[EmeraldAngel]

Hi everyone. I have been reading a book about opening yourself up to angels and angelic healing. I was surfing the web last night, and I came upon a site that had a blurb about angels. It was the author's opinion that opening yourself up to angels can also open you up to demons. Has anyone ever heard of this? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.[color=#33CC00]

[lilpeanut]

NO! a NO and A NO! sorry, just NO!

I think what you will learn is to hear the difference between 'hearing' your self talk or ego talk or what the divine guidance is. Not evil. I honestly have never encountered it. When you are working with higher energy and love like angels, it doesn't exist there. I think the only negative I have experienced is my own self talk that tries to tell me something negative. But that is not evil.

Doreen Virtues books are a great way to learn about this exact topic. Don't ever be afraid to open up and learn to communicate with angels, I do it daily and count on it. :biggrin:

[grubb1019]

This topic is kind of ironic. I was going to start a thread on something similar. I feel like Im going through alot of spiritual growth right now. Ive been talking to my angel for the last several weeks (ever since Lilp did my aura reading). I've also started a bible study at my church about "living beyond yourself".

Ive always heard that when you are trying to expand your spirituality that the devil (or evil) will come after you. I really feel like the devil has been after me this last week. Ive been sick, two migranes in a week and food poisoning. Ive been arguing with my dh, which we never normally do (but things are better now). My kids have been a handful, one of them is getting ear infection. And just lots of other little things. And then to top it off - this is what really freaked me out - yesterday my 3 year old was laying with me on the couch. He pointed up toward the ceiling and said, "mommy, what is that?" I didnt see anything and told him that. He insisted there is something there. I said "is it an angel?" he said "no, I think it is a snake." Then I about jumped out of my skin, he said "mommy, it is looking right at you." Now, I know that kids make up things and have great imaginations at this age, but this just struck me as frightening.

My pastor says the devil gets more credit for stuff than he is actually capable of. Do you think the devil (or evil or whatever it is you believe) really comes after people who are growing spiritually?

Gwen

PS - LilP, which Doreen Virtue books do you recommend? I looked her up on Amazon and she has so many books, I dont know where to start.

[Helena]

I honestly just think that was that particular author's opinion. He may think that opening yourself up to angels wil also open yourself up to evil, but it may not necessarily happen. I think that one really has to make up their own mind about this just like we do with everything concerning the paranormal. :smile:

[lilpeanut]

Okay, wait a minute, you are right. when you open yourself up you do open up to everything. But I guess the first rule ever is protection and grounding. SO if you practice and do this first, then the bad or so called evil should be so much harder to get to you. Yes it is there. But you can easily shield yourself from it.
I guess what I was saying is that working with angels does not make you susceptable to evil. Just opening up does.

I have asked my husband for a divorce. Does this mean I have allowed evil to enter into my life because I have allowed all my abilities to open up? Angels are in my life?

Or has opening myself up allowed the true view of the world to be seen through my eyes?? I have asked myself this a hundred thousand times grubb. Have I somehow allowed evil to slip into me and corrupt me and I am not seeing IT?

Or am I so purified with the love of the truth that I attracted more truth and love and realness into my life that I can no longer accept misery? And non love and non truth? That I am willing to see things in the real light for what they really are and release them and look for something good?

Do we automatically get scared when we see something beautiful and wonderful or feel it, and have to find the evil in all around us to justify what is real life and normal. Kids and stuff is normal. Fighting is normal. Does that mean the devil is near? I don't think the devil exists so much as we give it credit for either, as much as we refuse to allow ourselves happiness and want so much to punish ourselves or doubt ourselves so we have to find a way to put it down to "must be bad or evil creeping in".

Sometimes we are tested. I think we should be. And isn't it obvious when we are tested in a moral way? Or in a way that matters, not the little every day stuff?

I am rambling. But you grubb, seem to have hit a nerve with me that has been jangling around for a long time LOL!! I think what you are going through is normal.

And yes, Helena, Doreen's books are just one person's view of angels I just think that she has so much information to offer budding psychics or people who are trying to learn how to open up and believe in themselves because she has been there. She wasn't always a psychic. Everyone has to read or listen with their own ears and own eyes.

Just my opinion.

Janet
P.S. Divine Guidance, Messages from your Angels, and Angels and Ascended Masters are some of my favorites, oh and angels 101.

[grubb1019]

I see what you are saying and I agree. You do have to be tested in life, there wouldnt be any growth without tribulations. You know when good things are happening I think it is human nature for you to expect something bad to come along. This was all just somethings
I was pondering. Thanks for the recommendation on the books!


gwen

[Claire]

This is a fascinating subject. My pastor actually preached on demons a few Sundays ago and before he began his sermon, he said a prayer of protection for us all and especially for him and his family. He feels that Satan WILL attack when people open up discussion on exactly how he works. He likes to stay in secrecy and sneak in to people's lives.

