Spirits: As Real As Any Other Living Thing By Angie Skelhorn

Spirits can make contact. Apparitions, in a state of transition prior to reincarnation, who sense all, see all, but can't touch, with much effort can appear.

I am one of many who have witnessed a Spirit. The first encounter I had was when I lived in Aylmer, Quebec. My choice of lifestyle had worn me down. I was drained at the time. My life was spiraling downward. It was late evening. Alone, I lay stretched out on the couch. The light from the television screen lit the small room. Something caught the corner of my eye. A faint image appeared of a man lying on his stomach on the rug in front of the glass sliding doors leading to the balcony. He was clearly dressed in black pants, a vertical striped shirt and he wore a fedora. Arms raised, elbows bent, his somewhat skull-like head rested in his bony hands. The skin was gone. The bones appeared burned.

He didn't communicate. I observed him watching me. I had no clue who he was or why he was in my living room. I didn't ask any questions. He was the scariest thing I had ever seen. I wanted to believe the apparition was a hallucination. He was there, then he'd be gone. I tried to deny what I saw, but the ghostly figure appeared again and again. With each visit the man lay in the same spot and commanded my attention. I could not look away until the apparition decided to fade away.

I never discussed what I was experiencing with anyone but my mom. She didn't think I was crazy. She has always been my voice of reason. My mom told me to bless myself and recite the Lord's prayer when the ghostly figure showed himself.

I did as she suggested. Wherever it came from, I wanted it to go back and leave me be. I prayed hard for the apparition to disappear but he didn't.

The ghostly man appeared many times before I moved from the apartment. The vision stuck with me as my life went on. At that time I knew nothing about sending Spirits into the light. Today I believe my visitor might have died in a fire and his spirit remains at the spot of his death.

My second visit from Spirit was a completely different experience.

I lived alone in Ottawa. Slowly, I had begun to repair the damage I caused to myself. I met an elderly woman who opened my mind to witchcraft. She explained to me that everything is composed of energy that can be tapped into for support, to cause positive or negative change to occur. At this point a customer came into the restaurant where I was employed and handed me the book Tarot of the Spirit by Pamela Eakins, Ph.D.

The building I had worked in for three years was sold. My job would be finished in a few weeks. I really had nothing to stay in Ottawa for any more.

I was in my bed not quite asleep nor awake. I sensed the presence before I actually saw what saw. I lay still. I felt someone was in the room. I looked up, still in a state of twilight sleep, my mind foggy. I saw a transparent figure – no eyes or features, but human-like, standing at the foot of my bed. Even though the Spirit said nothing he seemed peaceful. I pulled up the covers to make myself comfortable and felt a sense of calmness as I drifted back to sleep.

I didn't shrug off the visit. I told my elderly friend who was certain my visitor had been a relative who had passed over. She said to ask him the next time I see him what I was I needed to know.

That night even though he didn't show himself, upon request I asked Spirit what did I need to do to move my life forward.

Many things began to link together. Opportunities presented themselves to me. I found I was at the right place at the right time. I was open to change. Magicaly I was put on course to where I was destined to be. I moved home to the family farm.

My last physical encounter gave me sufficient evidence to make me a true believer that Spirit is real. Validation enough for me that spirit survives the death of the human body and continues to function on the astral plane.

I personally became acquainted with the Spirit of my grandfather. He assumed his human form so I could recognize him.

In the basement of the home where I was raised I practiced reading the Tarot cards. I requested guidance from my Spirit guide. I heard a voice say "Take a picture."

Without thought I stood, picked up the camera my sister Victoria had given me as a gift and took a picture in the mirror behind the couch that had hung above my head. When I had the film developed I observed the manifestation of my grandfather who had passed over in the 70's. His appearance proved to me that my belief is real, beyond hope, more than faith.

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I have not a shred of doubt that there is eternal life because I have had many mystical experiences where I have communed with my Spirit Guide. My ancestor comes to pledge his allegiance so it would be clear to me to rely on family for support in the pursuit of unity, acceptance and contentment.

Spirit can make contact with the living even though a soul's afterlife is totally different from earthly life. The resurrection of the body and the everlasting soul will survive. Souls come from one lifetime to another, for each life contains valuable lessons to learn at their own rate.

My ancestors were born, lived their lives with free will, died, then joined with the God Consciousness and would be born again into the cycle.

Samhain is the time to honor those who have passed before us. Invite your ancestors in Spirit form to celebrate the start of winter. Seek strength and inspiration to know self, freed from so-called imperfections.

Spirit Guide will enter dreams, visions and rituals to open the mind the way to accomplish personal goals. Spirits give the eyes to see so your heart will know how to manifest potential in the physical world.

As I live Life's lessons of fairness and compassion, I ask Spirits Guide for support and guidance to put me where I need to be, prepared for opportunities to become a better me.

Spirits watch over. Go in peace.

Angie Skelhorn is the fifth child born into a farming family located South of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Her writing has appeared in The Simple Witch Magazine and Circle Magazine. She is hard at work on her novel, "On The Edge."