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__NOTOC__{{InfoboxCreature|monster name= Angels|image= [[File:AngelPossesstionAnna Angel.jpg|thumb350px]]|rightpowers and abilities= Varies; can include [[telekinesis]], [[teleportation]] and [[possession]].|480px|An angel about to take possesstion of a vulnerabilities= [[Angel blade]]s, [[vesselThe First Blade]]., [[holy fire]]|appearance= Varies|episodes= Seasons 4-14}}

God appears to have been absent from [[Heaven]] for a long period, and in his absence angels manage and power Heaven, as well as the watch over the souls within it, according to [[Ash]].<ref name="five16">[[5.16 Dark Side of the Moon]]</ref> Angels in Heaven dwell in a very hierarchical community, and are known collectively as [[the Host of Heaven]]. Much of angelic hierarchy appears to operate like a military organization, broken down into smaller units and factions called [[Angel Garrison|garrisons]]. While in Heaven, all angels can communicate with one another via an Enochian language. For millennia, angels were not allowed to manifest on Earth or take a vessel. They watched , though angels had been known to do so on special circumstances, but chose watch over humanity from afar.<ref name="four10">[[4.10 Heaven and Hell]]</ref><ref name="five13">[[5.13 The Song Remains the Same]]</ref>

The [[archangel]] [[Michael]] appears appeared to have been the leader in Heavenprior to his imprisonment in [[Lucifer's Cage]]. [[Raphael]], another archangel, was also a powerful forcetaking the reigns of power in hopes of freeing Lucifer and Michael and restarting the Apocalypse. The other archangels were not involved in the Host; [[Gabriel]] left Heaven and soon after [[Lucifer]] was cast out. Archangels are the eldest angels, having been God's first creations made from pure primordial creation. They are "fierce", "absolute", and are "Heaven's most terrifying weapon", according to [[Castiel]]. Unquestioning obedience is expected of lower members of the Host, and those who question orders may be tortured to force compliance. Disobedience can be punished by death. Anna explained the situation to Dean:

[[Anna]] and Castiel are both subject to torture during seasons 4 four and 5five. Angels who rebel and leave Heaven become [[fallen angels]].

In season six, 2011 the only archangel that remains remained alive and active is was Raphael, as Lucifer killed Gabriel, and both Lucifer and Michael are were restricted to [[Lucifer's Cage]]. Heaven has would fallen into major disarray. The ongoing chaos involves as a civil war, with Castiel and a number of other angels trying tryied to prevent Raphael from becoming the paramount leader of Heaven and restarting the [[Apocalypse]]. Castiel manages managed to defeat Raphael by taking in souls from [[Purgatory]]. He slaughters Raphael and his followers, but Castiel cannot contain the power for long, and must return the souls. In his absence, the leadership of Heaven is was unknown, though angels still appear appeared to have a hierarchy.<ref name="seven21">[[7.21 Reading Is Fundamental‎]]</ref>

Among the hierarchy is [[Naomi]] who holds an unknown rank, but works in intelligence and is clearly very high-ranking. Metatron reveals that she is a major player in fighting over for the right to rule Heaven. After Metatron expelled all angels from Heaven to Earth using a spell, he's now considered declared himself to be the sole ruler of Heaven. On Earth, at least three many angel factions formed led by [[Bartholomew]], [[Malachi]], [[Tyrus]] and [[Rebecca]]. Both Bartholomew and Malachi wanted to unite all of the angels and retake Heaven under their leadership and Rebecca and her faction wanted to coexist with humans. Bartholomew killed Rebecca and wiped out her faction while Castiel killed Bartholomew in self-defense. Currently another faction is forming under Castiel's leadership that wants there to be no more unnecessary bloodshed between angels. Castiel's faction comes into conflict with one led by [[Metatron]] and [[Gadreel]] who kill anyone who refuses to join them including Malachi. Metatron eventually manages to unite all the angels under his command and attains God-like power with the help of the [[Tablets|angel tablet]], but with the help of Gadreel, Sam, Dean and Castiel destroy Metatron's power and overthrow him. Metatron is locked in Heaven's dungeon and all the angels look to Castiel for leadership. However, he doesn't want Castiel declines the leadership and a quarum of angels is formed to be their leader so it is unclear who is now run Heaven by committee, of which included [[Hannah]] in chargea high ranking position.<ref>[[9.14 Captives]]</ref><ref>[[9.21 King of the Damned]]</ref><ref>[[9.23 Do You Believe in Miracles?]]</ref>

Cupids Colloquially known as "cupids", they are angels cherubs of the Cherub order, "third class," according to Castiel. They represent a lower order of angels.<ref name="five14" /> There are dozens of them stationed on Earth, and Castiel states that they have been misunderstood by humans. They can manipulate the nature of human attraction, allowing them to make even the most opposite of humans fall in love.

