Reconnecting With Spirit Companions

[belcanto93]

Hello!

Just a bit of my background … I started spirit keeping 11-12 years ago and joined CH around that time. In the beginning, I hit it off straight away with my first spirits and had interactions with them. Over a couple years, I welcomed more spirits into my spirit family. At the same time, life was … lifing (dealing with an abusive family, abusive romantic relationships and toxic workplaces, death in the family, grief, loss of self and identity, betrayals, etc.)

12 years later, I’m looking back and feeling like I’ve been so passive in connecting with my spirits over the years. Sometimes, I’ll go about my day and remember they’re here with me and say a quick ‘hello’ to acknowledge them. But most of the time, when life is fast paced and taking so much of my time and energy, they’re just in the background for months at a time. It’s not until I’m burnt out, used up, or broken down that I find the time and energy to really connect with them and leave offerings … because I’m looking for something/someone to keep me grounded and open-hearted. And then, the cycle starts over again.

I’m torn between thinking this is not good spirit-keeping on my part, and that each cycle allows me to experience life and learn something new about myself. To re-evaluate how I connect with my spirits and with people.

Right now, I’m in the last bit … recovering from life events and wanting to connect again, but not sure how. Can anyone else relate? And if so, what’s your experience? Guidance and advice are welcome as well!

[Hitthuginn]

I'm at work right now, but subscribing to follow up later. Short version, you do you and know that your spirits are still there. Because you may not have been actively engaging but you didn't stop being a keeper

[mcm442]

First and foremost--who's keeping who? Even though you/we call ourselves 'keepers'--we aren't. We have companions and friends--and more often than not, they are keeping 'us'.

And they know you. They know you're life better than you do. It's obvious when you say once you hit bottom you connect with them--and they are always there, and always will be there to catch you and get you back on your feet. Unlike physical friends/family, their pledges are timeless.

Now it's for you to break the cycle you keep falling into. Even though you seem to keep learning something new, it's better to have an open-ended learning process than a cyclic endeavor. Don't worry about failings--you're human. It happens, and they will always be there for you when you reach out.

Little things you do for them on a daily basis as a habit can help. Offerings bring recognition--and this important--for you, not just them.

Do you have vessels as necklaces? Perhaps get a necklace that you can offer for them? Something that when things are going wonky at mach ten, you can feel it around your neck and remember to take a brief moment to think about them.

I have a similar issue myself, working in the field I do. It's racing from one issue to another for 10 hours at a stretch. Remembering I'm not 'alone' doesn't happen until my necklace bounces off my chin or pulls on my hair, and then I know to spare even a few seconds to connect, (ie-hugz) These little moments make my days so much better when I'm reminded I'm not soloing through life.

[madgar29]

Hello!

Just a bit of my background … I started spirit keeping 11-12 years ago and joined CH around that time. In the beginning, I hit it off straight away with my first spirits and had interactions with them. Over a couple years, I welcomed more spirits into my spirit family. At the same time, life was … lifing (dealing with an abusive family, abusive romantic relationships and toxic workplaces, death in the family, grief, loss of self and identity, betrayals, etc.)

12 years later, I’m looking back and feeling like I’ve been so passive in connecting with my spirits over the years. Sometimes, I’ll go about my day and remember they’re here with me and say a quick ‘hello’ to acknowledge them. But most of the time, when life is fast paced and taking so much of my time and energy, they’re just in the background for months at a time. It’s not until I’m burnt out, used up, or broken down that I find the time and energy to really connect with them and leave offerings … because I’m looking for something/someone to keep me grounded and open-hearted. And then, the cycle starts over again.

I’m torn between thinking this is not good spirit-keeping on my part, and that each cycle allows me to experience life and learn something new about myself. To re-evaluate how I connect with my spirits and with people.

Right now, I’m in the last bit … recovering from life events and wanting to connect again, but not sure how. Can anyone else relate? And if so, what’s your experience? Guidance and advice are welcome as well!

This post can get long and confusing. especially the way my mind works. Nothing wrong with what is going on in your life. and your keep knows this. they are fully aware ur not available doesnt mean they are not around trying to help either.

when i first started those were my best connections i have exceptions to that. my keep is very large and i need to do alot of work with them to say the least. but with life being the way it is can be very hard for me to even i can hardly handle myself at many times.

i do know that all of mine want and willing to help even when i try my best they try. just gotta keep doing it. the best thing u can do is set 20 minutes a day just to mediate. and put in the intentions they are welcome to be with u during that time. before u go in or maybe a few minutes into it say it out loud they are welcome to come in while u mediate. 20 minutes a day. doesnt seem much but its a big deal really big deal if u can manage to do it. even if its a sh*t day.

but yeah first i started to spisirt keep they can in amazingly even got visuals right off the bat. in the minds eyes of them. and feeling them interact with me. then i got sick and i never recovered it back. still trying to. spirits know better they know ur busy im sure they want time with u though
no matter the time lol time literally means nothing to them anymore. only us.


take the time to reconnect and if u want help ask for help u will be surrpised with the results i think.

