What is a spirit guide?

The concept of a spirit guide exists in a multitude of cultures, including Indigenous, African, and Asian cultures, as well as within Judeo-Christian belief systems. African and Asian cultures historically believe that the spirits of their ancestors remain with them after they’ve passed on and can be called upon for protection, guidance and assistance. Indigenous shamanic traditions engage in similar practices with spirits of nature in the form of totems and spirit animals. and some adherents of Christianity express a belief in guardian angels who watch over and protect their charges. A variety of pagan practices also include calling upon gods, goddesses, and other disincarnate entities for similar assistance, as well as other major religions such as Hinduism.

New Age spirituality offers a similar structure that loosely encompasses or overlaps with all of these practices.

Spirit Guides in New Age Spirituality

Spirit guides within the New Age belief system are disincarnate beings–human form and non-human form– who may or may not have ever incarnated on earth which are assigned to guide those who are currently incarnate, whether or not that person is aware of them. A person may have multiple spirit guides who assist them with various aspects of their human experience. A group of guides at any given time may be referred to as a team or spirit team.

The Spirit Guide Hierarchy

Spirit guides are often perceived to exist within a hierarchical structure on a vibrational spectrum, with some guides being perceived as more advanced, or embodying higher levels of consciousness than others.

Guides that are described as not having been incarnate or having a higher vibrational frequency are often labeled as gods, goddesses, angels, nature spirits, or other archetypal deities.

 

Guides which have experienced an earthly incarnation, but have achieved a level of spiritual master in the embodiment of higher consciousness may be described as ascended masters, such as Jesus and Buddha.

 

Guides which have experienced an earthly incarnation but which are not ascended masters are considered to be at an intermediate level of consciousness.

Primary Guides

These guides are often described as members of the same soul group whom are with an incarnate individual throughout their entire lives, unlike other guides who may come and go depending on what the person’s incarnate life focus is currently. Primary guides may also change during the course of an incarnate life span if the individual is ready to advance.

Spirit vs. Spirit Guides

It is common for many to refer to “spirit” rather than “spirit guides.” This is simply a recognition that all beings are in actuality, members of a singular collective. As such, while some may perceive their guides as being separate entities with individual identities, it should also be recognized that they are aspects of you and your higher self, and ultimately, God/Source. The identities given to (or by) spirit guides, including the hierarchy they are perceived to exist within, are of little import. The important thing is the intuitive guidance and connection to higher wisdom which may simply be perceived independently from a spirit guide as your own intuition.

What is a spirit guide’s function?

A spirit guide is meant to aid incarnate individuals in the process of their human experience, such as providing perspective as they heal from trauma or engage in shadow work, as well as spiritual development and life purpose direction. Their role is that of a facilitator. It is up to the individual to follow that subtle guidance or ignore it.