Speaking with Angels: Life Lessons from the Angelic World
by Iris Paxino. Temple Lodge, 2023
In this book, Iris Paxino describes in some detail the different angels who interface with us as human beings with different tasks, from our guardian angel to our leading angel, to our shadow angels – often referred to as our ‘double’, and also to those angels who work in broader contexts, such as the family and community angels. The picture briefly enlarges to the relationship of our angels and ourselves to the higher angelic realms, for instance the archangels. She describes also the relationship with our guardian and other angels between death and rebirth. Lastly, she looks at how we can further work on and develop our relationship with the angelic world.
Speaking with Angels is a book full of inspiration, written with warmth and at the same time a shining and refreshing clarity.
Extracts
‘The guardian angel is for us the most familiar figure in the world of the heavenly hierarchies. Even though our culture is marked by a widespread alienation from the spirit, the idea that a higher, benevolent, loving being protects and accompanies each and every person still remains a relatively intrinsic part of our outlook. The picture of the protecting angel is one we pass on to our children in a natural way, to accompany them in their life. Even as adults, whenever we are in extremity or danger, we may ask our guardian angel for support and aid. Our inkling of its existence, albeit scarcely conscious, has evaded the materialistic tenor of our era. Why? Because the guardian angel is a being so close to us that our sense of truth can repeatedly relate to it.
‘The guardian angel is the spiritual figure who is always connected with us. At every moment of our life and at every step we take in life, it is the spiritual entity who stands guard over us and encompasses us. Its devotion flows inexhaustibly towards us, gives us light and hope, comforting us in our pain, strengthening and encouraging us. In everything we are and do, it stands by us faithfully and unwaveringly. Its patient and love are like those of an infinitely loving mother who sustains her child out of a deeply inward wellspring of the heart, continually nurturing and sustaining its development….’
———–
[On respect for human freedom]
‘However much the angels motivate us to become conscious of our thoughts and feelings, however much they teach us that our outer world is always and inevitably created by our own inner world, they never intervene in our will.’
[from an accompanying angel:]
“Into each of you a drop of freedom substance has been instilled, that allows you to become ‘human’ in the true sense of the word. Your human existent signifies becoming a bearer of freedom toward the light. And it is your task to recognise this and to decide yourself whom you wish to serve. This is the fundamental principle of your freedom. On both sides, both the dark and the light, you have countless ‘helpers’. Decide. But awaken before you decide, so that you know what you are deciding for!”
[Iris also describes the shadow angels, some of whom don’t have the same respect for human freedom. Some, though, work as our ‘doubles’ and have sacrificed themselves to this role of showing us our sides that still need working on and developing. With all the angels, including the shadow angels, they ‘develop’ themselves as well through our interactions with them.]
—————
‘Just as the guardian angel plays something like a ‘divine mothering’ role for us by being our constant companion, guardian and comforter, so each person is also accompanied by an angel who embodies a ‘divine fatherly’ quality. This is our leading angel.
‘Leading angels appear as bright, serious, usually large and very resolute figures. In our encounter with them, we commonly find that they approach us directly and stand in front of us. Like the guardian angel the leading angel has also been with us since the beginning of our human existence, and will remain so through all our incarnations. But unlike the guardian Angel it is not with us continually. It appears – that is, it unfolds its direct effect upon us – only in certain contexts and situations. It is the angel figure who opens the gateway of our ‘forthcoming’ destiny and points our steps toward the future…. This angel thus walks ahead of its human being, leading us into the destiny arranged by our higher I.’
[In conversation with her leading angel, Iris Paxino asks:]
‘In which situations do you work?
“In all in which destiny comes to expression as an incisive gesture. For example, in all ‘beginning’: birth, starting kindergarten and school, moving house, exams, the opening of doors of knowledge. I have been and remain with you in very tangible ways: I was the strength with which you embarked on all these new life situations. I was the trust in you that you will manage, I gave you the confidence to do it. I knocked at the door of your heart so that you could let go of past occurrences and move on from what is habitual…”
——————-
“Angels suffer in sympathy with the earth and stand by us in the dark times of human existence. Despite everything they do not condemn, but love us with such devotion that we can scarcely comprehend it.” Iris Paxino