Castiel

Castiel, often shortened to Cas, is a powerful angel of the Lord who was responsible for saving Dean Winchester from Hell, on the archangels' command. It was his job to help prevent Lilith from breaking the 66 Seals that, once broken, would release Lucifer from his cage in Hell. Once Castiel learned that the angels wished to free Lucifer anyway, he defied his angelic brethren and died trying to help Dean prevent Sam Winchester from breaking the last seal.  

After he was killed by Raphael, Castiel was resurrected by God and joined Sam, Dean and Bobby Singer in a quest to stop both Heaven and Hell to prevent the brothers from becoming the vessels of Michael and Lucifer. When the Apocalypse was averted, he was again resurrected with new powers, being promoted to Seraph. He then started a civil war in Heaven to prevent Raphael from restarting the Apocalypse, Thinking he could not be outsmarted by a demon, Castiel teamed up with Crowley to claim the souls of Purgatory. He ended up betraying Crowley and absorbed all the souls, resulting in his powers reaching the level that of a deity, but at a high price: the powers that the evil souls granted him had warped Castiel's mind, causing him to proclaim himself as the new God.

Castiel later agreed on the advice of Dean to release the souls back into Purgatory. While seemingly successful, it turned out that the one of the most powerful entities, the Leviathans, from Purgatory held on to Castiel, and overpowered and took control of him. When the Leviathans leave to take over new forms, Castiel was presumed dead, but survived – apparently resurrected by God yet again. Dean later accidentally finds Castiel as an amnesiac healer called Emmanuel. After taking on Sam's madness and experience in Hell in order to save the Winchesters and redeem himself for what he did to Sam, Castiel had become insane and fell into a coma. However, he awakens and his sanity is returned to an extent when a signal was sent to all angels upon the discovery of the Word of God and the appointment of a new prophet. He then aids the Winchester brothers against Dick Roman, only to be transported to Purgatory with Dean.

While Dean returns, Castiel has not returned with him. While his condition is initially unknown, it's revealed that he spent most of his time running from Leviathans and that he didn't escape Purgatory with Dean as he had planned to stay as a form of penance. However, he was eventually released from the monster realm by an incursion of angels under the orders of a mysterious but powerful angel named Naomi and would rejoin the Winchester brothers and tried to become a hunter himself. But after a long while, Castiel learned that Naomi has been controlling him ever since she got him out of Purgatory and compelling him to find the angel tablet, at any cost, even going as far as killing Dean. When he almost did so, after that, Castiel then teamed up with Metatron when the angel convinced him to help him close the gates of Heaven. So after collecting the heart of a nephilim and the bow of cupid, Metatron is eventually captured by Naomi but escapes and kills her, only for Cas to discover Metatron's betrayal and plan to cause all angels in Heaven, even the imprisoned ones, to fall to Earth.

After being stripped of his grace by Metatron in order to expel all angels from Heaven, Castiel spends the next three months on Earth as a human. After being captured and tortured by an angel named Malachi, Castiel steals the grace of Theo and returns to his original status as an angel (previously being promoted to a Seraph). Castiel later assists Dean with expelling the angel Gadreel from Sam and heals Sam's wounds. After Dean leaves with Crowley to find a way to defeat Abaddon, Castiel also leaves to begin a search for Metatron and Gadreel while being pursued by other angels and eventually kills rebel leader Bartholomew and assumes command of his faction but a deception of Metatron's makes him lose his army but instead teamed up with angels Gadreel and Hannah to infiltrate Heaven and destroy the angel tablet, cutting off Metatron's power to allow Dean to kill him. Though successful, Dean and Gadreel were killed, while Castiel locked up Metatron. He has currently left Heaven as he doesn't want to be a leader and was dying due to his burning-out grace before Crowley saved him with Adina's grace. He has since reclaimed the last of his own grace and restored to full power and being a Seraphim once again.

Castiel's legacy has seemed to have become legendary among angels and demons alike, as many recognize him as the only angel who defied God's rules and cooperated with humans on his own decision, which he is either loathed or respected for. He is also the only angel to have been killed, and been resurrected multiple times. He is the only known angel who has repeatedly been resurrected by God so he could help Sam and Dean Winchester.

Early life
"You know, I've...I've been here for a very long time. And I remember many things. I remember being at a shoreline, watching a little gray fish heave itself up on the beach and an older brother saying, 'Don't step on that fish, Castiel. Big plans for that fish.' I remember the tower of Babel...all 37 feet of it, which I suppose was impressive at the time. And when it fell, they howled divine wrath. But come on. Dried dung can only be stacked so high. I remember Cain and Abel...David and Goliath...Sodom and Gomorrah."

- Castiel explaining his early life

Although not much is known about Castiel's early life, as an angel, he has existed for millions, if not, billions of years. He watched as the first fish emerged from the ocean. Even Metatron hinted that Castiel has "been around since scaly things crawled up out of the muck." Naomi also once said that Castiel has, as she put it, "been unstable in the past." Additionally, discussions with Uriel suggest the pair were children by Angel standards when Lucifer rebelled against Heaven and refused to bow down to humanity. While his brother was enthralled by Lucifer's power and charisma, Castiel remembered being frightened and disturbed by the rebellious Archangel. Castiel had been stationed on Earth for at least 2,000 years while being in the same garrison as Anael (who acted as his superior and became very close to him), Uriel, Balthazar, Hester, Inias and Bartholomew. Castiel was present when the world was first created, making him several thousands years old biblically (Uriel also made reference to questioning 'How long have I served' as '6 or 7 centuries'). He also witnessed Cain killing Abel. He also watched them build the Tower of Babel, David killing Goliath, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and among other historic and Biblical events. He also witnessed the evolutionary struggle between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals and was hoping that the latter would survive because of their superior poetry (though this particular opinion and reasoning may have just been madness).

21st Century


In 2008, Castiel spoke with his true vessel, Jimmy Novak, in Pontiac, Illinois. When Jimmy was watching television, Castiel's voice distorts the picture and caused him to scream in pain and his body to spasm until he finally blacked out. Later, Castiel told Jimmy to put his arm in boiling water and that he would be unharmed as a way to prove his faith. With his wife believing that he was going crazy, Jimmy asked Castiel what he wants from him and how he can help. Castiel explained that he needs to use Jimmy Novak as a vessel, to which Jimmy agreed to as long as his family is protected. After receiving consent, Castiel possessed Jimmy Novak. Before he left, Castiel was confronted by Jimmy's daughter, Claire, and told her that he is not her father.

Season 4
"I am not here to perch on your shoulder. We had larger concerns.[...] We tried. And there are other battles, other seals. Some we'll win, some we'll lose. This one we lost. Our numbers are not unlimited. Six of my brothers died in the field this week. You think the armies of Heaven should just follow you around? There's a bigger picture here. You should show me some more respect. I dragged you out of Hell. I can throw you back in."

- Castiel to Dean Winchester

When Dean Winchester broke the first of the 66 Seals that would allow Lucifer to walk free, the Angels took action. They fought their way to Hell and Castiel freed Dean from the pit. Dean awoke in a grave and made his way to the surface, not knowing how he had been resurrected; the only clue he had was a large imprint of a hand near his shoulder. After reuniting with Bobby Singer and Sam Winchester, Dean tried to learn what had rescued him from Hell. He also discovered that he'd been dead and buried for four months. Eventually, Dean took matters into his own hands and with Bobby's help, set a trap for the creature and protected himself and Bobby with multiple Devil's Traps and other anti-demon devices. Castiel arrived and the hunters shot at him as he passed through the Devil's Traps with ease. Dean stabbed him with Ruby's knife but it had no effect and Castiel quickly knocked out Bobby with a mere touch. Castiel explained who he was to Dean, telling him "I'm an angel of the Lord.", and that God has work for him.

After people who were supposed to be dead seemed to be rising from the grave, Castiel appeared to Dean and explained to him that this was one of the 66 Seals, "The Rising of the Witnesses." Castiel told him that Lilith was attempting to break 66 of the seals which would lead to Lucifer walking free on Earth and then the Apocalypse would begin. The Angels had been fighting to stop the demons, but the odds were against them. He explained to Dean that he must help stop the breaking of the seals as well. Castiel also showed that he was not a force to be underestimated or even taken lightly as in a chilling tone, he told Dean to start showing him some respect or he'd change his mind and throw him back into Hell again.

One day when Dean was asleep, he woke up to find Castiel sitting beside him. Castiel, without speaking, tapped Dean and brought him back in time to an important few-day period. It showed Dean the connection between Azazel and Mary Winchester, and answered questions that had always been on his mind. Castiel said that the reason he had brought Dean back to that period was to make sure that he was caught up with all of the facts. He also explained that the angels are still unaware of Azazel's endgame. Castiel also told Dean about Sam's developing abilities and that he was going too far down a dark path and that if Sam did not stop using his powers, then the angels would kill him.

"Your brother is heading down a dangerous road, Dean. And we don't know where it leads. So stop it ... or we will."

- Castiel

Sometime later, Castiel and his partner Uriel met with the Winchesters when they were in the middle of hunting a witch. The angels explained that the witch was trying to summon the demon Samhain from Hell and that this was another one of the 66 Seals. The angels said that they would have to destroy the entire town and all of its residents to ensure that the seal would not be broken. The brothers argued against this and assured Castiel and Uriel that they could stop the witch from summoning Samhain. While Uriel wanted to smite the town anyway and drag Dean and Sam away, Castiel agreed with them, later discussing with Uriel his disdain for humanity and their true orders. Unfortunately, the Winchesters failed and Samhain rose, breaking another seal. After Sam exorcised Samhain with his powers and stopped him, Castiel met with Dean in a park and revealed that the angels true orders were always to follow Dean's orders, not to smite the town and that this was a test of Dean's battlefield leadership. Castiel reveals that he always hoped that Dean would chose to save the town whether or not they failed and that he secretly harbors doubts about Heaven and its plans.

"You misunderstand me, Dean. I'm not what you think. I was praying for you to save the town [...] These people ... they're all my Father's creations. They're works of art. [..] I'm not ... a hammer, as you say. I have questions, I have doubts. I don't know what is right or what is wrong anymore, whether you passed or failed here. But in the coming months, you will have more decisions to make. I don't envy the weight on your shoulders, Dean. I truly don't."

- Castiel's hidden compassion

When the angels learned that a woman named Anna Milton could listen in on angel's conversations they grew worried. If the demons were able to get to her before them, the demons would know everything that the angels were planning. But Castiel knew the truth: Anna had once been his angel superior Anael who disobeyed. She cut out her Grace and fell to Earth, where she was reborn as a human. Castiel and Uriel knew though that the only way to ensure the safety of their plans were to kill Anna. While Castiel was hesitant about this, Uriel enforced the idea that it was absolutely necessary.

Castiel and Uriel found Anna along with the Winchesters. The angels ordered Sam and Dean to hand over Anna, but they refused. The angels attacked them and almost retrieved Anna, but were sent away by a ritual Anna performed. They later were able to find Anna with the Winchesters again, but soon discovered that they had been led into a trap when Alastair arrived with a group of demons. The angels and demons fought over who would take Anna with Castiel fighting Alastair. Castiel proved no match for the demon, with his powers being useless, but Dean saved him despite being on opposite sides of the Anna situation. In the end, Anna retrieved her Grace and became an angel again and Alastair's body was destroyed, defeating him. Grateful for Dean saving him, Castiel held Uriel back from attacking Dean in revenge and they left to chase after Anna.

When Alastair tried to break another seal by killing two Reapers on the night of the Solstice, Castiel managed to capture him having pretended to be Bobby to send the Winchesters after the seal. The angels held Alastair captive and when seven angels had mysteriously been killed, Castiel assumed that demons were behind the attacks. At this time, Castiel is put under closer watch by the angels, who believe him to be developing human emotions. He and Uriel recruited Dean to interrogate the demon. During the interrogation, Anna returned and spoke with Castiel. She told him that she knew how he was feeling and that he was beginning to develop human emotions. Castiel refused to believe this and yelled at her, causing her to leave. Shortly after, the Devil's Trap Castiel had made to hold Alastair somehow malfunctioned and Alastair nearly killed Dean. Castiel fought the demon but was almost defeated when Sam came to his rescue, using his psychic powers to kill Alastair to Castiel's shock after torturing out of him that the demons weren't responsible for the angel deaths. While visiting Dean at the hospital, Sam criticized Castiel for being so cold-hearted as to risking Dean's life. This sunk into Castiel's head and he went to Anna for help, telling her he needed to know what to do; she told him it was time for him to decide on his own for once. Castiel investigated the broken Devil's Trap further and learned that it was Uriel who was behind the malfunctioning Devil's Trap and the angel killings.

Uriel reminded Castiel of the times when Lucifer was one of the greatest angels and also spoke about how God isn't doing anything and they must follow someone who would. Castiel refused and the two angels fought. Castiel was no match for Uriel and was beaten down but was saved when Anna appeared and killed Uriel with his own Angel Blade. Castiel then went to Dean and confirmed that Dean was responsible for breaking the first seal by giving in to Alastair's torture. Dean begged Castiel to find someone else because he wasn't fit to stop the Apocalypse.

Castiel later appeared when Dean interrogated Chuck Shurley, who was writing a book series based on the Winchester brothers, explaining that Chuck was a Prophet of the Lord. When Dean asked him for help in saving Sam from Lilith, Castiel was initially hesitant to help, but dropped him a hint by telling him that Prophets are protected by archangels, and that if a Prophet is in the same room with a demon, then the archangel will descend to smite the demon.

Castiel then came to Dean while he was dreaming and told him to meet him at a certain location, saying that he had something to tell them. But when Dean and Sam arrived, they found him unconscious in a wrecked building with dead demons. When he awoke, the brothers found that Castiel had abandoned his vessel, Jimmy Novak, who describes being possessed by Castiel like "being chained to a comet." When Dean, Sam, Jimmy and Jimmy's daughter, Claire, were being held hostage by demons, Jimmy was shot and Castiel returned to possess Claire and helped save them all. While Castiel tried to comfort a dying Jimmy, Jimmy pleaded with Castiel to take him back as a host and Castiel accepted. When Dean asked Castiel what he had been trying to tell him, Castiel coldly brushes him and says his allegiance now is only to Heaven.

"I learned my lesson while I was away, Dean. I serve Heaven. I don't serve man, and I certainly don't serve you."

- Castiel's changed loyalties

Later in When the Levee Breaks Castiel was summoned by Dean, who was screaming for three hours for help. When Castiel arrived, Dean asked him what happened in Heaven, but Castiel wouldn't say. Then Castiel recruited Dean in the service of God and his Angels. Castiel told him to wait till the Angels summons him. A few hours later he freed Sam from Bobby's panic room in which he was held captive, because of his addiction. Later Anna confronted Castiel about why he released Sam. Anna said that Sam was even worse than they had expected. Castiel told he has his orders to follow and then said to Anna that she shouldn't have come. The next moment two Angels stood beside her, and took her captive.

Later Zachariah brought Dean to a chamber, so he would be safe for the release of Lucifer. Zachariah told him that the final seal would be broken that night. Although had a fight with Sam, Dean tried to contact him on his cellphone, leaving a message on his voicemail. Later Dean wanted to talk with Sam and summoned Castiel by breaking a Stone Angel on one of the tables. Dean asked to visited Sam, but Castiel said he could go everywhere except to Sam. Dean asked what they were going to do with Sam. Castiel said that Sam is going to do it to himself, but he didn't want to say more. He said it was his destiny. Dean said that destiny was just a bunch of lies, to keep him in line. Dean tried to persuade Castiel to help him, but Castiel said that they would be all be hunted, that they would all be killed. In response, Dean said to him that this is worth dying for. But to Dean's disappointment, Castiel refused and Dean ordered him away. Castiel tried to get Dean to listen, but left when he refused.

Shortly after, Castiel confronted Dean and drew an angel banishing sigil on the wall with his own blood after putting his hand over Dean's mouth to stop him from shouting until he realized Castiel was helping him. Then Zachariah appeared and asked what he was doing. Castiel pressed his bloody hand on the sigil, banishing Zachariah. He then said that Lilith is the final seal and that Sam is going to break it. He said he knew someone that knew where Sam was and teleported Dean with him.

Castiel teleported Dean and himself to Chuck, the prophet of the Lord. Chuck was confused and said that this is not supposed to be, for this was not in the story. Castiel said that they would make it up. When they found out that Sam was at Saint Mary's, Chuck’s computer goes off and bright light fills the room. Castiel said it is the Archangel and teleported Dean to Saint Mary's, so that he could hold the Angel off. At Chuck’s, Castiel looks up at the bright light. Chuck puts his hand on Cas's shoulder, and when Castiel gives him a look, he removes it.

Season 5
"There is someone besides Michael strong enough to take on Lucifer. Strong enough to stop the Apocalypse. [...] The one who resurrected me and put you two on that airplane. The one who began everything. God. I'm gonna find God."

- Castiel's mission

After witnessing the release of Lucifer from Hell, Dean and Sam went to Chuck's house to find Castiel. There they were told by Chuck that the Archangel smoked Castiel – literally – and they even find one of his teeth tangled in Chuck's hair. Later, when the Winchesters are trying to track down Michael's sword in their father's old storage unit, Zachariah and his angels arrived to inform Dean that he is Michael's sword—in other words, Michael's vessel. When Dean refused to give his consent for Michael to possess his body, Zachariah started inflicting various kinds of physical pain on him and Sam (breaking Sam's legs and removing his lungs, and giving Dean stage-four stomach cancer), all the while refusing to kill them. Castiel then miraculously appeared and dispatched Zachariah's men, then forced Zachariah to heal the Winchesters and leave. He then used his powers to carve Enochian sigils on their ribs, keeping them hidden from all demons and angels, including Lucifer.

After rebelling against the angels, Castiel goes on a mission to find God in hopes he will be the one to stop Lucifer. He uses Dean's amulet for this, which is said to glow hot in God's presence. It's revealed Castiel's powers are also diminished, cut off from Heaven, and is at first with mad at Sam and Dean for failing to stop Lucifer rise when he literally "lost everything". However, despite his, he continued to be invaluable to the brothers saving them on numerous occasions.

"I killed two angels this week. My brothers. I'm hunted. I rebelled. And I did it, all if it, for you. And you failed. You and your brother destroyed the world. And I lost everything ... for nothing. So keep your opinions to yourself."

