A protective guardian angel watches over a child. Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

Guardian Angels

Some people believe that a “Guardian Angel” is present with every individual from the moment of birth. Others believe that they are there only when needed in moments of crisis. The chief function of a guardian angel is to protect the individual, helping him or her to make the best decisions and to lead a positive and productive life. In Spiritualism, the guardian angel may be equated with the Gatekeeper, the chief spirit guide.

In some societies the term used is guardian spirit, tutelary spirit, protective spirit, or guardian genius. “Genius” is the Latin term for each man’s protector; “Juno” is the feminine form. The genius was honored in Roman birthday celebrations. There was also a genius loci which guarded a particular place. In ancient Greece, the equivalent was the personal dæmon, which accompanied a man throughout his life. Some societies equate the guardian spirit with a deceased ancestor. In many Native American traditions, the “vision quest” involves finding one’s guardian spirit, though legend has it that the guardian spirit might appear spontaneously in a dream, often in animal form.

In the Old Testament there is mention in Daniel chapters 10 and 12 of angels who watch over different kingdoms and different people. In Mohammedan belief every person is guarded by two angels during the day and another two at night.

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