Spirit Communication 101

Spooky season is here, and there's not a single part of me that's mad about it.

Prefer to listen or watch instead? Scroll to the end of this article for the full episode.

Back in 2022 I did an episode called "Spirit Boards: Spirit Communication or Portal to Hell?" This time I wanted to go bigger: the whole practice of spirit communication, what the thin veil actually is, and how to make the most of it this season.

What the Thin Veil Actually Means

I believe different worlds exist on the same plane, layered on top of each other as different frequencies. The spirit realm is here right now, I just can't always see it. What separates us is the veil, and it thins as we approach Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the start of the dark half of the year (October 31st through November 1st).

My personal theory is that it comes down to frequency, similar to a dog whistle. Our world and the spirit world resonate differently, and as Samhain nears, those frequencies naturally start to align. Some people, like mediums, sit at a frequency that keeps them connected year-round. The rest of us feel it seasonally, and that's just as valid.

What Spirit Communication Actually Is

Spirit communication is the practice of attempting to receive messages or contact from something outside the physical world, whether that's ancestors, spirit guides, deities, or your higher self. I think of it as an umbrella, with ancestor work, guide work, and deity work all falling underneath it.

Tools for Opening the Channel

You can do this with zero tools or a full ritual; both are valid.

• Meditation requires nothing but you. I use ambient sound and earbuds to drop into what I call my internal sacred space.
• Automatic writing is one of my favorites. Light a candle, ground and protect yourself, then write without overthinking it. I've solved problems and downloaded entire class lessons this way.
• Tarot, oracle cards, and pendulums aren't the source of the message; they're the focal point. The message comes from you or your guides, not the card.
• Scrying (mirrors, flames, crystals) works the same way, giving your mind something to focus on so a message has room to land.

The reason tools work is simple: they get your monkey brain out of the way, the same way an answer drops in while you're chopping vegetables instead of actively worrying over a problem.

Spirit boards are my personal favorite. I don't think they're evil. I used to sit for sessions with friends about twenty years ago, and one name that came through was someone from high school I'd never told my friends about, someone who'd passed right before senior year. When I asked when he'd last seen me, the board spelled out the exact last place I saw him alive. I burst into tears. That was real confirmation for all of us. If you try this yourself, don't do it alone, and always say goodbye to close the session properly.

Signs, Symbols, and Animal Messengers

• Ravens and crows showing up, especially in groups, can signal your guides or a passed loved one trying to reach you.
• Death's-head hawk moths, the big moths with a skull marking, have historically been seen as omens of death, but moths also represent transformation, so a sighting can mean a big shift is coming.
• Butterflies, especially monarchs, are tied to Día de los Muertos, believed to carry the souls of the departed back for the holiday.
• Feathers found unexpectedly are often read as a message from a loved one, with color sometimes carrying meaning (white for peace, black for protection).
• Repeating numbers ("angel numbers") are usually read as messages from guides, your higher self, or deities.

Want more? I have a full article, "8 Spirit Messengers," on the Inked Grimoire blog!

Respect, Grounding, and Protection

Guides can take many forms: people from your life who've passed, past-life connections, or someone you've never met. Whatever form they take, approach spirit communication the way you'd approach a living stranger, with courtesy, not demand. Some spirits don't even know they've passed, and part of this work is helping them find their way. Always close your sessions properly, think of it like closing a door you opened.

Ground yourself first (visualizing roots into the earth is my go-to), then protect yourself, whether that's a visualized shield, a salt circle, or setting the intention that you only want friendly, positively aligned entities to come through. This isn't about fear. Grounding and protection are just basic spiritual hygiene, and worth doing daily, not just during spirit work.

Want the full conversation, plus the personal spirit communication tools I use myself? Listen to the full episode of Busy, Gritty, Inked & Witchy. New episodes drop every Wednesday.