Archangels

"Archangels are fierce, they're absolute, they're Heaven's most terrifying weapon."

- Castiel speaks to Dean about Archangels.

Archangels are the highest ranking angels within the celestial hierarchy. God created them before any other angel type, i.e. Seraph, Cupid or other creatures, although Leviathans predate them. They were created in this order: Michael, Lucifer, Raphael and Gabriel.

Lucifer was God's most beautiful and beloved angel, Michael his mightiest warrior, Gabriel his greatest messenger, and it is unknown what Raphael was.

Early life
After the first beasts, the Leviathans, God created the four great Celestial beings known as archangels. They were created in this explicit order: Michael, Lucifer, Raphael and Gabriel. They distinctively met and interacted with their father. In Heaven, Michael personally raised his little brother, but following the creation of man, God asked all his children to kneel before them. Although the other three Archangels complied, Lucifer refused, and led a rebellion trying to overthrow God. Michael, on God's command defeated Lucifer, and banished his beloved brother out of Heaven into Hell. During the turmoil, Gabriel escaped to Earth to avoid taking sides and Raphael chose to side with God and Michael.

After God's departure from Heaven, the archangels, according to Metatron, ferociously whined and wailed. Over time, however, they began to shift their attention into ruling the universe. Although very powerful themselves, to rule the universe, they would need the Words of God. However, Metatron, the Scribe of God, predicted the archangels' decision, and proceeded to leave Heaven to protect the tablets. Lucifer, however, was able to take possession of the Angel Tablet sometime after.

At some point in the past, the archangels also killed all but Abaddon of the Knights of Hell.

Characteristics
According to Castiel, they are known in Heaven as absolute, precise and wrathful creatures. Like all angels, their true forms are very intense, and have proven not only harmful but also fatal to humans. Their presence on Earth outside a vessel is often visualized as a blinding pure white light, and their arrival can cause minor tremors, as shown by Lucifer when the Chapel shook as he escaped the Cage, and by Raphael while intervening to protect the prophet Chuck Shurley from Lilith. Their true voice also emits a piercing sound, which has proven to be excruciatingly painful to humans. During a subsequent appearance, Raphael caused the entire Eastern Sea Board to experience a black out. Shortly before his defeat, Lucifer's presence caused the temperature to drop drastically in Detroit. Michael's presence also caused strong winds and heavy rainstorms on his arrival.

It has been stated that Michael and Raphael are tethered to prophets, and Gabriel served as God's greatest messenger. Raphael seemed to be the one who monitored and protected prophet Chuck Shurley. Before his fall, Lucifer was God's most beloved angel; he was considered beautiful, and was well respected in Heaven.

Archangels view themselves as the highest authority over all of creation since God's departure from Heaven. As leaders in Heaven, Michael and Raphael commanded the Host of Heaven, issuing orders to the "Senior Management" who were responsible for deploying angels to Earth. They did not share all their plans, especially their intention to allow Lucifer to be freed, to avoid rebellion in the lower ranks. Most of them showed little respect while interacting with humans, although Gabriel eventually confessed his appreciation of humanity.

The relationships between Archangels and their vessels can be complex. Holding an Archangel is damaging to a human; Raphael's vessel Donnie Finnerman was left a drooling, catatonic mess after possession. Lucifer's continued presence in Nick, an alternate vessel, causes the human's body to breakdown, as evidenced by burn-like marks, scarring and tears on his skin. Lucifer's vessels can be strengthened with demon blood to better survive the ordeal. Despite his contempt and hatred for humanity as a whole, Lucifer showed some sympathy toward Nick, and toward Sam Winchester, his true vessel. Michael, though condescendingly, was willing to explain his position to Dean Winchester while occupying his father, and promised not to leave Dean a "drooling mess" after his service.

Powers and Abilities
"No one gives us the right; we take it."

- Lucifer

As the highest-ranking angels, the Archangels possess the powers and abilities that are inherent in all Angels, but at a higher level, with increased strengths and powers commensurate with their rank.

Imbued with immense and unimaginable power by God, the Archangels are four of the most powerful beings in all of creation. They are held in high esteem by angels, being looked upon as "fierce" and "absolute". All Archangels have tremendous power over other supernatural beings. God and Death are more powerful than them, as was Castiel when he temporarily gained god-like powers from Purgatory's souls (at least over Raphael). It is unknown if Leviathans are immune to their powers.

