Signs From Our Loved Ones: How Spirit Communicates With Us

Have you ever caught a whiff of your grandmother's perfume when no one else was around? Or noticed a robin appearing at just the moment you were thinking of someone you've lost? These aren't coincidences—they're signs. Our loved ones in spirit are constantly reaching out, letting us know they're still with us, still loving us, still watching over our lives.

As a medium, I witness these beautiful connections every single day. The veil between our world and the spirit world is far thinner than most people realise, and our departed loved ones are incredibly creative in the ways they communicate. Let me share with you the most common—and some of the most extraordinary—signs I've encountered in my work.

1. Feathers: Messages From Heaven

Finding feathers in unexpected places is one of the most widely reported signs from spirit. White feathers are particularly significant, often appearing when you're feeling low or questioning whether your loved one is near. I've had clients find feathers inside their homes in rooms with closed windows, on their car seats, even tucked into the pages of meaningful books.

What makes feathers so special is their timing. They don't just appear randomly—they show up precisely when you need reassurance. One client found a white feather on her pillow the morning of her wedding, the first major milestone since losing her father. He was letting her know he was there, walking her down the aisle in spirit.

2. Butterflies and Dragonflies: Transformation and Light

Butterflies carry profound symbolism of transformation and the soul's journey. When a butterfly lands on you or follows you, pay attention. I've witnessed butterflies appear at funerals, memorial services, and during private moments of grief with such perfect timing that it takes your breath away.

Dragonflies, too, are powerful messengers. Their iridescent wings catch the light in ways that seem almost otherworldly. Many cultures believe dragonflies represent the souls of the departed, and in my experience, they often appear near water or during moments of emotional release—as if our loved ones are acknowledging our tears and our healing.

3. Robins and Cardinals: Winged Visitors

Birds are perhaps the most common way our loved ones make their presence known. Robins, in particular, are known as 'spirit messengers' in many traditions. A robin tapping at your window, appearing in your garden repeatedly, or showing up at significant times isn't random—it's a visit.

Cardinals hold special meaning, especially in North America, where the vibrant red bird is often called a 'messenger from heaven.' The saying goes, 'When a cardinal appears, an angel is near.' I've heard countless stories of cardinals appearing on anniversaries, birthdays, or during moments of deep grief, bringing comfort when it's needed most.

I'll never forget the moment during a face-to-face reading when a robin landed gently on my client's chair—precisely as I was sharing her husband's message of enduring love from spirit.

4. Pennies and Coins: Pennies From Heaven

Finding coins, especially pennies, in unusual places is a classic sign from spirit. The phrase 'pennies from heaven' exists for a reason. Your loved ones know that finding money, even a small amount, will catch your attention and make you smile.

You know the old saying: 'See a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck'? I believe this isn't just about luck—it's spirit letting us know they are with us in those very moments. When you spot that penny and feel compelled to pick it up, your loved one is reaching out, reminding you of their presence and showering you with their love and protection.

What's remarkable is where these coins appear: in the middle of a freshly cleaned floor, on your pillow, in your shoe, or along a path you walk every day. One client found a penny dated with her late husband's birth year on their anniversary—in the pocket of a coat she hadn't worn in months. These aren't accidents; they're intentional gifts of love.

5. Electrical Interference: Lights, Music, and Technology

Spirit energy is electrical in nature, which is why our loved ones often communicate through electronics. Lights flickering when you mention their name, the television changing channels on its own, or a specific song playing at just the right moment—these are all ways spirit reaches out.

I've had meetings where the lights in the area i'm sitting with my client have dimmed or brightened in response to questions. Clients report their loved one's favourite song coming on the radio during difficult moments, or their phone displaying photos of the deceased without being touched. One woman's doorbell camera captured an orb of light on the anniversary of her mother's passing—at the exact time her mother had died, I was extremely lucky to be shown the footage at the end of our meeting when she was sharing her stories.

Technology is actually easier for spirit to manipulate than physical objects, so don't dismiss these occurrences as mere electrical faults. When it happens repeatedly or with meaningful timing, trust that it's a message.

6. Scents and Fragrances: The Smell of Love

Our sense of smell is deeply connected to memory and emotion, which is why our loved ones often use scent to announce their presence. Suddenly smelling your father's aftershave/cologne, your grandmother's cooking, or the flowers from a funeral can stop you in your tracks—and that's exactly the point.

These phantom scents appear when there's no physical source. You might smell pipe tobacco in a non-smoking household, roses in the middle of winter, or a particular perfume that only one person wore. The scent is usually brief but unmistakable, and it often comes during moments when you're thinking of that person or need their comfort.

I experienced this myself shortly after my nan passed away. My son and I were driving down a country road—nothing but fields and mud for miles, not a flower in sight. We'd been talking about my nan just seconds before when suddenly, the overwhelming scent of carnations filled the car. It was so powerful, so intense, it felt like the flowers had been placed right under my nose. There was no logical explanation, no physical source. It was my nan, letting us know she was right there with us, listening to our conversation, surrounding us with her love.

I once worked with a woman who smelled her late husband's aftershave every morning for a week after his passing. It gave her the strength to get out of bed and face each day. That's the gift of these signs—they provide comfort exactly when we need it most.

