Have you ever wondered if there are spirit guides who are specifically looking out for you in this life? Maybe you’ve heard people talk about their spirit guides and you have an intuitive sense that you might have one (or even some) of your own, but you have no idea how to connect with them.
Each of us has guides in the spirit world who are looking out for us and guiding us on our path. But like any relationship, if you want to connect with your spirit guides, you have to put in the effort. You have to develop a relationship with them.
Think of it this way – if you never call up your friend, they’re going to think you’re not interested in them! The same goes for your spirit guides.
But how do you begin to develop a relationship with someone you can’t necessarily see, hear, or interact with in your physical reality?
That’s what I’m going to share with you today!
What is a Spirit Guide?
I like to look at spirit guides as guardians of light. They can take many forms and will be different for each of us, but the purpose of a spirit guide is to protect, guide, and care for us on our path.
Some people believe spirit guides are people who have crossed over, which may be true, but I believe they are also some form of ascended beings who make the commitment to guide us.
Whatever their form, your spirit guide is like an active and intimate intermediary between you and the conscious Universe.
If you begin to develop a relationship with your guides, you may be able to directly ask them for messages or protection when you need it. But whether or not you ever make conscious contact, your spirit guides are always there for you – like a guardian angel.
I believe we’re surrounded by multi-dimensional beings who want us to succeed and evolve both individually and collectively. We’re not alone, even though we may feel separate in our current, physical reality.
Some people may have a guide they’ve felt or connected with before but won’t know specifically who they are or how to make contact with them. For as long as I can remember, I felt that I had a guide who would show up for me in the form of a very tall angel. I’ve seen them in a startling experience during a meditation ( I wrote about this wild life-altering experience in my first book Remembering The Future) and I’ve felt their presence, but it never occurred to me to ask their name.
Many years ago, after a friend of mine shared with me that her guides were the ascended masters, I decided I was ready to consciously connect with mine. I knew I
had an angel ( or several) and now I decided I might connect to another kind of guide, you know, to make it official. One day in meditation, I finally connected with a playful and very present energy that I could feel so close to me it was uncanny. I asked their name and they said their name was Olli. It was actually pretty funny since my friend had insisted she was talking to Buddha, and Jesus and a slew of famous spiritual masters, and I got lil old “Olli”. Still, I was surprised that all I had to do to find out their name was ASK. I heard them clear as a bell. It really can be that simple. Today I have identified 3 or 4 specific guides around me and I have felt their love when I most need it.
So if you’re ready to begin connecting with your spirit guides, I invite you to try some of these exercises. Remember to keep an open mind and know that your higher consciousness will show you exactly what you’re supposed to see, not what you want to see.
The form is not as important as the spirit that is present within it. Your guide might show up in the form of a bird, or it might appear to be your grandmother who passed away. You’ll never know until you begin to consciously create a relationship!
Meditation to meet your spirit guide
Every meaningful contact I’ve made with spirit guides has always begun in meditation. In this space, you open yourself up to consciously connecting with your guide and finding out who they are. If you’re wondering how to talk to your spirit guide, this is a great place to begin.
Years after my experience of meeting Olli through meditation, I developed a guided meditation called, “Get On Your Bird.” This is an experience that enables you to move quickly from anxiety and stress to relaxed, detached observation. From this place of peaceful neutrality, you can connect with and meet your Spirit Guide. You can download the meditation for free here…
Although this meditation isn’t designed specifically for connecting with spirit guides, it can be used for this purpose. Your guides want you to tell them how to communicate with you – and this is an opportunity to do just that.
When you do the meditation, ask your spirit guide to come to you in the form of a bird. That doesn’t mean they ARE a bird, it’s just the form they’re going to take in this exercise. This is a form you can meet and recognize them in.
Then, once you meet them, ask them what their name is! The first name that comes to you is always significant. Their name is a beautiful indication of what they are here to show you and guide you on.