Michael and Raphael (and perhaps Gabriel) were said to be responsible for eliminating the Knights of Hell, a group of special demons handpicked by Lucifer himself. Only Abaddon was shown to have escaped.
 * Immortality - Archangels aren't underneath time, affected by age, or get affected by diseases, and don't need to breathe, eat, or sleep to sustain themselves. they are some of the oldest things in all of Creation. Virtually, they're nearly indestructible, but an Archangel blade can kill and hurt them.
 * Angelic Possession - By God's law, even Archangels require vessels to manifest physically on Earth. Unlike average angels, Archangels are highly particular about their vessels; any vessel an Archangel such as Michael or Lucifer possesses that is not part of Cain and Abel's bloodline will burn up and deteriorate over time.
 * Holy White Light - Being imbued with holy pure white light, they can generate this light as intense burning energy through their vessels' and hands, capable of destroying almost anything. This power can also be controlled as Raphael could choose who or what was affected by his and how much it hurt them (if he chose not to kill with it).
 * Invulnerability - Archangels cannot be hurt, damaged, or penetrated by mostly anything. However, the Colt initially hurt Lucifer, all of Heaven's Weapons together can damage Raphael, Archangel blades can permanently kill/vanquish them, and they can hurt each other.
 * Super strength - Archangels are astronomically strong, being physically stronger than gods, angels, demons, and monsters.
 * Super-stamina - Archangels need nothing to maintain strength, to strive, operate, as they are self-sufficient. That said, they don't, like any angel (with the exception of the Seraph's), to get their power from Heaven, as such "falling" or being banished doesn't affect their powers at all.
 * Telekinesis - Archangels are mentally influential on beings and objects. Being refined in this power, Archangels have greater power and range with this than other beings.
 * Teleportation - Archangels are masters at teleportation; be in and out of any place instantly, they have great speed and agility. They can transverse across the entire universe.
 * Telepathy - Archangels can hear, read and feel/sense the thoughts and emotions of humans.
 * Precognition - Archangels can see into the future, however not always the full picture; as Michael has apparently been "wrong", and neither Lucifer nor Gabriel saw their defeats.
 * Summoning/Banishing - Archangels can summon and banish angels at their command. This was demonstrated by Michael.
 * Memory Manipulation- Archangels can erase, fabricate and restore memories of people.
 * Shapeshifting - Vesselless, Archangels can change form, as Lucifer did using Sarah's form. Once in a vessel, Archangels can reshape/morph into anyone or anything they want.
 * Enhance Reality Altering - Archangels can alter reality much like Seraphims can but at a greater degree. Gabriel can create anything he wants out of thin air. He can even put people in a TV universe. He learned this ability from Lucifer.
 * Time Manipulation - Archangels can travel and send themselves, and/or others, backwards or forwards through time.
 * Resurrection - Archangels can revive the deceased, including dead angels and humans, at a touch or thought, without strain.
 * Power Granting - Archangels can grant protection or powers to other beings as shown when Raphael made Crowley immune to Castiel's angelic killing touch.
 * Nigh-Omnipotence - Archangels have a vast supply of power and can change reality, being able to do and create things out of thin air such as illusions, fantasy, portals, beings etc. Having great power and dexterity, Archangels can easily overpower basically anything; humans, angels, pagan gods, demons, monsters, etc.
 * Supernatural Perception/Senses - They can sense and perceive beings and things naturally invisible, such as Reapers, and even Horsemen. Lucifer was able to casually look at Death's true form upon his release.
 * Weather Manipulation - Practically every Archangel changes the weather on first emergence. The sheer power of their presence can/and likely will drastically alter the Earth's weather and surroundings, capable of causing profuse, raging rainstorms and generating air-currents.
 * Pyrokinesis - Archangels can manipulate and generate fire. With it, they can incinerate almost anything. Michael incinerated Anna, burning her from the inside out.
 * Cryokinesis - Archangels can manipulate and generate ice. Lucifer's presence could cause a massive drop in temperature, and he could cause ice to freeze onto a window just by breathing on it.
 * Electrokinesis - Archangels can manipulate, control and generate electricity, to such an intensity of causing coastal blackouts.
 * Terrakinesis - Archangels, can cause full-fledged earthquakes, regardless of whether in a vessel or not.
 * Biokinesis - Archangels, by snapping, or clicking their fingers, can spontaneously destroy angels, and therefore monsters, and creatures alike.
 * Regeneration - If they are in some way harmed, they can instantly heal all non-fatal wounds.
 * Flight - Like regular angels, Archangels have demonstrated flight, though not when in a vessel.
 * Sedation - Just as Angels and Seraphim.
 * Soul Reading - As the Seraphim.
 * Healing- Archangels can cure any disease, wound and injury.
 * Voice Mimicry - Archangels can perfectly mimic the voice of mortals.
 * Dream Walking - Archangels can appear in people's dreams, they usually use this to communicate, when they can't find the person they're looking for, or want to talk privately. Lucifer was able to talk to his future vessels in their dreams.
 * Astral Projection - As angels and seraphim.
 * Eidetic Memory - Angels have the faces of every prophet who has existed or will exist etched into their memories. This ability also makes them aware of reality warping and timeline changes.
 * Invisibility - Archangels can become invisible to humans.
 * Thermokinesis - Demonstrated by Michael.

