A dear friend of mine passed away in March. I spent the last three days with her and I was with her when she passed. That was a turning point for me in my spiritual life. I feel her presence all the time and I imagine that she is guiding me through life. Is it possible that she is my spirit guide? Is a spirit guide the same as a guardian angel? How do I connect with my guardian angel, and how will I know when I do?
Koochmar
Astrea:
Often when we've known someone well, we think we can predict how they would advise us or what they would want us to say and do in various situations. While we can know a lot about another person, we never know for sure how others would react to certain challenges. That is human and Spirit nature. We still have some things we have to figure out for ourselves.
That being said, I have no doubt that your friend is guiding and helping you, even if it is your own memory that is the vehicle through which you hear her advice. You know her well enough to predict her reactions to things and how she would handle similar situations in her own life. Lately, you've been finding clues on how to behave both in what you remember about her and what you feel from her from Beyond the Veil.
She certainly didn't have a problem advising people when she was here. Since we do continue in a different dimension when we leave the Earth Plane, it's only natural that we would keep doing many of the things we've always done.
Be aware that she has her own rivers to cross right now, and her own job to do as a newly deceased person. It usually takes from one to five years for departed loved ones to come back to us in any kind of recognizable form.
Nevertheless, the idea that they influence us from the moment of their deaths is nothing new and certainly should not be discounted or ignored. That you were with her when she passed makes it much easier for her to reach you now. This may be the most valuable aspect of being with someone as they cross over.
No matter how she comes to you - in dreams, thoughts or visions - value and cherish this time. At some point when you're ready, you will have to release her to Heaven, but there's no rush.
One of the most mysterious subjects is that of Guardian Angels and Spirit Guides. Regarding Guardian Angels, not everyone has one because not everyone will accept that concept. I doubt that your recently deceased friend has assumed that role, as most often, our guardians are assigned to us at birth.
Getting in touch with a guardian angel requires deep meditation. While you're still grieving for your departed friend, it might not be the best time to try to concentrate your efforts in that direction.
For now, you can enjoy your friend's company and learn to communicate with her, not as you did in life, but in a new and very satisfying way. I know how much you miss her, but she IS with you. Our departed loved ones are never far from us.
*****
Susyn:
While watching your friend die was painful, it was one of the most profound experiences a person can go through. Since the two of you were so close in this lifetime, your spirits are still connected. This friendship will continue to grow and prosper even though you reside on different planes now. You can trust that she is always with you and that your sense of her nearness is authentic.
Spirit guides can take many forms, and oftentimes they are someone we've known in this or a past life. Spirit guides can also be spirits that you have never known personally. In your friend's case, she is definitely a spirit now and has the power to guide and help you through any situation just as you helped her to cross over when she died.
Guardian angels tend to be spirits that have not taken human form, so they would be considered in a different category. We all have a collection of spirit guides as well as guardian angels to help us through our journeys here on Earth.
Because this was a life-altering experience, you are now more open to sensing and recognizing the spiritual help you receive every day. Whether you attribute it to a guardian angel, your friend, or some other helpful entity, the greatest blessing is in knowing how often and how well you are protected.
Keep in mind that you have the ability to help your friend on the other side as well, for benevolent acts are not limited to the spirit world. When you sense that she is missing you or her family or even the life she spent on Earth, you can be there to support and encourage her progress.
Sometimes people can get lost in the plane between earth and heaven and become hesitant to move on. I do not believe this to be the case with your friend, but you must be prepared to let her go if at some point she needs to move forward.
In the mean time, always honor your intuition when you feel her near. She will let you know when she wants to connect with you, and in turn, you can call on her if you'd like to chat or reminisce or ask for her insights into a problem you might be facing.
When I want to speak with loved ones who have crossed over, I prefer to do it in a ritualistic manner. You may want to gather photos of her or her favorite things like jewelry, keepsakes or clothing. Light a few white or lavender candles and aromatic incense, and if you like, play some of her favorite music.
As you surround yourself in her memories and aura, she will surely come to you. When she does, sit and listen closely, for the messages that fill your head and heart will be from her.
Astrea:
Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.
Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!
While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!
I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!
As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.
I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.
You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!
Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.
A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.
You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.