Why your spirit guide’s name matters
I want to tell you another story about spirit guides to show you the importance of finding out their name. When I was writing my book, Uncharted, I connected with a chorus of spirits who sang and called themselves “Fred.”
After a month-long intense series of mediumship readings I did for a Canadian television show, I was exhausted and so drained I thought perhaps I was hearing things – still hearing the voices of those who had crossed over related to the people in the audience. Yet, the voices didn’t drift away as I expected them to after the show. Instead, I felt their presence no matter where I was. To be honest, it was weird, as I had never felt “accompanied” like this.
For months, this group of spirits stayed gathered at the edges of my awareness. “They” felt like a collective source of loving intelligence available for communication. It took me months to explain or make sense of what I was experiencing.
As I worked on my new book, it was as if this group of spirits was there guiding me – sharing insights that seemed to come out of nowhere as I needed them for the book. When I got too stuck in my intellectual approach to writing, their intelligence or energy would gently guide me to simpler ideas and insights that seemed to come out of nowhere.
Throughout the process of writing, Uncharted, it was as if this chorus of voices, my editor, and I all worked together to create this book!
Before long, my editor told me I needed to find a consistent way to refer to the chorus in my book. I didn’t feel clear about what to call them, so my editor suggested I simply ask them.
I went into meditation to do just that…
At first, I heard, “We are We. You are We. We are Light. We are When You listen.”
Then I closed my eyes again and saw an image of Dana Carvey from Wayne’s World with his wig and glasses on. This certainly wasn’t going how I had expected at all.
“Umm, are you guys still there?” I asked. Sure enough, I felt their presence overwhelming my senses.
Then the answer came, “We are‘ We’! Fred!”
‘FRED?’ I asked. Please don’t tell me to call you Fred.
“Fred. Fred. Fred.” They responded.
So… “They” are “Fred.” I didn’t really want the chorus to be called Fred, but their answer was clear.
After my meditation and communication, I decided to look up online the meaning of the name Fred. It turns out it means “peaceful ruler.” I also decided to text a friend to find out the name of the Dana Carvey character in Wayne’s World, trying to make sense of this part of my meditation experience. I found out it was Garth, and when I looked this name up, I learned it means, “garden” and “defender,” or “defender of the innocent.”
And so I came to find out that Fred is the consciousness of Peace, the Defender of the Garden. They let me know that we are here to create and that there’s always enough in the garden and we must defend that against our fear. We have to be playful as we plant, grow, and co-create.
Through their name, they were communicating what they were here to show me and share with me through the experience of writing my book. And if I hadn’t asked, I may have never known!
This story is just another example of the information that’s available when you choose to make conscious contact with your spirit guides and find out their name and what they’re here to teach you. Use the Get On Your Bird Meditation as a starting point to make this connection and learn their name.
And once you do, do a little research online to find out what your spirit guide’s name means! You may be surprised by what you discover through a simple google search. Personally, I love to use the website www.sheknows.com to look up the meanings of names.
Automatic writing to talk to your spirit guides
Another way you can consciously begin to make contact with your spirit guides is through automatic writing or journaling.
The way this works is to use writing to start a conversation. This can be as simple as sitting down and writing, “Dear Spirit Guide…” followed by a message to them. What do you want to communicate with them? What do you want them to know?
Once you write for a few minutes and you feel complete, then you simply allow a response to come through you from your guide.
This might sound silly or unnatural at first, but it’s truly uncanny the dynamic that can happen when you give this a chance. Often, you’ll find yourself writing things you never would have thought of!
Go into this exercise trusting that your spirit guide will use your imagination on your behalf for your highest good. That they are here to support you and will never hurt you or tell you to hurt others. They will only give you supportive, meaningful, evidential information for the highest good of all.
Beginning a conscious relationship with your spirit guide
If you’re feeling called to connect with your spirit guide, I hope you enjoy trying some of the methods I’ve shared. The Get On Your Bird Meditation is a wonderful place to begin making contact and forming this relationship.
