How to Ask Spirit for Signs (and Actually Recognize Them)

Asking for signs is one of my favorite ways to connect to spirit.

Anyone can ask for a sign anywhere at any time. Your spirit team wants to communicate with you. They’re already doing it, actually, it’s just a matter of tuning in, becoming more aware, and giving them a little more space to come through in your daily life.

 
A white and brown striped feather is held up before a blue starry sky with text overlay How to Ask Spirit for Signs and Actually Recognize Them
 
 

Say Hello to Your Spirit Team

The first step to receiving signs is simply acknowledging your spirit team exists and loves you unconditionally. That’s it. No complicated rituals needed. All you have to do is open your heart and say aloud or in your mind, “Hi, I’m ready to connect.”

That simple moment of intention creates an energetic doorway. And soon, you’ll begin to see signs everywhere because now you’re aware of them.

You’ll feel that nudge in your belly, hear a song lyric that makes you cry in the grocery store aisle, or see a cloud in the shape of a heart at the perfect moment. That’s your spirit team. That’s their love, showing up for you in the most beautiful ways.

Signs from Spirit are Often Subtle

Many people think spirit will come through in a big, dramatic way, but it’s actually more subtle than that. You may feel a gentle shift in the energy when you walk into a room or hear a whisper in your mind that sounds like your voice but says something your ego wouldn’t.

That’s spirit.

You could be going about your day when you’re suddenly hit with the smell of your loved one’s favorite perfume or cologne. The scent is so strong, like they were just in the room with you, but as you look around, no one’s there.

You see their smiling face clearly in your mind and remember how they would say your name with love. This is a very real spirit connection. They are using your natural intuitive senses to communicate with you.

When these spirit connections happen, our logical mind can step in and tell us that it’s just a memory.

But wait, you weren’t thinking of this person right before this experience, were you?

This is what you must keep in your mind when these connections happen — spirit will work through your memory using energy and vibration. What is most important to hold on to is the feeling of your experience and how it resonates with your soul knowing the truth.

Your Intuitive Senses are Always at Play

Spirit will use all of your intuitive senses to communicate with you. These intuitive senses are often referred to as Clair-senses (Clair is a French word meaning clear).

There are many different Clair-senses. Here’s a list of the main ones:

  • Clairvoyance (clear-seeing)

  • Clairaudience (clear-hearing)

  • Clairsentience (clear-feeling)

  • Claircognizance (clear-knowing)

  • Clairalience (clear-smelling)

  • Clairgustance (clear-tasting)

You might hear a message, see a symbol, feel a nudge, smell a scent, or just know. Sometimes it’s one sense, sometimes it’s all at once. Trust what you get. Don’t discount it just because it doesn’t come the way you expected.

You’re always connected — you’re just learning to tune in again.

Be Specific (But Not Controlling)

When you ask spirit for a sign, try to be as specific as you can, but not in a way that gets rigid or controlling.

You can feel a distinct energetic difference between the two.

For example, when you order at a restaurant, you relax until your food is placed before you. You don’t go into the kitchen and hover over the chef while they make it.

One option feels energetically open as you maintain a trust and flow to your ask, while the other feels closed off and stunted.

You always want to maintain that openness and flow to asking for signs from spirit. It will feel like a natural moment, like dancing with spirit and the universe.

If you’re asking to see something like a feather, don’t just ask for any feather. Ask for something not so ordinary, like a red feather or one with stripes. Make it unique to you. Meaningful.

Your spirit team loves working with you like this. The more specific you are, the more clearly you’ll recognize the sign when it shows up. It’s not about testing them; it’s about co-creating and fine-tuning your awareness.

I’ll never forget the time I asked spirit for three blue feathers. I was expecting to see one on a walk, maybe another randomly pop up in a book or on a website. You know, spread out a bit. But spirit had other plans!