Personally, I feel that if you are in the presence of goodness...like angels...Satan may TRY to get to you but he won't be able to penetrate that light. As far as letting evil in...I worry about that too. But I know that I am protected. I don't believe being open to angels will let evil in....but I DO believe that other practices such as the Ouija board will. And I also believe that whenever you move in to a new place, you should clean/bless it first. You just never know what may have transpired in that house, apartment or even on that land before you got there.

The reason my pastor felt he needed to preach on the subject was that one of our youth, a teenage girl told us she was having "devil visions" and that she had tried to kill herself a couple of times. Her parents are great people but the husbands son who, apparently, has been in to some rather nasty stuff like Satanic rituals and "lemon curses"??? whatever THAT is....brought IT into their home when he stayed with them one summer. Our pastor told her she needs to make sure that anything and everything her step-brother may have used in his rituals needs to get out of that house NOW. She's a troubled kid. And once that "thing" latches itself on to someone, it is very difficult to get rid of it.

Sorry...rambling....

[EmeraldAngel]

Thanks for the input everyone. I have been wanting to learn to work with angels and my spirit guide, etc., for a long time now. The thought of opening myself (and my family) to evil has kept me from trying though. LilPeanut, you said that protection and grounding is the first rule. How do you know that you are protected enough? I know that sounds like a dumb question - I'm having trouble putting my thoughts and feelings into words right now. I guess my question is "Where do I start?"

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions. There are so many good and knowledgable people on this (and the GS) board. :smile:

[lilpeanut]

surrounding yourself with the white light of protection. asking for guidance from God or whomever you ask as a higher power to protect you. Simple as that. Every time you do your work. It takes a while at first but then it comes so automatic you almost don't even realize you are doing it. Ask for protection against lower force energies. It will be done.

[Ocean]

LILP turned me on to angels too. I bought Doreen Virtues Healing with the angels cards and I love them. I've been looking at her books but haven't bought them yet. Lilp, do her books say more than the booklets that come with the cards?

[EmeraldAngel]

I want to check out her books too. They sound awesome! What are the cards that you are referring to Ocean? That sounds interesting too!

[Ocean]

I sent you a PM EA.

[trin]

As long as you are weighing guidance from the angels with care, and comparing what they are saying to your experiences in the world. I think it's harmless & helpfull. (It may sometimes be difficult to determine what advise is coming from them, and what advice is your own mind talking to you. If something sounds wierd, write it down and mull it over for a month or two. All the advice should have at the core of it, unlimited compassion, and not reinforce ideas of self as separate or superior to anyone, and not about accumulating wealth or power .)

I'm going to toss in my vote for "Demons get too much of the credit for crap humans do & experience." (Humans are capable of some really great and truely awful things with nothing but their own minds and actions.)

Is it possible the snake is more about renewal and rebirth, and growth into wisdom rather than something bad? Especially since you are stepping into something new. Snakes, serpents, dragons etc, are one of those symbols or metaphores where mileage can vary a LOT by culture. (and If it weren't for things like snakes, we'd be overrun with rodents and there wouldn't be much grain, fruit or vegtables left for human consuption. )

I think the main things to maybe be concerned about when taking up more spiritual pursuits, are the pitfals that are just things humans are susceptible to... like pride, or spiritual materialism, and so forth. The demons are just as well metaphoric ones.

I suspect with the girl with the issues starting with the step brother, more likely is family mental health/relations issues than demonic interferrance.
There are so many possibilities for issues and concerns on so many levels in rather mundane ways, that I don't think "tormented by demons" should be the first diagnosis.

It's tough enough being a teen, and I think it's more likely the step brother messing with her head, than anything demonic latching on to her. Have they even bothered to go the psyc/physical health evalutation route before running to the pastor?
For example, Have they ruled out her being abused by the step brother? Even if it's just the idea of using his claimed powers to threaten her and make her stay out of his way. Have they ruled out the parents' response and panic about the brother bringing up fears and issues she may have not be so aware of previously?

I've also seen teens who are simply dressing in black (as a fashion statement) and writting depressive teen poetry being tagged, unjustly, as satanic... maybe the family has jumped to conclusions about the step brother that aren't true. It could also be the way she hears her parents talking about the step brother, that is affecting her on a deeper level. She might unconciously, be using their fear and concern about his being in their home over the summer, to get their attention. Lots of talk about how "that boy has gone wrong" with an implied rejection of him, might have her fearing being similarly rejected herself, rather than accepted as she is no matter what.

So many variables, on rather mundane family relations issues that tagging it "demonic cause" is probably going to make the real issues worse if it isn't handled well.

[Strawhat]

OMGoodness .
Religious or not, there are over 300 mentions to angels in the bible and October 2nd is actually known by the Catholic calendar as Angel day.

