In the last blog, we talked about our planet’s nature being part of the human support system and the ways that it nourishes, nurtures, and uplifts humans. In this blog, we will look at another component of this support team – spirit guides.

The concept of spirit guides has fascinated people across cultures and ages. Spirit guides are often seen as benevolent entities or energies that assist us on our journey through life. Many regression clients ask if they have a guide assigned to them, wanting for it to be identified by name. The fact that we question having guides around us demonstrates our deep belief that we are all separate and disconnected, born onto this planet alone and left to die here alone. But that, of course, is only a human illusion.  At a soul level, it is impossible for us to separate from our home, and we are never left anywhere by ourselves.

We come into this life surrounded by a system of support, and spirit guides are an essential part of this system. So let’s start from the beginning. Who are spirit guides and what is their purpose?

Who Are Spirit Guides?

Spirit guides are beings or consciousness that exists in non-physical realms. They can take many forms, such as angels, ancestors, animals, ascended masters, or light beings. They help us navigate challenges, offer wisdom, and guide us toward personal transformation. Spirit guides are deeply invested in our growth and evolution yet respectful of our free will and personal decision-making. They offer support, guidance, and comfort, often communicating through subtle signs, dreams, intuitive nudges, or synchronicities. Many people who have developed a relationship with their spirit guides report feeling a sense of companionship, encouragement, and clarity.

People often expect spirit guides to be individuals and to carry individual names. However, that is not always the case. Typically, those who have had physical incarnations (and especially those who been part of our own physical lives) are likely to come through as their individual personalities mostly because that is how we would recognize them. Alternatively, those who are more disconnected from the physical experiences are likely to come through as a collective consciousness, often with a “spokesperson” representing the group.

Spirit guide is not a title that, once bestowed, is never removed. It is simply a role that someone steps into when needed. In fact, soul family members often become one another’s guides while one is in physical form and the other remains in spirit. Some spirit guides remain our personal companions through the entirety of our planetary experience. Others, come in for a particular purpose and then leave when that purpose is fulfilled. Spirit guides serve as our navigators when our senses are severely limited (i.e., during our physical incarnations). They help us build courage to face challenges, make bold decisions, and step out of our comfort zones. They encourage us to embrace change, even when it feels difficult, knowing that it can lead us toward greater self-awareness and personal power. Each one of us has multiple guides, and they often fulfill different functions.

Spirit Guide Functions

1. 

   Emotional support: Emotional support helps us find peace when we are distressed, connect with hope when we feel lost, and experience courage when we want to give up. This function is often fulfilled by the souls of the loved ones once they leave their physical bodies. When souls leave Earth, they continue to look after their soul “friends” that remain behind. Humans don’t always make it easy for spirit to come close. Often, humans build barriers made of anger or deep sorrow, which makes it more difficult for those in spirit to come through, but whether they are able to come close or are forced to stay at a distance, they remain around us for as long as we are here.

2. Guidance and Clarity: Spirit guides can provide insights that help us see beyond our limited perceptions. They can offer clarity on situations that feel confusing, helping us understand the lessons and opportunities hidden within our experiences. This does not come through as a voice whispering in our ear. Most humans do not receive guidance in the form of linear instructions. Spirit communicates non-verbally, and when we are open to receive, guidance comes through in the form of inspiration, an aha-moment, a feeling, or an intuitive sense. Guidance and clarity can be offered to us by any guide as most of them have a much broader perspective on any given situation than a human.
3. Technical expertise: Sometimes, depending on the needs of a particular incarnation, we may need guidance on how to deal with specific challenges. This may be anything from dealing with a profound emotional or physical challenge to developing a specific trait that we find difficult. When we need help navigating challenges, we often request help from subject-matter experts. These are often spirits that have gone through similar challenges in their own evolution and have developed the needed expertise. Technical expert guides do not necessarily stay with us for more than one lifetime. They come in, provide the needed support, and go on their way.
4. Lighter mood: Sometimes, instead of focusing on challenges, we need to be reminded to lighten up. Some spirit guides are assigned to us for the sole purpose of helping us experience a positive emotion. For example, they may be here to remind us that we should find peace or experience joy or just relax. These guides may not have any human background at all. In one regression, a client recognized a dolphin that was serving as her spirit guide meant to help her resonate with joy.
5. Memory and Connection: Probably at the highest level of guidance resides that which connects us to the core of everything, reminding us at the deepest level of who we are, of where we come from, and of what we are capable. This guidance is often provided by the angelic realm (those who have not taken on physical incarnations). They speak to us at the deepest level, encouraging us to stay connected, tuned in, and authentic to our true selves.

Building a relationship with spirit guides is a deeply personal process that requires patience, openness, and trust. Connecting with spirit guides can lead to heightened intuition and a growing trust in inner wisdom, which in turn can result in better decision-making and a deeper alignment with one’s soul’s purpose. If you choose to rely more on your spirit guides, do not worry about identifying the number of guides working with you or their individual names. Instead, focus on developing the trust that you are surrounded by love and assistance. Here are some practices that can deepen a connection with guides.

Connecting with Spirit Guides

1. Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation is one of the most effective ways to connect with spirit guides. By quieting the mind, you create space to receive subtle messages and guidance. You can set an intention at the beginning of your meditation to connect with your guides and ask them to communicate with you in a way that you can understand.

   

2. Dream Work: Dreams are a powerful channel for receiving messages from spirit guides. Keep a dream journal by your bed and note down any dreams or symbols that stand out. Over time, you may notice patterns or recurring symbols that carry specific meanings.
3. Intuitive Writing: This practice involves entering a meditative state and then writing down whatever comes to mind without filtering or judging the content. Set the intention to connect with your spirit guides and ask a question. Then, let your pen go. You may be surprised at the wisdom that emerges.
4. Nature and Animal Symbolism: Spirit guides often communicate through nature and animals. Pay attention to any animals that appear frequently in your life or dreams, as they may have symbolic meanings. Researching the spiritual significance of these animals can offer insights into the messages your guides are trying to convey.
5. Signs and Synchronicities: Spirit guides frequently use signs and synchronicities to grab our attention. Repeating numbers, specific songs, or seemingly coincidental events that you find meaningful can all be signs that your guides are trying to communicate with you.

Whichever method is used to receive guidance, a connection is always enhanced with a request for assistance. While spirit guides are here to support us, they will always respect our free choice and will not impose help unless it is welcomed. Don’t be afraid to simply ask for help, express your desire to connect and ask for support. Be open to receiving their messages in any form they may come. By opening ourselves to the guidance of the unseen helpers, we invite a richer, more meaningful experience of life—one where every challenge becomes an opportunity for transformation, and every moment is infused with divine purpose.