How Many Types of Spirit Guides Are There?

Your intuitive journey will undoubtedly open your eyes to one of the highest powers any ordinary human being can access: spirit guides. 

A spirit guide is like a coach for the soul, gifting us insights when we’re most in need of clarity and understanding. It’s an all-knowing and unbiased source of advice that we can tune into for a healthy dose of universal love and support.

Spirit guides genuinely care about us and will never lead us astray or challenge us in ways that aren’t conducive to our growth and wellness. So, if a spirit guide is reaching out to you, take comfort in the fact that they’re here for your benefit.

We all have more than one spirit guide in this life, and there are several kinds to be aware of. If you’re struggling with something specific, you can set intentions and directly call to them through focused manifestation. In fact, there are four main types of spirit guides, and depending on why you’re looking for clarity and direction, you’ll likely connect with one of the following. 

Past Lives

We sometimes come across spirit guides who represent a past life we’ve lived before our current one. I’ve personally bonded with one of my past lives in spirit guide form, and it’s an especially privileged relationship since that spirit guide knows me so well. 

Spirit guides from past lives want us to align ourselves with our soul’s purpose in order to live a truly fulfilled life. It’s almost like note-to-self guidance. They’re very recognizable and exist to help us avoid the pitfalls they ran into in their time, giving us the knowledge to move forward more successfully. The key is to trust them with your whole heart.

This type of spirit guide essentially captures your highest self: the version of you that you wish to be if only you had a transparent road map to go by. Your past-life spirit guide is so invested in your trajectory because they are you, making them your best ally. When you connect with these types of spirit guides, be as open as you can be and hand them the steering wheel—they know where you need to go.

Guardian Angels

Guardian angels are perhaps the most popularly referenced type of spirit guides, and because of that, they are often misunderstood! The enlightenment achieved by these exponentially evolved beings transcends that of any others. They’re heavenly in nature and therefore uniquely compassionate and free of flaws or judgments. That’s why their input stems from a place of honest-to-goodness purity. 

For how immensely protective they can be, guardian angels still encourage us to stay true to ourselves and flow with our own decisions even when they provide valuable counsel. They’re also non-denominational, meaning they aren’t tied to one religion or belief system, so we all have the potential to be visited by a guardian angel.

Guardian angels can be responsible for divine intervention or similarly life-changing awakenings, so keeping yourself attuned to their signs should always be on your radar. These guides have charted a personalized course for you to follow if you’re brave enough to listen.

Ancestral Guides

Ancestral guides come to us like shepherds of the soul during our darkest moments to reassure us of who we are. Each spirit guide tailors their appearance and approach to reflect your heart back to you. If you're stuck in a creative rut or wrestling with self-doubt, an ancestral spirit guide will stop by to remind you that your worth and work have very, very deep roots.  

For instance, if you had a notably close relationship with a grandparent or other passed loved one, your spirit guide might present themselves as that person. (This is a much different experience than, say, seeing their ghost.)

It’s important to note that our spirit guides are not actually deceased relatives: they’re higher beings who possess a 360-degree view of infinite lives, locations, and realities. As such, this being also knows your family lineage and shares the wisdom of your elders with you. Be cognizant (or claircognizant!) of their presence and joyfully accept the insight they bring.

Nature Spirits

Spirit guides are malleable, which means they have the ability to adapt and shape themselves for whatever situation they inhabit. This includes materializing as an animal or other natural (or supernatural) element to connect with you one-on-one. 

People who see recurring animals in their lives, like a regional bird that seems to pop up outside of their regular area, are probably receiving signs from a nature spirit. Intuitive personalities are predisposed to lots of spirit guides based in nature. You could even be prone to messaging from an astrological origin!

Immersing yourself in natural spaces is always a good idea since it recalibrates your soul’s settings and grounds you against life’s ups and downs, but it also brings you closer to the spirit guides who communicate through nature. These beings can offer you simple, moment-to-moment guidance or be a sign that you’re reaching a crossroads in your life, so keep your eyes and your heart open. 

Look to Your Guides

To better connect with your guides, in all of their beautiful iterations, you must be constantly alert for any signs they may send you. Though the types of spirit guides you’ll meet will vary, they share a common goal: assisting you in reaching your fullest potential and greatest joy in this lifetime—and the next and the next!

There are so many resources out there for you to further your intuition and learn more about yourself in the process, and I’m here to connect you with the tools and guidance you need to take control of your spiritual life. I offer workshops, tools, and anything else you need on this journey, including my book, Soul-Led Living, which focuses on charting your soul’s true path decisively and intuitively.

Remember that your spirit guides are with you every step of the way—as am I.