The Birth of the Archeia: The Ballards and the I AM Movement

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were female archangels paired with the known male ones, offering balance and a less patriarchal connection to the angelic realm? Many modern spiritual seekers embrace the idea of the Archeia, or female archangels, without questioning where this concept originated. But a closer look at its roots reveals a tangled history involving the I AM Movement, allegations of plagiarism, and even a fraud trial.

It’s interesting when you listen to contemporary angel experts who teach about the Archeia. Some claim to have channelled the information and give no credit to the Ballards. Others seem to take the information floating around in the New Age aether as fact, without questioning the origins of the teachings. But then, one could say the same concerning information about Starseeds, Hybrid Breeding Programs and the Galactic Federation. My point here is not to make these teachings wrong. It’s not up to me. The point is simply this: discernment. The information below helped me understand my gut reaction to these teachings. I hope it helps you too.

The Birth of the Archeia: The Ballards and the I AM Movement

The concept of female archangels appears to have originated with Guy and Edna Ballard, founders of the I AM Movement in the 1930s. The Ballards claimed to have direct contact with Ascended Masters, beings they said guided humanity’s spiritual evolution. Through their teachings, they introduced the idea that each traditionally recognised male archangel had a divine female counterpart—the Archeia—to provide a more balanced spiritual framework.

The Ballards’ movement was heavily based on esoteric teachings, decrees, and the violet flame, which later influenced organisations like The Summit Lighthouse, and the Church Universal and Triumphant. However, few New Age followers of these teachings today realise their controversial origins.

Allegations of Plagiarism: The Case of A Dweller on Two Planets

One of the major controversies surrounding the Ballards is their alleged plagiarism of Frederick Spencer Oliver’s novel A Dweller on Two Planets (1905). Oliver, who claimed to be an amanuensis (scribe) for an Atlantean spirit named Phylos the Thibetan, wrote about advanced spiritual concepts. He talked about Atlantis and the mystical use of violet energy. The Ballards’ I AM Movement borrowed heavily from these ideas. This, in turn, led to allegations from Oliver’s family and estate that the Ballards had essentially repackaged his work without credit.

Guy Ballard and the Silver Legion

Adding another layer of complexity, Guy Ballard had ties to The Silver Legion of America, also known as The Silver Shirts—a fascist, pro-Hitler organisation active in the 1930s. The group promoted an anti-Semitic, nationalist agenda, which starkly contrasts with the love-and-light rhetoric associated with modern New Age spirituality. While Ballard’s level of involvement is unclear, his association is enough to place his teachings under scrutiny.

The 1942 Fraud Trial: Edna and Donald Ballard in Court

The I AM Movement’s problems didn’t end with plagiarism accusations. In 1942, Edna Ballard and her son Donald were tried for fraud in a high-profile case brought by the U.S. government. The prosecution argued that the Ballards had knowingly deceived followers into giving them money, promising spiritual enlightenment in return. While they were convicted, the ruling was overturned on appeal in 1946 due to religious freedom protections. Still, the trial left a lasting stain on their legacy.

The Summit Lighthouse and the Spread of the Archeia Belief

Despite these controversies, the teachings of the I AM Movement found new life through organisations like The Summit Lighthouse, founded by Mark and Elizabeth Clare Prophet in 1958. They continued spreading many of the I AM Movement teachings, including the use of decrees, the violet flame, and the belief in ascended masters and the Archeia. Today, many who invoke these female archangels are unaware of their dubious origins.

Why does this matter? Because spiritual seekers deserve transparency.

Do Angels Even Have Gender?

The desire for spiritual balance is understandable, but angels do not have gender. They can appear in any form, depending on what will best serve their mission. There is no need to invent new angel categories for balance. Archangel Michael, for instance, does not need an archeia named Faith by his side. He was able to do his job perfectly fine for thousands of years without her. And while we use the pronoun ‘he’ about AA Michael, this has nothing to do with gender but everything to do with his function.

Rather than accepting beliefs at face value, it’s always worth asking: Where did this idea come from, and does it truly serve our highest good? This is an especially important question to ask when a new idea comes with a price tag. The Ballards only extended blessings from the Ascended Masters to those who donated. (Wikipedia)

Female Angels in the Bible?

Did you know that the Bible describes female angels?

“Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.” Zechariah 5:9

However, this appearance is one they chose for the task at hand. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that angels have no gender:

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:30