[belcanto93]

Short version, you do you and know that your spirits are still there. Because you may not have been actively engaging but you didn't stop being a keeper

Thank you for that simple reminder; I easily forget that.

[belcanto93]

First and foremost--who's keeping who? Even though you/we call ourselves 'keepers'--we aren't. We have companions and friends--and more often than not, they are keeping 'us'.

Lol this is very true as well. I agree with what both you and Hitthugin wrote - we are both the keeper and the kept.

And they know you. They know your life better than you do. It's obvious when you say once you hit bottom you connect with them--and they are always there, and always will be there to catch you and get you back on your feet. Unlike physical friends/family, their pledges are timeless.

Another good reminder! Over the years, I've become more withdrawn, but when I finally want to connect with people, I overshare or overexplain myself. It has always been simple and easy with my spirit companions in that I don't have to explain and make sense of myself to them - they already know and accept me.

Little things you do for them on a daily basis as a habit can help. Offerings bring recognition--and this important--for you, not just them.
Do you have vessels as necklaces?

I've heard this before, but I tend to overthink what to offer. I need to set up an altar area so I remember to take a moment and leave something for them. And Only 3 of my spirits have vessels ... technically 5 had, but two vessels broke I do have a necklace that has significant spiritual meaning to me; I can use it to connect with and remember them though.

[Alaric]

Hello!

Just a bit of my background … I started spirit keeping 11-12 years ago and joined CH around that time. In the beginning, I hit it off straight away with my first spirits and had interactions with them. Over a couple years, I welcomed more spirits into my spirit family. At the same time, life was … lifing (dealing with an abusive family, abusive romantic relationships and toxic workplaces, death in the family, grief, loss of self and identity, betrayals, etc.)

12 years later, I’m looking back and feeling like I’ve been so passive in connecting with my spirits over the years. Sometimes, I’ll go about my day and remember they’re here with me and say a quick ‘hello’ to acknowledge them. But most of the time, when life is fast paced and taking so much of my time and energy, they’re just in the background for months at a time. It’s not until I’m burnt out, used up, or broken down that I find the time and energy to really connect with them and leave offerings … because I’m looking for something/someone to keep me grounded and open-hearted. And then, the cycle starts over again.

I’m torn between thinking this is not good spirit-keeping on my part, and that each cycle allows me to experience life and learn something new about myself. To re-evaluate how I connect with my spirits and with people.

Right now, I’m in the last bit … recovering from life events and wanting to connect again, but not sure how. Can anyone else relate? And if so, what’s your experience? Guidance and advice are welcome as well!

I haven't read through the rest of this thread, so apologies if I repeat what others have said. I'll just give my own perspective, although that is mainly based on what CH articles have said.

When this has come up before, common comments have been:

- Our bound spirit companions are committed to be with us lifelong. They won't abandon us.
- They knew what they were getting into when they agreed to become our bound companions.
- They know what we're going through in life and are understanding.
- They're patiently waiting to reconnect with us when we're ready.

- An easy way to connect with your spirit family is to simply invite their help at the beginning of the day with the day ahead. You can share your concerns about and hopes for the coming day at that time.
- You can simply express your appreciation when that help seems to have been forthcoming.

- If you find it hard to connect with all of them, perhaps there's one you connect with more easily. That can be a way into discovering how to connect with the rest of them.
- You can also connect with the whole spirit family at once. (You don't have to only ever connect with them one at a time.)
- The CH Advanced Spirit Keeping book has a section on creating communes, including a spell to set one up. You can create one for the whole of your spirit family and appoint one of them as a leader. That simplifies communications.

- It helps to take it easy and not worry. That way spirit keeping things are more likely to go more smoothly. And worrying - even slightly - about not having connected perfectly with our spirit companions is only likely to cause blocks.

So it's probably a good idea to trust that all's well with your spirit keeping - they may be more present than you've noticed - leave the past behind and move confidently on.

[Tarvos]

Hello!