- Castiel to Dean for doubting his plan

Looking for a way to find God, Castiel approached Dean for help in capturing and interrogating Raphael on God's location. After Castiel retrieved Holy Oil for the trap, Dean took him to a strip club after learning that Castiel was a virgin so he wouldn't die as one. Castiel was clearly nervous in the strip club and ended up angering the stripper by telling her that her father left because he hated his job, not her.

Castiel and Dean later succeeded in trapping Raphael, who told them God was dead. Though Raphael demanded his release and threatened them, Castiel left him where he was, telling him that "for now, you're my little bitch." Castiel later contacted Dean about finding The Colt and rescued him from Zachariah after he returned from the future. After seeing a future where Castiel was human and perpetually stoned, Dean told him never to change.

In an alternate post-Apocalyptic future in which Lucifer had ravaged the world with the Croatoan Virus, the angels abandon Earth and Castiel loses his remaining powers (though he is still able to sense that the Present Dean is from the past). He joined the Future Dean's resistance movement against Lucifer, but quickly became bitter and depressed with the situation. As a result, he spent most of his time immersed in drugs and women. Future Castiel participated in the failed attack on Lucifer at the end of the episode. He was presumably killed along with the rest of the Future Dean's group.

After Sam and Dean were kidnapped by the Trickster, Castiel came to their rescue, but was stopped. He later made his way back long enough to warn them that the Trickster was too powerful to be a trickster before the Trickster himself appeared, greeted Castiel amicably then effortlessly overpowered him. Castiel's information and various clues caused Sam and Dean to realize the Trickster was actually the Archangel Gabriel and after trapping him, forced him to bring Castiel back from wherever he'd put him. Castiel greeted his brother coldly and watched the end of Sam and Dean's confrontation with him, doing nothing to help him.

When Sam, Dean, Ellen and Jo went after Lucifer, Castiel joined them, drinking shots with Ellen before they took off and taking a picture with the group. In Carthage, Castiel separated from the group to follow a Reaper and was captured and held in Holy Fire by Lucifer who tried to convince the angel to join him. Castiel refused and was held captive by Meg who taunted him. However, Castiel managed to loosen a pipe and use it to knock Meg into the circle where he tried to smite her only to find he'd lost that power. Castiel used Meg's body as a bridge to escape and teleported Sam and Dean, the only other survivors of the failed mission, away from Lucifer.

Castiel later assisted Sam and Dean in tracking down a cupid, who they believed was responsible for the death of a couple. When the cupid was proven innocent and heart-broken by their accusations, Castiel was tasked with calming him down. The three of them then discovered that Famine was behind the deaths. Famine's presence caused Castiel to hunger for red meat.

When the brothers were ambushed and killed by two hunters furious with them for causing the Apocalypse, Castiel warned the brothers that Zachariah was looking for them in Heaven and they should attempt to contact an angel named Joshua, who was rumored to speak to God. When the brothers returned from death, Sam revealed that God wanted nothing to do with them, causing Castiel to abandon his belief in God and return Dean's amulet, stating that it was worthless. He fell into a depression and drank heavily, but sobered up in time to help defeat the Whore of Babylon.

In Point of No Return, Castiel was angry with Dean's decision to say yes to Michael as he had sacrificed everything to follow Dean as he believed in him. At one point Castiel had beaten him up out of pure rage. When Sam and Dean go to rescue Adam Milligan from Zachariah, Castiel carved an angel banishing sigil into his chest and uses it to banish four angels and himself after showing his lack of faith in Dean by saying at least he won't have to see Dean fail. However, Dean ultimately doesn't go through with saying yes to Michael and kills Zachariah instead.

In Two Minutes to Midnight, Castiel returned powerless, apparently from the banishing sigil. He apologizes to Dean for doubting him and comes to their aid when confronting Pestilence. In his weakened state, Pestilence easily brings Castiel down, but he possesses just a "speck" of his angelic self left, just enough to resist Pestilence's power long enough to cut off his ring and defeat him. Castiel later joins Bobby and Sam in an assault on Niveus to stop the Croatoan Virus, bemoaning his lack of power. Despite this, Castiel does a good job, stopping a truck loaded with the virus from leaving and killing a zombie with a shotgun (which he remarks is actually useful) saving Sam's life.

In Swan Song, now almost completely human, Castiel accompanies Bobby, Dean and Sam to Detroit where Sam will say Yes to Lucifer as part of their plan. Castiel awkwardly says goodbye to Sam and tries to reassure him that they will be okay, but is bad at it. When Sam fails to overpower Lucifer, Castiel loses hope and suggests they get drunk and wait for the end to come. Dean refuses to give up and manages to get Castiel and Bobby to help him. In the final confrontation, when Michael (in the vessel of Adam Milligan) was about to fight Lucifer (in the vessel of Sam) Dean intervened saying he wished to speak with Sam. This prompted Michael to remove Dean, however, before he could respond Castiel teleported into the field with Bobby and threw a Molotov of holy fire at Michael, sending him back to Heaven for a brief time. Lucifer turned to Castiel, furious by the fact that Castiel harmed his brother. Castiel for the first time showed fear when he realized that he had enraged Lucifer, who snapped his fingers and caused Castiel to explode. Shortly after the battle between Dean and Lucifer where Sam was able to retake control and throw both himself and Michael into the Pit, Castiel was resurrected by God with his angelic powers restored and upgraded, allowing him to restore Dean's broken bones and Bobby to life. Castiel, now a Seraph, said that he needed to return to Heaven to restore order to the anarchy that will follow Michael's departure.

"With Michael in the cage, I'm sure it's total anarchy up there. [...] I don't know what God wants. I don't know if he'll even return. It just ... seems like the right thing to do."

- Castiel deciding to restore order in Heaven

Return to Heaven
"No one leads us anymore. We're all free to make our own choices and choose our own fates. [...] God wants you to have freedom."

- Castiel to angels during his return

After the Apocalypse was averted, Castiel managed to save Sam and pull him out of Lucifer's Cage with his enhanced powers, though didn't know at the time hadn't brought him back with his soul. Castiel visits his favorite part of Heaven – a Tuesday afternoon of a 40-year old autistic man who drowned in a bathtub in 1953 – where other angels awaited him. Castiel preached freedom to them instead of having a leader, but they don't know how. Castiel struggled in Heaven his first few weeks back as he tried to get the angels to embrace freedom, later likening it to "teaching poetry to fish." During this time, Castiel is confronted by Raphael. Castel and Raphael clash over their different ideologies for Heaven – Castiel with his emphasis on freedom and peace while Raphael wants to free Michael and Lucifer from the cage to start the Apocalypse again. Raphael tries to get Castiel to bow to him, but Castiel refuses.

Due to his misfortune, Castiel is no match for him. Castiel tries to get help from Dean, but seeing Dean retired makes Castiel rethink this. Crowley suddenly approaches Castiel, proposing him a deal to have him grow strong enough to defeat Raphael by collecting monster souls if he lets Crowley have access to Purgatory. Crowley also suggests he lead Heaven since he is the only angel to be resurrected by God, though this would start a civil war. Castiel refuses all propositions, but begins to consider it when Crowley twists it as either his option or the apocalypse all over again. Castiel reluctantly agrees to the deal. Crowley resurrects Samuel Campbell to help them find Purgatory while giving Castiel a thousands of souls from Hell to power him up against Raphael for the time being.

Castiel, powered up with souls, challenges Raphael and divides Heaven between him and the archangel. Castiel also cuts contact off from Sam, who repeatedly prayed to him many times for explanations on getting out of the cage.

"There will be no Apocalypse. And let it be known – you're either with Raphael or with me."

- Castiel starts the civil war

Season 6
"Raphael and his followers, they want him to rule Heaven. I -- and many others -- the last thing we want is to let him take over. It would be catastrophic. [..] Whoever has the weapon wins the war."

- Castiel's ongoing battle with Raphael

Castiel struggles with the civil war in Heaven against Raphael. WhenSam and Dean found out plagues were unleashed upon the Earth, they called Castiel for help. Castiel showed up and told them the Angelic Weapons were stolen from Heaven. Castiel claims to not know what or whom brought Sam out of his cage.

During their investigation, they find out that an Angel has been moonlighting as a crossroads demon. To locate the angel's name, Castiel performed a ritual to find the angel that bought the soul. When Castiel learned it was his old friend, Balthazar, an angel follower of Raphael showed up and attacked Castiel. Castiel managed to defend himself and let the angel get away, but the angel knew that Balthazar was selling pieces of the Staff of Moses. So Castiel, Dean and Sam try to find Balthazar first, and when they do, Balthazar admitted that he stole the weapons from Heaven and that he want to live in freedom. When Balthazar disappears, Castiel is confronted by angels who want to kill him. Castiel asked them to join him, but they refused and Castiel killed them. Afterwards, Raphael showed up and told him that they were his followers and smashed Castiel. Just as Raphael was about to kill Castiel, Balthazar showed up and used the weapons from Heaven to destroy Raphael's vessel. Eventually, Sam and Dean showed up and were able to trap Balthazar in a circle of holy oil, but Castiel lets Balthazar go after they force him to let go of his hold on the soul with Castiel's reason being that he owed Balthazar his life.

Dean becomes more and more disturbed by Sam's behavior, and prays for Castiel's help. Castiel doesn't respond until Dean calls him about a possible loose nuke, much to Dean's aggravation. Castiel apologizes, but reassures Dean on his theory that Sam is not Lucifer, explaining that all angels would feel his presence if Lucifer was free. Castiel also states he doesn't know what's wrong with Sam, but he promises to make inquiries. Dean calls on Castiel once he has Sam unconscious, and asks for him to diagnose Sam. Castiel informs both brothers that physically, Sam is perfectly healthy, but his soul is missing. He guesses that Sam's soul is still in the cage with Michael and Lucifer. When Sam goes with Samuel as his only lead, Castiel follows Sam and Dean to the Campbell Compound to check if Samuel has a soul or not, which he does. However, before he can do any more to help, he states he needs to return to Heaven, but reassures Sam and Dean that their problems "always come first", and will keep in touch.

Castiel is later called on for assistance by Sam, who tricks him into leaving Heaven by saying he and Dean have found the Ark of the Covenant. Sam tries to coerce Castiel into joining them along with the demon Meg and her minions to confront Crowley, but fails as Castiel knows Sam can't harm him. However, recognizing that Sam really does need help, Castiel decides to help anyway. Castiel tries to track down Crowley by means of a ritual, which leads them nowhere. When the group is caught by Samuel as they search through his quarters, Dean asks for the angel to leave back to their motel.

Sometime later, while Sam and Dean are looking through records trying to find Crowley, Castiel is confounded by watching porn, which he states just happened to be on the TV. He creates an awkward moment, even weirding Samuel out upon arriving at their motel. He leaves with the group after Samuel gives them the location of Crowley's prison. Before leaving for the prison, Castiel suggests to Dean that he doesn't think restoring Sam's soul is wise. He supports his statement with the fact that his soul has been locked in the cage with Michael and Lucifer for more than a year, and they have been doing nothing other than taking their frustrations out on Sam. He theorizes that if they try to force the damaged, tortured soul back into Sam, and if they fail to deal with the problems, then Sam will suffer horrifically.

The group then leaves for the prison, and Castiel finds a back entrance inside. Shortly after, hell-hounds come after the party. Meg distracts Castiel by kissing him, and steals his angelic blade. Castiel, surprisingly, responds to this by kissing her back, stating he learned that from the porn he was watching earlier. The boys then run off while Meg holds off the hell-hounds with the angel blade. Later, Castiel is banished by a blood sigil cast by Samuel, while the Winchesters are taken captive.

While Crowley has the boys pinned to the wall, Castiel reappears, carrying a large bag. After Crowley taunts him about his losing war against Raphael, Castiel reveals that the bag contains his salvaged bones. The angel asks the King of Hell one last time if he can restore Sam's soul or not. Crowley says he cannot, and Castiel proceeds to burn his bones, turning him to ash. However, it's later revealed Castiel deceived the Winchesters considering his deal with Crowley and the bones were the wrong ones.

A short moment later, outside the prison, Castiel later admits that he is on the losing side of the civil war in Heaven, and expresses disappointment as he wishes much of the time that circumstances were different as he prefers being on Earth with Sam and Dean. Dean then reassures the angel that they will help in whatever way they can, and that the brothers are his friends. Castiel then turns to Sam, and reassures him that they will find another way to get his soul back. Sam then asks him to dispose of the monsters that still remain inside the prison, to which Castiel presumably leaves to do so.

"It's not going well for me upstairs [...] I wish circumstance were different. Much of the time I'd rather be here."

- Castiel to Sam and Dean

After Sam gets his soul back, Castiel comes to check up on him, and tells Dean that he doesn't think Sam is ever going to wake up. A few hours later Sam wakes up and reunites with his brother. Later on Sam, now with his soul, calls Cas. Castiel comes and tells Sam he is glad to see him well, despite everything, nearly hugging him. Sam catches on and tricks Castiel into telling him the truth.

In My Heart Will Go On, Castiel saves Sam and Dean from Fate, when she tries to get her revenge for stopping the apocalypse. He tells the brothers if they want to live, they need to kill Fate. So Sam and Dean draw Fate out and just as they face their death, time freezes. Castiel confronts Fate and she reveals the real reason why Balthazar saved the Titanic. It was because Castiel ordered Balthazar to do it for the souls. She threatens to kill Sam and Dean unless Castiel fixes history. Castiel orders the creeping Balthazar to stop and right history.

"You're the ones that taught me that you can make your own destiny. You don't have to be ruled by fate. You can choose freedom. I still believe that's something worth fighting for. I just wanted you to understand that."

- Castiel to Sam and Dean

In Frontierland, Cas returns to send Sam and Dean back to the Wild West so the brothers could acquire ashes of the phoenix, the one thing that could kill the mother of all. He tells Sam and Dean they have only 24 hours, after that he will no longer be able to find them. During the time the boys are in the Wild West, Castiel's lieutenant, Rachel, confronts him about his side dealings Castiel is doing to win the war. This leads to a duel between the two, and Castiel emerges the winner and wounded. He soon heads to Bobby's, draws a symbol in his blood and passes out. As time grows short, Castiel re-awakens, but is very weak and low on power. In order to "power up" he tells Bobby he needs to touch Bobby's soul. Once powered up, Castiel brings the boys back.

Now with the ashes, the hunt for Eve is on. Castiel comes to Sam and Dean asking for Eve's location, but they too are unsuccessful. Sam suggests that they find a monster who would be willing to give them Eve's location. Castiel finds and brings Lenore, who gives them Eve's location, in exchange for her death. Sam is hesitant, but Castiel brings Lenore her end. This action makes Sam and Dean concerned about Castiel and his circumstances. Once they arrive in Oregon, Castiel discovers he can't use his powers, and is now powerless, thanks to Eve. Castiel is able to torture Eve's location out of a Jefferson Starship, but is captured by her monsters. After Dean kills Eve, Castiel's powers return and he slays the Jefferson Starships with a blast of white light. Castiel is later revealed to be working with Crowley after the Winchesters' encounter with Eve.

The truth finally comes out in The Man Who Would Be King, Castiel recounts history from his point of view and how the Winchesters inspired him. Castiel is shown clearly conflicted over his partnership with Crowley, but agrees to keep the Winchesters from finding him. Castiel also begins to notice that Sam, Dean, and Bobby are getting suspicious of Castiel and believe he is working with Crowley, strengthening his guilt. After catching a lead of a demon called Ellsworth and Crowley's other higher up demons, Castiel goes and smites them before Sam and Dean can get information. He justifies this as protecting them from Crowley, but also wonders if it's to protect himself. He reflects on his return to Heaven after the Apocalypse, the conflict between him and Raphael that was sprung up, and his fateful deal with Crowley.

Castiel tries to minimize contact with Sam and Dean, knowing they were on to him and he could give them no honest answers. However, when Crowley sends his best demons to fight them, Castiel shows up to save them. Although Castiel managed to keep the secret for a while, he slipped up with information he got from spying on them. Castiel is furious with Crowley's attempt to kill Sam and Dean, warning him that if anything happened to them he would call off their deal and kill him himself.

Later the boys trapped him in a ring of holy fire and confront him about his betrayal. When demons come, Castiel tells the boys to run and they leave him in the ring of holy fire. Crowley comes in and saves him. Castiel leaves, and comes to Dean, trying to explain the situation. Castiel tells Dean that he did this for Dean but Dean does not want it this way. Castiel responds that Dean can't stop him and says he's sorry and disappears. Castiel tells God all of this when he's by himself, praying for a sign if he's making the right choice, but gets no answer.

"So that's everything. I believe it's what you would call ... a tragedy from a human perspective. [...] That's why I'm asking you, Father. One last time. Am I doing the right thing? Am I on the right path? You have to tell me. You have to give me ... a sign. Give me a sign. Because if you don't ... I'm gonna ju- I'm gonna do whatever I ... whatever I must."

- Castiel praying for answers

In Let It Bleed, Castiel has taken one of the Campbell diaries, and is investigating an incident in which H.P. Lovecraft opened a portal to another world. Sam prays for him, telling Cas that Lisa and Ben have been kidnapped by Crowley, and asks for help. Castiel listens unseen, and does not answer, but goes to confront Crowley. He insists that the demon not harm Lisa and Ben, but Crowley refuses to make such a promise. Balthazar later calls him. He asks Cas if he is planning on opening the door to Purgatory; Cas lies that he is not, but Balthazar is not fooled. Castiel asks if he is with him, or not. Balthazar says he is, and Castiel goes to Dean, arriving just in time to save him from a demon. He apologizes for Lisa and Ben, revealing that he did not know Crowley's plan. Dean is skeptical, and angry. Castiel asks him again to support his decision to tap the souls in Purgatory. He pleads with him that he has always done what the brothers needed him to, asking little in return. Cas asks them to trust in him, and promises to bring him his family afterward. Dean is unwilling, and Castiel leaves. After Dean and Sam rescue Lisa, Castiel comes to the hospital where the gravely injured Lisa is not expected to survive. He apologizes again, but Dean is not forgiving. Castiel says that he did not come for Dean, then places a hand on Lisa's forehead, healing her. Both Dean and Cas acknowledge that this does not change their situation, but Dean asks for an additional favor. Castiel removes all Lisa and Ben's memories of Dean. Later Castiel finds and takes Dr. Visyak, the creature he needs to open Purgatory.

"I thought that you said we were like family. Well, I think that too. Shouldn't trust run both ways? [...] Dean, I do everything that you ask. I always come when you call and I am your friend. Still, despite your lack of faith in me and now your threats, I just saved you yet again. Has anyone but your closest kin ever done more for you?"

