My guardian angel speaks to me in song lyrics.

My guardian angel communicates in puzzle clues. The messages fit like Tetris blocks: sometimes nesting perfectly, and other times stacking with gaps, waiting for information that drops when it’s time.

Smoke on the water / Fire in the sky.¹

She is so much more than the angel who sent a kind stranger to help me when my car ran out of gas on an dark, isolated country road (which happened) when I was in college in Tennessee. She is also my confidant and life navigator who has helped me find my path.

She speaks to me in song lyrics. She plays them on repeat until I notice what I’m humming. I love this approach. It feels playful and uniquely personal.

Now, the day bleeds into nightfall.²

I pause and notice the words. Instantly, I feel the place in my life that holds the song. I am transported and comforted. Seen. Understood. My guardian angel gets me.

This is new.

Using the words comfort and guardian angel in the same thought is new to me. Growing up, I was told my guardian angel judged me and only helped out if I was following the rules. Mom often reinforced that my guardian angel would protect me ONLY if I was worthy. (Mom likely meant well.)

For example, I was told that going into a movie theater was a sin and my guardian angel would not follow if I walked into the theater. She would stay just outside of the doors and cry because of my decision to enter. If I needed her support during the movie, bummer for me.

The judgment was difficult for my young, free spirit.

During my teens, I wondered if my guardian angel was still nearby. I had hoped she was. And, looking back on some close encounters, I am certain she was with me. Yet, because of the if statement, our relationship faded with each decision to dance, read a novel, or open an extra button on my blouse.

I reconnected with my guardian angel while studying shamanism.

Studying shamanism has enriched my life and expanded my awareness. Also, unexpectedly, shamanism reconnected me with my guardian angel.

During the past six years of sensing, learning, and being me while living within a new mindset, I developed an appreciation of the extraordinary energies around me. The vibe that I recognize as my guardian angel — a strong, loving, unconditionally accepting energy — has been with me throughout life.

In the context of shamanism, she is a presence called a spirit guide who helps me find my path, provides nudges to help me steer in the optimum direction, and … as mentioned in the title … she sends me song lyrics! I call her 🍋.³ She is funny, pragmatic, patient and creative.

Photo by Mockup Graphics on Unsplash

Did 🍋 sign up for double duty as spirit guide and guardian angel? Or are these roles assigned by humans to make sense of the spirit world and they’re simply synonyms?

She has been with me since birth. She knows my history.

The songs bring up memories … and sometimes the memory is the message. When I notice that I’m humming “Amazing Grace”,⁴ I remember Saturday afternoons with Baba and Jaja at a local nursing home playing for the residents. Baba would lead us children in song while Jaja played the accordion.

When a resident wanted to sing along, I would bring them a hymnal (part of my role as the oldest grandchild in the singing group). At times, we’d see a resident with tears and Baba would reach out and hold their hand. Perhaps Baba was sent by the resident’s guardian angel to bring needed empathy, connection and support.

Baba was kind and strong. I imagine my guardian angel sent me this memory to help bolster my own strength.

Loosen my grip.

Her message for me today was delivered by SIXX:A.M….

Maybe it’s time to heal, maybe it’s time to try / Maybe it’s time to deal with all the pieces in my life.⁵

She knows me and her guidance is so confirming and clear in Lori life. I need to loosen my grip.

No surprise, this song is 🍋’s third attempt to reach me on this point. (I’ve asked her to reach out to me at least three times if I do not receive the message the first time.)

Well, to be fair, the message was received each time … I just was afraid to take action.

1. A few weeks ago, I heard the words in my mind: Loosen your grip. I knew the message was for me … and I think I jotted the statement down somewhere. And then lost sight of it … maybe on purpose. Loosening my grip is scary.

2. The same three-word message came through during a meditation retreat I attended on Sunday: Loosen my grip. This time I know I wrote it down and even shared with the group. I called it an intention and I meant it at the time. That was two days ago. Since then my grip has been doing the usual. Really, who am I without my grip?

3. Today, the lyrics from SIXX:A.M. reached me and I kinda did an “oh crap” sigh because I need to loosen my grip. I am holding onto something too tightly. I know the song is meant for me. I feel its encouragement. Maybe it’s time.

Maybe it’s time to heal, maybe it’s time to try / Maybe it’s time to deal with all the pieces in my life. — “Maybe It’s Time” by SIXX:A.M.

Thank you 🍋 for not giving up on delivering this message. I’m handing my grip to Wild Boar (more on this in a future post … you’re going to love how Wild Boar gets us through). I am grateful.

How would you describe your guardian angel?

Truly, how would you describe your guardian angel? Does she speak to you in song lyrics? Messages in the clouds?

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1. “Smoke in the Water” by Deep Purple.

2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi

3. While 🍋 is a pseudonym, the name suits her vibe.

4. “Amazing Grace” by John Newton.

5. “Maybe It’s Time” by SIXX:A.M. The link points to my favorite version of the song. It’s haunting and vulnerable and hopeful.