Connecting With Your Guides

Hello lovies,

Welcome to Part Eight of my Open Heart Series!

If you have not read the previous parts of this series I would encourage you to follow the links below so that you can get all caught up! What started as a minor project has blossomed into a journeys of how, why, and how to!
 
Following pieces of this series will include ways to connect with your guides and of course the resulting experience of the February Full Moon Ritual through Sage Goddess.

Previous Series Postings
OHNMR
OHNMRT
Behind Door Number Two
Why Answer the Why
When Guides Come Knocking
Grounding and Bubble Meditiations
Whisperings of a Ghost

So without further ado!

This is a post that has been requested from me for quite some time, and I am hopeful that this will answer some questions and provide some guidance.

Guides come in all different forms; angels, animals, spirits, gods and goddesses, fairies, ancestors, the list goes on and on.

If you have read previous posts of mine you can probably guess the kinds of guides that I have worked with the most thus far . Animal guides are the first guides that I learned about, and worked with before I even knew that's what I was doing. In a way it's always come naturally to me, but I know that's not the case for everyone, so here we are!

I have found that meditation is the best place to connect with your guides. I like to think of it as meeting them half way. There are certainly times that guides are able to reach us here in what I some times refer to as the 'waking realm' or the physical plane. But some times we don't recognize their signs or understand their messages.

Before I jump into the meditation there are a couple of things that I want to go over that I have found to be true when it comes to guides. I will acknowledge up front that not everyone will agree with me and that is fine. For the work that I do and have done with my own guides and helping other people get in touch with theirs, these are things that I share with them and that I have learned over the years.

Everything that I mention here intertwines with each other, but I felt that it was important to break them into individual points not only to make it clear but to show the different ways that all of these things work together.

One, and what I would consider the most important: You must be OPEN to receiving your guides. Guides are not always there to be fluffy and have a good time with you, most of the time they are there to help you learn invaluable lessons or to help you make important decisions. Some times they will have messages that you might not want to hear, but they are there to HELP you, especially in difficult times.

Two that is really an extension of one: If you are not ready or are holding back from them, they may very well do the same thing. It's okay to be afraid or uncertain because that's just a part of life. But it's important to be willing to receive help from your guides in the ways that they can provide. If you are experiencing those things, express that to them. Let them know how you are feeling, and that because of or in spite of that you are reaching out to them for guidance.

Three, what I consider to be next in importance: I know that it can be difficult, but it's vital to not set expectations on your guides. Trusting them to be there and to help you/protect you/watch over you is very different then expecting them to do those things. Your guides are there for you because they care about your well being and because they want to be.

Four: Don't turn away your guide(s) because they do not come to you in a way or form that you expected or wanted. Again, guides appear to you in a certain way because of the messages that they have for you. I do not mean this in any sort of threatening way and I do not mean to scare anyone, but I will say that some times ignoring your guides can have consequences. The last thing I would want is for something to happen and I am left kicking myself wishing that I had put my ego aside and just listened.

Five: Don't feel like you have to change the way you communicate when you're connecting with your guides. It might feel a little odd at first, especially if you are connecting to deity and it feels like you should be more 'proper'; this goes back to having expectations. Follow you gut, more than likely your guides will meet you somewhere in the middle and they will adjust to communicate with you. If you feel more comfortable talking a certain way when it comes to your guides, go for it!

Six: You can have more then one guide at a time. Some guides come and go, some guides always pop up in certain situations, some are with you your whole life. Some times guides will even work together.

Seven: While I am not suggesting that guides have limitless abilities and power it's important to not put limits on them. If you think that your guides can't help you, then guess what? They can't and they probably won't.

Eight: You guides are not there to do all of the hard work for you, they are there to help you with the hard work. They may even give you something hard to work on, and if they do, it's because it's going to help you in the long run. Guides are also not going to be there to help you with every little thing. This is your life to live, it's up to YOU.

Nine: If you are working with your guides and their message is unclear, it's okay to ask for clarification. There is no doubt be times when they give you a message or a piece of information and say 'have fun!" and leave you to make of it what you will. But more often then not they will be happy to oblige, they are there to be helpful after all.

Ten: Be appreciative of your guides. If you received guidance or assistance don't forget to thank them, and you don't have to make it elaborate. A thank you at the end of your meetings is a great way to show appreciation, or if you can, light a candle for them. They'll see it and appreciate the gratitude.

Now the fun part! While there are lots of different ways of connecting with your guides, as I mention before, I find that meditation is the easiest way to do so. That's not to say that this is the only way, some times they will come to you in a dream or like with animal guides you may see them in your everyday life. 

If you go the meditation route I recommend a couple of things, and this goes the same for whatever kind of meditations you do.

Try to find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Feel free to play music or white noise, light some incense if that will help you get into the frame of mind. Of course you'll want to make sure your are in a comfortable position. 

If you have a set time that you want to meditate for I recommend setting two timers, one to serve as your warning to finish up and the second to actually call you back. There are meditation CDs and apps that do this for you, it's really a matter of preference. 

When you are ready to do your meditation make sure you have your intention set. If you think or know that you have a guide waiting for you, let yourself drift to that place where you feel drawn to. It can be anywhere, somewhere in nature, it could be in a specific structure, in a different country, allow yourself to go wherever it is that you feel yourself being pulled to. 

Some times that means that you don't really go anywhere at all, and you find yourself resting within your subconscious, if that's so what does it look like to you?

Wherever it is that you find yourself, try to get as clear of a picture as possible, do you hear any sounds, do you feel anything around you, how do you appear, what time of day is it? It might sound overwhelming trying to nail down all of these details but it can actually help you stay focused while you're meditating.