- Castiel's appeal to Dean

In The Man Who Knew Too Much, Castiel and Crowley torture Dr. Visyak until they obtain what they need to open Purgatory. She escapes and contacts Bobby and the Winchesters, telling her story before dying in an alley from her injuries. Castiel comes to the three hunters, who are outraged. Dean tries to argue with him again, but Cas cuts him off, saying he no longer cares about Dean's opinion. He then touches Sam's head, breaking the mental wall, and promising to repair him as long as Dean stops the opposition.

Castiel meets with Crowley, who has assembled the necessary ingredients. The angel wants to renegotiate their deal. He will not give Crowley the souls, so Crowley can either flee or die. The demon leaves Castiel with the blood for the ritual. Later, Castiel confronts Balthazar. He says that Dean is coming, and someone among them is a traitor. Balthazar asks him who it is, and Castiel lies that he does not know, and wants Balthazar to investigate. While the other angel is distracted, Castiel stabs and kills him. Just before the ritual is meant to begin, a cloud of demons descends around the building, and Crowley appears. Castiel tries to kill him, but cannot. He has a new partner in Raphael. Castiel is surprised at the partnership with their differing goals, but both seem to think they have taken the best course available. They demand the blood; Castiel throws them a jar and leaves. Crowley conducts the ritual, and though Bobby and Dean try to interrupt, completes it.

Nothing happens and Castiel reappears. Crowley realizes that he switched the blood, and conducted his own ritual. Castiel displays his power briefly in a flash of energy. Crowley, realizing the game is up for the time being, wisely disappears, and Raphael asks for mercy.

But Castiel is not in a forgiving mood. He snaps his fingers, obliterating Raphael to pieces in mere seconds. He turns to Dean and Bobby. He was right, he says, and he did save them. Dean nervously agrees, then suggests that Castiel should return the souls, and disarm himself. Castiel says he has Raphael's followers to deal with. Dean is worried, and reminds Castiel that he is family, and he doesn't want to lose him. Castiel says that he has no family anymore; he will not give up the souls.

Using that moment, Sam stabs him from behind with an angel sword, but nothing happens. Castiel greets him, then says the sword will not work because he is not an angel anymore. He says that he is their new God, and that they must venerate him, or be destroyed. As he says those words, Dean, Sam and Bobby look on in horror, realizing with shock that their former ally and friend has become a power-hungry angel who believes that he is God.

"You doubted me. Fought against me. But I was right all along. [...] You're not my family, Dean. I have no family. [...] I'm your new God. A better one. So you will bow down unto me, your Lord. Or I shall destroy you."

- Castiel

Season 7
"If you followed Raphael, if you stood against me, punishment is certain. There is no where for you to hide. The rest of you ... our father left a long time ago, and that was hard. I thought the answer was free will. But I understand now. You need a firm hand. You need a father. And I am your father now. [...] It is a new day, on Earth and in Heaven. Rejoice."

- Castiel as God

Castiel waits for Sam, Dean, and Bobby to show their respects. Bobby goes to his knees, and motions for Sam and Dean to do the same. Dean and Sam begin to kneel, but Castiel stops him, and orders Bobby to stand, saying that there is no point if they do not mean what they do. Castiel observes, without turning to look, that Sam is not doing well. Dean reminds Cas that the former angel promised to fix Sam when it was over. Castiel cuts him off; his promise was contingent on Dean not opposing him further, and oppose him Dean did. Castiel tells them he has no need to kill them, though he no longer has any regard for them, and will let them live if they do not plot against him.

Castiel sets out to right the wrongs he sees. He destroys Raphael's followers in Heaven, vaporizing thousands of angels, and tells the survivors that he no longer thinks free will is what Heaven needs. Instead, he will give them a firm hand. He appears in a church, reveals his identity, and smites a hypocritical preacher. He leaves an image of himself in the stained glass as he departs, and accidentally burns a pew as welts appear on his hand.

He finds Crowley hiding in a RV, and tells him that he may retain his position as King of Hell, but that Castiel will choose which souls he receives. He claims that he would have destroyed Hell completely, but he needed it to threaten his enemies, and maintain Michael and Lucifer. It is unknown if he actually had the power to destroy Hell, or he was over his head will all the souls inside him. He leaves after looking at yet more open places on his skin. He gives money to a blind man on the street, and heals the man for his faith. The man is grateful, but surprised when his first sight is of Castiel's blistering face. At a nearby bathroom, he looks in the mirror and stares at the blisters covering his face and hands. His stomach begins to bulge and contort as the Leviathans demand to be let out, whispering to him as he looks down in horror, mumbling "No."

Sam, Dean, and Bobby summon Crowley, who reluctantly gives them a spell to bind Death. They work it, and an irritated Death appears, followed shortly by Castiel. Dean orders Death to kill 'god'. Death says he sees only a mutated angel, one whose vessel is disintegrating. Castiel, sounding uncertain, says he will heal himself when his works are complete. Death replies that Castiel swallowed Leviathans when he emptied Purgatory, not just souls, and that is the danger. Castiel frees Death from Dean's binding spell.

Castiel leaves. At a political election office campaigning for a senator of whom Castiel disapproves, he is stopped by one of her aides. Castiel asks the man to see that he is a good god, that he means the best for his children. He awakes some time later in a pool of blood on the floor. He has slaughtered the entire office. At Bobby's place, Sam prays for Castiel to reconsider and give up the souls. A few minutes later Castiel appears, disheveled, bloody, and looking ill. He says he needs their help.

He listens to Sam's call and agrees to put all the souls back in Purgatory. Before the opening of the door, he expresses regret at what he has done and wishes that he could have restored Sam back to normal, and promised to do so if he survived. After he lets out all the souls, Cas passes out but wakes up. He automatically begins to contort and struggle as the Leviathan had held on to his body are trying to take over.

"I feel regret, about you and what I did to Sam [..] If there was time, if I was strong enough, I'd--I'd fix him now. I just wanted to make amends before I died."

- Castiel to Dean

Castiel is soon overpowered by the Leviathan who in turn take control of him, presumably taking him far away. They begin by throwing Dean and Bobby against a wall before saying that they're going to have fun now. Soon after flinging them, his vessel begins to ooze black blood, and Dean smugly points out that the vessel can't contain the power of the Leviathans. They leave saying they will be back for Dean. The Leviathans are able to guide Castiel's vessel to a water reserve and the vessel explodes in a whirlpool leaving the Leviathans to escape into the water. Later, his trenchcoat is found, Dean folds it up and takes it with him.

It was later revealed in Slash Fiction that the Leviathans learned of Sam and Dean's aliases from Castiel's mind before they sent him away.

After being released from the Leviathans, Castiel awoke with new memory of what he was or his past. He was found by a religious woman named Daphne, who declared "God wanted her to find him". Castiel named himself Emmanuel and lived with Daphne, his wife as a healer. Dean hears word of his healings and is shocked to see Castiel alive, but refrains from telling him the truth of who he is and tells him to heal Sam, who had been driven insane by his hallucinations of Lucifer. Castiel figures out he has a past with Dean and Meg, but fully regains his memories after smiting demons guarding Sam's ward. Castiel is angry and ashamed of himself for all the death he had caused and nearly leaves out of guilt, but Dean convinces him he can still fix things.

Motived by Dean, Castiel apologizes to Sam for breaking down his wall and attempts to rebuilt it only to discover it was completely destroyed with Sam's collapsing mind. In one last effort to redeem himself, Castiel shifted the hallucinations of Lucifer from Sam's mind to his own in order to save him. Castiel then looked on in horror as he saw the hallucinations of Lucifer Sam seems better than ever and regains his sanity, though at the cost of Castiel's own. He is admitted to psychiatric ward. Meg becomes a nurse through partially out of a deal with Dean to look after him.

In Reading Is Fundamental, Castiel awakens from a coma when The Word of God is released from the clay containing it, but is still insane with an eccentric personality. Castiel explains what the Word is, but is unable to give Dean the answers he seeks and Dean is still angry with him for what he did to Sam. Castiel no longer fights anymore and tries to "avoid conflict". While talking to Dean, Castiel senses other angels and finds Hester and Inias, two angels from his former garrison. While Inias is happy to see him, Hester is furious due to the damage he caused. Before things can degenerate too far, Dean banishes all three angels. Castiel later meets up with the group on the road to Rufus' Cabin and helps angel-proof it. In a conversation with Sam, Castiel reveals he's been more at peace ever since he took on Sam's memories of Hell and liked his being insane than being guilty and sane.

"It's funny. I was- I was done for too. The weight of all my mistakes, all those lives and souls lost ... I-I couldn't take it either. I was ... lost until I took on your pain. It's strange to think that helped, but ..."

- Castiel's apparent peace with his insanity

When Meg returns, he confirms her story that she killed other demons, but warns that she has drawn the attention of the angels. Hester and Inias arrive with two other angels, but in his mental state, Castiel is now a pacifist and refuses to fight, even to save his own life. Castiel is nearly killed by Hester, but Meg kills her and saves him. Afterwards, Inias offers Castiel the chance to return to Heaven, but he chooses not to as he no longer feels like he belongs there. Sam and Dean discover from the translation of The Word of God that they need the blood of a Fallen Angel for the weapon that can kill Leviathans and Castiel happily gives them his blood telling them "always happy to bleed for the Winchesters." Castiel then disappears, not sure where he's going next, something he finds amazing.

In Survival of the Fittest, Castiel has Meg bring him to the Winchesters after learning that the Leviathans have killed all of his garrison. Crowley arrives and is furious to see Castiel alive, but leaves him alone as he is insane and he doesn't want to pick a fight with a crazy person. He also leaves Meg alone when Castiel gets defensive of her, telling Sam and Dean that Castiel is vital to defeating the Leviathans. Castiel denies any knowledge of what he's talking about however. After finding out that the Leviathan leader Dick Roman has made multiple copies of himself, Dean turns to Castiel for the help Crowley said he could give them, but he refuses to do anything due to his new pacifism and fear of messing up again. Meg reveals that due to being the Leviathans original vessel, he possesses the ability to tell them apart and could identify the real Dick Roman.

"I can't help. You understand? I can't. I destroyed ... everything and I will destroy everything again. Can we please just leave it at that?"

- Castiel refusing to help

After watching Bobby be put to rest, Castiel takes Dean to retrieve the Impala and explains his reasoning for refusing: he feels that he is bad luck and will cause more harm than good if he gets involved again. Dean finally forgives him for what he did to Sam and Castiel agrees to help. The next day, while Sam rescues Kevin Tran, Castiel and Dean make their way through SucroCorp looking for the real Dick.

Soon enough, they confront Dick. Castiel tries to take Dick on, but is thrown into a wall and easily defeated. This allows Dean to stab Dick with the weapon, but it doesn't work. This causes him to lower his guard as Castiel restrains Dick from behind while Dean stabs him through the neck with the real weapon, killing him. However, Dick pulsates a strange aura and after he explodes, there is no sign of Dean and Castiel.

When Dean wakes up, Castiel, with his original personality apparently back, tells him that they are in Purgatory and are more likely to die then get out. He then disappears, leaving Dean alone and surrounded by monsters.

Year in Purgatory
"I am an angel in a land of abominations. There have been things hunting from the moment I arrived. [...] They're Leviathan. I have a price on my head and have been trying to stay one step ahead of them. To keep them away from you. That's why I ran. Just leave me, please."

- Castiel upon reuniting with Dean

Some time passes and there is still no sign of Castiel. Dean obsessively tries to find him, even teaming up with a vampire named Benny who knew of a portal that would get them out (which could only be done by a human). Eventually, after scoping out Purgatory and going through several monsters, Dean finds him alive near a stream. Castiel confirms he's as sane as he could be targeted by monsters and the friend reunite.

Dean is eager to leave Purgatory with Castiel, though Benny casts suspicion on him by his sudden disappearance earlier on. Castiel admits he did run away and leave Dean alone, but only to protect him. The Leviathans wanted him destroyed more than anyone and he believed leaving Dean would make the Leviathans focus on him rather than on Dean. Because of this, Castiel requests to stay in Purgatory, but Dean refuses to leave without him. Castiel understands.

Castiel travels with Dean and Benny, helping them kill more monsters although at the same time attracting more. While Dean doesn't care about this and is angry about Benny at the idea of leaving Castiel, Castiel agrees with Benny and sees himself as only causing trouble. Benny wasn't sure Castiel could cross through the portal, being an angel, but Dean adamantly insists. Soon the group is attacked by Leviathans. Castiel tries to lure them away, but is overwhelmed and nearly killed by one. Benny saves him.

In the final stretch, when Benny's soul is stored safely inside Dean's arm from the spell and they are moments away from the portal, Dean and Castiel are attacked by Leviathans. At the last minute, as Dean reaches out for Castiel, Castiel lets go of him and Dean is transported to Earth without him. Castiel watches, having decided to stay for further punishment for his mistakes.

Season 8
"Nothing you could've done would've saved me, because I didn't want to be saved. [...] It's where I belonged. I needed to do penance. After the things I did on Earth and in Heaven, I didn't deserve to be out. And I saw that clearly when I was there. I ... planned to stay all along. I just didn't know how to tell you. You can't save everyone, my friend ... though you try."

- Castiel to Dean on why he stayed in Purgatory

In We Need To Talk About Kevin, Dean and Sam mention Castiel after Dean returns to Earth with Benny. Dean is vague about Castiel's fate, only mentioning that it got hairy near the end and Castiel "let go." While Dean didn't elaborate, remembering this clearly affected him greatly.

Dean had flashbacks of Castiel in What's Up, Tiger Mommy?, remembering finding him and his promise for Castiel to leave Purgatory with both him and Benny. Dean is clearly upset remembering all this and has another flashback where Castiel was struggling to hold onto his arm, while it is unclear what the scenario is, Castiel shouted Dean's name as they are pulled apart.

"You know, there are some in Heaven who still believe, despite his mistakes, that Castiel's heart was always in the right place. [...] I think 'too much heart' was always Castiel's problem."

- Samandriel to Dean about Castiel

Castiel finally escapes Purgatory in A Little Slice of Kevin. He claims he could not remember how he escaped, a story not received well by a doubtful Dean. Castiel aids the Winchesters and Mrs. Tran in saving Kevin and retrieving the tablet from Crowley. He displays much of his previous abilities, but is weakened quickly now. Castiel saves Kevin and confronts Crowley with his angel blade. Crowley pulls out one of his own and they face off. Castiel displays his wings and goes to smite Crowley who finally retreats, but tries to take the tablet. Castiel smashes it in half and Crowley only gets away with one part. Afterwards. when Dean admits he blames himself for leaving Castiel behind in Purgatory, Castiel tells him he wanted to be left behind in Purgatory as a form of penance.

Moments after, Castiel finds himself in Heaven with an angel named Naomi. It's revealed that his escape was orchestrated by her, claiming many angels in the process. Castiel casually reveals information about the Winchesters and the tablet under control of Naomi. He is sent back to earth without any memory of the meeting and the orders to report into her every so often. Castiel aligns himself with Sam and Dean in searching for the second half of the tablet and fixes Kevin's cut-off finger.

Castiel formally took up the mantle of being a hunter in Hunteri Heroici. Dean and Sam were skeptical at first, but both eventually allowed the seraph to join them in a case that Castiel himself found. The Winchesters also guided Castiel on how to pose and act as an effective hunter. Castiel also admits that he fears returning to Heaven: he fears that when he returns and learns just how bad he made it, he will kill himself out of regret. While Castiel is awkward and clumsy at being a hunter, he proves very helpful in solving the case, using his powers to bring Sam into the mind of Fred Jones, a man who is living inside his own mind as it is easier than having to live with the real world. Sam gives Fred a speech about living in a dream world but facing up to your past eventually, Castiel changes his mind and desires to make amends in Heaven instead of running. After the situation is resolved, Castiel removes Fred's powers when he wants to make sure it won't happen again. Castiel does the procedure, leaving Fred in a mentally-distant state, but happy. Even though Sam and Dean have come to accept Castiel as a hunter, Castiel nearly tells them he'll return to Heaven until Naomi teleports him and refuses to allow it. Castiel decides to watch out for Fred for a few days, but also to stop running from his problems.

In Torn and Frayed, he is shown helping people in need, in repentance for his previous actions. He was ordered by Naomi to rescue a fellow angel Samandriel, who was held captive by Crowley in an abandoned building that he locates with Dean's help. Castiel later retrieves Sam against Dean's wishes. During the attack, Castiel gives Sam his Angel Blade to kill demons with and remains outside until Sam and Dean deal with the wards and demons. He was then able to teleport Samandriel to safety, but not before Samandriel revealed to Crowley the existence of an Angel tablet. Samandriel warns Castiel about this and that "they're" controlling him. His mind wiped, Castiel can't remember Naomi, but before he explain Naomi orders Castiel to kill Samandriel, which he does without hesitation. (Throughout the rescue, Castiel saw vague flashbacks of Naomi inserting a certain device into his eye.) He demands answers from Naomi, who reveals that knowledge of the angel tablet could cause great harm in the hands of a demon. Under Naomi's orders, Castiel claims he killed Samandriel in self-defense and that he is taking his body to Heaven to be put to rest (in actuality so Naomi can determine how much he broke), but his weird behavior and the fact that one of his eyes starts bleeding draws their suspicion that something is wrong and that he is being controlled.

In Remember the Titans, Dean desperately prays to Castiel to look after Sam who is not doing so well with his trials. Despite Dean's near-begging, Castiel does not appear or respond.



In Goodbye Stranger, Castiel has become so indoctrinated to Naomi's control that he has no trouble ruthlessly killing a copy of Dean and is shown to have killed hundreds of others. He is sent to locate the angel tablet which is in one of Lucifer's Crypts and to stop Crowley from getting it. His interogation and killing of the demons involved draws Sam and Dean's attention. Castiel claims to Sam and Dean that he is searching for Crowley's half of the demon tablet and that the demons are searching for a parchment that will allow them to translate the tablet without a Prophet. Castiel tortures a demon for information and after learning the location of the being that is telling the demons where to find the crypts, he kills her before she can reveal the truth to Sam and Dean on Naomi's orders. They find out the hostage is Meg. Castiel is able to get Naomi to let Meg explain the truth as she could be useful and afterwards bandages her wounds. Meg flirts with Castiel about their kiss in Caged Heat and subtly tells him she wants to have sex with him, something he doesn't catch on to at first. The group travel to the warehouse where the crypt is located and when Dean orders Sam to stay outside, Castiel tells Sam that he is damaged on a level that even Castiel can't heal.

