Spirit Guides Surround Us
The Ancestral Spirit The Ancestral Spirit may come as no surprise to those from the East, but it was something I had never considered until I encountered it in a reading. Ancestral spirits are the spirits of human beings who have lived and died on Earth, and now remain for some benign purpose to help the living. Many of our forefathers believed that powerful spiritual masters, saints, and holy men continue to protect temples after passing beyond the veils of death. This is true. Some believe that these ancestral "great ones" reincarnate into a particular tribe again and again to guide the people, just as Tibetans believe that the Dalai Lama returns many times to serve their faith. The Eastern world has temples to honor these Ancestors, and many families even have private altars in their homes to honor those who have passed on. The Ancestors, they believe can bless you or curse you, so it is important to send them prayers and remember to honor them.
In this country, we hardly think of Ancestral Spirits at all, or if we do we call them ghosts. This is because we have been taught that we live only one life and afterwards go to Heaven or Hell for all of eternity. The idea of a spirit living on without a body is usually reserved for discussions of spooks, poltergeists, and scary stories around the camp fires. But the traumatized souls who make up the astral world of ghosts are but a small percentage of the whole, and most who dwell in spirit realms close to Earth are far more positively oriented. Ancestral spirits who have chosen to stay on Earth, are those who have a particular mission. After death, instead of going on into the other realms of Light, they stay to oversee a particular person or location as a job assignment. Often this has to do with helping someone they love get through a difficult part of their life. It may have to do with personal healing, grief work, the growth of an artistic endeavor, the raising of a special child, or even the gaining of a particular type of knowledge. Once that task is completed, they return to the Light of their own evolutionary growth pattern. Ancestral spirits are usually those we have known in this lifetime - a grandmother, a mother, a child, a grandfather, a mentor, or a husband. Sometimes they may even be a relative we have never met, but who has a strong karmic bond with us. Many times, our very genetic code itself is connected to them and they are present to pass on specific talents or information. Ancestral Spirits can effect us in a variety of ways. They may act as invisible confidants, companions, or the gentle nudge of a conscience when we most need it. They still retain much of the emotional qualities we knew when they were living, so they do have distinct personalities. Yet most have evolved to a greater understanding of the Universe, since they now "know" there is life on the other side. If you find you have an Ancestral Spirit around you, it is appropriate to communicate with them, and find out why they are here. Their presence may be temporary or meant to last a lifetime. If they are merely visiting, it is best to communicate about their mission, and then to ultimately let them go on about the business of their own evolution in the higher worlds. The love they bear us is wonderful, but our desire for them to stay with us can hold them back from focusing on their own personal growth. In the end, we must bless and release them to their own spiritual lives. Muses
The Muses I have met have all been female. Perhaps there are other kinds, but I have not met them. They travel in groups of two or more, arriving in sociable clusters of three or four. When a person is blessed with such a benevolent Spirit, you can bet there are others nearby. Muses are versed in every aspect of creativity. One may be adept at transmitting usical compositions. The human recipient may find themselves hearing music in their head, humming a lot, or having a tendency to be involved with some aspect of musical work. Another Muse may deal with the cadences of poetry and rhythm. A third may influence talent in dance or movement. A fourth will bring color or painting. A fifth works with sculpture. A sixth with touch or healing. These very social beings love to communicate. They exist in great creative joy at the higher dimensional levels and descend into a person's auric field only to act as catalysts for artistic inspiration. Playful and loving, they delight in all manner of positive creativity and if you are one of those blessed enough to have a Muse (or two) as a spiritual companion, do not neglect her. She can bring her sisters to bear on any creative endeavor of your heart Animal Spirits
Indigenous people all over the world have displayed great knowledge in interacting with a type of spiritual guide rarely mentioned by those with strong scientific paradigms. In fact, so far has our culture come from our connection with the animal kingdom who lives with us, that many do not even comprehend the idea of Power Animals. Yet most of us can easily name one or two animals with whom we share great admiration and affection. Examined more closely, these may be subtle clues to our own Animal Spirit totems. Native Americans who were deeply aligned with the pulse of the Great Spirit through the harmonics of nature, looked upon all animals as sacred. They considered them friends, allies, and beings of intelligence. Animals were not just pets to share our lodges, or meat to be eaten, but every animal was seen as part of a particular group spirit. The spirit of Wolf, for example, is that of a teacher energy. Bear represents compassion and strength. Eagle stands for majesty and leadership. Hawk is messenger. Ant is