Raphael, Archangel of Mercury

The Archangel Raphael is a fitting choice for the angel of Mercury. Let's explore why ancient scholars such as Averroes and books like the Heptameron also made the association.

Much of our lore about the Archangel Raphael comes from the Book of Tobit. The text refers to Raphael as "one of the seven [angels], who stand before the Lord."  (Their number, seven, is most likely a reference to contemporary authors who sometimes called the seven visible planets the "seven governors" of the world.)

It was Raphael, in disguise, who led Tobit's son Tobias on a journey to fetch his father's money, which had been left with family in another town far away. Raphael became known as a patron of travelers of all kinds, as well as of young people. Mercury, of course, is a named after the "messenger of the gods," is also historically associated with both journeys and youths.

In the Book of Tobit, Raphael also uses his knowledge to create curative elixirs to heal Tobit and Sarah.  As the angel of healing, Raphael reminds us that Mercury too has a long association with healing and transformation, even if modern astrologers don't think about it this way. The caduceus, the snake entwined staff which would become the symbol of the medical community, was in ancient times also called the Staff of Hermes (Mercury).

Mercury also played a central role in the practice of alchemy, the aim of which was to bring healing at the deepest levels (and from which apothecaries and pharmacists are direct descendants).  Apothecaries, pharmacists, physicians, nurses -- as well as the sick -- are all under the Archangel Raphael's patronage. So are studies and learning, especially the medical arts, alchemy and theology.