Once inside, Naomi orders Castiel to throw Dean off the trail or kill him, but he is forced to point out the box with the angel tablet in it to Dean as it is angel-proofed. Under Naomi's control, Castiel attacks Dean and tries to kill him, but manages to break free at least somewhat before he kills him after Dean tells him that they are family and that he needs him. When Castiel picks up the angel tablet, it severs Naomi's connection with him and all of her control and he heals Dean and explains what happened. However, Castiel senses that for some reason he must keep the tablet safe from Dean as well and disappears with it. Naomi later tells Crowley that Castiel is doing what he is meant to do, which is protect the tablet from all threats. Castiel is later seen riding in a bus with the tablet to an unknown location.

In response to Castiel's departure with the tablet, Naomi starts a search for him, trying to enlist Dean's help in Taxi Driver at which time she claims that he is still insane and was simply misinterpreting her orders when he tried to kill Dean. Despite Castiel's behavior, Dean trusts him over Naomi and refuses to believe her.



In The Great Escapist, Castiel travels between all of the Biggerson's at once, stopping only for very brief periods to throw the angels off of his trail. Its successful until they slaughter everyone in one of the Biggerson's to force him to stop and learn what happened. While he is distracted, Castiel is captured by Naomi, Ion and Esper. Naomi reveals that Castiel has been involved in many atrocities throughout human history, but that his memory of it has been erased because he never follows orders like he is supposed to. Naomi demands the angel tablet, but Crowley arrives, kills Esper, wounds Ion who is revealed to be working with him and drives Naomi off.

Kidnapping Castiel, Crowley has realized that Castiel is keeping the tablet close to him in case Naomi ever tries to regain control of him again and shoots Castiel in the gut then painfully pulls the angel tablet out of his body. Before he can do more, he gets a call that Kevin has figured out Crowley's trick and Crowley leaves to deal with the problem, leaving Ion to guard Castiel. Castiel pulls the bullet Crowley shot him with out, overpowers Ion and pushes the bullet through his eye, killing him. Castiel later appears on the road in front of Sam and Dean, severely wounded and weakened and asking for their help.

In Clip Show, Castiel is slowly recovering from his wound. Dean is furious with Castiel and refuses to forgive him for abandoning them again and not trusting him, despite apologies. As Sam and Dean check out how to cure a demon, Castiel goes to get them food. He gets Dean's favorite beer and porn, along with his pie to appease him. Metatron arrives, revealing that Heaven has degenerated into many warring factions. Naomi is only the leader of one, not all of Heaven as he had previously believed. Metatron suggests Castiel do the trials to seal up Heaven so that they can lock the angels together and force them to sort out their problems while keeping the war from spilling over onto Earth. Castiel agrees after Metatron reveals that as the Scribe of God, he knows the trials even without the angel tablet. Castiel is reluctant after discovering the first trial is to kill a Nephilim, the child of an angel and a human. Castiel hesitates as she is an innocent woman, but when she attacks Metatron, he kills her with his Angel Blade.

In Sacrifice, Metatron reveals that they must get Cupid's bow as the next trial and Castiel asks him about God. Metatron describes him as like one would expect: larger than life, gruff, a bit sexist and eminently fair. As they wait for Cupid to come to make the man, Dwight, fall in love, Castiel goes through personal ads to try to make it go faster by finding him a candidate. While they are waiting, Naomi arrives with two other angels and captures Metatron. Castiel faces off against them with his Angel Blade, but lets them go when Metatron tells him to. Needing help, Castiel goes to Dean who agrees after Sam insists. Castiel and Dean bring the angel tablet to Kevin to translate the last trial and Castiel scares him into doing it when he refuses. As they watch, a woman named Gail approaches Dwight and makes him and one of his regulars fall in love. Castiel prepares to confront Gail while armed, but Dean convinces him to talk first. Gail is worried about the state of Heaven and agrees to give them her bow if they really think they can calm it down, but Castiel must cut it out of her hand. Kevin contacts them to let them know that while he has found the trials, he doesn't see anything about killing a Nephilim or the bow of a Cupid. At that moment, Naomi arrives and though Castiel goes to fight her, she insists she just wants to talk and Dean gets him to hear her out. Naomi tells Castiel that she has learned from Metatron's mind that what he is doing isn't going to seal Heaven up, it will instead expel all angels from it permanently. She expresses remorse for her actions, telling Castiel and Dean that angels were meant to protect humanity and lost sight of that somewhere along the way.

She also informs Dean that if Sam completes the trials he will die as he makes the "ultimate sacrifice" to seal Hell. Naomi offers to hear Castiel out if he really wants to return to Heaven before disappearing. When Kevin can't confirm what Naomi told them through the angel tablet, Castiel doesn't believe her, but transports Dean to the church where Sam is curing Crowley before departing for Heaven. There he finds Naomi dead with her own torture device impaled in her brain and is captured by Metatron who reveals that she was telling the truth. Metatron takes Castiel's Grace as the last ingredient for the spell he is working and sends him to Earth, but not before telling him that he is now human and Metatron wants him to live a human life, die, come to Heaven, find him and tell him about that life. On Earth, Castiel watches as all the angels begin to fall to Earth as Metatron's spell takes effect.

Season 9
"I guess I trusted the wrong person. [...] I thought I was more important, more effective than I am, and that I could ... fix everything. Now all I can do is keep running. [...] This is all new to me. Hunger. Cold. This feeling ... being all alone."

- Castiel's guilt and struggles as a human

In I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here, Castiel has landed in Colorado and nearly gets run over by a truck. Castiel is left stunned by the cuts on his palms from dodging the truck as he has never experience the types of injuries mortals get before and gets a ride from the driver to a gas station. Reluctantly taking money the driver gives him, Castiel goes to call Dean but meets a Fallen Angel named Hael who is looking for guidance. Castiel suggests Hael take advantage of the new life given to her and go see the Grand Canyon that she claims to have created. Deciding to go with her, Castiel first calls Dean and confirms that Ezekiel is a good guy and can help and then is convinced to come help Dean instead of Hael. She knocks Castiel out and kidnaps him, revealing that she plans to possess him as he is strong and her vessel is weak and deteriorating. In order to stop her, Castiel puts on his seatbelt and then crashes the car, incapacitating Hael while surviving with minor injuries. Castiel takes her Angel Blade and declares his intent to guide all angels in their new lives on Earth, but when Hael threatens to broadcast his location to every angel looking for him if he doesn't say "Yes", Castiel kills her. Later, Castiel starts to dry-clean his bloody clothes at a laundry mat, but needing food and water, steals new clothes and buys candy and a water bottle instead.

In I'm No Angel, Castiel travels towards the bunker, living in homeless camps and trying to avoid angels. After being confronted by and killing an angel one night, Castiel has himself warded against angels being able to locate him with a tattoo. In response, the angel Bartholomew sends rouge Reapers after Castiel. While looking for food in a dumpster, Castiel meets April Kelly, not knowing that she is possessed by a Reaper and goes home with her. April cleans the wound he got from the angel he encountered and they have sex, but while searching for his Angel Blade the next morning, she reveals herself as a Reaper, ties him up and tortures him. Castiel tells her how he didn't know about Metatron's spell and that he doesn't know how to reverse it, but that his Grace was the final ingredient and thus he may be the key to the reversal. When Sam and Dean show up, the Reaper kills him with the Blade. After Dean kills the Reaper, Ezekiel takes control of Sam and resurrects Castiel and Dean claims that he made a deal with the Reaper not to kill her if she resurrected him then killed her anyway. Castiel moves to the Bunker with Sam and Dean and is excited by the Bunker's abundance of food and other human necessities and tells a shocked Sam and Dean how he had sex. Castiel sits down to eat, but after learning from Ezekiel that Castiel must leave because the angels are after him, Dean reluctantly tells him so as Ezekiel will be forced to leave Sam and flee otherwise and Sam will die.

"There really is a lot to being human, isn't there? [...] There's more to humanity than survival. You look for purpose, and must not be defeated by anger or despair. Or hedonism, for that matter. [...] I do see now how difficult life can be and well how you two have led it. And I think you'll be great teachers."

- Castiel finally understanding humanity

In Heaven Can't Wait, While working as a sales associate at a gas station- and also serving as a baby-sitter for his boss, Nora, although he initially assumed it was a date. Castiel tries to be happy as a human, but struggles to fit in and remains depressed. Castiel calls the Winchesters for help after two people in his area simultaneously combust. With Dean's aid, Castiel determines that the victims were killed by a Rit Zien, a class of angel healers that kill mortally wounded angels. Castiel then goes on what he believes is a date but turns out to be a babysitting gig, growing worried when the baby, Tanya, gets a fever and won't stop crying. Before he can take Tanya to the hospital, the Rit Zien, Ephraim approaches him, having detected his pain. Castiel tries and fails to banish the rogue angel, but before Ephraim can kill him, Dean arrives and tosses him an angel blade, allowing Castiel to kill Ephraim. Castiel then miserly goes back to his normal life at the gas station, beginning to wonder if he should help the angels get back in Heaven.

"Nobody told you. Nobody explained. You're just ... shoved out kicking and screaming into this human life without any idea why any of it feels the way it feels, or why this confusion, which feels like it's ... a hair's breadth from terror or pain. Y'know, just when you think you do understand, it'll turn out you're wrong. You didn't understand anything at all. Guess that's just how it when you're new at this."

- Castiel's depression as a human



In Holy Terror, Castiel investigates mysterious angel deaths with Sam and Dean. After "Ezekiel" orders him to send Castiel away, Dean does, explaining partially what happened. Feeling helpless, Castiel decides to pray for aid, when his prayers are answered by Muriel, a neutral angel in the war, who explains that the current conflict is between factions led by the angels Bartholomew and Malachi, but the two are captured by Malachi and his ally Theo. Muriel is killed while Malachi tortures Castiel for information about Metatron, revealing that Ezekiel is dead. When Castiel is left alone with Theo, Theo begs him to help him defect to Metatron who he believes Castiel is still working with. Castiel tricks the misguided angel into releasing him, then slits his throat with an angel blade and steals his Grace, restoring his own powers. Castiel then smites Theo and fights his way out. Disgusted with himself but believing it necessary, Castiel calls Dean to warn him that Ezekiel is dead and thus couldn't have been the angel that helped him save Sam.

"If we're going to war, I need to be ready."

- Castiel's resolve to fight as angel

In Road Trip Castiel, wearing a new suit and trenchcoat, arrives at the bunker to find the main room trashed and a distraught Dean. Dean explains what happened and how he intends to hunt down and kill the angel possessing Sam for revenge even though it will kill Sam. Castiel however, comes up with the idea of having Crowley do the same thing he did to Samandriel to try to bring out Sam's mind so he can expel the angel. Enlisting Crowley's help, the three take a car that Castiel stole as he can no longer teleport and find the angel. The angel overpowers Dean, but while he's distracted, Castiel knocks him out. After confirming that the angel healed Sam enough that he can finish the job, Castiel watches with Dean as Crowley tortures the angel and follows Dean out when he can't watch anymore. Sympathetic with Dean and forgiving him for kicking him out, Castiel comforts him until Crowley calls them back as he has managed to activate the angel's "factory settings." Castiel is furious when the angel identifies himself as Gadreel, blaming him for everything that has gone wrong in the world. However, Gadreel regains control, telling them that he can withstand the torture for a very long time and they can't stop him without killing Sam. Desperate, Dean asks Castiel to possess Sam to make him aware of the situation, but Castiel is unable to as he would need Sam's permission to do so. When Crowley offers instead in exchange for his freedom, Castiel is reluctant, but removes Sam's anti-possession tattoo so Crowley can possess him. The plan works and Sam expels Gadreel. After Crowley returns to his body, Castiel notes the appearance of Abaddon and the three leave Crowley to deal with her. A safe distance away, Castiel heals Sam's injuries from the torture and some more of the damage the Trials did to him telling him that while he will have to do it in stages and over time, he will be able to finish Sam's healing. Castiel stands a respectful distance away as Sam and Dean speak about Dean's actions and remains with Sam as Dean leaves, alone.

In First Born, Castiel is staying with Sam in the bunker and has nearly healed him fully. He is also upset about the fact that he has lost the ability to enjoy human food. However, he discovers that some of Gadreel's grace is still inside Sam and is slowly disappearing every time Castiel heals him. Reading a book and file from the Men of Letters left, Castiel learns that the Men believed that if the grace was extracted, it could be used to track the angel it belonged to. Sam and Castiel begin a procedure to remove the grace, but though it proves dangerous as Sam's body starts to revert to its state before Gadreel possessed him, Sam insists that they continue. With Sam's condition deteriorating as they need more grace then can be safely taken, Castiel chooses to finish healing him rather than take the rest of the grace, destroying the last of the grace inside Sam. Castiel explains that his brief humanity caused him to understand that its not worth it to sacrifice others for the sake of what you need and that he understands where Sam is coming from wanting redemption for his acts as he also wants that, but its not worth his life. Sam and Castiel later use the grace they extracted to try the spell, but it proves not to be enough. Telling Sam that he believes that Metatron is the key to setting things right, Castiel sets out to locate him.

"Sam, when I was human, I died. And showed me that life is precious and must be protected at all costs. Even a life ... as pig-headed as a Winchester's. [...] Sam. I want Gadreel to pay as much as you do. But nothing is worth losing you. You know, being human didn't just change my view of food. It changed my view of you. I mean, I can relate now to how you feel.[...] The only person who's screwed up more consistently than you ... is me. And now I know what that guilt feels like. And I know what it ... I know what it means to feel sorry, Sam. I am sorry. [...] You know old me. I would've just keep going. I would've jammed that needle in you deeper until you died because the ends always justified the means. But what I went through ... well, that PB & J taught me that angels can change. So ... who knows? Maybe Winchesters can too."

- Castiel's lesson



In Captives, looking for information on Metatron, Castiel tracks down a follower of Rebecca, a friend of Metatron's. The follower reveals however that Rebecca had set up a faction called the Penitents who coexisted peacefully with humanity before all but him were slaughtered by Bartholomew and his followers. Leaving the other angel alone, Castiel is captured by angels working for Bartholomew. To his surprise, despite having his angel blade taken away, Castiel is warmly greeted by Bartholomew who was a subordinate and friend of his in Heaven. Bartholomew invites Castiel to join him in uniting the angels, believing that together they can unite all of the angels under one rule. Bartholomew also has the resources to track Metatron when he appears on Earth and offers Castiel his help with tracking him. However, when Bartholomew captures Rebecca's follower, Castiel is horrified by the angel's torture. When asked to kill the angel, Castiel refuses, saying he would rather die than needlessly kill another angel, wanting peace between the angels, not more war. To Castiel's horror, Bartholomew kills the angel then attacks Castiel himself. Castiel overpowers Bartholomew, but declaring his refusal to kill, Castiel lets him go and starts to leave. When Bartholomew attacks Castiel while his back is turned, Castiel is forced to kill him in self-defense. Visiting Rebecca's grave, Castiel is stunned when some of Bartholomew's followers approach him to lead them in a more peaceful way of existing.

In Meta Fiction, Castiel follows a strange sound to find the Horn of Gabriel and a bunch of dead angels. He finds Hannah alive and heals her, learning that it was Gadreel who killed all of the angels when they refused to join Metatron. Castiel refuses to lead the angels against Metatron and leaves. He is shocked when Gabriel approaches him for help with dealing with Metatron and the two start heading towards the Bunker with Gabriel trying to convince Castiel to help the angels against Metatron, saying that Castiel has been God more than God himself has been. While at a gas station to get more gas for Castiel's car, Castiel and Gabriel are attacked by angels working for Metatron. Gabriel tells Castiel to leave and lead the angels against Metatron while he sacrifices himself to hold the angels off. However, Castiel realizes that it's just an illusion after noticing that a rip in his trenchcoat is no longer there. Castiel proves it by stabbing Gabriel to no effect. Gabriel admits its not real, but that what he said about Castiel needing to lead the angels is true. Castiel comes out of the illusion to find himself tied down in Metatron's office in Heaven. Metatron gives Castiel all of his knowledge about popular culture and explains that he wants Castiel to lead the angels against him as he wants Castiel to be the villain in his "story." In return, he offers Castiel an endless supply of grace to replace his stolen burning out grace. Castiel refuses and before they can discuss it anymore, an angel alerts Metatron that Sam and Dean have captured Gadreel. Metatron trades Castiel for Gadreel, blowing out holy fire and easily overpowering Sam and Dean. Afterwards, Castiel tells Sam and Dean he is on board with stopping Metatron and is angry to find out that Dean has taken on the Mark of Cain. He warns Sam to keep an eye on Dean. The next day, Castiel uses the Horn of Gabriel to call a group of angels to him to become their new leader.

In Bloodlines, Castiel contacts Dean with the information that he has gotten a lead on Metatron causing Sam and Dean to drop the case they are working on and take off to meet him.

In King of the Damned, Sam and Dean meet Castiel at his new headquarters where he is the leader of most of the angels on Earth. He reveals that having killed Bartholomew and with Malachi dead at Gadreel's hands, all the angels have been turning to him for leadership in the war to retake Heaven. Castiel's men have captured an angel named Ezra who works for Metatron and he wants Sam and Dean to interrogate him. Sam and Dean are able to trick Ezra into revealing that Metatron has an elite ground force and that there is a portal to Heaven that Metatron moves around and controls. Before they can learn more, Ezra is murdered and Crowley calls Sam and Dean to offer the location of the First Blade and Abaddon. Before Sam leaves, Castiel asks him his opinion on Gadreel who Sam believes might have been misunderstood before he murdered Kevin. Castiel sets up a meeting with Gadreel, but comes under attack from two angels that he kills. Castiel later meets with Gadreel again, telling him that Metatron has no honor and asking Gadreel to become his spy. Gadreel refuses due to his own honor not letting him abandon the cause he has dedicated himself to, but Castiel tells him to think on it and leaves.

"They had no leader, and they insisted on following me. [...] Bartholomew is dead. Malachi was murdered by Gadreel and with Metatron as powerful as he is now, I needed to do something. [...] Dean, this angel-on-angel violence has to end. Someone has to say enough."

