Spirit Guides
Spirit Guides are much like Guardian Angels, except they've never been Angels. Spirit Guides are spirits that have been with us through one or more of our lives. The practice of Shamanism use animal Spirit Guides in their ceremonies.
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is the oldest form of spiritual contact, predates all known religions and might be the base of all religion was built upon, although shamanism itself is not a religion. The main figure of shamanism is the shaman - the first priest in human history, mediator between the world of peoples and world of spirits. Shamans are healers, primarily of the soul and it accomplishes this through soul-retrieval, extraction and restoring. Along with animal spirit guides, Shamans use spirits, ancestor, and guides that dwell the Other World to accomplish their work.
How do I communicate with my Spirit Guides?
There are many ways to communicate with your Spirit Guides, no method is better than the other, it just depends on what you're comfortable with.
Some people choose to meditate, others find it's easier to communicate through their dreams, while other people write letters and others are able to just talk and have a conversation as they would with a live person. Experiment to find what works best for you. If you choose to communicate through your dreams, go to bed asking your guides to come to you in your dreams and then ask that they assist you to remember your dreams when you wake up. Make sure before you go to bed that you have paper and pen at your bed side so you can write down your dreams. Don't even get out of bed, you start forgetting your dreams as soon as you wake up.
Another way is to write your feelings down on paper. Write everything that is in your heart, everything you want to say to your guides. Don't worry about other people seeing what you write because when you're done, burn the letter. It's said that the words of your letter are carried to the spiritual realm in the spoke.
Can loved ones who have passed be my Spirit Guides?
Spirit Guides are guides who are highly advanced and have been with us since birth or longer. Loved ones who have passed away during our life are not our spirit guides, but that doesn't mean they aren't with us. Often, loved ones will look down on us, giving guidance and even protection in times of danger. It is possible for ancestors to be spirit guides though.