Spirit guide
Discarnate entity that guides or protects living individuals.
A spirit guide, in spiritualism, is an entity that remains as a discarnate spirit to act as a guide or protector to a living incarnated individual. In some traditional West African belief systems, ancestors are thought of as the 'living-dead' who continue to show a compassionate interest in the daily lives of their living descendants, acting as mediators between the living and the supreme deity. According to Western theosophical doctrine, spirit guides are not always of human descent and may live as energy, in the cosmic realm, or as light beings.
- Field
- Spiritualism
- Known for
- Acting as discarnate guides or protectors to living individuals
- Type
- Spiritual entity
Lore & Background
In some traditional West African belief systems, well before the spread of Christianity and Islam, those African peoples believed and continue to believe in the eternal and ubiquitous spirit of the ancestors and the supreme deity. Ancestor spirit guides are superior to the living and may include deceased parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles or aunts. This way of life is regarded as ancestor reverence, communication or remembering, and not as ancestor worship per se.
According to Western theosophical doctrine, some spirit guides are persons who have lived many former lifetimes, paid their karmic debts, and advanced beyond a need to reincarnate. Many devotees believe that spirit guides are chosen on 'the other side' by those who are about to incarnate and wish assistance.
Some early modern Spiritualists did not favor the idea of spirit guides. Spiritualist author and medium E.W. Wallis expressed the opinion that the notion of spirit guides is disempowering and disrespectful to both spirits and living people. He advises would-be mediums to steer clear of the notion that they are being 'guided' unless they have demonstrable proof that such is the case.
Reader's Guide
The concept of spirit guides has been significant in both traditional African religions and Western spiritualism, though it has also been disputed. In traditional West African belief, ancestor spirit guides serve as mediators between the living and the supreme deity, reflecting a worldview of ongoing connection between the living and the dead. Western theosophical doctrine expanded the idea to include non-human guides such as light beings or advanced souls who have ceased reincarnating.
Firsthand accounts include Theresa Caputo, who calls her guide 'Spirit' and claims to have sensed it since age four. American Spiritualists of the 19th and 20th centuries often described their guides as resembling Native Americans, with popular names such as White Hawk among Anglo-American Spiritualists and Black Hawk among African-American Spiritualists influenced by Mother Leafy Anderson.
The legacy of spirit guides is marked by both widespread belief and internal critique. E.W. Wallis argued that the notion can be disempowering and disrespectful, urging caution unless demonstrable proof exists. This tension between acceptance and skepticism continues to shape discussions of spirit guides in spiritualist communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spirit guide?
A Spirit guide is a discarnate entity within the practice of spiritualism that assumes the role of guiding or protecting a living, incarnated person. It exists beyond physical form and serves as a spiritual companion to the individual it is assigned to.
What are the powers or role of a Spirit guide?
Its primary function is to offer direction and protective support to a living individual from the spirit realm. In certain traditions it also acts as a mediator, bridging the gap between the living and a higher divine presence.
Are Spirit guides always of human origin?
No. Western theosophical doctrine holds that these entities need not descend from humans at all. They may exist purely as energy, inhabit the cosmic realm, or manifest as light beings.
How do West African traditions view Spirit guides?
In several traditional West African belief systems, ancestors are regarded as the 'living-dead' who keep a compassionate, ongoing interest in their descendants' everyday lives. They serve as intermediaries connecting the living to the supreme deity.
What field or category does the concept of a Spirit guide fall under?
It belongs to the broader field of spiritualism, where it is classified as a spiritual entity. The concept is specifically known for describing discarnate beings that serve as guides or protectors to incarnated individuals.
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