industry. Coyote is humor and trickster. Deer is innocence and fear/trust. Antelope and buffalo represent self-sacrifice for the good of the whole. In this way Native Americans saw each life, no matter what its form, as sacred. Each being, whether human, four-footed or winged, contributes equally to the whole - something we in the western world could stand to remember. Taken beyond the physical realms, the spirits of these animals represent a quality that is a teacher energy to the whole circle of life. In Native American stories of the earlier ages of humankind, it has been said that the animals were known to speak, but that our ability to hear them telepathically was taken from us because we could not stand to hear them beg for mercy when we killed them. It has also been said that the powers and insights of animals can become guides for human beings, and that their appearance in our dreams and our waking lives is not insignificant. If we pay attention to them, they will offer nurturance, teaching and protection. During the course of thousands of readings, I have seen that many, many human beings have animal Spirit power. They have the assistance and guidance of a particular soul group that is their friend and ally. By consciously acknowledging and working with that "over-soul" energy, we not only come into greater alignment with nature and the animal kingdom, but we come to claim those qualities in ourselves. This was known in some European cultures as well. Athena, for example, had the owl as a totem energy. That ally gave her the power to see the truth, even in total darkness, just as an owl does. It was the sign of the clairvoyant. Apollo's radiant energy was represented by the majestic lion, still seen as the symbol of kingship throughout western Europe. The lion is aligned with truth, because in ancient cultures lions sat beside the thrones of kings and queens and helped to detect the fear pheromones produced by those who came into the court for justice, yet did not walk in truth. In Christianity, the Dove has long been the sign of the Christ consciousness, whether expressed through Mary or Jesus. The dove is the bringer of world peace. And in the early days of Christianity, the fish, which represented the incoming Piscean Age, was used as a symbol by the budding new religion. "May we be fishers of men," was a saying often heard in early Christian circles. Animal energies are real. They exist in the Universe. Each of us can choose to be aware of them, or not, but our perception (or lack of it) does not mean they do not exist. If there is one thing I have learned along the way, it is this simple truth. God and Goddess Archetypes The Archetypal realms are a very real aspect of Creation as well, and have far greater influence on our lives than we may suspect. In fact, many of the oversoul energies that each of us are connected to are ancient expressions of Universal archetypes. Traditional psychology has cast this into the category of myth, but I have found through the direct appearance of these beings that these archetypes actually have life on the higher levels of reality. Thinkers like Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell were involved in extensive examinations of these ancient mythologies, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind them. They wanted to know what our ancestors could have meant when they worshipped such Beings. Were these real, or were they projections of our collective unconscious? My experience would indicate that they are both. While much of the Eastern world recognizes these arch When I do a reading, sometimes I will see someone sits beneath the energies of one of these beautiful archetypes. What I mean by this is that their soul pattern is aligned with a specific expression of Divine Isness. It might be the Mary or Quan Yin matrix of the supreme Mother, the epitome of forgiveness and love. It might be the energies of Sophia or Athena, expressions of divine wisdom and fairness. As part of the monadic pyramid of oversoul energies, these beings could be said to oversee us, influencing and strengthening that which is already inherent in our very makeup.
Similarly, a woman who is independent, nature-oriented, musical, sleek and athletic might stand beneath the archetype of the goddess Diana, known as both healer, warrior and nature lover. Equally true, one who is concerned with law, fairness, government, structure, teaching and large groups of people might stand beneath Athena's vibrational matrix.
Just who are these gods and goddesses? Are they real or merely the sub-text of our subconscious minds? Psychologists have many interpretations, seeking to understand how perfectly rational, ambitious, materialistic men and women like the Romans could have believed in such things. Some think these beings were the ancient world's way of explaining particular personality types, just as we now have psychological tests like the Myer-Briggs personality tests which tell us whether someone is introverted or extroverted, a feeler or a sensor, a thinker or intuitive. It is certainly one way to explain it. Yet since I directly see, hear and feel these Beings who seem to have their own higher world existence independent of us, complete with names, provinces of influence, clothing, coloring, size, complex personalities, energetic alignments, and powers, I suspect it is more serious than subconscious projection. They are, in fact, every bit as complete as you or I but with a much larger sphere of influence and power. Because of this repeated evidence, I am compelled to consider that these Beings have their own existence in the higher worlds, that we may be oblivious to in our day to day rationally limited lives.
