When people first open themselves to the spiritual world, they often look for certainty in the wrong places. We’re conditioned to trust appearances: light equals good, darkness equals bad. If a spirit shows up shimmering in gold, we assume it’s divine. If it appears shadowy or strange, we assume danger.

But in truth, appearance is the least reliable indicator of intent. Energy never lies—and energy is what you need to learn to read.

Why Presentation Can Mislead

Spirits, like humans, are layered beings. Just as a person can wear a mask of charm while hiding manipulative motives, spirits can cloak themselves in whatever imagery will gain your trust—an innocent child, or a beautiful bride, for example. Some may do this deliberately. Others may simply carry forms that are unfamiliar to our cultural imagination—forms we automatically label as “bad” because they don’t fit our expectations.

Think of someone you’ve met in this life who looked the part: polished, confident, persuasive. For a while you might have believed them, only to later feel the hollowness beneath the surface. And then think of someone else, quiet, plain, maybe even awkward, but whose presence put you at ease. Who did you trust more in the long run?

The spiritual realm is no different. You must see beyond the surface.

Energy Is the Language of Spirit

Everything in existence radiates energy. It’s not a metaphor—it’s physics (although often conflated with mysticism). Energy fields also interact. When you enter a room, you immediately sense whether it feels heavy or light, safe or charged. That’s not imagination. It’s your nervous system and intuition working together, reading the unseen.

With spirits, the same principle applies. Their essence communicates directly with your body before your mind even catches up. If you pay attention, you’ll notice:

• Expansion or contraction. Do you feel yourself open up, or tighten and pull inward?
• Clarity or confusion. Do you leave the encounter with more peace, or with spinning thoughts and doubt?
• Nourishment or depletion. Do you feel stronger, or weaker?

This is the truth. The imagery is the costume.

The Deceptive Shine

One of the biggest traps seekers fall into is mistaking brightness for goodness. Not all that glitters is divine. Some of the most manipulative energies present themselves as radiant, commanding, innocent or holy because they know that will lower your defences.

Here’s the test: light that is real won’t blind you or demand your obedience. It will expand you, not diminish you. If an energy dazzles you but leaves you dependent or drained, it isn’t aligned with love.

True light feels like calm recognition, like remembering something ancient within yourself. It doesn’t impress you—it resonates with you.

The Misunderstood Shadow

On the flip side, not every shadow is dangerous. Many protective spirits, ancestral guides, and primordial beings carry forms that feel heavy or strange to our human senses. They may not look “pretty.” They may appear dark, wild, or even frightening. But if you pay attention to the feeling beneath the appearance, you might notice grounding, safety, or strength.

Sometimes what looks scary is actually holding you steady. And sometimes what looks beautiful is quietly trying to hook you.

The Afterglow Test

One of the simplest ways to discern intent is to notice how you feel during or after the encounter. Sit with yourself. Notice what lingers.

If you feel empowered, grounded, or more aligned with love, that’s a sign of goodness.

If you feel confused, anxious, or less sure of yourself, that’s a red flag.

Good spirits don’t manipulate. They don’t leave you questioning your worth. They don’t require blind devotion. They leave you stronger, clearer, and freer.

If you encounter a good spirit, you feel it immediately in their energy. The key in discernment is therefore to simply trust how you feel.

Training Your Discernment

Like any muscle, intuition grows with use. Here are practices that help:

1. Ground before you open. Set an intention for clarity and protection before any spiritual work. Imagine roots anchoring you into the earth.
2. Ask directly. You can say, “Are you aligned with truth and love?” Spirits of light don’t resist being named. If you feel resistance, trust that.
3. Use your body as compass. Pay attention to your chest, gut, and breath. Your body will register truth long before your mind rationalizes it away.
4. Test consistency. Real allies will not change their message to flatter you. Trickster energies often shift tone depending on your mood or vulnerability.
5. Notice patterns over time. One encounter can be confusing, but repeated experiences show you the spirit’s true nature.

Trust Yourself Over Symbolism

Culture conditions us to trust certain images. We’re told angels always look like glowing figures with wings, while demons lurk in fire and smoke. But symbols are human inventions. Spirit is far more fluid and diverse than the boxes we’ve created.

When in doubt, remember: energy is universal. It doesn’t depend on culture, language, or image. You don’t need a theology degree to recognize it. You already know.

Closing

The spiritual path asks us to stay open to guidance, yet remain aware and engaged in what we experience. You don’t need to fear every shadow, nor should you blindly trust every dazzling light. Look deeper. Feel into your body. Trust the resonance.

Because at the end of the day, the presentation is a mask. The energy is the truth.

Believe the energy. Always.