In its best sense, the appearance of an angel often precedes a revelation or insight and heralds the need for or represents the active process of spiritual transformation; a wisdom message.

Angels represent invisible energy forces at work, which have become temporarily visible; therefore, unconscious material coming into consciousness. In metaphysics, angels have become devas, natural energy forces that also bring wisdom messages, often related to gardening or ecology but not necessarily limited to those subjects. Dream interpretation of angels, or other winged humans, may represent high or spirited ideals; lofty goals; religious aspirations; feeling a need for guidance.

In early Christianity, angels symbolized the death, or repression, of animal instincts, which may be what is now coming into your conscious awareness. They can also symbolize someone who has died, and in that sense represent eternity; or kinship with God. In Christian symbolism the evangelist Mathew is represented as an angel.

Also see ladder.