2016-06-30
This interview was originally featured in September 2006.

At a young age Doreen Virtue was clairvoyant, capable of seeing angels and other metaphysical beings.  While her parents didn't encourage or discourage her psychic ability, she became a loner after being terribly teased by her peers. For years, Doreen rebuffed any contact from angels until she had a life-changing experience in 1995. Her book, Angels 101, is a guide for beginners who want to learn how to contact their heavenly helpers. She is currently planning International Angel Day, which will be a day of angel workshops held around the world.

If everyone has a guardian angel, why do terrorists or bad men do evil things? Are they guided by or surrounded by fallen angels?

The word ‘fallen angels’ to me is an oxymoron. There are earth-bound spirits and lower-energy spirits so everyone who’s very, very angry or very afraid or uses a lot of intoxicants tend to get those spiritual spirits. What I know is that everyone has angels; a lot of people just don’t listen to them. In the case of September 11, the terrorists obviously weren’t listening to the benevolent God and the angels that I know who would never, ever condone hurting anyone. We can wonder, “How could God let these bad things happen?” The answer is that nobody knows, but what I do know is that angels make things better than it could have been.

Did the angels prepare certain people for the 9/11 tragedy?


Yes, I believe that they did. I believe that many of the people who escaped the tragedy of [9/11] listened to their angels that morning. I have done some mediumship readings on some of the people who passed away in the Twin Towers. I was shown very clearly that Archangel Michael was there to help people pass over and make a peaceful transition. One person who had a horrific physical death showed me that he’s happy in heaven; he’s forgiven.

Tell me about International Angel Day.

The angels came to me in early June and said, “We want you to hold [a day] where people will give angel workshops worldwide on the same day and give part of the proceeds to children’s charities in their different communities.” So I said, “Ok, that sounds cool.” They told me to call it “International Angel Day” and they gave me a date. I didn’t even realize until after I set up “International Angel Day” that it was going to be on September 10, 2006, which is the day before the five-year anniversary of September 11. When I realized this, I thought, ‘Oh my god, they’re so ingenious.’ They want us to focus on the light and let go of the darkness and the anger. So on September 10, 2006, there will be introductory angel workshops around the world. People don’t even have to attend, but it’s still a day where they can ask the angels to help them to lose fear or to forgive; it’s a day that can bring more peace into everyone’s hearts.

I’ve heard that people who are desperate to loved ones have a harder time contacting angels. Should people who contact angels always be in a tranquil, calm mood?

There are some people who are so desperate to talk to angels or to see loved ones that they try too hard to hear the angels. They’re straining and pushing, and there’s an underlying fear that causes a strain that definitely interferes with contacting angels. So, it is best to be calm, even though it’s not always possible. Sometimes, it’s when we need to hear the angels the most that we have the hardest time hearing them. To avoid interference, I like asking for a sign. Here’s what I say: “Angels, please give me a clear sign in the physical world that I can easily notice and understand to give me guidance.” And then, I let go. I counsel people, “Don’t tell the angels what kind of sign to give you.” Don’t tell the angels to give you a rainbow or a lightning bolt. I ask them to give me a clear sign in the physical world that I can easily notice and understand. The angels are so ingenious, they’ll send us things like a song that we keep hearing over and over again. Maybe the song or the lyrics remind us of a friend who’s passed. Or, another sign may be that three people in a row will tell you to see the same movie or read the same book.

What if an angel keeps telling someone to do something but they repeatedly ignore it. Would the angels eventually give up?


No, what’s so remarkable about angels is that they have eternal patience. The angels know that we humans have egos and our egos can make us afraid, which manifests in stubbornness. Some people think, “Some day I’ll like to work with the angels when I’m 80 and have more time.” But, the angels are saying, “You’re not going to have more time when you’re 80; do it now.” The angels will keep suggesting things for you to do.

Should parents nurture their children’s beliefs in angels at a young age?

The children these days are much more open to angels than prior generations. I think it’s because the parents are much more open minded. In previous decades, the parents were really afraid that a child had an invisible friend and they would say, “Stop that! Stop lying!” Or, in some cases, the parents would say: “This is evil or this is crazy.” I’ve had two or three students tell me their parents locked them up in the mental hospital or took them to the psychiatrist because they were clairvoyant. But, parents these days actually seem proud: “My little Johnny sees angels.” They brag about it; so that’s why I think children are more psychic now. I give credit to the more open-minded parents. One woman who came to my workshop had told her daughter, “I’m going to this workshop to learn how to talk to angels, honey.” And the daughter, who was 7-years-old, said, “Mommy, you don’t need to go to a workshop to learn how to do that.” It’s so cute.

Why do angels appeal so much to people?

Everyone loves angels; they cross all the religious divides, even in the Eastern culture. I think angels are viewed as benevolent and entirely safe. They're like kittens. Everyone loves kittens; even people who are allergic to cats love kittens. Angels are viewed as a little fluffy, so it takes awhile for people to get past the view that they're superficial. For the guys who are working them, they can have a real macho appeal, too. They're also very practical; they're not all airy fairy like some people believe. They can help you open up your heart in your career path, your health, and your relationships. People who work with angels are happier. They just have this feeling of joy and a child-like bliss that you don't find in people who have this removed, detached spiritual path.

Why do more women believe in angels than men?

I find that more women are on a spiritual path than men, with the exception of scientifically-based spirituality like Gregg Braden's work or Dr. [Masaru] Emoto's work. I think that a lot of men are afraid of opening their hearts and getting honest because they're afraid of making big changes.

Is there a danger in isolating yourself too much with angels, to the point where you end up hurting yourself physically?

God and the angels would never ever want anyone to hurt themselves. What I’ve found is that people who work with angels tend to lose their social phobias and become nicer, happier people. Wherever I go, people always say, “Gosh, your audience has the nicest people.” It seems like people who like angels are sweet.

What's your favorite prayer?

Doreen Virtue's Favorite Prayer
I choose to stay centered in the awareness of love, God, and my true self. In the center, like the eye of a hurricane, all is tranquil, safe, and peaceful. My power, wisdom, and peace come from staying in the center and I ask for spiritual support from God and the angels to keep my mind aligned with truth. I now willingly detach from the material world knowing that by so doing, I can effectively help others. I trust God to provide my every need and I allow God's omnipotent wisdom to direct me in all ways. I accept a steady diet of love and joy, knowing that I deserve happiness and health. I willingly and lovingly release all ego judgments about myself and other people, knowing that everything I want comes from my decision to experience the wonders of all life. I know I am meant to be a healer and a teacher for God, and I now accept my mission fully without delay or reservation. I surrender all behaviors that will block me from hearing my inner voice, and I happily trust my inner guide to lead me along this way where I joyfully serve as an instrument of love. I release any doubts or fears I might have about fulfilling my divine mission, and I now commit to staying aware of my inner voice for God. I know that this is the only tool I will ever need for my own healing and the healing of the world. Amen.

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