Originally published December 1, 2022 · Updated October 14, 2026 · By Lisa Beachy
Lovely friends,
If you’ve spent any time learning about angels, you’ve probably heard of Archangel Michael. He is one of the most recognized archangels and is usually the first angel people think of when they need protection, courage, strength, or help getting through something difficult.
For me, Michael is also very personal because he was the first angel who showed up when I began this spiritual path.
I remember him standing in front of me and saying, “It’s time to get to work.”
Well, that certainly got my attention.
I had no idea then where this work would take me, but Michael has remained part of my spiritual practice ever since. After more than twenty years of working with angels, giving intuitive readings, practicing Reiki, and creating meditations, I still call on him regularly. His energy has always felt strong and steady to me, especially when I need courage, protection, clarity, or a little help finding my backbone.
I also think working with Michael can be much simpler than people sometimes make it. You don’t need to be psychic, see angels standing in your living room, own a particular crystal, or say a perfect prayer. You can begin by simply talking to him.
Who Is Archangel Michael?
Archangel Michael appears in Jewish and Christian religious traditions and is also recognized in Islam as Mika’il. His name comes from Hebrew and is commonly translated as “Who is like God?”
Michael appears several times in the Bible, including Daniel 10:13, Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7. He is portrayed as a heavenly protector and warrior, which is one reason images of Michael often show him carrying a sword or shield.
September 29 is traditionally associated with Michael in many Western Christian churches and is commonly known as Michaelmas.
Those are some of Michael’s traditional religious associations. Over the years, additional spiritual practices have developed around working with him through prayer, meditation, energy work, visualization, and angel communication. That is where much of my own experience with Michael comes in.
I’ve worked with his energy for years during Reiki, meditation, intuitive work, energetic clearing, and times when I simply needed some support in my own life.
If you’d like to explore that side of Michael more deeply, I have also written about the role and significance of Archangel Michael in spiritual healing.
What Does Archangel Michael Help With?
Protection is probably what Michael is best known for, but I think courage deserves just as much attention.
Sometimes protection means feeling spiritually supported when we’re overwhelmed or uncomfortable. Sometimes it looks much more ordinary. We need the courage to say no, set a boundary, leave something behind, speak honestly, make a decision, or finally do something we’ve been putting off because we’re afraid.
Those are the times when I really love working with Michael.
I call on him when I need grounding and energetic protection, when I’m clearing energy after a difficult experience, and when I want help releasing fear or getting clearer about something. He is also one of the angels I regularly invite into Reiki sessions, especially when the intention involves protection, cord clearing, boundaries, or letting go of an old chapter.
Over the years, I’ve become much less interested in spiritual protection that makes us afraid of everything around us. I believe in energy, and I absolutely notice when an interaction, environment, or experience affects me. I just don’t think every uncomfortable feeling means something spiritually terrible has happened.
Sometimes we’ve been around too many people. Sometimes we’ve been staring at our phones too long. Sometimes we’re tired, hungry, stressed, worried, or still thinking about a conversation from three days ago.
I can take care of my body, use common sense, and clear my energy at the same time.
For me, Michael’s protection has become very connected with feeling strong in my own space and being more thoughtful about what I allow into it.
You can read more about how I approach Archangel Michael, protection, cord cutting, and letting go of the past.
What Does Archangel Michael’s Energy Feel Like?
People ask me this one all the time, especially when they’re beginning to work with angels and aren’t sure what they’re supposed to experience.
In my own practice, Michael’s presence feels strong, steady, reassuring, and very clear. I associate him with royal blue light, and I often visualize that blue light when I’m meditating, doing Reiki, or clearing my energy.
Your experience doesn’t have to look like mine.
Some people describe feeling peaceful or stronger after calling on Michael. Others receive a thought that seems to come through very clearly during meditation or prayer. Some people notice dreams, symbols, or repeated references to Michael that feel meaningful to them.
And some people don’t feel anything dramatic at all.
I think that last part is important because there can be so much pressure in spiritual circles to have an experience. People start wondering whether they’re doing something wrong because they didn’t see blue light or hear a voice.
You don’t have to force it.
Pay attention to what happens naturally and give yourself time to develop your own relationship with your spiritual practice. I also encourage people to look at what happens in their everyday lives. If you’ve been asking Michael for courage, are you suddenly feeling more ready to deal with something you’ve been avoiding? If you’ve been asking for protection, are you recognizing where you need a stronger boundary?
Sometimes that is much more useful to me than looking for another sign.
I have another article specifically about how to know if Archangel Michael is near you if you’d like to explore this further.
Archangel Michael’s Sword and Cord Cutting
Michael’s sword is probably one of his most recognizable symbols.