A [[Cupid|cherub]]is first seen in [[5.14 My Bloody Valentine]], and then again in [[8.23 Sacrifice]] where Castiel must acquire a cupid's bow and arrow for what he believes to be a trial to close off Heaven.

Created The archangels were created by God in order to help battle his sister [[God]] after the [[leviathansDarkness]]. After her defeat, were God would begin creating in earnest, first making the angels and the four [[archangelsLeviathans]]: Michael, Luciferwhom were locked away for being too dangerous. Sometime after, Raphael and Gabriel. God created humanity some time after the angelsand their various classes. With the arrival humanity, and God placed a high value on them. Lucifer refused to accept the position in the divine order apportioned to humanity, and defied God's word. After Michael cast him from Heaven, Lucifer twisted a human being souls to create the first demondemons, the first of which was [[Lilith]]. For his crimes, Lucifer was imprisoned in a cage locked with [[the 66 seals]]. This conflict had lasting repercussions, including Gabriel's descent to Earthand becoming the trickster god [[Loki]]. At some point, God also departed Heaven, leaving the angels in charge.

Most angels worked to maintain the seals, including Castiel. He was sent to rescue [[Dean]] from [[Hell]], but did not reach him before he broke the first of the seals. It is likely that Heaven wanted Dean returned to Earth, not to prevent the first seal from breaking, but so that he would be available to be Michael's vessel. Eventually all of the seals are broken and Lucifer is released. However, the ultimate goal of Michael's followers is not achieved, because the final confrontation between Lucifer and himself is prevented by the combined efforts of Sam, Dean, Castiel, [[Bobby Singer]], Gabriel, and the demon [[Crowley]], among others. In the end, both Lucifer and Michael became imprisoned in [[Lucifer's Cage]].

Eventually all of the seals are broken and Lucifer is released. However, Following the ultimate goal loss of Michael's followers is not achieved, because the final confrontation between Lucifer Castiel speculates that Heaven will be in chaos, and himself is prevented by intends to return to help if he can. When Raphael threatens to restart the combined efforts of SamApocalypse, DeanCastiel, Castielat Crowley's urging, starts a civil war to stop him.<ref name="six20">[[Bobby Singer6.20 The Man Who Would Be King]]</ref> Some of the angels chose sides in the war, Gabrielwhile others had abandoned the fight to live on Earth. Castiel manages to destroy Raphael, and the demon leader of the traditionalist angels, by taking in souls from [[CrowleyPurgatory]], among others. In After which he then declares himself the end, both Lucifer and Michael are imprisoned in new [[Lucifer's CageGodstiel|God]].

Following the loss His first act as "God", Castiel kills Raphael's followers and a variety of humans of whom he disapproves of Michael. However, Castiel speculates finds that Heaven will be in chaoshe cannot control the souls indefinitely because they are destroying his vessel. He also finds that he is host to [[Leviathans]], and intends to return who seem to be making his behavior even more violent. With the Winchesters' help if he can. When Raphael threatens to restart gives up the souls, but the ApocalypseLeviathans take him over, and escape into the world. Castielbecomes an amnesiac, and later mentally unbalanced. In his absence, the primary leadership of Heaven is unknown, but [[Hester]] was revealed as a ranking member. The angels would continue to perform at Crowley's urgingleast some of their duties, such as the protection of prophets. Some angels resented Castiel, starts a civil war while others seemed willing to stop himmove forward.<ref name="six20seven21">[[67.20 The Man Who Would Be King21 Reading Is Fundamental‎]]</ref> Some of After finding Castiel alive and getting the prophet [[Kevin Tran]], two angels chose sides in the war, while others have abandoned the fight are shown to live on Earthbe killed by a Leviathan named [[Edgar]]. Castiel manages to destroy Raphaellater discovers that his entire garrison was wiped out and says that if there are any survivors, the leader of the traditionalist angels, by taking they are now in souls from hiding. Castiel later went on to help Dean kill [[PurgatoryDick Roman]]and defeat the Leviathans. He then declares himself the new <ref name="seven23">[[God7.23 Survival of the Fittest]].</ref>