Now with saying this, i was raised catholic but don't practise it anymore for reasons which are my concern but i have great spirituality.

With every movement there is a negative and a positive, that's just a fact BUT to say those who believe, discuss or see angels are opening a demonic attribute may need to lessen their sugar intake.

I am not going to write the rest of what i was going to put due to the fact that i may overstep on some religious beliefs and i am not the kind of person to offend.
I do want to say though that exploring the things that others PERCEIVE to be 'out there' not only leads to better knowledge and understanding of topics but also in some cases, a personal forfillment.

And that's all she wrote.

[grubb1019]

Strawhat, I love your siggy!

Trin, I think you hit the nail on the head! My first inclination is to think of snake as a symbol for evil. But when I think of my own personal meaning, it isnt evil at all. I actually like snakes. I think you are right that it is a symbol of awakening or rebirth for me. I had a snake slide against my foot in the garden the other day even. See, Im learning stuff & looking at things in a different way every day!

gwen

[trin]

Strawhat, I love your siggy!

Trin, I think you hit the nail on the head! My first inclination is to think of snake as a symbol for evil. But when I think of my own personal meaning, it isnt evil at all. I actually like snakes. I think you are right that it is a symbol of awakening or rebirth for me. I had a snake slide against my foot in the garden the other day even. See, Im learning stuff & looking at things in a different way every day!

gwen

I have a niece who is a boa constrictor (my sister doesn't have any human kids, unless you count her husband that way. :biggrin: ) So I kinda think snakes are cool. The whole skin shedding rebirth metaphore goes back a long long ways.

I DO think some of the big tests are the little everyday things... do we stop for the small child wandering alone in Wallmart or just presume mom will find him? Do we stop and hold doors for the overladen art student? (I've been that overladen art student, and IMHO the door holders are ANGELS... I also notice that people in actual "heavy lifting" type jobs seemed to be somewhat more likely to hold the door than the suits. ) Do you know the name of the person who comes in to clean your place of employment or do you treat them like they're invisible?

I hope I didn't come across too crazy about the "family relationship" question from the other post in the thread, it hit close to home... I have a family member by marriage who after a rough start in life, joined a rather extreme church. She made some rather "bad" choices as a young adult, so maybe going to such an extreme church took away her fear of making bad decisions and getting into more trouble. But we haven't seen or heard from her or her kids in quite some time now. She married the man the pastor set her up with, her 2 sons were sent to a church school where writing class is copying out sections of the King James Bible... (My sister used to live near them and was very concerned that they weren't becoming literate enough to function in the work place.) <It's the EXTREMISM, and isolationism that is the problem, it could just as well be any other religion and the same kind of problem.>

One of the big concerns the family had was that her husband, stepfather to the boys, bonded very well to the younger boy, who is tall, dark and athletic... the older boy is small slim and more of a reader and artist. The stepfather was heard berating the older boy when he was only about 9 or 10 that he must be "a faggot" as he wasn't manly enough. Even if the boy was gay, (not likely as he was flirting with my daughter when he was 9ish and she was 10 ish.) I don't think anyone would say that's an appropriate way to try to guide a preteen. What that family really needed was counselling so that they could all accept each other and their various strenghts & weaknesses. What they got was the pastor praying over them, and saying that the man of the house is always right no matter what.

I haven't seen any of them for maybe 9 years now, the boys are now teens, and I'm still very worried about what's to become of the older boy who didn't fit in. I know people who were run aways at that age, because of similar stuff in their households, they're adults now, and don't have contact at all with their families because of stuff like that. They had to really struggle to get themselves educated and employable, while also trying to manage how to get things like food and shelter. And they still struggle with a lot of things, because they can't go back to their bio-family for support, encouragement, or even just love and chicken soup.

[Claire]

Hi trin,

From what I understand her parents have done everything they can think of for her. She IS seeing a psychiatrist at this time. And as far as I know, I don't THINK her parents even know about her step-brother's practices. From what I understand, this was a well kept secret between the two until she blurted it out to me and our pastor. So, no, to answer your question, her parents didn't take her to the pastor and I'm not sure they would have been too keen on their daughter telling us everything she did.

But, yes, whether it is really a demonic presence in her life OR just in her mind....there's just no way to know. Whatever the case, I am just glad her step-brother is out of that house.

[trin]

I really suspect the step-brother was messing with her head... and that's just as bad as the Satanic stuff. Especially if he got her really beliving it.
I wonder if she's really telling the psychologist every thing that she needs to
or is holding back as she fears being locked up in the hospital?

I hope also that the pastor is talking to the family and waiting on what the full psyc and medical reports are going to say.
(It's not so hard to rule out medical and psyc causes. )

[Claire]

Lots of people had a problem with that sermon. You don't go in to church Sunday morning expecting to get a sermon on demons. It didn't go over so well.