No matter what method you find that works for you to connect with your guides, remember that these spirits are here to help and protect us and they will never, ever do anything to harm you. To begin this relationship, you have to start telling your spirit guide how you want it to talk to you!
You make it sound so simple. I have asked my guides for names but didn’t really get a response. I will try the meditation. Being affected by the opioid crisis in my family, I have had to protect myself from energies that meant to do me harm. They screamed “go away, you are not welcome here” or lying about who they are. My guides were absolutely terrified of these negative spirits and at times I was told they were put into a suspension type jail so the negative spirits could control things. It took almost four years to close their portal and send the relative elsewhere. I became strong seeing the other side of This but lost my family in the process. I just wanted to share this with you Collette.
that must’ve been difficult, Mary. one day, you’ll get to know your Spirit guide’s name. I am so proud of you my dear. sending you a big virtual hug! 💖
Thank you Colette, this is a great confirmation as I’ve just connected with one of my spirit guides last week when using my typewriter (amazing story) but since I haven’t heard of her since I was starting to doubt myself. Now after reading this I realised I haven’t actually invited her to communicate with me specifically. A good reminder to simply ask, love your story. Now I’ll check out the meaning of my guide’s name 😊
that’s awesome, Rahel! I appreciate you for sharing this with me! 💗
Thank you Collette…
you’re welcome, Mary! 💗
Thank you,Colette. I found it really touching that Fred was there to support and guide you. It is so magical when a spirit guide comes to help when you are needing guidance in any aspect of your life. But you are right you do need to communicate and ask for what you need. I think spirit guides and guardian angels can come in any form. One of mine comes in the form of my dad who gives me advice on how to do home improvement projects. Sometimes it is a whisper or a serendipitous moment or colours, and sometimes smells. By the way I love your meditations. They are so helpful in getting me in the right frame of mind to relax and connect to spirit.
grateful that you loved this, Gerda! so happy that you find my meditations helpful! what’s your favorite meditation from me? 💗
How do I access this meditation?
hi, Laure! just click the highlighted text that says “Get On Your Bird Meditation” and it should take you to that meditation! 😉
Thank You Collette for all your Compassion, Wisdom & Humour…really enjoy your weekly Oracle
card readings. Wishing You & Mark Many Blessings…Love from Lorye (Glastonbury U.K.)
thank you so much for tuning in every week, Lorye! much love to you my dear! 💜
I found out my Spirit Guides names are Jack and Matilda but I haven’t had a dialogue or real conversation with them. I thank them and send them love and I always feel like I being hugged! Thank you for the tips on communicating with them! Hugs 🤗
glad Is hared that with you, Annette! let me know when you hear back from them! 💗💗
I truly enjoyed this article and absolutely agree because I’ve had similar experiences too.
oh yay!! happy that you enjoyed this, Francesca! thank you so much! 💜
thank you for your support and guided meditation to a relationship with my spirit guide.
you’re welcome my dear! 💗
This was very insightful and has motivated me to try to connect with my spirit guide. But I am still a little afraid. It seems like such a big step into the unknown.
glad that this gave you the extra push you needed, Peta! I know it can be quite scary to explore the unknown. but you got this, Peta! you can do this! 😉💗
Thank you for the commitment to the collective
I ♥️ Your work and your energy of sameness
I have greatly benefited from finding you on my;) “Life’s Purpose-Journey “
I just wanted you to feel appreciated
Thanks 🙏🏻
Rae
I’m so happy that we crossed paths, Rae! loving your energy as well! 💗😊💗
O,O, what is this a beautiful message. Tomorrow I will meditate (at least I hope so) for now think about the gift Colette gives 9again) the world. A beautiful gift of a generous soul. A great: Thanks,
Mieke
happy that you appreciate this, Mieke! thank you for reading this! 💗
This is fabulous! Thank you. I have four of your card decks and your Messages From Spirit audible series. I love them all! Courtney
thank you so much, Courtney! I appreciate you so much! 💗💗💗
Hi Colette and “Fred”. About 10 years ago, I asked my Guide for “his” name. Rhajad, he said. ” How do you spell that,” I asked. “any way you want” he replied. I went round & round with him for a while on the spelling each time I knew he was joking and laughing with me. He is fun, jovial, kick in the pants, sarcastic guide getting me to laugh as I listen and feel his directions. He keeps the learning light and has been direct with me while also asking me questions. He helps me come up with some quick witted answers when I listen to him. Another quite young female guide is Pat. But so far I haven’t been able to really connect with her. I am thinking she is there to help me with my Inner Child. I am going to practice your ideas and hopefully connect with her…..And may I share that years ago, the angels took me to a place where I heard the angels sing….Oh my….what a glorious feeling. But I need to meditate more on that one, too. THANK YOU FOR GUIDING US ON OUR PATHS. WITH LOVE.
