The Spirit Guide Question
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:06 pm
There have been a lot of questions lately about spirit guides, what they are, how to contact them, etc lately. So I decided that putting all of the resources in one place would be helpful for everyone. Keep in mind that everyone is going to have different opinions on the subject, but the information I have gathered here seems to be what most people agree on.
On Spirit Guides:
A person can have multiple spirit guides, though many people only have one. The job of a spirit guide is to watch over you, teach you, heal you, and help you grow in spiritual matters. Usually spirit guides appear in the form of a person or human-like figure. They can appear as people you know who have passed on, or simply as a person you do not know. They are reached are communicated with usually during a meditational state, or in vivid dreaming. On very rare occasions, your spirit guide may speak telepathically. Keep in mind, of course, that hearing voices is usually not a good thing, and if the voice is telling you to hurt yourself or others, you should seek a medical professional immediately. Your spirit guide (also referred to by some as angels or guardians) are often parental-like figures, but are not there to police your actions, only to advise and protect.
Animal Guides:
Different than spirit guides, these animals are more of companions than teachers or leaders. These are, of course, different from totem animals, which I will cover in a late section. These guides can change throughout your life, and often reflect what you need the most during certain times. For example, at times of great loneliness, your animal might be a very affectionate animal such as a cat or puppy, at times of great vulnerability, your animal may be a lion or bear. These animal guides will accompany you in the spirit world and help protect you, but will not teach and guide the way a spirit guide will. Of course, some spirit guides can and do appear as animals, which will remain permanent in your life, but many animals are temporary guides.
Totem Animals
These animals are usually related to your culture or tribe. Tribal cultures have multiple totems: one for the tribe, one for the family, and an individual totem. An individual totem is the animal that represents you and guides you throughout your life. The totem chooses you, you do not get to choose it. Your favorite animal is not necessarily your totem, it might just be an animal that appeals to you for some reason, no spiritual reasons involved. The totem plays the role of an animal spirit guide, teaching, protecting, same as a spirit guide. Many people do not have a totem, as I said earlier, many people's spirit guides are human figures instead of animals.
Familiars
On a similar note, familiars are also something that seem to get lumped into the same category. A familiar is a physical animal, sometimes a pet, that aids the witch in ritual. This isn't always a pet, of course, you can own a pet that is not a familiar, or have a familiar that is not a pet. The best way to tell is to determine what role the animal plays in your rituals. A familiar might guard the person during ritual, accompany the person into astral travel, or lend energy to rituals. Please note that this animal does not have to be the same as your animal guide or totem, though it may be. You can choose a familiar, though they tend to choose you. The best way to attempt to find one is to go to a pet store and open your mind. Ask for guidance in finding a familiar who can help you in ritual, and then follow your instincts.
This is getting rather long, so the post after this will be on how to contact your spirit guide/animal guide/totem, etc.
On Spirit Guides:
A person can have multiple spirit guides, though many people only have one. The job of a spirit guide is to watch over you, teach you, heal you, and help you grow in spiritual matters. Usually spirit guides appear in the form of a person or human-like figure. They can appear as people you know who have passed on, or simply as a person you do not know. They are reached are communicated with usually during a meditational state, or in vivid dreaming. On very rare occasions, your spirit guide may speak telepathically. Keep in mind, of course, that hearing voices is usually not a good thing, and if the voice is telling you to hurt yourself or others, you should seek a medical professional immediately. Your spirit guide (also referred to by some as angels or guardians) are often parental-like figures, but are not there to police your actions, only to advise and protect.
Animal Guides:
Different than spirit guides, these animals are more of companions than teachers or leaders. These are, of course, different from totem animals, which I will cover in a late section. These guides can change throughout your life, and often reflect what you need the most during certain times. For example, at times of great loneliness, your animal might be a very affectionate animal such as a cat or puppy, at times of great vulnerability, your animal may be a lion or bear. These animal guides will accompany you in the spirit world and help protect you, but will not teach and guide the way a spirit guide will. Of course, some spirit guides can and do appear as animals, which will remain permanent in your life, but many animals are temporary guides.
Totem Animals
These animals are usually related to your culture or tribe. Tribal cultures have multiple totems: one for the tribe, one for the family, and an individual totem. An individual totem is the animal that represents you and guides you throughout your life. The totem chooses you, you do not get to choose it. Your favorite animal is not necessarily your totem, it might just be an animal that appeals to you for some reason, no spiritual reasons involved. The totem plays the role of an animal spirit guide, teaching, protecting, same as a spirit guide. Many people do not have a totem, as I said earlier, many people's spirit guides are human figures instead of animals.
Familiars
On a similar note, familiars are also something that seem to get lumped into the same category. A familiar is a physical animal, sometimes a pet, that aids the witch in ritual. This isn't always a pet, of course, you can own a pet that is not a familiar, or have a familiar that is not a pet. The best way to tell is to determine what role the animal plays in your rituals. A familiar might guard the person during ritual, accompany the person into astral travel, or lend energy to rituals. Please note that this animal does not have to be the same as your animal guide or totem, though it may be. You can choose a familiar, though they tend to choose you. The best way to attempt to find one is to go to a pet store and open your mind. Ask for guidance in finding a familiar who can help you in ritual, and then follow your instincts.
This is getting rather long, so the post after this will be on how to contact your spirit guide/animal guide/totem, etc.