I went to a play that night, and during Act Two, one of the main characters walked onstage carrying a journal. She opened it, and tucked inside were two large, vivid blue feathers. My stomach dropped in that whoa kind of way that only spiritual validation can give you. Let’s be honest, it’s not the most pleasant feeling at first — it hits hard — but it’s always followed by this quiet, blissful knowing.

I was still processing how wild that was, thinking, “Okay, amazing... two down, one to go.” Just a few minutes later, another actor came out wearing a full pair of blue wings. I had to laugh — Okay spirit, now you’re just showing off.

That’s what I mean about keeping it playful. Spirit has a wonderful sense of humor. And when you stay open and light about it, the signs can flow in beautifully unexpected ways.

Create Affirmations That Invite, Not Control

One powerful way to keep yourself tuned into receiving signs is by using affirmations.  Remember, though, affirmations work best when they’re open and heart-centered, not overly specific and mentally rigid.

You can write these affirmations down or say them out loud — whatever you feel most comfortable with. You’ll want to experiment to see what resonates with you best.

Use "I am" statements and remember to always write them in the positive by focusing on what you want rather than what you don't want. Other good openers include "I have" or "I love."

You can try out some simple, uplifting affirmations like:

  • “I easily see and receive the signs spirit sends me.” 

  • “I trust the loving messages from my guides.” 

  • “I am open to receiving support and guidance in magical ways.”

What you want to avoid is scripting the whole experience too tightly. For example: “I hear the song ‘XYZ’ at 11:11 every day and know that it means my guide wants me to do ABC.” That’s not an affirmation — that’s an expectation masquerading as a spiritual practice. It also brings in a controlling energy that can actually block the flow.

Your connection with spirit isn’t about scripting the moment. It’s about feeling into it, listening with your heart, and trusting that the way it comes through is perfect for you in that moment.

 
Blue feathers, angel numbers, spirals and more signs from spirit burst forth from a warm golden lit cloud filled sky representing signs from spirit

Trust the signs you receive from spirit

 

Stay in Your Heart, Stay Light

When we try too hard to control how spirit will communicate with us, we unintentionally make it harder to receive. Spirit doesn’t push through heavy, forceful energy; they work best through softness, openness, and love.

A good rule of thumb? Keep it light. Keep it playful. Keep it loving.

Spirit communication is not something you have to earn or force. It’s something that flows naturally when you let go a bit and stay in your heart. That’s where the magic happens.

Signs Grow Your Intuition

The more you notice signs, the more they’ll show up. That’s not a coincidence; it’s frequency. When you acknowledge what you’re receiving, you start to build trust in your intuition. You begin to see how spirit is always with you, always whispering gently through the noise of everyday life.

And the beautiful thing? The more you trust it, the stronger it becomes.

Your awareness expands. Your heart opens. And that subtle connection you once thought was just your imagination becomes something so real, so personal, so you.

Stay Open in Gratitude

So next time you want a little reassurance from your spirit team, ask. Be specific. Stay open. Watch for the magic.

And when it happens — because it will — say thank you. That gratitude keeps the energy flowing and the connection strong.

Spirit wants you to know you’re never alone. You never were.

You’re seen. You’re guided. You’re deeply, unconditionally loved.

Keep your heart open. Keep asking. Keep listening.

And enjoy the beautiful dance of signs and synchronicity that unfolds when you do.

You may enjoy the following articles:

 

Did you like this article? Consider leaving a tip!

 

Learn more about connecting to your spirit guides!

 
Two people sit next together before a view of the ocean through a window with text overlay Connect to Your Guides

Connect to Your Guides

 

Subscribe to News & Updates

Sign up with your email address and receive exclusive access to my video Connect to Your Spirit Guides Using These 7 Practices + a special bonus channeling of my spirit guide Archie!

 
spirit guide elemental being woman of the forest with bird

Subscribe to News & Updates

 

For my spiritual book recommendations, check out my Favorites Shop!

 
Collection of spiritual books and oracle cards

Favorites Shop