We all have one or more Spirit guides. These are Spirit entities that have a special concern for our well-being, and, to an extent, watch over us.

Our guides don't usually intervene directly in our earthly lives. When they do, perhaps in some life-saving capacity, they are sometimes called "guardian angels".

Our guides don't usually even make themselves known to us unless we actively seek them and invite them in. It is like they are on standby, waiting for our call. Neither will our guides make our choices for us, for that would defeat the purpose of our being here, which is to learn, eg we wouldn't expect our school teacher to do our homework for us.

Although guides won't help us with the mechanics of daily life they can and do act as our teachers, providing us with Spiritual wisdom through dreams, meditation, automatic writing etc. But only if we invite them and welcome their help.

As we begin the process of Spiritual and psychic development we may become aware of the presence of our guides. Perhaps they will reveal themselves in our dreams. Through regular attendance at a Spiritualist church we may be informed of the same Spiritual entity being with us over several readings by different mediums. It is this confirmation, from independent readings, that indicates the presence is that of a guide.

In his book Spirit Communication, psychic journalist Roy Stemman makes a distinction between Spirit guides and Spirit controls. Guides, as described above are our friends and watch-keepers in Spirit. A control acts as a medium's psychic door-keeper, working with the medium to decide which Spirit entities are allowed to come through. In developing our mediumship we will become acquainted with our control.

Stemman questions whether controls are actual Spirit entities, or sub-personalities emanating from the medium's subconscious. Stemman states that very few controls provide sufficient detail of themselves to allow identification with actual historical people.

As well as being identifiable ancestors etc, there are a surprising number of almost archetypal Red Indian, Chinese and Indian Indian Spirit guides. One possible explanation is that while clothed in flesh our Spiritual essence is fairly clearly individuated. But on our return we are to some extent absorbed back into the unity of "pure" Spirit, thus guides and controls dont necessarily correspond to previously incarnate individuals but may display the characteristics and wisdom of several or many that have passed before us. These guides may take the appearance of what we believe to be Spiritually advanced peoples, eg Red Indians and Orientals.