Reflections: Personal spirit guides

By admin · Thursday, March 11th, 2010 · No Comments »

What is a spirit guide? To many people a spirit guide can be many different things. The definition changes as you go from person to person. For some spirit guides come in the form of angels, for others in the form of animals, others still they come in the form of deceased relatives or ancestors. Not everyone agrees on what a spirit guide is or can do, but everyone agrees to disagree because no one really knows.

I have had many spirit guides through my life. I have a guide that for all intents and purposes is ‘human’, his name is Jen, or Gen…however you want to spell it because he doesn’t really care. He’s been there for me. Some may liken him to an imaginary friend, and I wouldn’t be able to argue. What defines reality in this world barely holds true to itself, imagination can be just as real as anything so why not call Jen my imaginary friend.

I have had animal spirit guides as well, my spirit animal is the cat…or I should say…all cats. If it is in the cat family it is in my animal totem though some would disagree with me, saying that isn’t ‘how it works’. Through all the research I have done on animal spirit guides the one thing that is consistent is a complete lack of consistency. There is no set number of animals or species that can be on your totem nor are do they have to take the form of ranks though some people choose to put one spirit guide ‘above’ another. I have had guides in my life come and go so the ranking system isn’t as abhorrent as some people feel it is, though it isn’t necessary as others deem it to be.

When it comes to spirit guides they are as personal as you. Realizing you have a spirit guide is all you have to do, they will do the rest. They will help you to understand them and their needs of you or for you better than any research can. I had to learn that on my own. I thought research and study would tell me a thing or two. All it told me is that spirit comes in many forms for many people. There is no such thing as conforming when it comes to spirit, there is only being.

My spirit guides have been many and they have been varied, sometimes I myself have taken on the form of my own spirit guide in some fashion or another. A spiritual journey is truly something we go into on our own. Spirit guides are manifestations of the lessons we need at any given moment in time. The reason some guides stay with you your whole life is because they (or you) choose to keep it that way. If they can continue to offer you insight long into the future, what is the sense in parting ways?

Some people do not believe in spirit guides at all, some people claim anyone who has ever had a spirit guide was just projecting a need or desire into a form outside of themselves. Thus creating a spirit guide that is apart from their person causing them to think they have divine guidance or some form of metaphysical teacher when in reality it is just themselves in a projective form. To those people I say why have such little faith? If you project something of yourself into the form of spirit and it manifests in your mind or vision as apart from your body or personality, then you have created for yourself a viable solution to your problem in most cases. If this projection of yourself can teach you something or give you insight, more power to you.

Spirit guides come in many forms and in many ways, they are beings that should be cherished and communicated with often because they are more often than not a reflection of the inside of your soul. Pay attention to your spirit guides and you can find out much about your life and yourself.

Related Articles

Topics: Religion & Spirituality · Tags: , ,

A look at Wiccan spring equinox rituals

By admin · Thursday, March 11th, 2010 · No Comments »

The Summer Solstice which will fall on June 21 this year marks a major Wiccan festival. As the day in which the sun is visible for the longest time period, or the ‘longest day’ as it is called colloquially. Wiccans celebrate the physical elements of air, fire, water and earth and the metaphysical element of spirit.

The Wiccans reverence motherhood and womanhood. Summer Solstice could be called the day of full sun and it celebrates fullness. On the cycle of the seasons, it is the apex. In the cycle of intimacy, sexuality and fertility it is the season of the mother; maturity and womanhood in full bloom. The blossoming of flowers and pollination of trees and plants is a wonderful metaphor and visual image for the regeneration of life.

Prayers are said to the goddess for enlightenment, guidance and wisdom. She is invoked in her form in nature and worshiped for her beauty, her nurturing and protection of her children. She is praised for her creative power and goodness.

With the warmth and healing rays of Sumer Solstice, the major element of this feast is fire.

Fire is a powerful image; it calls to mind the burning away of impurity, the refiners’ fire which purges the dross of sin, selfishness and inhumanity. The fire of the sun warms us as a mother’s love does; the illuminating power power of the sun reflects the joy of creation. The fire of candle in all faiths represent light of truth, wisdom and love.

Fire, with it’s symbolic color of red signifies passion also. Wiccan Summer Solstice ceremonies use red for the altar cloth and candles. Catholic Christians use red for feast days of martyrs (those impassioned of the faith) as well as for Pentecost, when God poured out His Spirit in tongues of fire.

Similar to the Catholic imposition of the ashes of Ash Wednesday, Wiccans use ash incense in a cleansing and purification rite. The incense burned recalls the fragrant perfume of honest, heartfelt prayers and worship. Scented oils have traditionally been used in ritual to symbolize blessing and anointment. Blessing with sacred oil is a visible sign of the love we share for each other. Oil represents steadfastness. Anointing empowers us to go forth spreading joy and love and doing acts of kindness for others.

I am not a Wiccan; in fact, in times past I may have been the antithesis of Wiccan philosophy. As a woman of 43 I see now that perfect love casts out fear and I seek to build bridges in spirituality, not walls. As a woman who has had the privilege to have nurtured and loved children, known passion and intimacy and needed guidance, I respect the ideals of Wicca.

Related Articles

Topics: Religion & Spirituality · Tags: , ,
Next Page »