Contrast Makes the World Go 'Round

The Choirs have been constructed as balancing opposites:

Seraphim, the most divine angels, and Mercurians, the least divine angels, are sophisticated social creatures; but the former disdain humans while the latter embrace them.

The Cherubim and the Kyriotates are animal archetypes; a Cherub is a single-minded focus of attention, while a Kyriotate exists in multiplicity, living a life of constant exploration.

The Ofanim and the Malakim represent the movement of the Symphony, its speed and precision, but the unpredictable madness of the Ofanim is directly opposed to the humorless chill of the grim Malakim.

The Elohim exist at the midpoint of grace. They try to strike a sense of balance as their purpose, removing themselves to a plateau of logic from which better to predict the action around them.

Angels and Their Soft Drinks:
An Abstract Exercise

The below examples are designed to show how various Choirs would deal with getting a drink out of a soda machine, in the abstract.

When confronted with a soda machine, a Seraph would ask another angel to handle the matter for him.

When confronted with a soda machine, a Cherub would wait to watch someone else use it, find some way to get money, buy a coke and give it to someone he thinks needs a drink.

When confronted with a soda machine, an Ofanite would rip the door off its hinges, grab as many drinks as he could and spiral out over the night before arousing any more attention.

When confronted with a soda machine, an Elohite would recognize it as merely an extension of a giant marketing machine, designed to suck money and soul from its customers. He would take it home to disassemble at his leisure, marvelling at its simplicity of design and complexity of purpose.

Malakim find no redeeming qualities in carbonated beverages.

When confronted with a soda machine, a Kyriotate would pull out his two quarters and . . . hey, these coins are cool.

When confronted with a soda machine, a Mercurian would put two quarters in the slot and punch the button of the drink he wants. Mercurians always have a bit of change in their pockets.

On the Plurals of Angels

Cherubs? Cherubim? Seraphs? Seraphim? Which is correct?

It depends. Since human languages vary greatly and naming conventions change over time, the correct plural for any Choir is up in the air. In this book, we've tried to remain consistent by using "-im" as the suffix denoting a plural, except for the two (technically three, counting the Grigori) least divine Choirs.

But don't take it out on anyone for using an "incorrect" plural. Malaks won't hate you for using the wrong plural, except perhaps for editor Malakim who have sworn oaths to correct the grammar of those around them.

Of course, in the purity of the angelic language such confusion is impossible -- the celestial edition of In Nomine is anxiously awaited in many circles.

Choirs of Angels