that’s so awesome, Suzi! hope you get to connect with her even more! does Rhajad still communicate with you?
Would you believe I did a meditation today because of a dream I had last night, I felt the urge to know who is my spirit guide so I sat for 30mins and deeply meditated. Not long after I picked up my phone and there was a message inviting me to find out who my spirit guide is on IG….I was shocked I filled in the info and it was revealed that my Uriel the arch Angel has been with me from birth!! I am exuberant. Picked up my phone again and here I am! Huge confirmation for me. Thank you so much.
However I would love to know about this arch angel and would appreciate any info you may be able to offer me. Thank you my dear Collette you are Light!
that’s awesome, Lisa! your guide will communicate with you if you let them! 😉let me know how it goes! 💗
I remember doing the bird exercise with you live! (My “bird” turned into a Pegasus haha) – looking forward to doing this one again, I was not in the best place emotionally at that time, this time can be a very different experience. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️
awesome! glad you’re giving this another chance, Lynda! let me know how it goes my dear! 💗
Thank you Colette for your inspirational teachings and beautiful oracle cards. I too have tried many times to hear my guides names without success, or perhaps I have and just not listened! I will definitely try your meditation with an open heart and listen this time! 💖
glad you’re giving it another go, Alison! hope you get to meet your spirit guide soon! 💗
Hi Colette, for the last couple of years while in oracle school ( 3x) i had been dealing with sick elder parents, you were my rock and so was ann, (i miss doug). my dad passed in july 2021, mom passed aug 2021. ( wheww..that was hard. i use all oracle decks daily for guidance. ) i wanted to thank you for the support and love i received while in your classes. thank you, love, terry
I’m so sorry to hear that, Terry. I know it’s been a tough few months for you and I would like to say how proud I am of you for staying so strong. sending you so much love my dear! 💗
💜🌷Dear Collette,
Thank you for shining your light so brightly as a beacon for all those on a spiritual path. You bring a beautiful clarity to so many aspects that are part of expanding our spiritual consciousness. And best of all you share with such joy and fun!!
When I first discovered my guides and began working with them, they related to me as numbers and simple names such as Charlie, Arty and Eddie.
They allowed me resonate with their energy, and then their more identifiable names (Archangels and Ascended Masters) were presented to me.
I work with about 68 altogether, many of which just use numbers vs names for my ease and many times work together as what I simply know as “The Gang of 68”.
The fun of all this is that each of us has the ability for our own unique experience with our guides. What joy and insight and growth they bring!!
Hugs of deep appreciation to you for all that you unreservedly give the world!
💜🤗
~Pamela~
oh that’s so fantastic, Pamela! I’m so happy that you shared this with me! wow! 68! which of them do you communicate with more often?
This is so awesome, thank you for your wisdom Colette.
My spirit guides are Alfred who has curly blondish hair, his name meaning showed Oracle. How great is that. And there’s Ida, she’s dark hair. Meaning first daughter.
Not sure what that means but is so exciting. Thank again. Lots of love
thank you so much, Cindy! so glad that you appreciate this! 💖
Thank you so much for this meditation, Colette, I love it! ❤️ My bird was beautiful and pure white, maybe a heron.
