greater discernment, helping you see clearly and stand firmly in your highest self.
Palette: Shades of purple, lavender, and deep navy, accented with metallic hues. This spectrum embodies wisdom, intuition, and celestial illumination, grounding Uriel’s energy in both mysticism and clarity.
Incantation: Archangel Uriel, I call upon you to cast your light. Please allow my vision to be clear as crystal, and my intuition to burn bright.
Michael – For Protection
Archangel Michael is associated with the south and the element of fire, embodying the solar energy of protection and resilience. Call upon them when you need strength to persevere through even the most daunting challenges. Michael’s presence emboldens you to trust yourself, move forward fearlessly, and rise above uncertainty. If you feel stuck in fear, doubt, or emotional turmoil, this powerful angel will clear the way and safeguard your path ahead.
Keywords: Protection, fearlessness, awareness, empowerment
Perfume: Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette by Dior is a bold and fitting fragrance to channel this angel’s energy. The interplay of fiery spices, creamy vanilla, and smoldering almond mirrors Michael’s fierce protection. The scent’s intensity cuts through fear and hesitation, much like Michael clears obstacles from your path. With each wear, it serves as a potent reminder of resilience, courage, and the unwavering strength that burns within your spirit.
Palette: Crimson, orange, and gold, anchored by the sparkle of emerald green. This palette embodies Michael’s fierce protection, divine authority, and unwavering courage—igniting the fires of fearlessness.
Incantation: Archangel Michael, I call upon you for protection and empowerment. From the firmament, please allow fearlessness to flow. Through this power, may my heart be courageous, and fully aglow.
Raphael – For Healing
Archangel Raphael is associated with the east and the element of air, embodying the energies of health, healing, and miraculous transformation. Call upon Raphael when you feel energetically depleted, exhausted, or stuck in a fog, and they will respond by restoring vitality, clarity, and a greater flow in communication. They support healing on all levels—mind, body, and spirit—guiding you toward renewal and wholeness.
Keywords: Healing, transformation, vitality, renewal
Perfume: Frankincense & Myrrh Eau de Parfum by Czech & Speake is an ideal fragrance to attune to this angel’s healing vibration. The sacred resins of frankincense and myrrh have been used for centuries in purification rituals, their rich, balsamic depth clearing stagnant energy and inviting renewal. Their grounding yet luminous aroma mirrors Raphael’s ability to clarify, transform and transmute—elevating the spirit while stabilizing the body.
Palette: Luminous silver, deep black, and ethereal white shimmers, accented with the richness of ruby. This palette reflects Raphael’s dual nature as both healer and guide—silver and white shimmer evoke the purity of divine light, black represents the mystery of the unseen, and ruby symbolizes the lifeblood of vitality, passion, and regeneration.
Incantation: Archangel Raphael, I call upon you to restore my vibrancy. Through your emanation may my energy be a maelstrom of vitality. Please allow the forces within my nature to ascend to new heights of health and wholeness, renewing my body, mind, and spirit in this celestial ecstacy.
Gabriel – For Strength
Archangel Gabriel is associated with the west and the element of water, serving as a conduit for the strength of creation. When called upon, they flow through your spirit, awakening brilliance through creativity, dreams, and visions. As an angel of revelation, Gabriel empowers you to shape the world through the synthesis of word and will, bringing inspiration into tangible form.
Keywords: Strength, divine visions, creativity, revelation
Perfume: Age of Innocence by Toskovat channels this angel’s essence through contrast—airy sweetness (bubble gum, cotton candy, strawberry) ignites inspiration, while metallic and gasoline notes evoke raw creative force. Grounded by oud, cedar, and vetiver, it mirrors Gabriel’s role in transforming vision into reality—ephemeral yet electric, revelation made tangible.
Palette: Gradients of sky blue, twilight indigo, and liquid sunset over the sea, infused with the shifting iridescence of a mood ring—flashes of deep sapphire, amethyst, and fiery amber. These colors embody Gabriel’s essence, flowing like water and illuminating the path of creation. Like the sky reflecting upon the waves at dusk, this palette carries the brilliance of revelation, and the boundless potential of dreams taking form.
Incantation: Archangel Gabriel, I call upon you to rise within me like the golden light of dawn. Let revelation shimmer upon my spirit, so I may know the world beyond. Unveil what has been hidden, as the setting sun unveils the stars.
In Conclusion
Throughout history, every act of defiance against hopelessness has begun with a choice—to believe in something greater than fear. We may not all be called to lead revolutions or stand before world leaders, but we are all called to choose. To choose whether we let the weight of the world render us immobile, or whether we take even the smallest action toward something better.
And yet, that choice is not always easy.
There are days where I am terrified, yet, I am still reminded that light is not passive; it is an act of will, an insistence upon creation over destruction, love over fear, beauty in the face of ugliness. It is the force that has guided prophets, revolutionaries, and visionaries through the chasm of chaos, the fire that has burned in the hearts of those who refused to give up or give in.
Even in an act as simple as a color you wear, a perfume you anoint yourself with, or a mantra you hold, fearlessness may manifest in unexpected ways. A single step forward can open unseen doors, a single invocation can shift the energy around you.
So, if you are unsure, if you are afraid, pull a card. Whisper a prayer, or a wish from your heart. Ask for a sign. Let the angels speak in the way you need to hear them.
Be Not Afraid! May you carry this hope forward and into your core—not as a distant glow on the horizon, but as something you are. A presence. A force. A living testament to what is possible when you refuse to be consumed by fear, and, instead, look in the mirror and declare, “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”
Dive Deeper
Be Not Afraid: A Deck of Biblically Accurate Angels and Celestial Magic by artist, writer, speaker, and producer Jennifer Sodini, illustrated by Natalee Miller goes on sale April 8th, 2025. Find it wherever books and decks are sold.
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Be Not Afraid
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