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by Tanya Carroll Richardson

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Have you ever heard the term earth angel? Maybe somebody once described your second-grade teacher, your mother's nurse—or you—as an earth angel. In my new book, Are You an Earth Angel?, I offer my take on earth angels, based on the earth angels I've been privileged to work with in thousands of intuitive readings over the years.

Earth angels are different from divine angels, but they share many character traits with their winged friends. Like divine angels, earth angels are very sensitive, compassionate, and giving. Earth angels are also generally nonjudgmental and optimistic—unless they are experiencing earth angel burnout. Earth angels love to help other people and be of service…so much so that they can over-give and deplete their reserves. When this happens, earth angels often don't feel very angelic at all. The following are some special self-care tips for earth angels, because giving back to yourself is the best way to insure you're well enough to give to others. And giving to others is not only what earth angels love to do—it's their divine soul mission.

1. 1. Get familiar with the signs of earth angel burnout. Are you a natural giver yet suddenly feeling resentful, pessimistic, and exhausted? Always connect with a healthcare professional to rule out other physical concerns first, but remember these are telltale signs of earth angel burnout. Catch it early and course-correct by temporarily limiting the amount you are giving to others so you can give more to yourself.

1. 1. Keep your lifestyle clean. Earth angels have sensitive psychic and nervous systems, and usually identify as both highly sensitive and empathic. Sometimes an earth angel's sensitive psychic and nervous systems come in the package of a sensitive physical body. Keep your diet clean and healthy, and avoid unnecessary chemicals in foods, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies. Take any supplements or medication you need regularly. Indulge in caffeine, sugar, and alcohol in moderation as you may feel the effects of these more strongly.

1. 1. Emphasize nourishing routines. An earth angel's sensitive system is hyper-perceptive, so it's more easily overstimulated by picking up on all the subtleties in the immediate physical environment as well as all the energies and emotions of others and even the collective energy of the larger world. Healthy routines—like waking up and going to bed at the same times, regular gentle exercise, and a harmoniously structured daily routine—are very soothing to the sensitive system.

1. 1. Find ways to give. Because earth angels love to be of service—to loved ones, clients, coworkers, friends, and the world in general—finding a way to give to others is excellent self-care for earth angels. Feeling aligned with your earth angel mission of service is deeply rewarding, and it's more about an attitude and intention you bring to anything you do rather than playing a specific role or having a specific career.

1. 1. Develop relationships where you are receiving. Since earth angels are wired to give, their default is to give very generously to anyone they are in relationship with. Don't forget to give people space and opportunity to give back to you—it's a gift to them. You may have to ask more assertively as people you've been in relationship with have gotten used to you being a giver. Practice setting firm yet loving boundaries with others and give them the chance to show up for you.

1. 1. Connect with divine angels. Earth angels have a unique connection to divine angels, since both are on a mission to help humans. Divine angels are also sensitive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. Explore your relationship to guardian angels, archangels, and helper angels. Earth angels are usually gifted with a strong intuition and will be able to connect with divine angels intimately. Find out more in my book Angel Intuition.

1. 1. Learn about your special sensitivity. Navigating the world as a highly sensitive, empathic earth angel does require a roadmap. I love when I'm on the phone with a new client who tells me they already know a lot about the subject of sensitivity, and when I meet a client who doesn't I’m very eager to enlighten them. Being sensitive is an amazing trait, yet one that presents unique challenges as well as gifts. Learning about your sensitivity will help you stay more grounded, balanced, and empowered. Read up about highly sensitive and empathic people.

1. 1. Practice radical self-love. Because sensitive people are so attuned to the energies and emotions of others, they can also be very aware of the opinions of others. In addition to being sensitive, earth angels are wired to give, so they might struggle with feeling like they don't give enough even when they give so much! Find actionable ways to show yourself love every day, especially by being more gentle and loving toward yourself in your thoughts.

1. 1. Allow yourself to be hopeful, seeing life as meaningful, magical, and full of potential. Earth angels tend to see the cup as half-full and be naturally optimistic, unless they are in burnout. It's fine and even healthy to have loved ones who are more naturally pessimistic—it can add balance. But allow yourself to see life as meaningful, magical, and full of potential. You are not being naïve by being optimistic—just being yourself. That outlook is needed and part of why you're here. Remember to practice realistic optimism and keep your feet on the ground as you reach for the stars.