I’m a little afraid to contact my spirit guides because of a fear of hearing voices and an opposite fear of it being just my imagination. But I won’t give up!
that’s completely fine, JJ! do this when you think you’re ready and comfortable enough to do it! no rush! but know that there’s nothing to be afraid of, your guides are on your side! 💗😉
Amazing thanks for so many reminders and new ways of doing it
Xx
you got it, Brenda! glad that you appreciate this! 😉
I feel like I have been led to you for a reason. I did your meditation and my guide told me her name is Guinevere! I looked up the meaning and it means “fair, white” or “white fairy”. What I find cool about this is that this is how I’d describe how I see spirits. I also heard another name when I was in bed but I can’t remember it. Is it possible to have more than one guide? I have been having a lot of strange synchronicities happening and I really wish I knew what they all meant!
hi, Debbie! yes! of course! some people have multiple guides! your other spirit guide will communicate with you again if you let them. 💖
Hello Colette! I found this post very interesting. Three years ago, I too decided to ask my spirit guide their name. I instantly got the name ‘Ed’ I couldn’t accept that this was actually the name and I thought I had somehow made it up. So, I asked that if this was truly their name, I wanted proof… big proof. Like in neon! Well, I went on to get ready for work and forgot about ‘Ed’. Until I got to work. The name ‘Ed’ popped up all over the place all day long! I saw it on a poster, on a business card, the two keys on my keyboard that were most worn out were the E and the D. When I returned home, I saw the letter ‘E’ inside a quartz crystal that I had looked at hundreds of times and swear was not there before. At that point I knew that the name was indeed Ed. There were many more ‘Ed’ sightings, (too many to detail) so they certainly made their point! It was very cool. Your post for me was very validating so I thank you for sharing!
oh wow! this is such an amazing story, Carol! I’m so glad that you shared it with me!
Thank you for these lovely suggestions to connect with our guides. Your Get On Your Bird Meditation is one of my absolute favorite meditations and it has helped me so many times. I’ve had a powerful and gentle dragon rescue me most often. I found an ornament that reminded me of him and keep it where I can see it before I go to bed at night. I love the idea to use this meditation to connect with the guides. I’ll be doing this later today. Thank you! 💖
that’s perfect! let me know how it goes! 💞
I have to chuckle about your Olli story. I was at a 7-day retreat workshop, and at the end the exercise was to connect with our guides. Many were, as you indicated, connecting with Archangels and ascended masters. Me? I got cobalt blue cartoon chinchilla bunnies that giggle while rolling around my feet. 😄They’re soft and comforting, and I loved finding them! On the plane ride home, I’d start to laugh because I could feel them there! I feel very blessed to have them with me. Oh – and there’s also Ralph, who has been with me for many, many years. I always thought of the Jackie Gleason character until I looked up, just now, the meaning of the name. I’m partially Dutch, and the name is based on a Norse god and means “wolf counsel.” I LOVE it! Thank you!
oh this is so lovely, Judith! whenw as the last time the bunnies visited you, Judith? 💖🐇
They’re there when I look for them. Always available. I’m very fortunate to have such delightful companions!
Thank you, Colette! Years ago I did a meditation and got a fuzzy impression of the name, Irena. I was never settled on it, though. I just did your meditation and asked again, but combined your meditation with envisioning me writing “Dear Spirit Guide, What is your name?” And all of a sudden I saw a beautiful sketch of an eye unfold in a vision. There was great emphasis on the iris of the eye. She then set the iris alight with a violet dancing flame. So… Iris! Also notable, for a few years, I’ve been seeing this beautiful violet flame dance next to me when I’m trying to fall asleep. I guess I should ask her some questions next time I see her! Iris means rainbow; some believe it’s a bridge between God and humans. Being this bridge is definitely my MO in this life. What a wonderful discovery! I’m so grateful for you and your post. Love and light!