Learning how to develop a relationship with a higher spirit guide of any kind – ancestors, spirit animals, angels, fairies, deities, ascendant masters, etc. – is an important aspect of our spiritual growth. Learning how to connect, but also how to stay open to communication in the physical and spirit realms, can be foundational.
There are important aspects to working safely with spirits which I cover in my article on Working Safely in the Spirit Realm, and are not covered here. Please be sure you’re familiar with basic spirit-working safety. This article does not cover details on how to shamanic journey; you can find instructions for that in my article Learning to Journey for Self-Healing.
Engaging the Conscious Mind
Conscious mind learning allows us to immerse ourselves in our guides in a way we’re familiar with (mentally). This helps bridge the gap, as you’re learning to connect. It is important to remember, however, that any direct experience you have with your guide is more important than facts or opinions from outside sources, no matter how reliable. Your guide may teach you things about themselves that are contrary to what you learn or think you know about them.
Study and research topics related to your guide, such as mythology, family ancestry, natural history/ecology, etc. Research what others devoted to similar energies or entities have written. Prayers or devotional writings can be found for animal spirit guides, ancestors, deities, and all manner of energies. Research what’s out there on your special being.
Visuals are an important part of connecting with your guides on all levels. Printed imagery from the internet (of animals, spirits, deities, objects related to ancestors, etc.) is a great start. My first altar to a spirit guide consisted of 3 printed pictures in photo stands (from a dollar store), a candle, and an offering plate (from our household). Nothing expensive or fancy is required, just your love, intention, and attention. You can build on from there over time, as you wish.
Devoting Yourself
Deepening a spirit relationship isn’t that different from committing to a human one. It requires regular time and commitment, and a willingness to open yourself fully to your guide. How much time are you willing to give to your guide? A daily ritual of devotion, even for just 10 – 15 minutes, will create a strong bond over time. Your dedication will be rewarded with stronger contact and discovering all the ways they reach out to you in turn.
Stay connected with how your guide makes you feel (which should be awesome – if they make you feel uncomfortable, they may not be the right guide for you at this time – see my article about working safely in the spirit realm) and work on feeling that every time you think of them. Create an altar for visuals, incense, offerings, and for sacred space dedicated to time spent with your guide. Associate those awesome feelings with your altar, and let your altar help trigger your feelings when you’re struggling to feel connected. Spend time meditating with or on your guide, and let them know you love them and want to connect with them. Spirits honor our dedication to them and repay it in kind.
Create sacred space dedicated to connecting with your guide. Altars can be temporary or permanent, indoors or outdoors, and can be placed on any surface that won’t be disturbed. Altar cloths (which can be made from any fabric) are inexpensive and a good starting point for designating space and decorating your altar. Basic altar items include images of or objects related to your guide, and a candle for focusing and honoring. You could add incense, which is an acceptable offering for most entities. The smoke from incense can also be used as a visual meditation aid, helping you shift from outer thinking to inner feeling as you work to connect.
Making offerings is a great way to deepen your connection. Offerings usually consist of food, water, alcohol, and/or incense, depending on who you’re working with. You can make regular offerings as part of your daily routine, depending on how and when you connect with your guide(s). If working indoors, offerings may be left on your altar for a day or two before being brought outside to go back to the earth. If working outdoors, be careful that food offerings do not contain high amounts of sugar, salt, or other ingredients harmful to wildlife.
Gifts for your guides are another way to show your love and attention. A special stone you found in nature that connects with them, something in your possession that you want to offer, or any small item that speaks to you, can be given as a gift. Gifts usually adorn an altar or statues, but can also be left in a special outdoor place if you know it won’t be disturbed.
As you get to know your guide, you can develop rituals, ceremonies, and write invocations or prayers. Examples of such devotional practices and writings can be easily found online.
Direct Communication
Shamanic journeying is one of the most direct ways we can interact with guides, followed by meditation. But when we’re not in meditative or journey space, we can also reach out through divination work. Tarot or oracle cards, pendulums, or any other divination tool are excellent methods of communication. If you’re inclined toward tarot, try a relationship spread to learn more about you and your guide.
Connect With Love
Approaching your spirit relationship with the seriousness of a physical relationship goes a long way to deepening your connection. Following through and offering regular time and devotion to your guide(s) will bring love and light into your life in new and unexpected ways. No matter their history or mythology, approach your guides with love and openness, and discover all the ways connectedness can change you.
Header image by Sean Stratton on Unsplash
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