7. Dreams and Visitations: Meeting in the In-Between

Not all dreams are just dreams. Visitation dreams have a distinctly different quality—they feel more real, more vivid, and they stay with you long after waking. In these dreams, your loved one often appears healthy, happy, and at peace. They may offer advice, reassurance, or simply let you know they're okay.

What distinguishes a visitation dream from a regular dream is the clarity. Colours are brighter, conversations are coherent and meaningful, and you wake up with a profound sense of peace or knowing. Many people report that their loved one looked younger or was free from the illness that took them—this is spirit showing you their true, eternal self.

These dreams often occur during significant times: before a major decision, during periods of grief, or on meaningful dates. Trust these experiences. Your loved one is using the dream state, when your conscious mind is quiet, to connect with you.

8. Number Sequences and Synchronicities: Divine Timing

Seeing repeated numbers—11:11, 2:22, or a loved one's birth or death date appearing everywhere—is spirit's way of getting your attention. These synchronicities are too frequent and too specific to be mere coincidence.

You might glance at the clock at 3:33 every day for a week, or notice your loved one's birthday appearing on receipts, license plates, and page numbers. These number patterns are like gentle taps on the shoulder, reminding you that you're being watched over and guided.

Synchronicities extend beyond numbers, too. You might think of someone and immediately receive a message about them, or a stranger might say exactly what your loved one used to say. The universe conspires to deliver messages in ways that are undeniable when you're paying attention.

9. Physical Sensations: Touches From Beyond

Feeling a gentle touch on your shoulder, a hand holding yours, or a presence sitting beside you on the bed—these physical sensations are real. Spirit can create pressure and temperature changes that we perceive as touch.

Many people report feeling a warm embrace during moments of sadness, or a cool breeze across their face when all windows are closed. Some feel a gentle stroke on their hair or a kiss on their forehead. These touches are tender, loving, and unmistakably intentional.

Children are particularly sensitive to these sensations and often report them without fear. If your child mentions feeling 'Grandma's hug' or says someone is sitting with them, believe them. Children haven't yet learned to dismiss these experiences as impossible.

10. Objects Moving or Appearing: Gifts From Spirit

Finding objects in strange places, especially items that belonged to your loved one or hold special meaning, is a powerful sign. A photograph falling off the wall, a book opening to a significant page, or discovering a lost item in a place you've searched a hundred times—these are all spirit's handiwork.

I've heard stories of wedding rings reappearing after being lost for years, found in impossible locations. Ornaments falling from Christmas trees on significant dates. Pictures of the deceased turning face-up when they were face-down. These physical manipulations take enormous energy from spirit, which tells you how important the message is.

11. Animals as Messengers: Unusual Behaviour and Visits

Beyond birds and butterflies, all animals can serve as messengers. Your pet staring at an empty space, following something you can't see, or refusing to enter a room where they used to spend time with your loved one—they're sensing spirit presence.

Wild animals behaving unusually can also be signs. A deer approaching you without fear, a fox crossing your path at a meaningful moment, or a rabbit sitting outside your window—when animals behave in ways that feel significant, trust that instinct. Our loved ones can work through the animal kingdom to reach us.

12. Songs and Music: The Soundtrack of Love

Hearing 'your song' at the exact moment you need it is no accident. Whether it's on the radio, in a shop, or playing in your mind, music is a powerful conduit for spirit communication. The lyrics often contain the exact message you need to hear.

Pay attention when a song stops you in your tracks or brings tears to your eyes. Your loved one is using that music to speak to your heart. I've had clients hear their wedding song in the most unlikely places, or wake up with a melody in their head that turns out to be deeply significant.

How to Recognise and Receive These Signs

The key to receiving signs is awareness and openness. Our loved ones are always trying to reach us, but we often miss the signs because we're too busy, too skeptical, or too caught up in grief to notice.

Here's how to become more receptive:

Ask for signs. Speak to your loved ones out loud or in your mind. Ask them to send you a specific sign so you'll know it's them. Be patient—signs come in divine timing, not always on our schedule.

Pay attention to your first thought. When something unusual happens, your first instinct is usually correct. If you think, 'That's Dad,' it probably is. Don't let your logical mind talk you out of it.

Keep a sign journal. Write down every potential sign you receive, no matter how small. Over time, you'll see patterns and realise just how often your loved ones are reaching out.

Say thank you. When you receive a sign, acknowledge it. Thank your loved one out loud. This strengthens the connection and encourages more communication.

Trust your feelings. Signs come with a feeling—a warmth, a peace, a knowing. If something feels significant, it is. Your intuition is your greatest tool for recognising spirit communication.

Why Signs Matter

These signs aren't just comforting—they're proof that love transcends death. They remind us that our relationships don't end when someone passes; they simply change form. Our loved ones continue to be part of our lives, celebrating our joys, comforting our sorrows, and guiding us from the other side.

Every feather, every song, every inexplicable moment of connection is a love letter from heaven. It's their way of saying, 'I'm still here. I still love you. You're never alone.'

In my work as a medium, I've learned that the veil between worlds is gossamer-thin, and our loved ones are far closer than we imagine. They haven't gone away—they've simply moved into a different room. And they're constantly knocking on the door, sending us signs, waiting for us to notice.

So the next time you find a feather, hear that song, or catch that familiar scent, don't dismiss it. Smile. Say hello. Know that you're being loved from the other side, and that connection is eternal.

Your loved ones are with you, always. You just need to know how to see the signs.