Just a bit of my background … I started spirit keeping 11-12 years ago and joined CH around that time. In the beginning, I hit it off straight away with my first spirits and had interactions with them. Over a couple years, I welcomed more spirits into my spirit family. At the same time, life was … lifing (dealing with an abusive family, abusive romantic relationships and toxic workplaces, death in the family, grief, loss of self and identity, betrayals, etc.)

12 years later, I’m looking back and feeling like I’ve been so passive in connecting with my spirits over the years. Sometimes, I’ll go about my day and remember they’re here with me and say a quick ‘hello’ to acknowledge them. But most of the time, when life is fast paced and taking so much of my time and energy, they’re just in the background for months at a time. It’s not until I’m burnt out, used up, or broken down that I find the time and energy to really connect with them and leave offerings … because I’m looking for something/someone to keep me grounded and open-hearted. And then, the cycle starts over again.

I’m torn between thinking this is not good spirit-keeping on my part, and that each cycle allows me to experience life and learn something new about myself. To re-evaluate how I connect with my spirits and with people.

Right now, I’m in the last bit … recovering from life events and wanting to connect again, but not sure how. Can anyone else relate? And if so, what’s your experience? Guidance and advice are welcome as well!

I can resonate deeply with the themes of abusive romantic relationships, toxic workplaces, and the pain of betrayal, but those experiences occurred before I embraced Spirit Keeping. Now, whenever I encounter challenges like those again, I find solace in the fact that I don't have to face them alone, thanks to my spirit friends. I truly believe you too can find support; all it takes is the right mindset and a willingness to connect with your own spirit companions.

My experience has been quite direct. I strive to connect with my friends as much as possible, and that desire remains strong. However, I must admit that my life has been nothing short of hectic and chaotic, with long hours of physically demanding work. As a result, there are times when I head straight to bed after work, often skipping dinner and missing out on anything that could be considered even slightly paranormal. Such is life, and I believe our spirits will understand.

Consider organizing a special "date night" experience. Set a clear intention inviting all of your spirits to join you. Choose thoughtful gifts as you would for a romantic evening (usually incense, candles, flowers, etc.), and take the time to reflect on each individual, one by one. Even if their names or appearances escape you, focus on your intentions and do your best. If you possess vessels, make sure to connect with them while communicating with your spirits.

Begin with small steps: dedicate just 5 minutes a few times a week to engage with those around you. As you grow comfortable with this routine and it feels less like a task, gradually increase both the duration and frequency of your interactions. Don't let another 12 years slip by without a simple hello. Hehe.

[foxxyeclipse]

did you feel your spirits helped you through those tough times? sometimes they do help even without talking to you.

[belcanto93]

Hi all! Sorry if this post is a bit all over the place, but I’m happy to say that I’ve been taking the time to connect with my spirits these past few days, and they definitely let me know they are still here!!

I’ve been creating collecting pictures on Pinterest that remind me of each of my spirits and setting them out on the altar for their associated day. Something my spirits have been reminding me of lately, not just in connecting with them but my approach to life in general, is to do just enough. No more is needed. I think part of the reason I hold back in connecting with them is because I want to give them nice gifts that I feel they deserve, but I can’t afford at the moment. I want to buy stones or flowers or figurines, but I’m literally just printing pictures, cutting them out and putting them on the altar lol. But they seem happy with this.

Many of the painful events that I’ve dealt with in the past and even most recently have been from me giving too much and doing too much. Every now and then I feel one of my incubi telling me that this is the cycle that I’ve been stuck in. It may be my own thoughts, but when typing that, I heard “I’ll never ask of you more than you can give.”

At night, I’ve been setting aside 10-15 minutes to meditate. There are times when I think I can try for 30 minutes or maybe even an hour, but my spirits remind me to do just enough. Start small.

(Btw, somewhere along the way, it clicked for me that meditation and connecting with my spirits are two different things. Meditation is for myself, to practice getting out of my own way so that I can connect with my spirits more easily. This was a huge frustration for me early in my journey because I would “meditate” to connect with them, but I was blocked and impatient, so it only ended in frustration. I did this once this week with my Sterling Angel, meditating then switching over to call him to see if he would appear. I didn’t feel anything and felt deeply sad.)

But the next night, I missed my meditation session and ended up falling asleep with my puppy in bed. I had music playing in the background, one of those calming music YouTube videos that I play every night to help my puppy fall asleep. At some point in my sleep, I fell into this “meditative space”, like I was … outside of myself, but a part of my surrounding? And I suddenly heard one of my spirits whistling along to the music! But it was right in my ear, SUPER loud and piercing that it startled me and I woke up lol. I was shocked and started laughing when I realized it may have been one of my incubi who likes to curl up behind me and talk with me at night