Traditionally, the sword is connected with his role as a heavenly warrior and defender. In my own spiritual practice, I also work with it symbolically for truth, discernment, protection, and releasing energetic connections we’re finished carrying.
This comes up frequently when I do cord clearing.
I don’t approach cord cutting as an angry spiritual battle where we’re trying to banish everyone who has ever upset us. Goodness, we’d be exhausted.
For me, it is much more about recognizing where our energy and attention are still tied to something.
We can still be replaying a conversation that ended months ago. We can be checking on somebody we’ve supposedly moved on from. We can carry guilt about a decision or keep thinking about something we wish had happened differently.
During meditation or Reiki, I may visualize Michael’s sword helping release those energetic cords while setting the intention to call our own energy back.
Then comes the part I think matters just as much.
We have to support that release in our everyday choices.
Sometimes that means strengthening a boundary, changing a habit, stopping ourselves from checking on something, or redirecting our attention toward the life we’re creating now. Spiritual clearing can give us a beautiful starting point, and then we get to decide what we do with the space we’ve created.
How Do You Call on Archangel Michael?
This is one area where I think people sometimes worry unnecessarily about doing it correctly.
You can simply ask.
You don’t need a special ceremony. You don’t need the perfect words. You don’t need a blue candle, six crystals, or an elaborate altar unless those things genuinely add something meaningful to your practice.
I usually start by settling myself down. I take a few slower breaths, notice my body, and get grounded before asking Michael to be with me. Then I talk to him about what I actually need.
You could say something as simple as:
“Archangel Michael, please be with me. Help me feel grounded, protected, and strong in my own energy. Help me release the fear and confusion I’m ready to let go of and see this situation clearly. Give me the courage to make good choices and move forward with confidence. Thank you for your love and guidance.”
Change the words. Make them yours. Talk to him the way you would naturally talk to Spirit.
Sometimes I visualize Michael’s blue light surrounding me while I do this. Other times I simply sit quietly afterward and pay attention to what comes into my awareness.
If I’m asking about something important, I also use common sense and gather whatever practical information I need. Working with my angels has never meant handing over responsibility for my life.
I want Spirit beside me while I make my decisions.
If you’re beginning your own practice, I have a more detailed guide on how to call on Archangel Michael.
What Crystals Are Associated With Archangel Michael?
I enjoy crystals, but I want to say this right at the beginning: you do not need a crystal to connect with Archangel Michael.
I use crystals because I enjoy them and because having something physical in my hand can help me focus my intention during meditation or Reiki.
Because royal blue is commonly associated with Michael in modern angel practices, blue stones are often used when working with him. Lapis lazuli is one I associate with truth and wisdom, while sodalite works beautifully with intentions around clarity, communication, and courage. Blue calcite has a gentler feeling for me and can be lovely when I want the practice to feel peaceful.
Black tourmaline and shungite are commonly used in grounding and protection practices, while celestite is popular in angel meditation and spiritual connection work.
These are spiritual and symbolic associations rather than scientifically established healing properties. Choose something because it helps you focus or because you simply enjoy having it nearby.
And if you don’t own any crystals, you’re fine.
Michael is not checking your supplies before he answers.
If crystals are something you enjoy, I have a complete guide to the best crystals and gemstones for working with Archangel Michael.
Colors, Essential Oils, and Symbols Associated With Michael
Royal blue is the color I most strongly associate with Michael, sometimes along with gold. During meditation, I often imagine blue light surrounding the body when I’m working with intentions around protection, clearing, courage, and strength.
You’ll also see scents such as frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, cedarwood, rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus associated with Michael in modern spiritual practices.
I enjoy scent as part of creating a peaceful environment for meditation, but again, none of this is required. A familiar scent can simply become a signal to your mind and body that you’re settling down for your spiritual practice.
If you use essential oils, please use them safely, particularly around pets, children, and anyone with sensitivities.
I’ve written a separate guide about essential oils associated with Archangel Michael if you’d like to learn more.
You may also see Michael associated with flowers and plants such as iris, sunflower, angelica, snapdragon, and gladiolus. These kinds of associations can vary quite a bit among spiritual traditions and individual practitioners, so I tend to think of them as optional ways to personalize your practice rather than rules.
Archangel Michael, Reiki, and Chakra Healing
Michael has been part of my Reiki practice for many years.
When I begin a Reiki session, I invite in the angels, loving ancestors, Spirit guides, and loving spiritual team to support the work. Michael is someone I regularly call in for protection, grounding, courage, energetic clearing, and boundaries.
When I’m working through the chakras, I may visualize Michael’s blue light around the person receiving Reiki or ask for his support when we reach an area connected with fear, truth, self-expression, or feeling safe in our own energy.