When you feel comfortable where you are, express how you are there to meet with any guides who may be waiting for you, or that have a message for you. It really can be as simple as that. Allow your guides to take it from there, they may end up taking you on a journey!

If you're still having trouble connecting with you guides, I would recommend a guided meditation. Some times having a more structured meditation can be more beneficial.

As always lovies, I hope that this has been helpful and has answered some questions about connecting with your guides. As always if you have any specific questions feel free to leave them in the comments or you can message me privately.

Sending you light and love,

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn

My Guardian Angel

Good day lovies,

Today I want to write about friendship, unconditional love, support, intuition, and what has to be divine design.

I haven't felt particularly called to write about the specific people in my life, at least until now. During my birthday trip I had the opportunity to spend almost an entire day with one of the most amazing women I have had the fortune to meet, her name is Yvonne.

Yvonne and I met two and a half years ago when I was closing up shop at my place of employment at the time. She was with a few of her family members who happened to be looking for some party favors and they happened upon my store roughly ten minutes before closing. I was standing at the front when they entered and greeted them offering assistance. After pointing them in the right direction, one of the ladies stayed behind and struck up a conversation with me.

It started off casually enough, a conversation much like I would have with any other customer. Then she asked me what my sign was. Without missing a beat I told her Capricorn, she smiled and let out a laugh. She started describing my sign, painting a picture much closer to my actual personality,

"You're someone who, once a decision is made, you stick to it. There's no dancing back and forth, you're solid in your choices."

It had only been a few months since I had made a decision that would change the course of my life-I had ended a nearly ten year long relationship and had decided to move home to start over. That was several months off, but I still felt the weight of all that had been transpiring.

I nodded with a weary sigh I replied, "I have to be, there's no other option."

This petite, five foot and a half elderly woman took one hard look at me and said so matter a fact, "You've been through hell, girl." that it was as if she had seen the ghosts of that's summers events through my eyes.

I cracked a weak smile, "Ah, I'm still here though." My smile gained some strength after the words left me. In those days it was hard to remember that I was in fact still there.

Our conversation carried on and she told me how she was a palm and card reader. As if this woman wasn't interesting enough, now she had really piqued my interest. I shared with her how I had just begun study the tarot after a two year dry spell.

Before we knew it her group had finished their shopping and it was time for us to close up, I hurried to the register and grabbed a scrap of paper scribbling down my name, number and the name of my store.

"I don't give my number out to people, but I would really love to have coffee with you some time."  Her face lit up, and she promised to call within the next couple of days.

I remember being delighted to hear from her, and the nervousness I felt as I made my way to her home for a reading. Not only had I given a complete stranger my phone number, but I was going to her house for coffee and a palm reading. She encouraged me to bring my cards to read her as well, I did as she asked, and it was the first time I had done a tarot reading for anyone other then myself.

That day Yvonne and I made a connection unlike any other I have ever experienced. She met a young woman who had just begun trying to sort out her life, was trying to find her place in the world, and most importantly, was trying to find herself for the first time in years.

She was kind, and understanding. As I told my story she listened without judgement and saw in myself what I could not; my strength. For having been a complete stranger, Yvonne was able to see into my heart and soul, and shared her own with me.

Almost every time we meet we exchange readings and we speak of the world and of spiritual things. Despite being on potentially opposite sides of the spectrum, we both believe wholeheartedly on what the world needs; love, tolerance, patience, compassion, kindness. The beliefs that we do share are much more important to us then our differences, because at the end of the day, it's not all that we are.

Yvonne is a devout Catholic, whose grandmother was a first generation Spaniard in America who taught her the art of palm reading and reading cards. She has gone on to teach her granddaughters as well. There have been those who are opposed to her abilities, and insist that she is being assisted by the devil.

She shakes her head and tells me,

"I know that what I do is not evil, because it comes from God. I do what I do to help people, and I do it because He works through me. Just as I believe he works through you. It's a gift of the Holy Spirit and I don't intend to waste such a gift."

Me being a pagan I worried that we wouldn't be able to maintain a friendship. She told me very firmly once that she believed heart and soul that God had brought us together, and only God would be able to separate us. I always insist that He not take her too soon, that I've only had so much time with her and that I need more. She laughs every time and reassures me she's not going anywhere.

I absolutely, truly love this woman, and everything about her. I didn't believe in angels before I met Yvonne, but I certainly do now.

One of my favorite things about Yvonne is that she is an artist. An amazing, wonderful, incredibly talented artist, and it began with a vision. It's a story that she has told me twice, and that I have had the privilege to hear her share with others. But since it is her story to tell, I will not share it here. I will say that it had such a profound impact on her, and though I didn't see it clearly before I see it now.

Yvonne was sent to me to be a confidant, a friend, a mentor, a support, and a guide. She is my guardian angel, sent to watch over me, protect me, encourage me, and to help keep me on the right path.

I thank the gods, hers and mine, everyday that it was in the cards for us to meet during this life. She has such a special place in my heart, I know that I would not be where I am without her.

During out last visit she allowed me to pick two cards that she does the art work for, and right now she is producing them herself. I have four in total now that I wanted to share below.

The art work is followed by the name of the art and poetry that she writes herself on the back.

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

©Yvonne Rice

I can only hope that one day I can shine and share as much light and love as she has given me.

The Universe surprised me with a guardian angel as an earthly guide, who I know will continue to guide me to the end of my days. I hope to have many more years with you, Yvonne.

Sending you light and love dearies.

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn