Hi, I want to astral project and was wondering if you had any safety tips. Also wondering what kind of creatures I could see and whether or not I could be harmed. If there are creatures other than human spirits in the astral world, than could any of them act as familiars or guides?
For the most part astral projection is pretty safe. I have heard of people being afraid of things like being posessed/taken over while out of body, or having concerns about being followed back or getting attachments. Mostly this sort of worry is unfounded.
In the case of the former, while your awareness is being shifted out of the physical body you still continue to inhabit it. You don't actually float away, leaving behind some vacant shell that is left working on autopilot. You are still there for the most-part, just with your attention and awareness focused somewhere else.
This is also why you can't get 'lost' in the astral, Or 'imprisoned/captured' and prevented from returning to your body. Mind, Soul, and Body are always intrinsically connected. It literally takes less than a thought to snap back to the physical if any sort of need (or danger) should arise. ...Though suddenly snapping your awareness from a higher vibration of energy and attention back to the physical can be a bit disorienting. The best way I could describe it is to imagine you just pulled an all-nighter, and finally lay down to sleep. But then, just as you hit that deep, dreamless state a phone rings. So you jump out of bed before your brain is working, operating on instinct and adrenaline as you chase down where you think you last left your phone.
As far as attachments or being 'followed home' by a potentially malicious entity, there is an occasional risk early on for that, usually because people new to this practice also tend to be new to spirituality and Self awareness as well. That absence of experience and confidence in Self can make it easier in general for a more shadowy entity to see an opportunity to cause some mischief.
The solution is to just have a few simple precautions;
1- Always include a cleansing and empowerment/centering as a part of your astral projection routine. Use the first few minutes to visualize a removal/letting go of negativity and the drawing-in of positive/high vibration energy.
2- Be cognizant of the purpose behind your travel. Are you wanting to find/connect with a specific entity? Are you wanting to connect with your Akash, or the energies of your Higjer Self? Or are you wanting to connect with a place or event of a past life... etc. Just like going out into the city, don't go wandering through any proverbial dark alleys.
3- Similarly to point 2, if you are intending g to meet/find an entity, be clear with yourself about who, how, and why. For example say you want to meet a dragon. All well and good. But so.ething so non-specific could lead you to meeting any old dragon be it benign or banal. Instead specificallyhave anointment to meet A dragon who will meet in peace, to share insight and positive growth. (Or even chin scritches and a tummy rub.) Or something otherwise specific and goal oriented. Or, if you are just wanting to explore the proverbial landscape then keep an intent of finding a peaceful place of the highest vibration you can connect with.
4- Have some practice in visualizing yourself as safe, protected, and radiating positive light. Be a being of positivity and you will attract like energies and beings.
Speaking of beings, the astral has a staggeringly wide array of possibilities. One thing to bearin mind is that the form of soul is not governed by physical constructions, but as a reflection of mental and spiritual nature. There are many levels and places other beings can come from, so some can be complex shapes that would be inhuman and unusual, maybe even funny or frightening to 'see'. Or you could encounter beings at a level where you and they are little more than a mass of light and consciousness with a vague feel of belonging to a different form. Sort of like touching something while blindfolded, and even though all you feel is a bit of texture, you can still match the feel to something specific and even have an image come to mind, even if there is none for your eyes.
So, I guess long story short: You have little to worry about as long as you don't dive in head-first without first getting familiar with the waters. Start simple, have goals in mind, and cleanse/empower before you go.
Oh, it also helps to do something grounding when you come back as well. Have a glass of water, go for a quick walk, ordo something mildly physical like some housework or touch of light exercise. To remind you to keep your feet on the ground.