My belief is that they are opening again. Whatever they are, I know this: some individuals have very strong archetypal Guides working with them. And who is to say that by recognizing our connection with them, and honoring them as larger expressions of the Divine force, we do not all learn to embrace some larger portion of heaven? Angels
Our ability to sense angelic presences through sight, hearing, the feeling of a hand on our shoulder, or simply the abiding sense of knowing that everything is "all right," takes a little practice. Automatic writing, meditation, and dialoguing can open the door to more direct communication with them, and can literally change the way we operate in our day to day life. Angels operate through economy. If it is less disruptive to get our attention by having a book fall off a shelf and land on our heads, than by materializing in our bedrooms, that is the route they will take. They operate through subtlety. They will nudge someone to come to our aid when we are sick or need encouragement. They will nudge us if we are going in the wrong direction. And on occasion they will even call our names aloud. There are countless stories of Angels taking human form and appearing to aid, nourish, comfort or provide for those in need. Sometimes they are seen by those they are helping. Often only young people, or those in altered states of stress, see them. One story for example tells how such shining visitors accompanied the Pope when he went out to Attila the Hun to plead for the life of his Roman city. The legends tells us that Attila did not attack Rome because of two shining beings with flaming swords he saw on either side of the holy father. Ascended Masters
These guides are evolved, potent beings. They are members of the White Brotherhood, on this plane or another. Most have lived on Earth before, and have a great commitment to serving humankind's spiritual upliftment. Whenever I meet one of them, I am shown a specific wisdom teaching they have to impart to the person whose life they are over seeing. Invariably, the initiate's interests become slanted towards that area of interest, although they may not even realize they are being taught in the dream state. Masters show up specifically to help with the actualization of a person's destiny. There are usually karmic ties between the teacher and student, and while the master has passed out of the reincarnational range of Earth's vibrational rate, the student is given the opportunity now in this life time to achieve their own mastership. Their destiny may take the form of remembering healing methods ready to be brought back to the planet now. They may be activated to decipher ancient languages they have known in the past, remember sacred geometry, vibrational science, or some sort of spiritual wisdom forgotten in recent millennia. One's mission may have to do with uncovering ancient archaeological sites which are destined to be brought to light once again, helping to shift the consciousness of our world paradigm forward. Even as you read these words, I know that these activations are happening across the globe to many people. We are awakening to our true purposes. If such a Master has chosen to enter your life, treat them as you would any sage of high regard. They are powerful, but they will not do the work for you. They will guide and nudge you, and as your life begins to unfold they will be there during times of need. They may stay throughout the course of your entire life, or they may pass you over to your next set of teachers once their work is done, even as the Vairagi did with me many long years ago. Order Beneath the Chaos In essence, this time of personal difficulty in my life taught me a great deal. I yearned to meet my next set of teachers, yet I was being guided to trust as the work I was doing for others unfolded. I learned that spiritual guidance often comes at our times of greatest darkness and doubt. At the leading edge of our discomfort, our sadness, our loss, or pain, or even our confusion, is the opportunity for miraculous change. Such uncertainty allows these Divine messengers to step in and help if they are invited. The Universe is far more vast than my limited human concepts had imagined, and even when I found myself confused, frightened and blind, I came to realize that I was never alone. The secret was in being still enough to "tune into the other frequencies" -- a difficult task when you are under emotional and financial stress. As I beheld the presence of so many Loving beings, I realized that there was an order beneath the chaos that moved in the unfolding of our lives. Even when we could not see it, when we had nothing but our faith to help us through, Divine Order breathed Its breath upon us. We could curl up into a ball and curse our lives. We could struggle and rage, deny and fume. We could close our inner hearing and inner sight and buy into this world of hardship, but in the end Spirit would still be there patiently waiting. And our Guides, our Guides would be right beside us, no matter what. Who had set this plan of Grace in motion in the world? There are many names for It, and they are all ONE. I imagined this Supreme Benevolence coursing through the Universe, and I realized that millions of people do not even acknowledge it exists. Like a heart beat, like the sound current I had heard as a child, like the pulse of love remembered and then forgotten, we have only to recall It, and It is there. God is everywhere: as nature, Muse, god or goddess, Angel, animal, even in the times when we are most blind, that Highest Love defies the vision of our mortal sight. Back to the MAIN ARTICLES page
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One of the most profound things I discovered was that all of us do have spiritual Guides, whether we are in touch with them or not. They come in many forms, besides that which we have come to call Angelic. Each of these "mentor" energies is part of the Divine plan of conscious Beings helping those less aware move into the Light. Individually, each of these spiritual forces may be recognized through tuning into the etheric fields of the person I am reading. They actually "sit” (or stand) in their auric fields. Often unknown to the person's conscious mind, these spiritual mentors regularly hold discourse with the individual at an energetic level, nudging, suggesting, and encouraging them toward their higher spiritual purposes. 