Castiel kills RaphaelThe angel [[Samandriel]] attends [[Plutus]]' auction to try to get the [[demon tablet]] and stop it from falling into demon hands, especially Crowley's followers and a variety as he wants to throw open the [[Gates of humans of whom he disapprovesHell]].<ref name="eight02">[[8. However02 What's Up, Tiger Mommy?]]</ref> Later, angels under the command of [[Naomi]] rescue Castiel finds that he cannot control from [[Purgatory]], though many die in the souls indefinitely because they are destroying his vesselincursion. He also finds that he is host Crowley kidnaps Samandriel to get the names of all future [[Leviathansprophet]]s, who which the other angels don't even seem to be making his behavior even more violentnotice. With However, Castiel helps rescue the Winchesters' help he gives prophets, and ends up breaking the soulsdemon tablet in half, but stopping Crowley from getting away with all of it. Naomi later orders Castiel to help the Leviathans take him over, Winchesters in whatever they need and escape into the worldreport to her periodically on their activities. After Samandriel manages to get a distress call off, Naomi sends Castiel becomes an amnesiac, and later mentally unbalancedto rescue him. In his absenceThough he succeeds with the Winchesters' help, Samandriel has revealed the primary leadership existence of Heaven is unknown, but an [[Hesterangel tablet]] is one of their leadersand Naomi has Castiel kill him as a traitor, worried about what it might mean. Angels continue According to perform at least some Naomi the existence of their dutiesthis tablet is something ''any'' angel would die to protect as with it, such as Crowley could cause a lot of trouble for the protection of prophets. Some angels resent Castiel, while others seem willing pointing out that the demon tablet shows how to seal them all up in Hell and could conceivably do the same to move forwardthe angels in Heaven.<ref name="seven21eight10">[[78.21 Reading Is Fundamental‎10 Torn and Frayed]]</ref> After finding indoctrinating Castiel alive to her will, Naomi sends him to get the angel tablet, which he succeeds in doing with the help of the Winchesters and getting the prophet demon [[Kevin TranMeg]]and then tries to get him to kill Dean. Castiel manages to break free of Naomi's control and flees with the tablet, two angels are shown though Naomi says he is doing what he is meant to be killed by a Leviathan named do: protect the tablet.<ref name="eight17">[[Edgar8.17 Goodbye Stranger]]. Castiel later discovers </ref> Afterwards, Naomi presents herself as an ally to the Winchesters, claiming that his entire garrison was wiped out she and says that if there are any survivorsby extension, Heaven, want the same thing they are now in hidingdo: Hell sealed. Castiel later went Naomi aids with completing the second trial by releasing Crowley's hold on to help Dean kill [[Dick RomanBobby Singer]] 's soul and defeat allowing it to ascend into Heaven despite Crowley's belief that if the LeviathansWinchesters seal up Hell and all its demons, they will seal up Heaven and all of its angels next.<ref name="seven23eight19">[[78.23 Survival of the Fittest19 Taxi Driver]]</ref>Naomi later captures Castiel, but is driven off by Crowley before she can find the angel tablet. Castiel teams up with [[Metatron]] to seal off Heaven and end the civil war going on there, but Naomi learns that Metatron intends to expel all angels from Heaven forever as revenge for his own expulsion and tries to convince a disbelieving Castiel of this. He refuses to believe her, but she is proven right when Metatron kills her and uses a [[Nephilim]]'s heart, [[Cupid]]'s bow and Castiel's [[grace]] to expel all the angels (except, presumably, himself) who are seen [[The Fall|falling to Earth]].

