This is a familiar question to me, as it is one (of many) that plagued me for many months when I was at the beginning of my journey. All the books I read loved to talk about having guides, what they do, or even share stories of events people have had thanks to their presence. But, frustratingly, none ever seemed to say -how- you connect with one.
I was fortunate that I had a friend who could take me through a guide calling. It took me a year to actually connect with my guide afterwords, but that was because I had to also learn how to pay attention. ...A skill I still find myself lacking on quite often.
In all honesty, the easy part is the act of calling a guide as there are many ways to do so. Any guide calling renders down to the idea that you are consciously asking for help in your personal growth, and placing an invitation for a benevolent spirit to make itself known to you and for it to become an active presence in your life.
Whether you want to go with a magical rite or a meditative process, begin with contemplation on what you want to achieve. Not just by way of what sort of guide you want to connect with, but also (and more importantly) what you hope to achieve with the help of a guide. If you had a source of information, protection, and guidance what would you use it for? Guides are somewhat like school teachers- they have their specialties. Though a biology teacher might have some tips to consider in a practice in art, they would give you much more worthwhile help in biology. Just as a guide who specializes in healing might offer some insight as a co-magician, they would best serve in teaching how to heal.
Once you have an idea of what you are looking for then it becomes time to, well, ask for it. A while ago, under a former account, I wrote out one option for a ritualised calling you might find helpful;
I went heavy on the detail at the time, so there is lots of room for adaptation to suit your practice.
If you prefer a more meditative approach, set yourself up in a place where you can be calm and present. Bring yourself to a meditative state where your awareness is on the present moment and you feel open to your thoughts and your surroundings. Once there, form your thoughts around a declaration of your purpose and goal. Think it through as if you were making an affirmation. Speak it aloud even, if you wish. Keep it simple and open in context. Perhaps use a statement like;
"I am here in search of a being that will guide me to my best self. Please, make yourself known to me."
Or "I seek the help of a co-magician. I ask for a being who will help me grow as a person and in my practice."
Whatever phrasing you choose, project that intent outward into your space. Then take some time to contemplate the meaning of your words. Think about what you would want to learn and explore, what things a guide might be able to help you with. Let your thoughts wander about your goals and questions.
You might get some indication of a presence right away, but the most likely event will be nothing. At first. But give it time and keep your intent alive in your thoughts whenever you have the presence of mind to do so. It was a full year between the time I was taken through a guide calling and I finally connected with his presence.
Like so many other things, it takes time. In all likelihood the guide you are looking for has always been there, present in the background and issuing little nudges into your thoughts, or pulling your attention to synchronicities in your life which have already led you to where you are now. The trick lies in getting yourself into the right headspace to take notice of what has always been there.
As for what form a guide might have, I find it best practice yo let go of the desire to try and guess. It is an easy way to miss what might be right in front of you by virtue of seeing one thing while looking for something else. Let the form be whatever it might be. And only explore what it might mean after you have connected/become aware of the nature of the being that makes itself known.
A couple bits of final wise words;
All prayers are answered once we cease to determine how we expect them to be met.
Guides are not here to make us one thing or another. They are here to lead us to ourselves.