While I see that most people who die continue their journeys in the other dimensions, and have little to do with this world after death, certainly sending loving prayers to them is healing. And on occasion these Ancestral Spirits return to interact with us in times of crisis. In the Americas indigenous tribal peoples, including the Mayans and Native Americans, rarely speak the names of the dead, believing that to use their names is to summon them from the other worlds. Mayans call them the abuwelos and abuwelas, the grandfathers and grandmothers, and hold them in great respect. Many tribes in fact, believe that their greatest leaders still live on in the land protecting it from those who would do it harm. I have experienced these grandfather/grandmother spirits first hand a number of times. 
I was quite amazed to find that the legends of Muses has a basis in fact. These thoroughly delightful, loving guides are really Angels of creativity who act as guides for artists, musicians and the like. kingdom. Muses do not chose to serve everyone, although one can attract a Muse by the joyful open hearted desire to create. They are diverse and playful, usually found around artists devoted to cultivating their many inspired gifts. They may remain with a soul through multiple lifetimes, returning again and again to enhance one's artistic work. 
etypal beings, reconciling the existence of god and goddess archetypes with traditional Judeo/Christian teachings may initially challenge some of you. Yet, I have discovered that the creative force of the Universe manifests through the prism of countless expressions, including those we refer to as gods and goddesses. Just as the Angels act as a sort of spiritual task force to assist in the running of the Universe, so too do these primal archetypes of Creation act as part of a monadic pyramid, overseeing specific evolutionary patterns for us all. 
Let me give you an example: a person whose very presence is bright, sunny, powerful and outgoing, and acts as a radiant healer for others might have emerged from the archetype of the Sun. This was once expressed on our world as the god Apollo. It was also expressed as Ra energy, Arthurian energy, and all solar gods who were "keepers of the land". Each of these solar expressions is unique, and for one who stands beneath the monad of this particular archetypal being, he or she would be a radiant leader/healer of earth. 
Perceiving these soul correlations is not done with the logical mind. For me, it happens in an altered state of consciousness. When I do the reading, the archetype actually enters the room as a Being and speaks to me. Only then do I know how the qualities of that archetypal oversoul have influenced a person's destiny or endowed them with gifts.
Is it not possible, I ask myself, that in the distant past these Beings were closer to Earth's vibrational field, and thus could be perceived more easily? Perhaps Earth herself (and the people who lived on her) were closer to their dimensions, so the gap between us was smaller. Could some of them be considered ET's? Did they visit in space ships, or in inter-dimensional fields of transport that were far from modern technology? If we once could hear, see, and interact with these higher vibrating beings in ancient times, could it not happen again? Their names are legend: Ishtar, Athena, Maat, Lilith, Apollo, Isis, Hera, Kali, Inanna, Ra, and Aphrodite. Perhaps in ages past, when this knowledge was better known, people actually saw and heard them, but once we densified and our scientific paradigms kicked in, it was no longer acceptable to even consider this kind of contact as a possibility. Thus, we closed the door to these octaves of understanding. 
Though we will speak of Angels in depth throughout the rest of this book, I cannot write a chapter on spirit guides without honoring them. They are truly the Shining Ones, each devoted to the upliftment of humankind. We each have Angelic guides. This I see when I read for people. Often a person may have two or even three. Personal Angels may seem more or less dormant in one's life, depending on one's level of self- awareness. The more awakened we become, the more we move into a conscious symbiotic relationship with Angels. 
The last type of guide I will discuss here, is the Master teacher - spiritual beings from other time periods and planes of existence who choose, out of love, to return and share their wisdom with a mortal in the here and now. These are both men and women, and there are as many types as there have been cultures throughout the history of Earth. They run the gamut from Chinese herbalists, Mayan holy men, Aborigine trackers, Greek physicians, Tibetan lamas, Native American Holy men, Egyptian priests, and learned Rabbis from the past.