I also frequently work with Archangel Raphael during Reiki because his energy is so closely connected with healing in my own spiritual practice. I love the combination of Michael’s strength and Raphael’s gentler healing presence.
If you’re interested in bringing angels into your own energy practice, you can also read my guide on how to heal and balance your chakras with the help of angels.
I consider these spiritual practices complementary. Reiki, meditation, and working with angels should never replace appropriate medical or mental health care.
What Working With Michael Has Taught Me
After all these years, I think the biggest thing Michael has taught me is that courage usually has to become something practical.
I can sit in meditation and ask Michael to help me feel stronger, but eventually I have to get up.
There may be a conversation I need to have. I may need to say no to something. I may have to stop giving my attention to something that leaves me drained. I may need to make a decision I’ve been avoiding or take a chance on something that scares me.
That’s where working with him has become most meaningful in my life.
I don’t expect Michael to make my decisions for me. I ask him to help me feel steady enough to make them myself.
There are still times when I need that. More than twenty years into this work, I still get nervous. I still second-guess myself occasionally. I still have moments when I know what I need to do and would really prefer Spirit to send me a giant flashing sign with detailed instructions.
Usually, I don’t get one.
So I ask Michael to stand beside me, help me get grounded, and give me the courage to take the next reasonable step.
That has become a very real relationship for me.
Frequently Asked Questions About Archangel Michael
What is Archangel Michael known for?
Archangel Michael is traditionally associated with protection, spiritual strength, and defending against evil. In modern angel spirituality, people also work with Michael for courage, energetic protection, grounding, boundaries, cord clearing, and releasing fear.
What does the name Archangel Michael mean?
Michael comes from Hebrew and means “Who is like God?” The phrase is traditionally understood as emphasizing that no one is equal to God.
What color is associated with Archangel Michael?
Royal blue is probably the color most commonly associated with Michael in modern angel practices, with gold also frequently used. I personally work with blue light when calling on Michael during meditation and Reiki.
How do I know Archangel Michael is with me?
People describe many different personal experiences, including feeling calmer or stronger, receiving an intuitive impression during prayer, dreaming about Michael, or noticing symbolism associated with him.
I don’t think every blue object or unusual physical sensation needs to become a sign. Give yourself time, use discernment, and pay attention to whether your spiritual practice is creating meaningful changes in how you feel and live.
Can anyone call on Archangel Michael?
Yes. You don’t need to be psychic or experienced with angel communication to include Michael in prayer or meditation. You can simply ask for his support in whatever way feels natural to you.
Can Archangel Michael help with cord cutting?
Cord cutting is a modern spiritual practice in which people visualize releasing energetic connections to relationships, experiences, fears, or patterns. I frequently invite Michael into this practice and use the symbolism of his sword to support the intention of releasing what I’m ready to stop carrying.
What is Archangel Michael’s feast day?
September 29 is Michael’s traditional feast day in many Western Christian churches and is commonly known as Michaelmas.
Michael Has Been With Me From the Beginning
I still think about that first experience with Michael when he appeared to me and told me, “It’s time to get to work.”
At the time, I couldn’t possibly have understood what that meant or where this path would eventually take me. All these years later, I have spent a huge part of my life giving intuitive readings, practicing Reiki, creating guided meditations, working with angels, and helping other people become more comfortable exploring their own spiritual connections.
And Michael has been there through all of it.
I think that’s why I want people to know that connecting with him doesn’t need to become another spiritual practice you’re worried about doing correctly. Begin where you are. Talk to him. Ask for help. Pay attention to what you experience, stay grounded, and give the relationship time to develop in whatever way is natural for you.
I still call on him when I need courage. I still work with him during Reiki. I still ask him to help me clear my energy when I’ve been carrying too much.
And every once in a while, I think about those words from the very beginning.
It’s time to get to work.
Apparently, he meant it.
Much love,
Lisa 💜
Continue Exploring Archangel Michael
If you’d like to continue working with Michael, you can explore more of my articles, guided meditations, Reiki sessions, and spiritual teachings here on my website and YouTube channels.
For angel readings, intuition, and spiritual teachings, visit Lisa Beachy Psychic on YouTube.
For guided meditations, Reiki, and angel connection practices, visit Lisa Beachy Guided Meditations on YouTube.
You can also explore my personal readings and spiritual services.
About Lisa Beachy
Lisa Beachy is a Reiki Master, spiritual intuitive, and guided meditation creator with more than 20 years of experience working with angels, Reiki, intuition, and spiritual development. Since 2007, she has shared guided meditations, Reiki practices, intuitive readings, and spiritual teachings with her online community.