- Castiel's as commander of an angel faction

In Stairway To Heaven, after an angel named Oran kills himself and an ice cream shop full of people including an angel named Ester, Castiel, Sam and Dean investigate. Castiel is stunned as Oran was one of his men and he killed everyone in Castiel's name. Castiel insists that he didn't order the attack though Dean doesn't believe him. While Dean investigates looking for more angels that might be suicide bombers, Castiel and Sam start chasing down a missing angel named Josiah who they come to believe may be the one who killed Ezra and a traitor. During the trip, Castiel is stunned to learn that Abaddon is dead and is worried about the effect the Mark of Cain is having on Dean. Tracking Josiah to Pray, Montana, Sam and Castiel find a building where the door to Heaven apparently is. Passing tests based on pop culture, they enter a room only to find that its one of Metatron's tricks and that Josiah was caught in a holy fire trap meant for Castiel. Castiel offers to heal Josiah, but he dies rather than owe Castiel his life. Returning to his base, Castiel finds that Dean apparently killed the Reaper Tessa who was working for him with the First Blade though Dean tells him that Tessa killed herself. Before they can talk more, Metatron contacts Castiel's followers, offering them amnesty if they abandon Castiel and insisting that Castiel ordered the bombers, only cares about himself and the Winchester and tells them about Castiel's dying grace. Metatron's transmission makes Castiel's followers doubt him and Hannah demands he kill Dean in punishment for killing Tessa to prove himself. When Castiel refuses, all of his followers abandon him. Castiel returns to the Bunker with Sam and Dean where the three become determined to stop Metatron and are shocked when Gadreel shows up to offer his help, confirming that Metatron was behind the suicide bombers and asking for a second chance. Dean pretends to give it to him then slashes Gadreel across the chest with the First Blade, seriously wounding him and causing Sam and Castiel to restrain Dean.

In Do You Believe In Miracles?, after locking Dean in the Bunker's dungeon, Sam and Castiel go looking for Gadreel who has fled in fear of his life and find him. Despite Gadreel telling Castiel not to heal him due to his weakening grace, Castiel does so anyway and Gadreel reveals that Metatron's plan is to convert humanity into worshiping him instead of God. After Sam and Castiel tell him that Dean used the First Blade to injure him, Gadreel insists that Dean is their best chance to kill Metatron and reveals that the source of his power is the angel tablet. Gadreel tells them that if they break Metatron's connection to the tablet, he will be a regular angel again and killable. Castiel decides to sneak into Heaven with Gadreel to find the tablet and has Gadreel pretend that Castiel is his prisoner to get through the portal, getting the idea from Star Wars. In Heaven, Castiel and Gadreel are locked in Heaven's dungeon by Ingrid and Hannah who see through their deception. Castiel tries to convince Hannah to help them stop Metatron, but she refuses to believe him as he promised an end to angel deaths. Gadreel suddenly speaks of his desire to redeem himself, being the only thing he focused on since his first imprisonment in the dungeon for thousands of years and how he lost sight of the angels' true mission; to protect humanity no matter the cost to themselves. Gadreel warns Castiel and Hannah away and then kills himself, using the same sigil the suicide bombers used to create an explosion to free Castiel.

Gadreel's sacrifice convinces Hannah to rejoin Castiel in taking down Metatron. Taking Ingrid captive, Castiel and Hannah try to force her to tell them where to find the tablet, but when she refuses, Castiel orders Hannah to take her out and searches on his own. Eventually Castiel finds the angel tablet in Metatron's typewriter and smashes the tablet, removing Metatron's incredible powers. When Metatron flees an attack from Sam back to Heaven, he finds Castiel sitting in his chair and chains him down. Metatron taunts Castiel with the fact that he has killed Dean, causing Castiel to fail in his attempt to save him by shattering the tablet. Metatron calls all angels "sheep" who will follow him where he wants and shows disgust for humanity. Metatron prepares to kill Castiel, telling him that the angels will never believe him because Castiel can never spin a good story. Castiel agrees, saying that Metatron can however and reveals that he used the equipment in Metatron's office to broadcast the entire conversation over "angel radio." Before a horrified Metatron can react, Metatron's enraged followers storm his office, overpower Metatron and free Castiel. Castiel however locks Metatron in Heaven's dungeon rather than kill him, something Hannah tells him is the act of a true leader. While the angels now once more want to follow Castiel in rebuilding Heaven, Castiel informs Hannah he wishes to be a normal angel again and not a leader. Hannah reminds him that he will die soon when his grace burns out unless he can replenish it, leaving Castiel contemplating the future.

Season 10
In Black, Sam finds what he think may be a clue – a man called Drew Neely who had killed his family and disappeared three years earlier has been found dead. Sam theorizes that Neely was possessed by a demon, who may have possessed Dean and left Neely's body to die. Sam calls to share the news with Castiel, who is anxious for news of Dean. Picking up that Castiel is seriously unwell, Sam backtracks and tells him not to worry, that the clue probably isn't anything. Later Hannah visits Castiel. She tells him that rebuilding is proceeding in Heaven; Metatron is in jail, and reconciliation amongst the angels is proceeding. However, some angels remain on Earth, and recently two of them – Daniel and Adina – killed an angel who tried to get them to return to Heaven. Hannah asks for Castiel's help in finding them, and he agrees. Hannah and Castiel travel to find the two rogue angels. Hannah confronts Castiel about his fading grace, but he angrily rebuts the implication that another angel die for him to get more grace. They find Daniel and Adina, who want to stay on Earth, having found much there they enjoy. Hannah persists – that they must return to Heaven; Heaven needs rules to operate. A fight ensures during which Castiel has to kill Daniel to save Hannah. Adina escapes. Hannah continues to insist to Castiel that Heaven needs rules, but Castiel says that the chaos on Earth can produce good things – art, hope, dreams, love – that Hannah points out are "human things."

In Reichenbach, after Hannah heals him, Castiel and Hannah work their way towards North Dakota to meet with Sam who informs Castiel that Dean is now a demon. Castiel's grace continues to fade and he falls asleep at the wheel, causing them to crash. After spending the night at the tow truck driver's house, Castiel awakens to find that Hannah has traveled to Heaven to talk to Metatron about Castiel's grace. Castiel walks in on Metatron claiming that there is some left and he will give it to her in exchange for being released. However, Castiel stops her, accepting his fate. Before he leaves, Metatron claims to Castiel that there really is some of his grace left, but that when he escapes he will destroy everything in his revenge. In Soul Survivor, Castiel and Hannah head towards the bunker to help Sam cure Dean. Along the way, they stop at a gas station where they are ambushed by Adina. In his now severely weakened state, Castiel proves no match who the other angel who beats him badly before leaving him to kill Hannah. Castiel is unexpectedly saved by Crowley who takes Adina's grace and kills her. At Crowley's insistence, Castiel reluctantly takes in Adina's grace and is restored to full health. Crowley asks Castiel to help deal with the Dean situation in return for his help even if it means killing him. Castiel finally arrives at the bunker in time to keep Dean from killing Sam and restrain him. Castiel watches as Sam completes the cure and watches anxiously to see if it works, ready to kill Dean if it doesn't. The cure works and Dean becomes human again to Castiel and Sam's relief. Castiel tells Sam he is temporarily back to full strength again and that while Dean is no longer a demon, the Mark of Cain is still a problem that needs to be solved. He consoles Dean over his actions as a demon and suggests he take time off since things are quiet now. In Girls, Girls, Girls, Castiel and Hannah continue their search for rogue angels to send back to Heaven with Hannah starting to enjoy human things and feelings, displaying an attraction to Castiel that he rebuffs. As they leave the motel they are staying at, Castiel and Hannah are confronted by Joe Johnson, husband of Hannah's vessel Caroline Johnson. Hannah pretends to be having an affair with Castiel to give closure to Joe, but is disturbed by her actions and feelings. Castiel tries to comfort Hannah by telling her of his interactions with his own vessel, Jimmy Novak and how the mission is more important than their vessels or their families. Hannah later reveals to Castiel that she intends to return to Heaven so that Caroline can return to her normal life. After Hannah leaves, Castiel returns Caroline home and inspired by Hannah's actions with her vessel, looks up Jimmy on the Internet to discover that his family is still looking for him. In The Things We Left Behind, Castiel tracks Claire Novak to a group home where he pretends to be Jimmy in order to see her. Claire is upset by his presence as she recognizes him as Castiel, not Jimmy, especially when Castiel tells him that Jimmy is dead and in Heaven. When Castiel asks what he can do to help, Claire asks him to pose as Jimmy and sign her out, but it doesn't work as Jimmy has been gone so long so Castiel breaks her out instead. While Castiel tries to take Claire with him, she runs away and he calls in Sam and Dean to help find her. Sam and Dean tell him stories about their own turbulent history with their father. Dean, knowing he might become a demon again due to the Mark of Cain, asks Castiel to kill him if that happens. Sam and Dean are eventually able to help Castiel track Claire to a man named Randy. They arrive to find Randy tied up by loan sharks and one trying to rape Claire. Castiel rescues her, but while he, Claire and Sam are outside, Dean falls under the Mark's influence once more and slaughters Randy and the loan sharks to everyone else's horror.

In The Hunter Games, Sam and Dean question Castiel about the possibility of a cure for the Mark of Cain, but he informs them it would take a great power to remove it and while the demon tablet might've been able to help them, it's missing. Reluctantly, Castiel suggests calling upon Metatron for help instead and gets Ingrid to bring him to them. Metatron tells them that they need the First Blade for the cure, causing Sam and Dean to call upon Crowley to get the First Blade. At the same time, Castiel visits Claire in a hotel to discover that she is leaving and is trying to cut all ties with him as she blames him and Dean for her father's death. While waiting for Crowley to get back to them, Castiel suggests that Dean talk to Claire and try to convince her of the truth about what happened with Randy. After finding out that Crowley won't give them the First Blade until they have the entire cure, Dean locks himself in the bunker's dungeon with Metatron and tortures him for information when he refuses to tell him the rest without a lot of little favors. Castiel manages to blast the door down in time to stop Dean from killing Metatron and takes him back to Heaven, seeing it as too dangerous to keep him in the bunker with Dean. After returning Metatron, Castiel senses that Claire wants to talk to him and tracks her down. Claire tells him that while she needs to be on her own, she wouldn't be against keeping in touch with him and tells him that he looks better in a tie.

"I'm in large part responsible for the way your life has unfolded. I have a responsibility to help you. [...] And you are adrift. I wanna ... I wanna help you have a life."

- Castiel's goal to help Claire

During Halt & Catch Fire, Castiel is searching for Cain in hopes that he would know of a cure for the Mark of Cain. According to Sam, Castiel has had no luck so far but discovered riverboat gambling along the way. In The Executioner's Song, Castiel continues his search for Cain by interrogating a captured demon. After the demon tells him of a location that Cain has been seen at, Castiel kills him. Searching the location, Castiel finds a massive graveyard and calls Sam and Dean to inform them of it and they tell him how Cain kidnapped serial killer Tommy Tolliver. Cain himself appears, unconcerned about Castiel's angel blade and reveals that he has fallen back under the influence of the Mark of Cain. Believing that his bloodline is tainted, Cain intends to wipe it out despite it being legion. Castiel meets with Sam and Dean at the bunker and after explaining what is going on, Dean decides to kill Cain despite the inherent dangers in him using the First Blade again. After getting Crowley to agree to help them, the group travels to the house of Austin Reynolds, Tommy's 12-year-old son where Castiel is quickly knocked out after his white light proves completely ineffective against Cain. Despite Castiel's failure, Sam and Crowley succeed in using an Illusion Spell to trick Cain into a devil's trap. Afterwards, Dean goes to confront Cain alone, telling the others that they may have to kill him if he returns as a demon and Castiel keeps Sam from following. After Dean kills Cain, he comes out normal and hands Castiel the First Blade instead of Crowley, stunning the demon with his lies. Castiel later tells Sam and Dean that he has hidden the First Blade somewhere, to Dean's relief and Sam privately informs him that Dean is in trouble.

During Inside Man, Sam realizes that Dean is getting worse and calls Castiel to help him find a cure for the Mark immediately. While Castiel is initially reluctant, he eventually agrees and takes Sam to the portal to Heaven to retrieve Metatron once more. However, Hannah, in a male vessel appears to block the way. While she is happy to see Castiel again and that for now at least his grace is alright, Hannah refuses to let them get Metatron, knowing that he will demand his release in exchange for his help which can't happen. Castiel and Sam are forced to leave when Hannah calls in three more angels to keep them from getting into Heaven. Needing another way to get at Metatron, Sam and Castiel use psychic Oliver Price to perform a séance and contact Bobby in Heaven for help in breaking Metatron out. Castiel directs Bobby in how to break out of his Heaven and to open the portal from the Heaven side. After Bobby opens the portal, Castiel enters Heaven where he meets with Bobby who demands to know what is going on. After informing him of the situation, Castiel and Bobby reach the dungeon where they reluctantly release an amused Metatron. Castiel takes Metatron back to Earth where he removes his grace and has Sam shoot him in the leg as a demonstration of his new mortality. Castiel demands the cure or he will have Sam kill Metatron, causing him to admit he'd been lying all along and that he knows of no cure. Metatron tells them that the Mark is God-level or Lucifer-level power and its not even covered on the demon tablet. While Sam doesn't believe Metatron, Castiel is able to tell that he is actually telling the truth and tells Sam to kill him. However, Metatron quickly reveals that there is some of Castiel's grace left and offers to take him to it to get Castiel to spare his life. Castiel reluctantly agrees and leaves with Metatron to find his grace.

In Book of the Damned, Castiel continues his road trip with Metatron to find his grace, getting increasingly annoyed with Metatron's antics as he experiences his new humanity resulting in Castiel punching him in the face at one point. He gets more annoyed as each of the safe houses they check come up empty. As they leave a diner where Metatron has gastrointestinal issues as he is lactose intolerant, they are attacked by an angry Cupid who nearly kills Castiel before Metatron kills him. However, this act doesn't endear him to Castiel who simply continues the trip. Reaching a library, Castiel is able to sense his grace, but its location is hidden from him. Metatron reveals that he doesn't actually know where it is as he had another angel hide it in case of torture but he has clues hidden to find the book it is in. Castiel and Metatron locate the first clue, "what's the maddest thing a man can do" and look for the book titled that. As they search, Metatron questions Castiel about what he will do once he finds the remaining rogue angels and gets them to return home as Heaven is in order now under Hannah's leadership. Castiel doesn't have an answer and is surprised when Metatron stuns him with a spell. Metatron reveals that he is actually there for the demon tablet as well as Castiel's grace and retrieves the tablet while Castiel realizes that they are looking for quotes in books, not titles as he'd thought. Using the knowledge of popular culture that Metatron gave him, Castiel is able to find his grace in a copy of Don Quixiote. Seeing Castiel has already got his grace, Metatron takes the demon tablet and flees. Castiel ingests the remnants of his grace and that combined with Adina's grace restores him to full power and his old status as a Seraphim. However, his wings remain broken. Returning to the bunker, Castiel informs Sam and Dean of the return of his full power and lies to Dean about how he got it back, telling him that Hannah got it out of Metatron. Castiel finally meets Charlie Bradbury who is excited by the meeting and jokingly asks him to heal her carpal tunnel. Taking her seriously, Castiel heals the affliction and even Charlie's bullet wound causing her to declare them best friends. Afterwards, Castiel celebrates his return with his friends. In Angel Heart, after Claire is knocked unconscious, Castiel is called as he is in her emergency contacts on her cell phone. Castiel calls in Sam and Dean to help him deal with her and they discover that she is looking for her missing mother. Feeling responsible as he'd promised Jimmy he'd look after his family, Castiel insists on helping find Amelia before they discover Claire gone. Recalling that Claire mentioned that a man named Ronnie Cartwright was the last to see Amelia, Castiel and Dean go to interrogate him while Sam goes to Claire's motel to cut her off. Castiel gets worried when Dean gets rough with Ronnie, but they learn that he sent Amelia to a faith healer named Peter Holloway. Ronnie tells them that Holloway is the real deal, having healed his blindness, but that he quit after seeing Holloway cut the people sent to him. Dean and Castiel go to Claire's motel where Sam is hacking Amelia's credit card records. After learning of Ronnie's murder, Dean, Castiel and Claire go to investigate it, but not before Castiel tells Sam that Dean is getting worse. At the scene, Castiel determines that the fatal wound was caused by an angel blade but that it seems to be larger and has left three strange markings that he is unable to identify meaning that they are dealing with a fellow angel. After Sam identifies Holloway's location from county records and Amelia's credit card records, he and Castiel go to the farm, leaving Dean behind with Claire due to his worsening condition. While Sam searches the house, Castiel searches the barn and finds Amelia. He is able to wake her up and she is extremely happy to see him, despite recognizing that Jimmy is no longer in his body. While Castiel is remorseful over his inability to protect her, Amelia assures him that as long as Claire is safe, he kept his promise. Castiel is unable to heal Amelia's injuries, something that disturbs him as that has never happened before. When Dean and Claire arrive to help, Castiel and Dean leave mother and daughter alone and reunite with Sam with him and Dean informing each other that Holloway, who's real name is Tamiel is actually a Grigori and is feeding on human souls. Castiel is shocked as the Grigori were supposed to have been wiped out millennia earlier. Finding the house empty, Castiel and the Winchesters rush to the barn where they find that Tamiel has killed Amelia. The three quickly engage Tamiel who proves too strong for them even with Castiel's fully restored strength. Before Tamiel can kill Castiel, Claire stabs him through the back with his own angel sword, killing him. The next day, Castiel, Sam and Dean say goodbye to Claire, sending her to Jody Mills until she can get on her feet. Claire has forgiven Castiel for his role in her father's death and keeps a stuffed animal Castiel got her for her birthday and asks Dean to look after him, saying Castiel has been through enough.

During Dark Dynasty, needing Rowena to decode the Book of the Damned with Charlie's help and do it in secret, Sam calls upon Castiel to act as her guard. Castiel and Charlie are both unhappy to have to work with Rowena and keep it from Dean, but both ultimately agree for the sake of Dean. Castiel keeps an eye on Rowena and along with Charlie, gets annoyed by her incessant comments. Eventually Charlie asks to leave for a little while, but Sam finds it too dangerous with the Styne Family out there so Castiel locks Rowena in a backroom to give Charlie the privacy she asked for. However, while Castiel is busy doing that, Charlie leaves and Castiel quickly alerts Sam. In The Prisoner, Castiel is relieved when Sam returns but is upset to learn of Charlie's death. Sam tells him that they are ending the attempts to find a cure and are killing Rowena. Castiel is more than happy to hear that as Rowena has greatly annoyed him. However, Sam receives an email from Charlie post-mortem with information on how to decode the Book of the Damned and decides to continue on. While Sam goes after Crowley as Rowena demands, he sends Castiel after Dean using a low-jack he placed on the Impala. Castiel later arrives at the Styne compound to find everyone brutally massacred by Dean and informs Sam of that along with the fact that Dean is heading back to the bunker. Castiel arrives at the bunker to find that Dean has killed the Stynes there, murdering Cyrus Frankenstein as well despite him being just a boy. Castiel is horrified as in the past, Dean would've let Cyrus go and tries to convince Dean to stop and let them cure the Mark of Cain, saying that while Dean will fight the Mark for as long as he can, one day he will lose control and Castiel will be there to watch him destroy everything. Dean refuses to stop and when Castiel attempts to keep him from leaving, Dean attacks him. Castiel doesn't fight back and is badly beaten. Dean nearly kills Castiel with his own angel blade, but ultimately leaves him alone and warns him that if he and Sam come near him again, he will kill them.

