Calling Jewish Souls: Four angels and Patriarchs & Matriarchs

I have been thinking about how Jews call souls and two techniques came to mind.

The first is the four angels which is done at bedtime when reading the nighttime Shema. On the right is Michael, on the left is Gabriel, in front is Oriel, behind is Raphael, and above is the Shechina. The technique is to say the Shema, then call each angel to their proper position. This is also a technique that can be done for others in the same manner.

The second technique is the first paragraph of the Amidah when we call the fore-fathers. As each patriarch is names, bow. Abraham is in the middle, Isaac to the left, and Jacob to the right, then Sarah to the middle, Rebecca to the left, and Rahel and Leah to the right (I alternate who I call first but I always say God of one then God of the other). During morning prayers, the ancestors come down to us, but during the evening prayers, we are raised up to them. I also use this technique during treatments to invite them to come and help with the healing.

These are two ways of calling Jewish souls, and I hope to write about more as I learn and practice them.