Depending on which Judeo-Christian tradition you are referencing, there are said to be anywhere from three to thousands of archangels, though only seven are referenced by name in ancient texts. In Roman Catholicism, Judaism and Islam, there is Michael and Gabriel. Raphael is a third Archangel who is recognized in some Christian and Catholic denominations. There are references of a fourth Archangel named Uriel. The remaining archangels mentioned in the Book of Enoch are Raguel (aka Sealtiel), Zerachiel (aka Saraqael, Selaphiel, Barachiel, or Sariel), and Remiel (aka Jerahmeel, Jehudiel or Jeremiel).
Apart from these primary seven figures, there is mention of another archangel by the name Metatron. Although he isn't canonical within all the faiths, Metatron (aka Meetatron, Megatron, Merraton, and Metratton) is mostly referenced in Jewish Rabbinical literature as well as non-canonical Kabbalistic mystical texts. He can be read about in the Books of Enoch (specifically in the Third Book of Enoch), and in some passages of the Talmud.
Metatron, the Man-Turned-Archangel
Before we learn about Metatron, we must learn about who he was before he was an angel. Metatron was once the human prophet Enoch (who is the great-grandfather of Noah, to whom the Book of Enoch is ascribed to), and that he is one of the only two humans to ever be transformed from man to archangel. The other man-turned-archangel is the prophet Elijah, who became the archangel Sandalphon – but that is a story for another time. The point is, humans are unable to become angels or archangels, so this was a great (and uncommon) honor granted by God.
“This Enoch, whose flesh was turned to flame, his veins to fire, his eye-lashes to flashes of lightning, his eye-balls to flaming torches, and whom God placed on a throne next to the throne of glory, received after this heavenly transformation the name Metatron.”
— Scholem, Gershom G (1961) [1941], Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism, p. 67.
Enoch's Family Tree (From Adam to Noah)
The Story of Enoch, Who Became Metatron
The story of Enoch, who becomes Metatron, is found in the Books of Enoch. There are three Books, known as 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch. In these texts, we learn about the fall of the angels from Heaven (the Grigori), who later mated with human women, and had children that were terrifying giants (the Nephilim). God made the decision to eradicate the Nephilim from the world and to punish the Grigori, which leads to the Great Flood and Noah’s Ark.
In 1 Enoch, Enoch is guided through the heavenly realms by Uriel. In 2 Enoch, we basically have an expanded Genesis, and we learn of Enoch’s ascension through the various realms of Heaven, where he is “transfigured into an angel and granted access to the secrets of creation. Enoch is then given a 30 day grace period to return to earth and instruct his sons and all the members of his household regarding everything God had revealed to him. The text reports that after period of grace an angel will then come to retrieve him to take him from the earth.” In 3 Enoch, we relearn some themes seen in 1 and 2 Enoch, but the primary focus is Enoch’s ascension into Heaven, and how he became the Archangel Metatron. 3 Enoch is said to be written in 100 AD by Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha ha-Kohen (who lived between 90-130AD), but the only physical fragments that were found can only be traced as late as the 4th or 5th centuries.
Why was Enoch Chosen to Become Metatron?
Short version: Enoch stayed true to God and did not sin like the rest of humanity did.
Much longer version: When the rebellious angels fell from grace, they showed men the ways of war (such as forging of weapons of destruction), women how to use their beauty/bodies to beguile and bewitch, and showed how to gather and forge metals into idols to worship instead of God. These sins (idolatry, adultery, bloodshed and using God’s name in vain) are the worst sins you could commit in classic Rabbinical teachings. Enoch, however, kept himself and his family away from such things and stayed true to God.
When God (referred to as the Holy One) had removed His presence (the Shekina) from the world before the Great Flood, He had the angel Anaphiel YHWH bring Enoch to Heaven. It was then He declared Enoch as the best that mankind has to offer, and that he was to be a witness against them (the rest of humanity) to the future world, so that we may not say 'The Merciful One is cruel' (3 Enoch 4:3, 5).
"My servants, my host, my Cherubim, my Ophannim, my Seraphim! Do not be displeased on account of this! Since all the children of men have denied me and my great Kingdom and have all gone worshipping idols, I have removed my Shekina (the Shekina is the physical presence of God) from among them and have lifted it up on high. But this one whom I have taken from among them is an Elect One among [the inhabitants of] the world and he is equal to all of them [put together] in his faith, righteousness and perfection of deed and I have taken him as a tribute from my world under all the heavens.” (3 Enoch 6:2)
In Genesis, it says, "All of Enoch’s days were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and was no more, because God had taken him" (Genesis 5:23-24). It is generally believed this means Enoch was taken while still alive to Heaven via fiery chariot (3 Enoch 6:1; 7:1), transformed into an angel (3 Enoch 9:1–5; 15:1–2), and then renamed Metatron.