1. Nurture your friendships with other earth angels.It's wonderful to have friends with all different types of dispositions. Make sure you work a few earth angels into the mix, as having people around who just get you is inspiring and comforting. Don't know any other earth angels personally? Identify some in the public eye you can follow or look for online communities.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2020. All rights reserved.

Is it possible that we feel pulled toward some people because they have a higher spiritual vibration, but we mistake those feelings for falling in love with that person? I'm in a predicament, for I feel like I've fallen deeply in love with a man who is highly religious and spiritual. He's an extremely sucessful businessman, and he's a very loving husband and father. He also does a lot for the poor and needy. He really seems to be the perfect man. It's hard not to love him or think I love him. Could you please shed some light on this?

K.

Susyn:

This situation happens more frequently than you might imagine. Often when we come into contact with someone with a strong spiritual vibration, it's almost impossible not to form feelings for them.

The man you describe seems to have all the qualities of a wonderful soul mate. He has had such a profound effect on you mainly because he is so different from most of the men you come across. He has touched your spirit in a way that has opened your heart wider than ever before.

Karmically, if this man were meant to be your partner in this lifetime, you would not be blocked due to pre-existing commitments. While some relationships do begin with these types of challenges, it does not appear from your letter that he returns your feelings. In fact, because of his strong character and charisma, he probably has many female admirers.

It is possible that you knew this man in a past life, which could explain your strong attraction to him. In this lifetime, you may not be destined to be together, but the memories of that past life are imprinted on your soul and could be contributing to the sense that you are falling in love with him.

The most important thing you can do in this situation is hold your power and energy and allow the connection with him to unfold as directed by Spirit. Trying to force something to happen will short-circuit whatever is meant to be. He may have come into your life for the purpose of being a spiritual teacher or example for you. Attempting to turn this into something else could mean the loss of your connection and his friendship.

Keeping boundaries around your feelings may prove difficult. Be careful not to neglect yourself, your own responsibilities, or your spiritual growth out of a desire to spend time with him or endlessly fantasize about him. I recommend you find something you can focus on in your own life that you feel just as passionate about.

When your true love appears, he will most likely share many of the qualities you admire in this man. The difference is that he will be available and interested in forming a loving partnership with you.

*****

Mata:

This sort of thing happens to spiritual seekers all the time because we don't have the same spiritual outlets we did in times past. In many ways, the quest for a soul mate has taken the place of the quest for God or enlightenment.

We all have a deep and innate hunger for the Divine. No matter how much material success we acquire or even how much love we cultivate in our lives, it is human nature to long for that unnameable something we occasionally catch glimpses of in what we call spiritual experiences.

It is also very common to project all sorts of qualities onto people who make us feel as we long to feel. This is the basic dynamic behind transference in the therapist/client relationship. By interacting with people who represent deeper issues for us, we are able to bring what is happening on a subconscious level up where we can work with it.

When we feel drawn toward someone as you describe, it's often because they embody qualities we want to develop more in ourselves. Feelings of admiration are signs from our higher selves, telling us where to go next. In the situation you describe, the person you believe you're in love with is just a stand-in for the sort of person you hope to become in the future.

When I am working as a spiritual healer or teacher, I often see that look of love and admiration on the faces of seekers who are coming up behind me on the path. Both men and women have confessed that they felt like they were falling in love with me. Usually, this was not in a sexual way but in the sense that they felt as strongly drawn toward me as one does to a new lover. When this happens, I always point out that it is not me they are in love with; it is the light of the divine shining through me that makes them turn toward me like a flower turns toward the sun.

So though this man sounds like a wonderful person, it is what he represents for you and how he makes you feel that has captured your heart and soul. I don't feel that you are being called to be in a romantic relationship with him; instead, you are being called to be more LIKE him. Your higher self is using your feelings for him as a road marker that says, Become more like this to find the peace and divine bliss you crave.

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.