What Is a Spirit Guide?

Benevolent Guides:

Many people believe they have spirit guides. Some refer to theirs as angels or guardians. Regardless, if you believe you have one, a spirit guide is there simply to guide, not as an entity that you need to give yourself over to. If a spirit guide has a negative influence on your behavior, then chances are good that it's not a spirit guide at all, but something else entirely. These are some of the more commonly found types of spirit guides:

Ascended Masters:

These are guides often found by people who do energy work, such as Reiki. A ascended master who appears as a spirit guide is often a being that led a physical life and has moved on to a higher spiritual plane -- for example, Buddha, Krishna, even Jesus. Ascended masters usually work with collective groups of souls -- in other words, if you've got an ascended master hanging around you, you're not the only one he or she is helping. Their primary focus is that of helping all of humanity. It's not uncommon for an ascended master to have access to Akashic records. Also referred to as Master Teacher guides.

Ancestral Guides:

An ancestral guide is one who can claim some sort of kinship with you, such as your dear Aunt Tillie who died when you were ten. It may also appear in the form of a long-dead ancestor. In some schools of thought, these entities are seen as reincarnated guides, because they are the spirits of someone who loved us during their physical lifetime, or who had some sort of blood connection to our family. Some people, depending on their religious upbringing, may see these types of guides as guardian angels.

Common Spirit Guide, or Teacher Guide:

A typical spirit guide is archetypical, symbolic or representative of something else. For example, you may find your guide appears in the form of a warrior, a storyteller, or a wise woman, and they have appeared to you for a purpose. Typically, that purpose is to teach you and guide you along a particular path. They may also introduce you to other archetypes along your journey, and help out with problem solving, based upon your needs. They are known to provide insight by way of dreams or meditation, and may only hang around as long as you need them, then move on.

Animal Guides:

Although many people claim to have animals as spirit guides, often these entities are more companions than anything else. It's not uncommon for a deceased pet to linger around, keeping you company through the grieving process. In some spiritual traditions, such as various Native American or shamanic paths, a person may have an animal totem, which provides teaching and/or protection.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/divination/p/Spirit_Guides.htm

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I have to disagree with the articles and you understanding of animal guides. I, as a tradition Native shaman feel they are not just companions. We journey with these guides into the lower worlds for their teachings and guidance. They protect us and teach us life lessons, guide us through certain situations. Every animal guide has a purpose for being in your life, even if they are a temporary guide to help you through something. These are not just friends or deceased pets that have come back from a bond. Animal guides are wild animals, not domestic. They do come to some people in the form of domestic animals but only as a facade as they are not yet ready for the guides true form. A dog could really be a wolf, coyote, or some other canid animal. A domestic cat could be a mountain lion, lion, tiger, etc. Their actions and reasons for doing such things are that of the spirits and we may not be able to understand why.

I completely agree with Bard. Couldnt of put it better myself.

a spirit guide is a spirit following you.everyone has one.they make sure you are safe. they guide you through life.without them, everything would be messed up.

Thanks for the post its very hepful for me espically hen i am learning about spirit guides or spirits in general.

Blessed Be