Novalis, the Archangel of Flowers, is perhaps one of the most
misunderstood Archangels in Heaven. It is easy to classify such
Archangels as Michael and Laurence. Michael is the proud Champion of
Heaven, dedicated to winning the War against the demons. Laurence is
Heaven's knight-errant, sworn to lead the armies of Heaven to victory and
honor in the name of his Lord. Gabriel is the flame of divine inspiration
and the fire that burns out cruelty in the wicked. But Novalis stands
apart from the warriors of Heaven, for she does not fight. Yet, somehow,
she commands a strong loyalty usually found in those who have fought and
suffered together. Why?
To answer that, we must look into her organization. What draws young
angels into the service of Flowers when there are far more proactive
Words like Fire, Destiny, War, and The Sword to choose from? What type of
angel is drawn into her service and what do they find once they have
joined up with her? How do they get along with other, more militant
angels? Maybe this will explain some of that.
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The Organization of Flowers
As has often been noted with criticism by Michaelites and Laurencians,
the organization of Novalis's Servitors is extremely weak. The Archangel
of Flowers is not really the hierarchial type. Much has been made of the
fact that Novalis refers to her Flowerchildren as her actual children,
keeping them in a loose grip. Novalis's lack of hierarchy, while grating
to some of the more martial angels, actually seems to bond the angels of
Flowers.
To better understand it, think of the organization of Flowers like a
giant family. Each member of the family is entrusted with certain
responsibilities. Some stay at home, tending the gardens and forests of
the Glades. Some serve as diplomatic liasions to the other Archangels,
smoothing matters over when the prerogatives of Flowers override or
conflict with the prerogatives of the other Archangels. Others travel to
Earth, easing relations between mortals and extending the bough of peace
and trust to the demons in hopes that they will redeem. Like a family,
the Flowerchildren do not feel the need to answer to a strict hierarchy,
which enables them to carry out their assorted functions with an easy
camaderie and friendliness that utilizes all aspects of the family's
capabilities and members.
But what of the Word-Bound amongst them? Like Word-Bound amongst the
other Archangels, the Word-Bound of Flowers are granted the respect and
honor of their lofty position. However, Word-Bound amongst Flowers tend
to be a lot less serious and image-conscious than their peers amongst the
other Archangelic organizations. It is much more common to see laughter
and easy joking between Word-Bound and non-Word-Bound in the organization
of Flowers than in, say, the organization of the Sword.
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Flowery Recruitment Offers
So given this relaxed atmosphere, what is it that draws an undecided
Reliever or young angel into Novalis's service? Well, take a look at it
from the point of a Reliever or a young angel created and given free rein
to seek an Archangel. The possibilities of all of Heaven are open to
them. Shall one serve the stern purpose of Judgement? The carefree nature
of the Wind? Will one smite evil as a Servitor of Fire, or care for the
young as a Servitor of Children? It can be so hard to choose.
Then consider the nature of Flowers. For those who do not favor military
service but who do want to help people and end problems, Flowers is
ideal. It enables one to step in and directly interfere in the affairs of
mortals, without having to answer to a rigid hierarchy or risk one's own
hide in combat. For those whose idealism is not that of a soldier, this
can prove highly appealing: helping people without having to fight.
But what of Novalis's dissonance conditions? While it may be true that
her conditions of not resorting to violence unless there is no other
choice and not tolerating or committing unnecessary violence may be
grating at times, many young angels can see the purpose behind them. It
often takes more strength not to take up arms and fight in a trying
situation, a philosophy that elder and more experienced angels of Flowers
often explain to newcomers in Novalis's service.
This philosophy often enables younger angels of Flowers to withstand the
irritated hostility of other angels who serve Words like War and The
Sword. At the same time, it provides a comforting sense of moral and
emotional certainty that no matter what other angels may feel, those of
Flowers are stronger than they think them to be because they have the
courage to resist resorting to violence.
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EDG <[email protected]>
In Nomine Collection Curator