"Maybe you could fight the mark for years. Maybe centuries, like Cain did. But you cannot fight it forever. And when you finally turn, and you will turn ... Sam and everyone you know, everyone you love, they could be long dead. Everyone except me. I'm the one that will have to watch you murder the world. So if there's even a small chance that we can save you, I won't let you walk out of this room."

- Castiel to Dean

In Brother's Keeper, a healed Castiel talks with Sam about continuing to chase Dean despite the fact that with the Mark, he's unstoppable. Castiel goes with Sam to confront Rowena armed with witch-killing bullets, but she is unthreatened as they need her to decode the Book of the Damned and cast the spell to remove the Mark. She offers a new deal: her freedom and Nadia's Codex in exchange for removing the Mark and Sam agrees despite Castiel's reservations. Reading the Book, Rowena discovers they need a piece of the apple from the Garden of Eden, a piece of the Golden Calf idol, Dean's hair and the blood of the person she loves. When Rowena claims not to love anyone, Castiel reads her mind and discovers she loved a boy named Oskar centuries ago. While Sam goes after Dean following a call from Rudy, Castiel summons Crowley and asks his help in getting the ingredients. Crowley reluctantly agrees and gathers the needed ingredients, including Oskar who Rowena had made immortal. Rowena is furious with them for what they're making her do, but she kills Oskar and casts the spell to remove the Mark of Cain. While she is successful, unknown to the three of them, she also unleashes the Darkness. To their surprise, Rowena then escapes her chains, immobilizes them and escapes with the Book of the Damned and Nadia's Codex. However, before she goes, she casts the Attack Dog Spell on Castiel, making him draw his angel blade and attack Crowley.

Season 11
In Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire, Castiel has regained control himself, but is still under the effects of Rowena's spell. Castiel remembers attacking Crowley who is hindered by Rowena's spell on him. Castiel eventually stabs Crowley in the back with his angel blade, but not before Crowley smokes out which Castiel realizes when remembering what happened. Found by a couple of farmers, Castiel flees and is horrified when he talks to Dean on the phone and learns of the release of the Darkness. Unable to find the portal to Heaven, a desperate Castiel prays for help and Efram and Jonah appear. However, when they chain him up in a warehouse, Castiel realizes that they don't intend to help him, which Efram confirms.

In Form and Void, Castiel is repeatedly tortured for information he doesn't have on Metatron, but the angels don't believe him. Finally, Hannah shows up in her male vessel and puts a stop to the torture, but Castiel tells her to keep him restrained due to the effects of Rowena's spell. At Castiel's request, Hannah tries to heal him and remove the spell, but can't because of the power of it. Castiel explains the release of the Darkness to Hannah to her horror, but when she starts questioning him about the location of the Winchesters, Castiel realizes that its all a trick and Hannah is just trying to get information out of him as well. Hannah reluctantly explains that after Metatron's escape, a lot of angels now hate him again but is interrupted by Efram before she can answer his question of whether she hates him too. Jonah then starts to "hack" Castiel similar to how Crowley and Naomi do it, but while Efram and Jonah are arguing with Hannah, Castiel falls back under the influence of Rowena's spell and breaks free. Castiel quickly overpowers and kills Jonah in self-defense, but Efram kills Hannah for interrupting. Using Hannah's body as a shield, Castiel fights Efram and eventually kills him, but is left horrified by the deaths of the three angels, one of which was his friend. He's later found on the ground in the Bunker in pain and asking for Sam and Dean's help.

In The Bad Seed, Castiel is chained to the floor of the Bunker while Sam and Dean try to find a way to help him since he's a danger while under the spell. They realize that rather than killing Castiel as it would a human, the spell has dug deep and is affecting him badly and that Rowena is the only one who can remove it. Castiel is further hurt by hearing "angel radio" from which he learns that the angels are doubling their efforts to find Metatron who the Winchesters know might be their only chance of finding a way to beat the Darkness as the former Scribe of God. However, searches for accidents or moving violations with Castiel's stolen car come up with nothing to Castiel's surprise as he didn't think Metatron would be a good driver. Sam eventually finds a possible clue to Rowena's location and he and Dean take off to check it out, returning with a captured Rowena who they make a deal with: break the spell on Castiel and they will let her go. While they are discussing that and the Book of the Damned with Rowena, Castiel continues the search for Metatron on Dean's computer by trying to search databases for his car using instructions left for him. However, he accidentally activates some porn and stares at it for a moment before closing it down. Castiel falls back under the influence of Rowena's spell, breaks free and stalks a girl through the nearby town. As he's strangling the girl in a warehouse, Dean interrupts and Castiel attacks him too, beating him a bit. Sam finally arrives with Rowena who breaks her spell and then escapes. In the Bunker, Castiel, now back to normal offers to heal Dean, but he refuses, feeling he deserved the beating and forgives Castiel for it. Castiel is upset as they had Rowena captive but she got away because of them saving him, but Sam tells him that they got back Nadia's Codex and Charlie's translations which will slow her down a bit. They'd also have lost the Book of the Damned for good if they'd killed her.

Castiel finds Dean in The Devil is in the Details and tells him to stay far away from the site where the angels attacked Amara. He goes there himself and meets a fellow angel. However, this angel gets consumed by Amara who is proven to be okay. Amara carves a message onto Castiel's chest and sends him away.

Castiel later follows Dean into Hell to stop Lucifer from hurting Sam. Before Rowena can send Lucifer back into the Cage, Castiel asks the archangel if he can truly beat the Darkness. When Lucifer confirms this, Castiel says "yes" and his vessel is promptly possessed by Lucifer.

In The Vessel, as Lucifer feeds on Sam's soul and prepares to kill him, Castiel fights back and manages to regain control over his body. Castiel tells Sam the truth and that he can't cast Lucifer out as he's using all of his strength just to keep the archangel from killing Sam. He also informs Sam that he can no longer time travel so they need Lucifer to save Dean. After Lucifer rescues Dean, Dean learns the truth as well before Sam banishes him. The two agree to try to save Castiel from Lucifer, but know that he may not come back willingly since he said "yes" to Lucifer on his own.

In Hell's Angel, Dean and Sam – with the help of Rowena and Crowley – trap Lucifer inside a ring of holy fire and activate an angel suppressing sigil, so they can talk to Castiel and convince him to expel the archangel. Castiel briefly awakens and notices Dean, but before they can talk properly, Lucifer regains control and pushes the angel back down.

Crowley thus decides to enter Castiel's vessel and talk to him directly. Crowley discovers Castiel's safe place to be the bunker's kitchen, where Castiel is watching television. Crowley notices that Castiel has lost interest in the war and doesn't seem to mind Lucifer's presence, saying he mostly just leaves him alone. Castiel has a jolt of memory that he saw Dean earlier, but gets distracted by the show he's watching. Lucifer arrives shortly after and beats on Crowley. Castiel complains that the two might break something, referring to his television, which he protects. The three of them soon hear Sam chanting an exorcism spell. Once Crowley leaves, it is Lucifer who regains control.

In We Happy Few, Lucifer returns control to Castiel in an attempt to convince the angels to join the attack on the Darkness. The angels aren't inclined to listen to Castiel anymore than they are Lucifer, but Castiel tells them that his role in the battle is to be Lucifer's vessel despite the fact that it is burning him and his vessel out. Castiel insists that he would continue to do it anyway if given another choice and is able to convince the angels to join them. After the attack on Amara fails, Amara pulls Lucifer from Castiel's vessel, leaving Castiel unconscious on the ground. When Dean wakes him up, he finds that Lucifer is indeed gone, but Castiel is unaware as to where he is.

The team regroup outside to find that the sun is dying. Unsure of how to deal with such a major situation, everyone – including Castiel – start to feel down and hopeless, except for Sam. When they try to get help from the angels and the demons again, Castiel discovers that the angels are planning to lock up Heaven and wait for an honorable death, as they know that God is dying.

Castiel joins Dean on a road trip and explains his reason for allowing Lucifer to possess him. He admits the idea was stupid, but Dean doesn't fully agree. Dean reminds Castiel that he is a brother and best friend to him. Suddenly, the two receive a call from Sam about a plan, which involves creating a soul bomb.

The reaper Billie helps in gathering the souls while Rowena plants it inside Dean, so he can use it to kill Amara. Dean bids everyone a farewell, and hugs Castiel goodbye. Castiel joins God, Sam, Rowena and Crowley at an empty bar. God soon joins Dean and Amara. After a while, the group at the bar discover that the sun has been restored, and deem that Dean's mission was a success.

Castiel and Sam head back to the Bunker, where they are greeted by a mysterious woman who banishes Castiel and confronts Sam about his recent actions.

Appearance
As an angel, experiencing Castiel's true form will result in blindness, deafness, or even death, as the appearance of his natural visage is so overwhelming that it is capable of burning human or demon eyes from their sockets (as seen in Lazarus Rising), as he said, "My true form. It can be overwhelming to humans and so can my real voice." However, Castiel stated certain, "special people" are able to tolerate his true appearance and voice. Although his true form has never been seen, it is known that he has two feathered wings. When Castiel was a seraph, he describes himself as a "multidimensional wavelength of celestial intent" and his true form is "approximately the size of your Chrysler Building" in height. As he was promoted to a Seraph, it stands to reason his true form has changed to one of a Seraph's. It is presumed to be very tremendous and terrifying, as the mere image of it was enough to cause Crowley to flee in fear of being smited. In addition, Castiel has been referred to being attractive in more than one occasion, both in his human vessel and his true angelic form. One female demon, while talking with Crowley, once instantly said Castiel was, as she said in her words, hot, as she also said, "I mean, human Castiel? eh. But, feathered Castiel? 'Phew." The same demon even once called him "Captain Sexy." Another instance was a woman who referred to him as "young and sexy" while he was god and had recently killed a pastor at the church she attended. Since having his grace removed for Metatron's spell, Castiel has lost his wings, even with Theo and Adina's grace. Though he has since regained the remnants of his grace and been restored to full power, his wings are broken.

For humans, they see him as the appearance of his vessel, Jimmy Novak, who is an average man in his thirties. He sports a pair of dress shoes, a black suit, a buttoned white-striped dress shirt, and loosened blue necktie accentuated by a beige trench coat. Although he has a very dire demeanor, his outward appearance radiates a natural calm and serenity which makes conversation easy and direct. Since his third resurrection, his appearance has changed. He lost his trench coat upon his third death and when he became amnesic, he wore different clothes. Upon regaining his memories, Dean gave him back his trench coat, but he still wore Emmanuel's clothes until he became insane. While insane he wore his trench coat and hospital scrubs. While in Purgatory he retained the same outfit, albeit extremely dirty and torn off. Castiel also grew a beard and his hair became messier. After returning from the monster realm, Castiel returned to his original appearance. He kept this until he lost his grace and became human. While he initially kept his usual clothes, they became dirty and he was unable to clean them and get food and water so he abandoned the trench coat and suit and took to wearing more casual human clothes, though he did wear a suit when he pretended to be an FBI agent. After becoming an angel again, Castiel donned a new suit and trench coat, albeit not as accented as his previous trench, nor as long. He at first didn't wear a tie like before, but after a suggestion from Claire Novak that he looked better in a tie, Castiel donned the blue striped tie from his FBI suit.

Castiel also possessed Jimmy's daughter, Claire for a brief time when Jimmy had still not decided if he would take back the angel. It would appear that Castiel could possess any willing member from Jimmy Novak's bloodline, not unlike how Michael was able to possess John Winchester and three of his sons. Castiel indicated that he could possess Sam Winchester as well if he had his permission.

Personality
Castiel is a strong, determined, impulsive, competitive, ignorant and naive celestial being. Like most angels, Castiel expresses little to no emotion, which creates flaws and complexities in his persona. Despite this, he does not display the blank apathy or mocking superiority that seem to characterize angels such as Uriel or Lucifer. His lack of emotion and understanding of human behavior such as sarcasm has led to several humorous situations throughout the show, and has occasionally gotten him into trouble with humans, ultimately leaving Dean or Sam to amend the situation. He does, however, become close friends with the brothers, who encourage him to be kinder, more caring and more selfless.

Unlike some of his brethren, Castiel still has faith in God, though not to the zealot-like extent displayed by Michael. While he admits he may not always understand what God wants and may question His reasoning, Castiel always follows his father to the best of his abilities. This, along with his interest in humans, has caused other angels to label him as weak or naive, but also peculiar. Anna and Lucifer have both displayed this attitude, with Anna calling him a hypocrite for refusing to rebel in order to gain more freedom. Castiel briefly loses this faith after Joshua reveals that God doesn't care and falls into a depression for some time. However, when God resurrects him for a second time, his faith returns. Castiel frequently exhibits what could be referred to as affection towards Dean, and seems to express regret, hesitance, and anger at several points.

Being around the Winchesters, paired with his experiences in the War, have taught Castiel several "tricks" that have helped him during the show. While not possessing free will in the same sense as a human, Castiel has learned how to bend the rules at times, like in season 4. The best example is when he informs Dean about Chuck's archangel, thereby giving Dean the idea to use him to save Sam from Lilith (The Monster at the End of This Book). He also is able to distract Meg long enough to use her. This was similar to a trick Uriel performed to free Alastair from a ring of holy fire (Abandon All Hope). It is also possible he learned from the demon Crowley to wipe out loyalists of his adversary, Raphael. Castiel also considers himself to be the Winchester's personal guardian angel.

When Castiel is brought back from the dead after Lucifer kills him, his personality begins to shift. During Season 6, Castiel becomes more prideful. It is because of this pride that Castiel makes a deal with Crowley, and starts the civil war in heaven. During this time Castiel showed extremely high ambition, doing everything he could to open the door of Purgatory. He also displayed his intelligence, being capable of tricking Dean, Sam, Raphael, and even Crowley (well known as a crafty trickster.)

Upon absorbing the souls, Castiel's hubris grew to the extent that he claimed to be the new God. It was later revealed that others, such as Death, thought of him only as a mutated angel. Previously acting kind, assuring, and fierce at times, Castiel had now become almost purely cold and absolute in his decisions. This is displayed when he kills Raphael without any second thoughts. Mere seconds later, he demanded that Dean, Bobby, and Sam kneel before him and be by his side. Castiel claimed he would destroy them if they forgot their place and rose up against him. However, he still had some lingering affection for them, trusting them enough to leave them alone. They soon realized that he was out of control and that being influenced by the Leviathans. Later, when Castiel returns to his original personality, he feels incredibly guilty and goes back to his friend for help. Knowing Dean is furious with him for breaking Sam's wall, Castiel expresses true remorse for his actions and swears to do all he can to make up for what he did.

After his third resurrection, Castiel lost his memories and took on a more human personality, though he was still more distant than normal humans. He expressed affection for his wife Daphne Allen, and retained his desire to help people as shown by the fact that when he rediscovered his healing powers, he used them to heal people in need, also showing great compassion. While shocked by the existence of demons, he took it relatively well once it was explained to him. He was perceptive enough to realize that Dean couldn't forgive "Cas" for what he had done and felt betrayed and that he himself was the Cas mentioned after overhearing some of Dean's conversation with Meg. In his human mindset, he had no idea of what he was capable of and was nervous with the idea of using his powers to kill demons when he had no idea how. However, despite this, he displayed courage in agreeing to try and seemed to still possess an instinctual knowledge of how to use them as he quickly figured out what to do.

After recovering his memories, Castiel's normal personality more or less returned, and he was overcome with guilt over what he had done, how many he had killed, and for releasing the Leviathans, even questioning why he was still alive. Following his awakening, his personality was greatly modified, due to a combination of what he had taken from Sam and his own guilt. It made him inattentive, overly calm, uncaring and seemingly dim. He also became a pacifist, and refused to fight, even when being attacked, as well as being overly optimistic, perceiving many negative things in a positive way. During this time he developed a unique relationship with Meg, a demon, as she was his caretaker during his insanity. He showed open attraction to her, calling her a "thorny beauty". Although Meg doesn't return the feelings at the start, a year later she openly flirts with Castiel, and Castiel seemingly returns the attraction. In Survival of the Fittest, Castiel explains that his pacifism comes from being afraid of causing more damage with his actions. However, he agrees to break his pacifism and help stop the Leviathans, possibly out of loyalty to Dean as he agrees after Dean says he'll likely die trying to stop them. After agreeing, he doesn't hesitate to fight, helping to dispatch Royce and getting in front of Dean to protect him from Dick Roman and later restraining the Leviathan leader so Dean can kill him. Castiel also displays a bleak view on his resurrections: instead of believing it to be a gift from God for his service, he now sees his resurrections as punishment for his actions, telling Dean "I see now its a punishment resurrection, it gets worse every time."

After he and Dean were sent to Purgatory, his sanity and original personality was restored, although he himself states nobody could ever be sure if he is indeed sane. Following his return in A Little Slice of Kevin, Castiel displayed a slightly more laid-back personality and a much less detached persona and showed human emotions as well as a taste for human things, as he commented how he missed watching TV. He has also developed a strong desire for penitence, looking for anyway possible to redeem himself for the devastation he caused Heaven and his fellow angels.

Since becoming human briefly, Castiel has become more human. He expresses more of an appreciation for human things and develops more human emotions such as romantic attraction. He also became less serious, drinking a beer with Sam and Dean and joking around. He proved to be good enough at being human that he was able to fool law enforcement and pose as an FBI agent, something he could never do successfully before even with coaching from Dean. Even after becoming an angel again, Castiel hasn't seemed to lose his human emotions, getting very angry when he realized who Gadreel was and freely expressing it and comforting a distraught Dean, understanding why he was so upset rather than being confused as he would have been in the past. While briefly human, he was ready to embrace his new status, excited to have Sam and Dean as his teachers and seemed to see his return to being an angel as a necessary evil more than something he wanted and his stealing of the grace of Theo as barbaric and something that made him as bad as the other angels. Castiel also seems to now understand human ways better, able to drive and steal a car, a skill he never previously showed, though he still lacks full knowledge of everything as he didn't know to get gas. He also developed a taste for human food, something that was made harder by the return of his angel powers and completely lost any former disgust he had towards Sam, finally understanding why he'd done everything he did. Castiel also learned that the ends don't justify the means when it means sacrificing lives. Thanks to Metatron, Castiel has also finally gained the ability to understand Dean's constant movie and TV show references, something that had previously frustrated him into always saying "I don't understand that reference." This helps him now understand human culture better.

