Well, congrats. You discovered it. You get to name it. Although this article is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is conjectural. |
“ | These were never trials, Castiel. This is a spell. And what I'm taking from you now -- your essence, your Grace -- is the last piece. | ” |
Expelling angels is a spell that banishes all celestial beings from Heaven, as well as burn off the wings of the all existing angels besides Archangels.
Background[]
This spell was unknown to most angels. The only angel with initial knowledge of this was Metatron, the Scribe of God. Metatron convinced Castiel to perform the spell, under the notion that the spell was the set of trials that would lock the gates of Heaven to solve the problems of the angels. Wanting to atone for his sins and wanting to restore Heaven to its former peaceful state, Castiel agreed to the plan. Naomi caught wind of the spell and its near-completion. However, she was stabbed in the head by a drill tool she used to brainwash angels, with all others thinking she was killed by the Scribe before she could properly recruit Castiel to stop the spell from being complete. In Funeralia, it was revealed she survived as it was not an angel blade she was stabbed with, although her mind was damaged and took years to heal.
When Castiel returned to Heaven, Metatron took Castiel's grace, thus completing the spell and banishing all angels, save himself, from Heaven. All angels, including imprisoned ones such as Gadreel were expelled, but many died in the fall, including Ezekiel, Sophia and Azrael. The ones who survived suffering agonizing pain as their wings were burned off their backs as they fell. Many were greatly weakened by its effects. Not only were they cast out of Heaven, but the spell also burned off all their wings, forcing them to manifest as luminous blue smoke, instead of blinding white light. The spell doesn't seem to cut them off from Heaven's power, but only prevents their ability to teleport or travel through time. This is shown as they can still smite and heal, unlike normal fallen angels. According to Crowley, the Angel Tablet says the spell is irreversible.
It has been explained that souls could still enter Heaven in Slumber Party, which also proves that reapers could still transfer souls to their destinations. Afterwards, Metatron prevented souls from entering Heaven so that anyone who dies on Earth would be stuck as a ghost wherever they died except for the ones taken to Hell. After Metatron's defeat, Reapers had their access to Heaven once again.
In order to claim the throne of Heaven, Lucifer claimed that he could restore the wings of the angels, as well create more angels. Later he revealed the truth to Anael that he was lying.
In 2018, at least some of the spell's effects are reversed when the Shadow invades Heaven. As a result, Castiel tells the Winchesters that all of Heaven's gates have been opened, including the ones that Metatron closed.
Procedure[]
The spell had three parts. It was essential to complete all three. However, the caster may vary among the three phases, as demonstrated by Castiel, who performed the first two, and Metatron, who completed the spell by performing the last phase.
Cut the Heart Out of a Nephilim[]
The first phase was to cut the heart out of a Nephilim. However, killing one without cutting the heart out appeared to have sufficed, as evidenced by Castiel stabbing the Nephilim through the throat. Naomi described the process simply as "killing a Nephilim" when she read through Metatron's mind. According to Crowley's translation of the spell from the Angel Tablet, the heart of a Nephilim was one of the three ingredients, indicating that after Jane was killed, Castiel or Metatron cut out her heart.
Bow of a Cupid[]
The second phase was to secure a bow of a cupid. Castiel completed this phase by acquiring Gail's bow.
Removing the Grace of an Angel[]
The last phase was performed by Metatron, who removed Castiel's grace. Whether or not the grace required was that of the angel who performed the first two phases is unknown. However, the spell does not require all of the angel's grace as some of Castiel's remained afterwards and he was later able to retrieve it.
Mixing[]
When all of the ingredients are obtained, the spell caster must mix them until they are destroyed, and reduced to ashes. After they have been mixed properly, a smoke will arise from the ashes, to the sky, and the angels (apart from the spell caster) will be expelled from Heaven.
Practitioners[]
Users of the spell who cast it, manipulated it in some way or was involved in its process.
Appearances[]
- Season 8
- Season 9
- I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here (referenced only)
- Devil May Care (mentioned only)
- Heaven Can't Wait (mentioned and explained)
- Holy Terror (mentioned only)
- Season 10
- Reichenbach (referenced only)
- Season 14
- Byzantium (referenced only)
Trivia[]
- When Metatron cast the spell, the Archangels and himself were the only angels confirmed to still have their wings unbroken.
- Castiel said Bartholomew intended to reverse the spell, its unknown if there is a reverse spell and if it could restore their wings.