The angel [[Samandriel]] attends [[Plutus]]' auction to try to get the [[demon tablet]] and stop it from falling into demon hands, especially Crowley's as he wants to throw open the [[Gates of Hell]].<ref name="eight02">[[8.02 What's Up, Tiger Mommy?]]</ref> Later, angels under the command of [[Naomi]] rescue Castiel from [[Purgatory]], though many die in the incursion. Crowley kidnaps Samandriel to get the names of all future [[prophet]]s, which the other angels don't even seem to notice. However, Castiel helps rescue the Prophets, and ends up breaking the demon tablet in half, stopping Crowley from getting away with all of it. Naomi later orders Castiel to help the Winchesters in whatever they need and report to her periodically on the Winchesters' activities. After Samandriel manages to get a distress call off, Naomi sends Castiel to rescue him. Though he succeeds with the Winchesters' help, Samandriel has revealed the existence of an [[angel tablet]] and Naomi has Castiel kill him as a traitor, worried about what it might mean. According to Naomi the existence of this tablet is something ''any'' angel would die to protect as with it, Crowley could cause a lot of trouble for the angels, pointing out that the demon tablet shows how to seal them all up in Hell and could conceivably do the same to the angels in Heaven.<ref name="eight10">[[8.10 Torn and Frayed]]</ref> After indoctrinating Castiel to her will, Naomi sends him to get the angel tablet, which he succeeds in doing with the help of the Winchesters and the demon [[Meg]] and then tries to get him to kill Dean. Castiel manages to break free of Naomi's control and flees with the tablet, though Naomi says he is doing what he is meant to do: protect the tablet.<ref name="eight17">[[8.17 Goodbye Stranger]]</ref> Afterwards, Naomi presents herself as an ally to the Winchesters, claiming that she and by extension, Heaven, want the same thing they do: Hell sealed. Naomi aids with completing the second trial by releasing Crowley's hold on [[Bobby Singer]]'s soul and allowing it to ascend into Heaven despite Crowley's belief that if the Winchesters seal up Hell and all its demons, they will seal up Heaven and all of its angels next.<ref name="eight19">[[8.19 Taxi Driver]]</ref> Naomi later captures Castiel, but is driven off by Crowley before she can find the angel tablet. Castiel teams up with [[Metatron]] to seal off Heaven and end the civil war going on there, but Naomi learns that Metatron intends to expel all angels from Heaven forever as revenge for his own expulsion and tries to convince a disbelieving Castiel of this. He refuses to believe her, but she is proven right when Metatron kills her and uses a [[Nephilim]]'s heart, [[Cupid]]'s bow and Castiel's [[grace]] to expel all the angels (except, presumably, himself) who are seen falling to Earth. The angels falling to Earth is believed by many humans just to be a "global meteor shower." Most angels blame blamed Castiel for what happened and want revenge. When Dean gets desperate for a way to save Sam, he sends out a prayer to all angels, pleading for one to save Sam, but while it draws in [[Gadreel]], pretending to be Ezekiel, who is willing to help, it also draws three angels who want to know where Castiel is. Dean kills one and banishes the other two, but is forced to let "Ezekiel" possess Sam in order for him to heal both Sam and himself as "Ezekiel" was injured falling to Earth. At the same time, an angel named [[Hael]] enlists Castiel's help in guiding her on Earth, but after he decides to help Dean instead, she kidnaps him and reveals her true plan to be to possess Castiel to become stronger. Castiel incapacitates Hael by crashing her car and kills her when she threatens to reveal where to find him to all the angels searching for him. <ref>[[9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here]]</ref> While Gadreel allows Sam to remain in control for the majority of the time, he emerges without Sam's knowledge when his presence is needed to protect Sam or aid the Winchesters in some way.<ref>[[9.02 Devil May Care]]</ref><ref>[[9.03 I'm No Angel]]</ref><ref>[[9.04 Slumber Party]]</ref><ref>[[9.05 Dog Dean Afternoon]]</ref> A faction of angels quickly emerges led by [[Bartholomew]], a follower of Naomi, that uses [[Reverend Buddy Boyle]] to gain vessels and hunt for Castiel. After killing an angel that locates him, Castiel wards himself against detection with an Enochian [[Tattoos|tattoo]] so Bartholomew sends rogue [[Reapers]] after him. One succeeds in killing Castiel, but Ezekiel resurrects him.<ref>[[9.03 I'm No Angel]]</ref> While Dean and Castiel deal with rogue Rit Zien angel [[Ephraim]], ultimately killing him when he tries to kill Castiel, Sam and Kevin learn from Crowley's translation of the angel tablet that Metatron's spell to expel all angels from Heaven is irreversible.<ref>[[9.06 Heaven Can't Wait]]</ref> It was also revealed by [[Malachi]], who is now at war with Bartholomew, that a whole host of angels died during the fall, among the dead he names Azrael, Sophia, and Ezekiel. After stealing [[Theo]]'s Grace, Castiel becomes an angel once more. After Dean learns the truth and meeting with Metatron, Gadreel takes full possession of Sam to become his lieutenant in restoring Heaven, murdering Kevin Tran along the way.<ref>[[9.09 Holy Terror]]</ref> Eventually, with the help of Crowley, Sam expels Gadreel who merely returns to his original vessel to continue his work.<ref>[[9.10 Road Trip]]</ref> After being captured by Bartholomew's followers, Castiel discovers that Bartholomew is using Boyle's resources to track Metatron whenever he appears on Earth, but is also eliminating all other factions, even peaceful ones such as the Penitents who coexist with humanity. When Castiel refuses to kill [[Eliah]] due to wanting no more angel on angel bloodshed, Bartholomew attacks him and Castiel is forced to kill Bartholomew in self-defense. However, Castiel's beliefs sway some of Bartholomew's followers who decide to follow Castiel in his way of thinking.<ref>[[9.14 Captives]]</ref>