Castiel seems to have a fondness for his usual appearance as he never changed until he briefly believed he was human. At first he may not have changed out of lack of necessity, but after returning from Purgatory, he put back on his usual outfit and was very pleased to be able to do so. He seemed to be particularly fond of his trenchcoat as even insane he wore it and was seen to only reluctantly let it go when as a human he was unable to afford to cleaning it. After becoming an angel again, he donned a new trenchcoat and suit, once again displaying his fondness for that particular attire.

In the aftermath of being put under the Attack Dog Spell by the witch Rowena, it, according to Metatron, made Castiel broken and paralyzed due to the trauma and due to him attacking other people, including Dean. Even after Castiel was free from the spell, it still has also apparently "scarred" Castiel so deep that Cas wouldn't even leave the bunker. Even Metatron, who is now human, noticed it especially when he said Castiel couldn't even hit him. However, while he misjudged it as Castiel being afraid, after being hit and thrown by Castiel multiple times, Metatron then realized that Cas is not scared, but is actually angry instead about, as Metatron said, "being everyone's tool. Manipulated and used by the angels, by your enemies, by your friends." Even Castiel himself said that he is tired of having his strings pulled.

Castiel eventually allowed Lucifer to possess him in order to be useful to the fight with Amara, seeming to see himself as useless now. Castiel only fought Lucifer once to protect Sam, but was unable and unwilling to expel Lucifer from his body. When Crowley entered Castiel to get him to expel Lucifer, Castiel was shown to have become apathetic to the whole situation and intended to just wait the fight out, not intervening even when Crowley and Lucifer fought it out in his mind and simply scolding them for bothering him. Crowley believed that Lucifer did something to Castiel to cause this, that Lucifer "got his hooks in good." When given control by Lucifer to speak to the angels, Castiel displayed his regular personality rather than the one Crowley saw in his mind and stated that he truly believed his role in the upcoming fight was to give Lucifer form on Earth so he could aid God in defeating the Darkness. After Lucifer is expelled from Castiel by Amara, Castiel seems to return to his old self completely with the archangel's influence gone from his mind, but continues to believe he did the right thing by consenting to Lucifer's possession.

Original Abilities


Since his first appearance, Castiel has possessed astounding abilities and is one of the most powerful supernatural beings the Winchester brothers have ever met. Castiel has shown to possess all the powers of regular angels – including entering human dreams, smiting demons, telekinesis, teleporting and transporting others and himself through time. Uriel seemed so sure of Castiel's powers that he felt confident that if Castiel joined him and his fellow rebels, they would be powerful enough to challenge Heaven and free Lucifer from his Cage. Even Anna, despite having once been Castiel's superior, chose not to dare directly confront him after Castiel appointed himself as the Winchesters' guardian (Though this may have been because she did not want to hurt him or was most likely due to the fact that he had an angel blade on him and threatened her with it, or both). Instead, she went back through time in an attempt to ensure that Sam and Dean are never born. Even when not at full strength and when weakened by being cut off from Heaven, Castiel was apparently quite powerful by even angel standards and was shown to be a very capable fighter, as he was able to take on and defeat several, at least over half a dozen, of his angelic siblings by himself when he was fighting to prevent the Apocalypse.

These were Castiel's powers as a common angel. Some of this power depended on his link to Heaven.


 * Angelic Possession – As a spiritual being, like all angels, Castiel needs to use and possess a human vessel to physically interact while on Earth. As an angel, he requires the vessel's permission.
 * Astral Projection – Castiel is able to partially project his true form while inside his vessel, which appeared at the end of the Season 4 episode Lazarus Rising as shadows of his feathery wings on his back to show Dean proof that he was in fact what he claimed.
 * Chronokinesis – Although he has said it isn't easy and is difficult, even with the powers of Heaven at his disposal, Castiel can travel forward and backward in time, and he can take passengers.
 * Dream Walking – Castiel appeared in Dean's dream to deliver him a message.
 * Healing – Castiel can instantly heal the wounds and diseases of humans. Castiel has saved and healed both Sam and Dean many times from their wounds. As a fallen angel, he was not able to heal.
 * Immortality – Castiel, as an angel, like all celestial beings, doesn't age over time and is immune to disease. He never tires, and does not need to eat, sleep, drink, or breathe to sustain himself or even his vessel.
 * Regeneration - As an angel, there are very few things able to kill Castiel as he has shown to be impervious to most forms of harm. He possesses accelerated healing abilities that allow him to heal wounds that would kill a human in seconds, if not instantly. He is unharmed by extreme temperatures. In "Lazarus Rising", he absorbed several shotgun blasts directly to the chest. He even withstood the full force of the Demon-Killing Knife and simply pulled it out of his shoulder before dropping it to the ground. He is immune to all ailments and is immortal, able to fully heal from any non-supernatural wound regardless of its fatality.
 * Angel_blade.jpgSmiting – Castiel possesses the ability to kill or exorcise a demon simply by touching his palm to the forehead of its host. He is able to kill lower-level demons and other beings like monsters with a simple touch. When this happens, a strong white light appears from the eyes and mouth of the victim and burns them from the inside out. This ability does not work on demons stronger than Castiel as Alastair proved to possess complete immunity from such an attack. Lost when he became a fallen angel as it came from Heaven, but regained a more powerful version after second resurrection.
 * Resurrection – Castiel brought Dean back from dead. He lost the ability when he became a Fallen Angel as it came from Heaven.
 * Sedation – Castiel can cause instant unconsciousness in humans by tapping them or simply placing two fingers on their forehead.
 * Pyrokinesis – Castiel displays the ability to burn through ropes binding him.
 * Punch-uriel.gifSuper Strength – As an angel, Castiel is physically much stronger than humans, spirits, monsters, most lesser angels, and most demons. Though he typically seems to attempt to avoid fighting, he is a very formidable physical opponent when need be, and is unstoppable when facing mortal beings. He proved capable of overpowering common angels and humans with ease, and he once beat Dean to nearly a bloody pulp. Although incredibly strong in his own right, an angel such as [[Uriel]] or a high-level demon such as Alastair had superior levels of super strength. As Uriel exhibited superhuman strength when battling two demons in the episode Heaven and Hell, Castiel most likely possesses such physical power as well. Also his strength has been seen in numerous episodes, and he is shown be quite strong. In the episode On The Head Of A Pin Castiel was able to send Uriel flying through a wall. However, he was no threat to archangels.
 * Supernatural Perception/Senses - Castiel can see things hidden to humans. He is capable of immediately discovering a person's identity or their prior medical status by simply smelling their remains, regardless of the condition of said remains. He is also capable of speaking to and understanding animals, as well as listen in on radio frequencies. Castiel's vision and hearing are at extreme superhuman levels; he was able to see a symbol on a person's heart that was so small Sam needed a microscopic lens to see it, he saw the true faces of demons from a far enough distance that Dean needed binoculars.
 * Telekinesis – Castiel has the ability to move objects and even people with his mind, imparting kinetic energy on matter with his mind. He used this to twist Ruby's Knife into Alastair's wound after having stabbed him it. He later uses this power to unscrew a bolt from a distance. He is also shown to be refined with this power to the point where he could inscribe enochian sigils on the ribs of the Winchester brothers' without breaking the skin.
 * Telepathy – Castiel is able to read the minds of humans and other lower-level angels.
 * Voice Mimicry – Castiel once perfectly imitated Bobby Singer's voice.
 * Protective Charm – Castiel is able to protect someone from harm beforehand, as seen when he prevented his vessel, Jimmy Novak from burning his hand on a pot of boiling water when asked for a sign of faith.
 * Apporting – Castiel is able to teleport Dean to St. Mary's Convent from Chuck's house with a touch of his hand to his forehead, and later teleports him away from Zachariah to his side at a roadside.
 * Spell Casting – As an angel, Castiel has extensive knowledge of Enochian symbols and spells which he has used for a variety of effects. He could draw an Enochian Devil's Trap that could completely suppress and bound a demon as powerful as Alastair. He also knew of symbols that could banish or ward off angels. After his first resurrection, he branded Sam and Dean with a pattern of symbols that would conceal them from every angel in creation, even one as powerful as Lucifer. He later did the same to Adam. Castiel was also capable of casting various tracking spells.
 * Skilled Fighter – Castiel has also shown himself to be a skilled unarmed fighter, capable of temporarily holding off the white eyed demon Alastair, as well as fighting and holding his own against Uriel. This skill remained with him as he became a fallen angel and human. Later as a Seraph, Castiel held off two Leviathans with only his fists.
 * [[File:17-Supernatural-Season-Ten-Episode-Fourteen-SPN-S10E14-The-Executioners-Song-Castiel-Misha-Collins.jpg|thumb|260px|Castiel using his white light on Cain]]Holy White Light (granted by another angel's grace) – While possessing the grace of an unknown ranking angel, Castiel displayed this ability, using it to blast a door open and then again on [[Cain]]. However, the latter was so powerful the blast of light merely ruffled his hair.
 * Superhuman Intelligence – As an angel, Castiel possesses a superhuman level of intelligence. He explained the reason of his chronokinesis limits by partial differential equations, that shows that he has highly advanced understanding of mathematics, explicitly of mathematical calculus and differential geometry.
 * Basic Hunting Skills – Due to his time spent with the Winchesters, Castiel has displayed a basic level of hunting knowledge and skill such as using devil's traps to contain demons he captures and on a few occasions, using fake IDs convincingly enough to fool law enforcement in a similar manner to a hunter. However, the latter is a skill that takes him some time to master.

Seraph Abilities
After he was killed by Lucifer during the Apocalypse, God resurrected Castiel and endowed him with new and stronger powers, making him more powerful than before, as he said, "I do believe He brought me back. New and improved." Castiel reveals in "Blood Brother" that he's now a Seraph, a higher species of angel. Not only has he gained greatly enhanced powers – including healing, resurrection, teleporting, smiting, slight reality-warping, soul-reading, psychokinesis removal and chronokinesis – while retaining all previous ones, but now he is independent from Heaven and could function with his powers independently of Heaven. This means he retains his full powers and angelic grace despite being a Fallen Angel and cut off from Heaven.

Initially following his rescue from Purgatory, Castiel appeared weakened from his time in the monster realm as he is quickly drained from using his powers such as teleporting or killing a low-level demon. However, this seemed to be temporary as he later but quickly recovered his full seraph abilities. After Metatron took Castiel's grace, Castiel lost his angelic powers (excluding hearing angel radio and recognizing other angels) and was rendered human and powerless. Castiel has recently gotten what is left of his grace back and has stated he is back to full power, though he has broken wings, making him a Seraph again.

His Seraph abilities include:


 * Immortality – Castiel is immune to age and illness as well as most forms of physical harm on earth.
 * Superhuman Stamina – Castiel never eats, drinks, breathes or sleeps since he has no biological need for it. However, he does eat and sleep, likely out of habit. This may have been due to him temporarily becoming a human being in Season 9.
 * Invisibility – Castiel can become invisible to humans. He used this ability to spy on Dean living a normal life and again when trying to see how much Dean, Sam, and Bobby have learned about his and alliance with Crowley.
 * Advanced Mental Manipulation – By placing his hand on a person's forehead, Castiel is able to manipulate a person's mind, being able to create, erase or alter memories or simply alter their perception of events altogether. He easily tore down the mental dam inserted by Death on Sam that protected him from the memories of him being tortured in Lucifer's Cage. Though he was unable to cure Sam from the resulting madness it caused, he was able to transfer the mental damage from Sam to himself. He is also able to show a person the true version of their memories, not just the version they choose to remember. This is shown when he makes Dean see what really happened when he escaped Purgatory.
 * Dream Walking – He was able to enter Fred Jones' dream and took Sam with him.
 * Advanced Telepathy – By touching Rowena's forehead and concentrating, he was able to see her memory of Oskar.
 * Animal Communication – Castiel was able to communicate with a cat, though it is likely that the Cat had the ability to speak at the time.
 * Advanced Pyrokinesis - Castiel can now no longer just create fire, but he can manipulate and extinguish it effectively. Castiel displayed this ability when he extinguished the circle of holy fire that trapped Balthazar.
 * Reality Warping – Castiel, in one instance, altered reality, by shaking a 'Sorry' board-game, and having everything instantly set up. He was later able to fill a vial with his blood just holding it tight in his hand and not making any cuts. His highest capability in this area was when he was able to change his appearance and clothes into his original one after returning from Purgatory, or he apported every hair and fiber of dirt off his face and coat.
 * A_whore_is_a_whore_is_a_whore_by_spn_castiel-d3fyhnk.gifEnhanced Super Strength – Being a Seraph, Castiel has exhibited higher levels of physical strength than he did as a common angel. He was capable of overpowering humans, spirits, monsters, demons and even his angelic brethren with greater ease as seen against Raphael's soldiers or against his former friend Rachel. He also once forced the demon [[Crowley]] against a wall, despite the latter's position as the King of Hell, and left an impression on the wall. In addition, he once again beat Dean to a bloody pulp. However, against the Archangels, such as seen with both Raphael and Lucifer, Castiel was inferior against them, as both had beaten him to a bloody pulp. Though he could still be outmatched by the Leviathans, Castiel proved capable of standing up against them. In Purgatory managed to hold off two Leviathans, overpower and ultimately incapacitate them with Dean's help. Castiel also proved to be strong enough to lift a 1-ton anvil with ease and was also able to rupture a stone wall just by merely touching it. Even in a weakened, injured and trapped state, he was able to overpower and kill Efram along with Jonah.
 * Advanced Smiting – Castiel's angelic killing touch became much more powerful after his resurrection. He could instantly kill several demons with great ease by using this ability. He was also capable of killing various monsters using this ability such as creatures even in Purgatory. He tried to smite a Leviathan in Purgatory, but he was unable to due to negation of his powers. It is unknown if a seraph can smite a Leviathan in standart conditions.
 * Advanced Healing – Castiel has displayed the ability to not only heal any wound, but can also cure people of infections that will turn them into monsters as shown when he cured Dean of his transformation into a Jefferson Starship. He was also able to cure Charlie Bradbury of her carpal tunnel while simultaneously healing a bullet wound, though he suggested she still wear a wrist brace at night. Castiel also believed he could heal Kevin Tran of a cut-off finger which is later shown to be true. On one occasion while healing a gunshot wound his hand glowed though he usually heals without any visible sign besides the injury healing. However, there are some things even he can't heal. According to Castiel, Sam is damaged on the subatomic level from his trials and it is beyond his power to fix that. Despite his fully restored powers, Castiel was unable to heal the damage a Grigori did to Amelia Novak, something that stunned him as he'd never encountered that problem before.
 * Regeneration – Like any Celestial Being, he has accelerated healing abilities. He can instantaneously regenerate from injuries caused by earth-based weapons. However, he takes somewhat longer to heal damages caused by Angelic Weaponry. When shot by a bullet made by melting and repurposing an Angel Blade, once he removed the bullet, he immediately regenerated.
 * Vessel Locking – Castiel has displayed the ability to grab a demon's smoke form and force it back into its body to smite it.
 * Proficient Torturer – Castiel was shown to be skilled at the art of torture, as seen when he tortured one of Eve's Jefferson Starships into giving him information in a matter of minutes, despite having his powers blocked by the mother of all and on another occasion, when he tortured Dr. Visyak (who had previously resisted Crowley's attempts at the same) into giving him the spell to open Purgatory.
 * Soul Reading/Channeling – By pushing his hand into a person's chest, Castiel can determine the presence and condition of a person's soul, and if the soul was branded by a deal. He can also siphon energy from or completely absorb a soul to recharge and enhance his powers. The process is extremely painful and delicate, having been noted by Castiel as putting one's hand into a nuclear reactor and causing the person to explode should anything go wrong. Castiel displayed this ability to see that a boy had sold his soul to Balthazar and again to see how damaged Sam's soul was after it had been tortured in Lucifer's Cage. He used it to search Sam's body and later informed Dean that Sam's soul wasn't there, presumably because it was still in Hell. Castiel displayed this ability to strengthen himself with 50,000 souls from Hell and again when he absorbed all the 30-40 million souls of Purgatory to evolve into a deity.
 * Leviathan Perception- Due to having been used as a vessel for the Leviathans, Castiel can see past their vessels and shape-shifting abilities and correctly identify them. This ability allowed him to identify the real Dick Roman, so he and Dean could kill him. While in Purgatory, Castiel was able to sense the presence of two nearby Leviathans before they could attack the group while Dean and Benny were completely unaware of them and later sensed two more approaching as he and Dean neared the escape portal.
 * Advanced Holy White Light – When Castiel became a Seraph, his holy white light became stronger and more glorious. He was able to smite supernatural beings with this ability.
 * Hand-to-Hand Combatant – He is a highly skilled combatant, as he is able to disarm many beings with Angelic weaponry and then use that weapon to kill them. He has proven capable of temporarily holding off the white eyed demon Alastair, as well as fighting and holding his own against Uriel. This skill remained with him as he became a fallen angel and human. Later as a Seraph, Castiel held off two Leviathans with only his fists.

Former Powers
After the Fall, Castiel lost all of his powers. Even when he gained his original grace, his powers weren't completely restored.
 * Advanced Chronokinesis – As a seraph, Castiel can not only travel through time, but can now send people back through time and bring them back without having to physically be there with them. However, the further back he sends someone, the harder it is to retrieve them. This was evidenced by the time he sent Sam and Dean to the 1800s, he could only send them for 24 hours or else he would be unable to bring them back and they would be lost to them.
 * Teleportation - Castiel possesses the ability to transport himself and others to any location as long as the area is not protected by enochian sigils, traveling from one place to another instantly. Like with all angels, whenever he uses this power, this is accompanied with the sound of wings flapping and a sudden rush of air can be heard. But he can Teleport without hearing sound of flapping wings or a rush of air when teleporting short distances. He can take humans with him, though Dean says when Castiel teleports him somewhere he wasn't able to poop for a week. Unfortunately he lost this ability after the Fall.