Weaknesses
In spite of them being extremely powerful, Archangels possess a few weaknesses.


 * Archangel Blade: A weapon of their own design, this is the only known conventional way to fully destroy an archangel. Regular Angel Blades can possibly hurt Archangels as Dean tried to use one on Raphael.
 * Holy Oil: If burned it can be used to trap Archangels, just like any other type of angel. It is powerful enough to be lethal to Gabriel and Raphael, however Michael is more resilient to it, as it only hurts and temporally banishes him. It's unknown what effect it would have on Lucifer.
 * Enochian Sigils: Can be used to conceal a location from all Angels, including Archangels.
 * Lucifer's Cage: Of God's own design, this place is sturdy and powerful enough to hold at least the two strongest Archangels.
 * Death's Scythe : Stated it can kill any angel, but has never been attempted to be used against an Archangel.

Appearances

 * Season 2
 * Tall Tales (Gabriel, disguised as a Trickster)


 * Season 3
 * Mystery Spot (Gabriel, disguised as a Trickster)


 * Season 4
 * The Monster at the End of This Book (Raphael's presence)
 * Lucifer Rising (Raphael's and Lucifer's presences)


 * Season 5
 * Sympathy for the Devil (Lucifer)
 * Free To Be You and Me (Raphael and Lucifer)
 * The End (Lucifer)
 * Changing Channels (Gabriel)
 * Abandon All Hope... (Lucifer)
 * The Song Remains the Same (Michael)
 * Point of No Return (Michael's true form appears)
 * Hammer of the Gods (Gabriel and Lucifer)
 * Swan Song (Michael and Lucifer)


 * Season 6
 * The Third Man (Raphael)
 * The French Mistake (Raphael)
 * The Man Who Would Be King (Raphael)
 * The Man Who Knew Too Much (Raphael)


 * Season 7
 * Meet The New Boss (Lucifer as a hallucination)
 * Hello, Cruel World (Lucifer as a hallucination)
 * Repo Man (Lucifer as a hallucination)
 * The Born-Again Identity (Lucifer as a hallucination)

Trivia

 * Even though in some religions there are seven Archangels, only four in the Supernatural series have been stated as Archangels; they are Michael, Lucifer, Raphael, and Gabriel.
 * Despite some beliefs, Uriel is not an Archangel in the Supernatural series.
 * Archangels are one of the most difficult, dangerous and indestructible antagonists of the entire series.
 * The only known living Archangels to date in Supernatural are Michael and Lucifer, as Raphael was killed by Castiel (when he absorbed all the souls from Purgatory), while Gabriel was killed by Lucifer.
 * With the exception of the Leviathans depending on the extent of their immunity to angelic power, Archangels are God's most powerful creations to appear in the series.
 * Metatron was dubbed and described as an Archangel in the tablets. But he revealed that he was simply an angel that was chosen to be a scribe.