Essence

Essence is the core of what makes an angel an angel. It is a form of energy that the conscious mind of the angel uses to create a physical form. In a way, it is itself the angel's true form. When mortals see an angel's essence without a physical form, it can cause damage to the mortal mind. Essence can be depleted by an angel's activities and by holding a physical form on Earth, and at a certain level the angel will be forced back to Heaven (in the case of the Blessed) or Hell (in the case of the Fallen) in order for the essence to rebuild itself. However, essence can be rebuilt on Earth by resting or eating.