Soul-Enhanced Abilities


In order to fight the war against Raphael, Castiel made a deal with Crowley for a loan of 50,000 souls, which enhanced his powers and allowed him to launch the first strike against the Archangel; though he was still grossly outclassed by more powerful creatures such as his older brother Raphael and Eve. After absorbing the millions of souls from Purgatory (including a large number of Leviathans), Castiel was endowed with god-like abilities that made him both highly dangerous and unstable due to the power intoxicating him and clouding his judgment. During this time, his power exceeded that of the Archangel Raphael and he was confident enough to challenge Death, although Death simply dismissed him as a mutated angel and found him as insignificant as everyone else, implying he couldn't actually challenge him and it was just arrogance (though it was never explained if it was indeed possible for Castiel to defeat him or not or if it was Death who was being arrogant due to him being immensely powerful and having existed for so long).

His new powers took a serious toll on his vessel, as it started to melt as a result of him being unable to contain that much power in his physical form. Death had also referred to him as a mutated angel, which was noted by the lack of the common sound of wings flapping when he teleported from place to place and he did not even bleed at all like usual as shown when sam stabbed him; implying that his true form, or spirit, was significantly altered.

After Absorbing millions of souls from Purgatory, he became so powerful that he was able to overpower Archangels easily, his powers included:
 * Highly Advanced Holy White Light – Castiel was able to emit a powerful white light from the palm of his hand in a similar fashion to that of an Archangel. He used this power to temporarily banish Raphael.
 * Highly Advanced Power Negation – He was capable of neutralizing the power of other creatures, including an Archangel's powers. This rendered Raphael helpless.
 * Molecular Combustion – With a snapping of his fingers, Castiel could speed up molecules to the point where it can cause an individual to explode. In an ironic twist, he killed the Archangel Raphael in this way, similarly to the way Lucifer killed Castiel, after having previously suffered the same death at the hands of his older brother.
 * Lower Tier Nigh-Omnipotence – After absorbing souls in Purgatory, Castiel became one of the most powerful beings in the universe, as the souls endowed him with unspeakable power, allowing him to do almost anything he wished. He effortlessly obliterated the archangel Raphael with a snap of his fingers and later killed thousands of angels who were Raphael's followers in Heaven. He could kill humans with a single thought or word; such as when he said to a hypocritical church preacher, "He who lies in my name shall choke on his own false tongue," causing the preacher to literally choke on his own tongue. As well as perform miracles like making the blind see, curing an entire colony of lepers, exploding a publishing house, causing lightning to burn down a motivational enlightenment center, smiting Madison square garden, killing 200 religious leaders, changing a church window to his image, scorching a seat, causing a man to sit down hard enough to break the seat, turning off crowley's TV in his presence and unbound Death with a snap of his fingers. Castiel even told Crowley of his initial intention to eliminate Hell, an entire spiritual realm. Death was mostly unconcerned by Castiel's newfound powers and openly mocked him, saying he was no God and calling him a "mutated angel." Also, despite his new-found power, Castiel was willing to keep Michael and Lucifer sealed within the Cage.
 * Nigh-Invincibility – Due to his massive absorption of the Purgatory souls, Castiel became immune to nearly any form of harm as seen when he was unfazed from being stabbed in the back by an angel blade. After turning into a mutated angel, he was no longer vulnerable to angelic blades or any other angelic weaknesses. Enochian signs were then useless against him as seen when he tracked down and cornered Crowley in his sigil-covered trailer. However, Death and God were still more powerful than him. He was also vulnerable to the mass of souls and Leviathans inside him, which, according to multiple individuals, would eventually cause Castiel's human vessel to explode due to his inability to properly contain so many souls and control all of that power.
 * Immunity- Castiel became immune to nearly any form of harm as seen when he was unfazed from being stabbed in the back by an angel blade. Enochian signs were now useless against him as seen when he tracked down and cornered Crowley in his sigil-covered trailer.
 * Spell Negation – With a simple snap of his fingers, Castiel was able to break the powerful spell that Sam, Dean and Bobby had cast to bind Death, something even the latter was unable to do, although the fact that he was bound was probably at least partially responsible for this.
 * Highly Advanced Smiting – When Castiel absorbed all the souls in purgatory he smote Madison square garden and all angels who were in Raphael's side.

Weaknesses
Even though Castiel is arguably the longest lasting angel in the series and is also one of the strongest and most powerful supernatural beings to appear in the series, he still has weaknesses inherited in all angels.
 * Angel banishing sigil – As an angel and seraph, Castiel can be banished by the sigil.
 * Holy Fire – Like all angels, Castiel can be trapped by holy fire. He has been trapped in holy fire at least twice.
 * Angel Blade/Angel Sword – It can kill any angel or seraph.
 * Archangel Blade - Stronger version of the angel blade.
 * High-Tier Demons (formerly) – As a regular angel, Castiel was no match for Alastair, a weakness he seemed to lose after becoming a Seraphim as he was able to scare the King of Hell Crowley with a threat of power despite being severely weakened at the time.
 * Primordial Entities – God, Death and the the Darkness could annihilate Castiel effortlessly.
 * Archangels – While he was a regular angel and even as a seraph, Castiel is no match for the archangels. When he first rebelled, Raphael easily smote him into pieces. After banishing Michael with holy fire, Lucifer did the same. Gabriel was able to casually overpower him during Changing Channels. After he became a seraph, Raphael was not able to simply smite him as he did before, although when Castiel faced Raphael in a physical fight during The Third Man, he was completely outclassed and only saved by Balthazar's intervention. He became stronger than Raphael after he absorbed the souls of Purgatory. However, he was willing to keep Michael and Lucifer in the Cage.
 * Eve – Eve was able to render Castiel completely powerless through her mere presence in a town.
 * Leviathans – Like all angels, Castiel is vulnerable to the Leviathans, as they pre-date angels and are God's very first beasts. He was killed for the third time when the Leviathans possession of him caused him to implode and feared assaulting SucroCorp to stop them, believing he would likely die again in the attempt. Castiel managed to briefly restrain Dick Roman, but this was after Dick casually threw Castiel into a wall when he attacked him and Castiel caught him by surprise. His restraint of Dick was also only for a few moments. In Purgatory, Castiel was nearly killed by Leviathans on at least two occasions, forcing Dean and Benny Lafitte to save him, but he was able to hold his own and overpower against two Leviathans.
 * Grace Removal – Metatron's removal of his grace briefly rendered Castiel human.
 * Mortality (formerly) – While human, Castiel was susceptible to human mortality and all that came with it. He lost this weakness upon becoming an angel again.
 * The First Blade – It is able to kill celestial beings.
 * Magic – Rowena was able to simultaneously restrain both Castiel and Crowley and then force Castiel to attack Crowley with a simple incantation.
 * Death's Scythe – Death's scythe can kill any celestial being.
 * Diminishing Grace (formerly) – After stealing Theo's grace to become an angel again, it soon began to burn out, weakening Castiel almost to the point of death. It was temporarily fixed after Crowley gave him Adina's grace, and was fixed for good when he reabsorbed his original grace.

Death Tally
Castiel has died four times over the course of the show, only to be resurrected by God the first three times and Gadreel once. By "Survival of the Fittest", he believes his resurrections to be punishments rather than gifts or even rewards, as things only get worse when he is brought back.
 * Imploded by Raphael (off-screen) in "Lucifer Rising".
 * Imploded by Lucifer in "Swan Song".
 * Died from the effects of containing multiple Leviathans in "Meet The New Boss".
 * Stabbed with an Angel Blade by April Kelly in "I'm No Angel"

Relationships

 * Castiel and Dean – Castiel and Dean are best friends, brothers in arms. It was said by Castiel himself that they share a more profound bond, compared to his bond with Sam.
 * Castiel and Sam – Castiel and Sam are good friends. Both express an understanding towards one another as experienced through the understanding of self-sacrifice they've shared towards each other and to Dean.
 * Castiel and Bobby – Castiel and Bobby are friends. Castiel acts generally amiable towards the older hunter.
 * Castiel and Meg – Although Castiel and Meg are opposite sides, they both have an unusual connection to one another and are shown uncommonly to have a possibility for romantic interest.
 * Castiel and Crowley – Like with Meg, Castiel and Crowley are opposite sides but they have occasionally worked together.
 * Castiel's Relationships – Castiel's other relationships he encounters.

Memorable Quotes

 * Castiel: [meeting Dean for the very first time] I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition.


 * Castiel: [explaining his time away to Dean and Sam] My 'people skills' are 'rusty'. Pardon me, but I have spent the last 'year' as a multi-dimensional wavelength of celestial intent.

-
 * Sam: Are you... drunk?
 * Castiel: No! [Stumbles slightly] Yes.
 * Sam: What the Hell happened to you?
 * Castiel: Ugh, I found a liquor store.
 * Sam: And?
 * Castiel: And I drank it!

-

[Castiel is watching porn while Dean and Sam are working on a case.]
 * Castiel: This is very complex.
 * Dean: Yup.
 * Castiel: If the pizza man truly loves the babysitter, why does he keep slapping her rear?

-
 * Castiel: This isn't funny, Dean! The voice says I'm almost out of minutes!

-
 * Meg: When we survive this, I'm going to order some pizza and move some furniture around. You understand?
 * Castiel: No, I...I.
 * Meg: [grins]
 * Castiel: Wait...actually yes.

- -
 * Castiel: Hey, assbutt!
 * Castiel: I'm an angel, you ass

​Notes

 * Castiel has killed one main antagonist, Raphael in season 6, and has defeated a main antagonist, Metatron in season 9. He has also defeated one secondary antagonist, Pestilence in season 5, and killed a secondary antagonist, Bartholomew in season 9. He played a major role in killing another main antagonist when he helped Dean kill Dick Roman in season 7.
 * Castiel can be seen as the main antagonist of season 6, though some argue him to be more of an anti-hero.
 * In folklore, Castiel is the Angel of Thursday, with his month being November. This name was possibly chosen for the character in Supernatural because the show (then) aired on Thursday nights.
 * Castiel means "My Cover is God" or "Shield of God" in the Theophory in the Bible.
 * He is among the most popular characters of the show; in fact, he was spared from the writers' original plans at least twice of being permanently killed off in On The Head Of A Pin and Swan Song for this very reason. His actor, Misha Collins, was promoted to regular status in Seasons 5, 6 and 9, which only two other actors, Katie Cassidy and Lauren Cohan, had previously held. Collins has also been the only other actor than Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles (Sam and Dean's actors) to be included in the group seasonal promotional pictures until Season 8 which also includes Crowley.
 * Castiel is the most recurring angel in the series, despite only having a six-episode story arc in the original planning, whose appearances even rival Bobby Singer's.
 * Because he believed his character's tenure on the show would be short, actor Misha Collins used a deep, gravelly voice while portraying his character that he believed fit Castiel's introduction as a powerful entity. He later came to regret this choice when Castiel became a recurring character, as the voice Collins used for Castiel hurt his throat. In their scenes on-set together, he and Ackles reportedly compete with one another in who can use a deeper voice.
 * Despite being the one to confirm the existence of angels to Sam and Dean, he is the fourth angel to be revealed in the series as Gabriel has the distinction of being the first one to appear, and two reapers had been shown as well.
 * Castiel has used two vessels, Jimmy Novak and temporarily his daughter, Claire Novak. Castiel has revealed that he could also use Sam Winchester (and by extension, presumably Dean Winchester too) if he had his permission.
 * After becoming a "mutated angel" by absorbing all of Purgatory's souls, the wing flapping sound is no longer heard when Castiel teleports, insinuating that it affected his true form.
 * Upon shifting Sam's condition onto himself, after he awakes, in his insanity he becomes obsessed with bees. In There Will Be Blood, he admits to wanting to watch them. In Survival of the Fittest Dean mentions he once appeared on the Impala naked and covered in bees. In the same episode, Castiel offers Crowley honey.
 * Despite the Leviathans' ability to kill angels easily, Castiel is one of the few beings that has been able to hold his own for at least a short time against them, sharing this with Sam, Dean, and the Alpha Vampire. This may be because he is a Seraph, a stronger class of angel than the ones that previously faced the Leviathans. Castiel was able to single-handedly hold his own against two Leviathans in Purgatory until Dean was able to decapitate them. However, he is unable to defeat them on his own and has been nearly killed by Leviathans in Purgatory on at least two occasions. He did however partake in killing Dick Roman in a team effort with Dean.
 * Castiel, like all members of Team Free Will, has been to Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. Only Dean has been to Avalon in addition to the three previously mentioned.
 * Before losing his grace, Castiel was the only known Seraph left in Supernatural as Zachariah was killed by Dean Winchester in the Season 5 episode Point of No Return. He lost this power when Metatron stole his grace. He eventually regained angel powers with Theo and later Adina's grace and became a Seraph again when he regained what was left of his own grace.
 * At some point Castiel learned how to steal and drive a car. As he can no longer teleport without his wings, he stole a car in Road Trip to reach Dean. Ironically the car color matches his first trenhcoat, which explains why he liked it. However, the first time Castiel is seen driving on-screen is in the episode Meta Fiction.
 * After years of being frustrated by Dean's repeated references to movies or TV shows, Castiel has finally gained an understanding of them in Meta Fiction, thanks to Metatron granting all his pop culture knowledge into Castiel's brain. Before this, his default response was to say "I don't understand that reference" and he shocked Sam and Dean by understanding a Star Wars reference when he displayed his new knowledge.
 * In an ironic twist, Castiel makes a Star Wars reference to Gadreel in Do You Believe In Miracles? and Gadreel doesn't understand the reference. Usually its the other way around; someone makes a reference to Castiel and he doesn't understand it.
 * During his time in Purgatory, Castiel sported a beard, though his facial hair never changed on Earth. He shaved it off after returning to Earth.
 * Castiel's signature trenchcoat look was homage to the anti-hero con man magician, John Constantine of the DC/Vertigo comics. Eric Kripke stated that he had originally wanted John to be a recurring character in the Supernatural series, but was told no. Instead, Kripke created Castiel and dressed him in a trenchcoat as homage.
 * It is confirmed that Castiel's vessel Jimmy Novak is in fact dead, making Castiel the only known angel possessing a dead body due to the angelic need for permission.
 * In the episode Red Sky at Morning, one of the words Sam reads in the incantation to summon the ghost at the graveyard is the name "Castiel". This was in Season 3, before Castiel ever appeared.
 * Castiel is the first angel to have his vessel possessed by another angel, while he himself is still inside of it. This occurred when he said "yes" to Lucifer.
 * Like Sam, John and Bobby, Castiel has shown the ability to overpower a being possessing him. Castiel managed to overpower Lucifer briefly, but stated that it took all of his strength just to hold him back from killing Sam and could not eject him as a result. Unlike Sam, Castiel noticeably struggled with Lucifer for control while Sam was able to hold Lucifer back to the point he could move around and throw himself into the Cage.
 * It is implied in Don't Call Me Shurley that God's favorite angel is Castiel, as pointed out by Metatron.
 * In Don't Call Me Shurley God confirms that he was the one who resurrected Castiel each time he died, telling Metatron "I rebuilt Castiel more times than I can remember and look where that got me!"
 * As pointed out by Sam, Castiel's vessel is very strong, having held the Seraph for years, and, at one point, withstanting a simultaneous possession by an Archangel and a powerful demon. Despite still being possessed by Lucifer, after a considerable length of time, it appears to be intact, as opposed to Lucifer's temporary vessel, which began to deteriorate almost immediately. Castiel's vessel also withstood millions of souls from Purgatory and many Leviathans for some time before it started to degrade. In We Happy Few, Castiel tells the angels that Lucifer possessing him is actually burning both him and his vessel out despite not showing visible damage, indicating that he is strong enough to last longer than a regular vessel.

Appearances

 * Season 4
 * Lazarus Rising
 * Are You There God? It's Me, Dean Winchester
 * In The Beginning
 * It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester
 * I Know What You Did Last Summer
 * Heaven and Hell
 * Death Takes a Holiday
 * On the Head of a Pin
 * The Monster at the End of This Book
 * The Rapture
 * When the Levee Breaks
 * Lucifer Rising


 * Season 5
 * Sympathy for the Devil
 * Good God, Y'all
 * Free to Be You and Me
 * The End
 * I Believe the Children Are Our Future
 * Changing Channels
 * Abandon All Hope...
 * The Song Remains the Same
 * My Bloody Valentine
 * Dark Side of the Moon
 * 99 Problems
 * Point of No Return
 * Two Minutes to Midnight
 * Swan Song


 * Season 6
 * The Third Man
 * You Can't Handle The Truth
 * Family Matters
 * Caged Heat
 * Like A Virgin
 * The French Mistake
 * My Heart Will Go On
 * Frontierland
 * Mommy Dearest
 * The Man Who Would Be King
 * Let It Bleed
 * The Man Who Knew Too Much


 * Season 7
 * Meet The New Boss
 * Hello, Cruel World (possessed by Leviathan)
 * Shut Up, Dr. Phil (seen in Dean's nightmare)
 * The Born-Again Identity
 * Reading Is Fundamental
 * Survival of the Fittest


 * Season 8
 * What's Up, Tiger Mommy? (seen in Dean's flashbacks of Purgatory)
 * Blood Brother (seen in Dean's flashbacks of Purgatory)
 * A Little Slice of Kevin
 * Hunteri Heroici
 * Torn and Frayed
 * Goodbye Stranger
 * The Great Escapist
 * Clip Show
 * Sacrifice


 * Season 9
 * I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here
 * I'm No Angel
 * Heaven Can't Wait
 * Holy Terror
 * Road Trip 
 * First Born
 * Captives
 * Meta Fiction
 * King of the Damned
 * Stairway To Heaven
 * Do You Believe In Miracles?


 * Season 10
 * Black
 * Reichenbach
 * Soul Survivor 
 * Girls, Girls, Girls
 * The Things We Left Behind
 * The Hunter Games
 * There's No Place Like Home (mentioned only)
 * Halt & Catch Fire (mentioned only)
 * The Executioner's Song
 * Inside Man
 * Book of the Damned
 * Angel Heart
 * Dark Dynasty
 * The Prisoner 
 * Brother's Keeper


 * Season 11
 * Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire
 * Form and Void
 * The Bad Seed
 * Baby (voice only)
 * Our Little World
 * The Devil in the Details
 * Into the Mystic  (possessed by Lucifer)
 * The Vessel (possessed by Lucifer and himself)
 * Beyond the Mat (possessed by Lucifer)
 * Hell's Angel (possessed by Lucifer and himself)
 * Don't Call Me Shurley (mentioned only)
 * We Happy Few (possessed by Lucifer and himself)
 * Alpha and Omega