The Power of Metatron
Metatron is the writer of the Akashic Records, the Lesser YHVH (Yaweh), the Prince of Presence, and the one who communicates God’s word. He records all the deeds people do on Earth, and of what happens in Heaven. Other roles include (but not limited to):
The ruler of the Seventh Hall in Heaven (3 Enoch 10:1-2).
The ruler above the ministering angels and humans, except for the “Eight Great”, who are the highest of angels, and are God’s counsel (3 Enoch 10:3).
Heaven’s Scribe. As previously mentioned, he records all the actions of humanity, and of what happens in Heaven. Because of this role, he is the only other figure who is (sometimes) allowed to sit in Heaven besides God.
Act as the Voice of God. God said, “[…] every angel and prince who has a word to speak to Me shall now go before him and they shall speak to him instead of Me. And every command that he speaks to you in My name, you will obey, carry out, and fulfill.” (3 Enoch 10:4-5).
Metatron and the Akashic Records
The Akashic Records are the archives of all human events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intent ever to have (or could have) occurred in the past, present, or future. Metatron knows all secrets of Heaven, earth, wisdom, and the mysteries of the Perfect Law. He basically has knowledge of all that has been, and all that will be, and this is why he is considered to be the keeper of the Akashic Records.
“Before a man thought a thought in secret, I saw it and before a man made a thing I watched it. And there was nothing on high or in the depth of the world that was hidden from me” (3 Enoch 11:2-3).
Metatron and the Merkaba
Metatron is also associated with the Merkaba (also spelled Merkabah) because it is the devine vehicle of light that took Enoch/Metatron to heaven, and he uses it to heal and cleanse our energies. This is a divine light vehicle is the "fiery chariot of God", and is able to be used to lead us toward our spiritual path.
"Mer" means Light. "Ka" means Spirit. "Ba" means Body. “Mer-Ka-Ba means the spirit/body surrounded by counter-rotating fields of light, (wheels within wheels), spirals of energy as in DNA, which transports spirit/body from one dimension to another.” What this means is, the Merkaba is divine energy. It is an infinite flow of circulating energy that harmonizes male and female energies, provides divine protection, and represents the invocation of “as above, so below”. Fun fact, the Star of David is the 2D depiction of the Merkaba!
Metatron’s Cube
Metatron’s Cube is part of sacred geometry, and is also called the Fruit of Life (a component of the Flower of Life). It consists of 13 circles, and at the center of each circle is a “node”. Every node connects with the surrounding circles, creating a total of 78 lines, which creates a multitude of shapes in both 2D and 3D figures. Along with the Merkaba, Metatron’s Cube contains every shape that exists in the universe God has created, and those shapes are the building blocks of all physical matter.
There are theories as to the original purpose of the cube, but most theories believe the cube is used for healing, clearing away energies, and for allowing knowledge from YHVH to pass onto humans. It is also said to spin clockwise, and uses force to push away unwanted energy (such as negativity, evil, unwanted guests in the spirit realm, etc). The number 13 is a key part of this cube, and is considered sacred because it may reflect on there being 13 archangels, 13 keys of creation, and 13 centers of energy in our bodies. Suddenly Friday the 13th doesn’t seem so bad now does it?
Calling Upon Metatron
If you find yourself drawn to Metatron, you are able to call upon him for guidance, healing, wisdom, and for connection to the highest light in of the highest order. This can be done either with meditation, or spirit channeling – much like you would with a spirit guide. Remember to always cleanse your space before you do this, and allow yourself enough time so you won’t be interrupted. When you have prepared your space, close your eyes and concentrate. Open your space to welcome only that within the highest light, of the highest order, and request (whether silently in your heart, or verbally aloud) that Metatron be present with you. After your time with him has reached its end, draw your session to a close, and thank him for being there. Once again cleanse your space, which will help to draw the vibration down, and to let it be ready for the next time you use that area. Remember, if you ever feel uncomfortable, you are allowed to draw your time to a close, and step away.
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References:
Enoch from Antiquity to the Middle Ages: Sources from Judaism, Christianity ... by John C. Reeves, Annette Yoshiko Reed (PDF Here)
The Books of Enoch: A Complete Volume Containing - 1 Enoch (the Ethiopic Book of Enoch), 2 Enoch (the Slavonic Secrets of Enoch), 3 Enoch (the Hebrew Book of Enoch) by Joseph B Lumpkin (PDF Here)