We all have our spirit guides that watch over us and respond to us. As we acquire higher levels of consciousness, we can become much more "tuned in" to their presence and what they are telling us or often confirming what we already know at the core of our souls....mostly, the fact that they are there is all that matters, there is no need to analyze their presence any further.

I just wanted to share with you some accounts of the appearance of four different guides of mine. It's only now, in retrospect having done some research, that I understand their significance.

The Seagull: The Seagull first appeared to me early in the new year. I was heading in to work on the train. I had had an experience earlier that morning in a semi-awake state in which I felt that my mind as being 'programmed' - probably crown chakra opening and after that I began to "receive/download" all sorts of information. However, on the train journey in I was experiencing some very dark thoughts about the struggles between dark and light....I was quite fearful (maybe not having understood what had happened to me earlier that day). Staring from the window across the bay, I noticed a bright white light - a small iridescent orb in the bay. It looked like a seagull, and to anyone else, it would indeed have appeared to be a seagull. I, however, was drawn to this bright white light, to me it was more than a seagull....I watched it bob up and down and soar off into the distance where I could see it hovering over the city roughly over the area where I work. I arrived at work still with the some feeling of trepidation, worry and fear, but also with a feeling of excitement and anticipation. I realise now I was functioning at a higher level of consciousness than I had ever experienced before. I kept looking up for the 'seagull' I had seen, but no sign of it. As I turned the corner towards my building, I noticed a blackbird in a tree (I didn't think much about this at the time, but it does have significance as I will describe below). As I walked in to the door of my work, I was drawn to look up. Just at that moment, the seagull soared in an arching loop above me and looked down at me with the kindest face I think I have ever seen. It's eyes were looking at me directly. I knew now that I was now perfectly safe and that I had absolutely nothing to fear anymore. Immediately, I said "Thank you" out loud - yes to a seagull! From that day to this, my negativity has virtually disappeared (still the odd slip) but I genuinely now fear nothing..even death (which is relevant, see below). Of course, this could have been a regular, normal seagull, but in my heart I know it wasn't. I have never seen a seagull do that at the exact same time since and I walk in and out of that door every day. I have since found the following from a great site called "On Spirit Helpers" http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems

Seagull: Seagulls are spiritual messengers that demonstrate that a higher communication with guides is taking place. He shows how to see above situations with a higher clarity and teaches that there are many perspectives to consider. Seagull shows a sense of friendship and community and the cooperation that is needed for the whole to operate successfully. He teaches how to ride the currents of the mental, emotional and physical worlds. Are you going with the flow or fighting it? Are you cooperating with others? Are you open to your guides? Seagull can teach you many lessons of looking, living and being. It is time to listen and watch for the nuances and timing of action.

Furthermore, the blackbird is interesting. I had a dear Aunty who passed away not long ago. I used to spend time with her at her farm during summer holidays as a boy. I had forgotten that one of my Aunty's favourite books was "Jonathan Livingstone Seagull" by Richard Bach and I distinctly remember it being on the shelf and having read it one summer when I was there. I feel that marked the very beginning of my spiritual awakening (it really is a fantastic book if you haven't read it). I was reminded about the significance of the seagull when I spoke to my cousin (my Aunty's daughter) who reminded me about the book. I also happened to mention the blackbird I had seen to my cousin who said to me that she knew what that meant. My aunty, who was a very spiritual person, used to have a blackbird come and land on her! I somehow wondered if the Seagull was actually a spirit form of my deceased aunty who was watching over me with her friend the blackbird, but I think the the Seagull may also be a physical manifestation of my higher self. Anyway, the blackbird.... Again from http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems

Blackbird: Blackbird awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Blackbird shows how to move with determination, focus and tenacity and how to use your power to its fullest potential. At this time there is a magic of the unseen worlds coming forth that is paired with the balance of grounding within the earth as you walk your path. Blackbird will guide in this new awakening. Blackbird teaches use of intuition that will aid in understanding Mother Nature and the connection to all things. Are you listening carefully to the seen and unseen worlds? Are you grounding and balancing your energy appropriately? Blackbird will teach much and bring new surprises when you least expect it. Pay attention and listen carefully.

Since that day, I have certainly felt that all the messages provided by the seagull and the blackbird as described above have come to fruition for me. A few weeks later, I went for a walk in the park in the snow. I had not long before had another experience of awakening - this time, the focus was on my heart....again, early in the morning in bed, my heart began to beat so fast I thought it would explode, but at the same time, I was very relaxed and let it happen. I have since learned that such experiences are associated with heart chakra opening and since then I have had a pretty much continuous experience of this wonderful loving glow in my chest which seems to be a gauge of my level of spiritual consciousness at any one moment. I find it is a kind of guide of my soul - telling me intuitively if something feels right or not. Anyway, back in the park, although the ground was covered with snow and the air was very cold, I found a park bench in the sun (which has since become my favourite bench to sit on during lunchtime walks). Despite the cold air and the snow, the sun felt unnaturally warm and I was struck by the bright white light of the sun. I had never seen the sun like that before. Again, I put this down to my higher state of consciousness. Because of the warm sun, there was a lovely little robin bobbing around and it came to sit with me on the back of the bench and around my feet. It was sunbathing like me! I have since found the following for the robin: Again from http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems

Robin: Robin signifies stimulation of new growth and renewal in many areas of life. He teaches that any changes can be made with joy, laughter and a song in the heart. Robin shows how to ride the winds of passion within your heart and become independent through this change. Robin will teach you how to move forward with grace, tenacity, perseverance and assertion. Are you letting go of personal dramas? Ones that no longer serve your higher purpose? Are you exercising compassion and patience in mental, spiritual and emotional areas? Robin will teach how to incorporate new beginnings with faith and trust in the process. It is time to believe in yourself and use the inspiration that is given. Listen carefully. It is time to sing your own song for a new period in life force abounds.

A few weeks after that experience, I had been having such an amazing period of light headedness and almost perpetual higher consciousness (both in my heart and head) that I was finding it very difficult to function in the everyday world of 3/4D! I had actually lost three separate items belonging to me in my absent-mindedness, which is very unusual for me. I was already realizing that the reason I had lost these items was because I wasn't grounded enough. No matter how much I wanted to believe that it was so important to me to gain this much, much higher level of consciousness I began to realize that I still had to function on earth. I also began to realize that I needed to focus more on my own family again and that I should also go and visit my sick father in hospital who I hadn't seen since Christmas. As soon as I realized that my lost items were simply a message to tell me to get back on track, those items all showed up again the following day. That day, I went for the familiar walk to the park and sat on the same bench and closed my eyes to meditate. I was perhaps hoping that some beautiful ET was going to appear before me and whisk me off with her in her space ship! But sadly ...no! I opened my eyes and what did I see, but a lovely little pigeon with somewhat unusual colouring just sitting there quietly looking at me! But, again, somehow I knew this pigeon was significant. And indeed it was: Again from http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems

Pigeon: Pigeon teaches many lessons of home: love, security, fertility and family. He teaches us to remember home life for answers and the importance of family communication with a sense of togetherness. Pigeon shows how to bring peace, love and understanding to situations and teaches us the art of communication and cooperation. Is it time to call a family member or take a trip home? Are you listening to the hints of family members? Are you compassionate toward others? Perhaps it is a time for forgiveness? It is a time to express appreciation and gratitude of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and parents for family brings us unconditional sense of belonging.

Finally, my Dad passed away on April 19 after a long illness. I have felt my Dad's presence very close quite a lot and was able to 'tune' in to him for a few weeks (he seems further away now though). I felt like I was able to communicate with him and he assured me that he is happy and free. Of course, my sadness for the passing of the old days and his physical presence still hurts, but I know that he learned the lessons and achieved in his life what he set out to achieve when he came here.

I have had some interesting experiences, since my Dad's passing. On the morning my Dad passed away, my Mum was taken to see his body in hospital and there was one magpie bird on the way to the hospital at a bridge. On the way back from the hospital, my Mum saw two magpies in the same place. In English folklore, it is said regarding magpies that one is for sorrow and two for joy. My Mum felt much better once she had said her farewells in the hospital. My sister's partner who was very fond of Dad sent me a text message on the morning we left to go the the UK from Ireland that every time she saw a bird in the sky she thought of Dad (they used to chat a lot about nature).

It was an interesting, almost unusual thing for her to sa,y and it had a resonance with me.. So, we left on our car journey early in the morning to drive to the ferry port (2 hr drive). We rounded the corner just beyond where we live and there were two magpies on the road, which then flew up in to the sky. Then, all the way on the car journey all sorts of birds would fly right in front of the car, right towards us, and over us (even changing direction to head towards us). There was one pigeon that almost hit the windscreen. It was amazing. And this is still happening - birds continue to fly over me when I'm driving. Everywhere we drive, birds seem to be flying towards the car. And, I find that I will get sense to look up and a bird will be flying over me or landing in a tree or on telegraph wires right at that moment. I've even got my wife believing that this has some significance. It is almost as if they are aware of the grief I feel in my heart and that their flying so near me is a show of respect for my Dad and to show that Dad is safe on the other side. The other evening, I left work and there was a lovely pigeon just there on the steps outside the building on the steps...very peaceful. I sat on the steps and had a "chat" to it and then it kind of nodded and flew off...I took that as a good omen of love and support.

So, dear friends, look out for and take note of your spirit helpers. Mine seem to be birds.....I was interested to read about Chris' experience with the kestrel in Cornwall. These "helpers/guides" appear in familiar forms, but somehow they are slightly different than the norm - you will know them when you see them and I guess this is the nature of this higher level of consciousness - the fact that our state of being allows us to see the significance and even co-create these external events. Treasure them and let them guide you and confirm for you that you are progressing on your path.

I would be greatly interested in hearing about any similar experiences that people have had, particularly any associated with bereavement or experiences associated with heart and/or crown chakra opening.

In love and light!

The Seagull