[[File:AngelPossesstion.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Angels in their incorporeal form.]]The "physical appearance" of an angel's true form varies. For instance, [[Lucifer]]'s angelic form is said by [[Uriel]] to be beautiful.<ref name="four16">[[4.16 On the Head of a Pin]]</ref> His However, Sam and Rowena described their experiences seeing Lucifer's true face as traumatic. Luciger's eye color changed from blue to is also red, probably due opposed to the traditional blue of his time in hell, and he also has growled, indicating an animalistic sidebrethren. [[Zachariah]]'s described his angelic form has four faces (one of which is a lion) and six wings, according to him, though Sam and Dean are not able to perceive him in this way in [[Heaven]].<ref name="five16" /> Castiel states that his true angelic form is the size of the Chrysler Building.<ref name="six07">[[6.07 Family Matters]]</ref> Within the show, an angel's true form is often seen as brilliant white light. Psychic [[Pamela Barnes]]' eyes are burnt out when she looks on Castiel's true form. [[Michael]]'s voice and true form prove fatal to several bar patrons.<ref name="five18" /> For these reasons, angels most often communicate with humans through dreams, or through a [[vessel]].

Angels occupy a human vessel in order to manifest on Earth. The person they possess must consent to this, as opposed to demonic [[possession]] which is non-consensual. Angels and their vessels appear to be matched based on bloodlines, some of which are preserved by [[Cupid]]s"cupids", which according to Castiel is a lower order of [[cherub]]. Though angels can possess human's not of a specific bloodline, however they risk the vessel deteriorating or even exploding upon possession. It seems that while occupied, the vessel's blood is altered by the angel's presence. Castiel has commented that he cannot use his "own" blood for a ritual, because he is "not human".<ref name="six03">[[6.03 The Third Man]]</ref> See also [[Demon Blood]].

* [[Smiting ]] - Angels have the ability kill [[demons]] by placing a hand on the forehead of a possessed individual. Extremely powerful demons are immune to the touch of lower-level angels, e.g. [[Alastair]].<ref name="four10" /> This works on monsters like [[vampires]] too, as displayed by Castiel in [[6.19 Mommy Dearest]]. Humans can also be killed by this power.<ref>[[9.09 Holy Terror]]</ref> A special class of angels called the Rit Zien, like [[Ephraim]], can use this to kill mortally-wounded angels and humans, but when they do, the being it is used on near-instantly explodes in a painless death.<ref>[[9.06 Heaven Can't Wait]]</ref>The collective Host of Heaven can pool their powers together and perform mass-smitings.

{{Quotation|title=|text= Never say never, (...) but in my mind, angels as supernatural beings do not exist. In my opinion there are forces of evil, but the forces of good are human. There might very well be a God, but if there is, he's working in mysterious ways through a band of very imperfect humans.|author= [[Eric Kripke]]|source= ''[[Supernatural: The Official Companion Season 2]]'', page. 75}} Prior to the introduction of angels on the show, Dean believed angels did not exist. Sam on the other hand believed in both angels and God, and prayed every day. Dean and Sam's mother is also revealed to have been a woman of faith; the last words [[Mary]] ever spoke to Dean were "...angels were watching over us." <ref name="two13">[[2.13 Houses of the Holy]]</ref> When Dean first sees Mary during a [[djinn]]-induced hallucination, he checks to see if she is real by asking her what she would always say when she tucked him in at night. She answers, "I told you angels were watching over you."<ref name="two20">[[2.20 What Is and What Should Never Be]]</ref> Mary is shown saying this to an unborn Dean during Season 5season five.<ref name="five13" />

It is not until season 4 four that angels actually appear, when Castiel arrives and proclaims himself "an angel of the Lord," and reveals that he saved Dean from [[Hell]].<ref name="four01">[[4.01 Lazarus Rising]]</ref>

The following named angels have prominent roles in the series; for information on the Archangels archangels [[Michael]], [[Lucifer]], [[Raphael ]] and [[Gabriel ]] see the article on [[archangel]]s.