Last week Doreen Virtue, creator of the angel cards I use in my readings, announced she’s renouncing much of her spiritual work. This post is my response to that.
Many years ago, towards the end of a Billy Joel concert in Auckland, I commented to my friend that Billy still had not played one of his biggest hits,
Uptown Girl
. She informed me that he doesn’t play it anymore because it reminds him of his ex wife Christie Brinkley (whom the song is famously written about). Even today I’m not sure whether this is true – maybe Billy just became sick of playing it, who knows? – but it struck me then that there’s a wide gulf between the way people respond to a piece of work and the feelings of the person who created it. If an artist grows to despise a song that played a large part in their success, does that diminish how special the tune is to those who adore it?
I found myself asking that question again last week, in relation to a force that runs much deeper than pop music: our belief systems.
I learned that Doreen Virtue – the prominent metaphysical leader who created the angel cards I use every day in my personal and professional life, the books that have influenced my spiritual beliefs and the certification program that underpins my business – is now turning away from many elements of her own teachings. Doreen has become a born-again Christian, and as a consequence is renouncing some of her previous work. And, if statements made to Christian media and Facebook groups are accurate, she is intending to lead her new age followers towards Christianity. I’m told that in a now-deleted video which prompted much hurt and confusion in the spiritual community, she told her legions of dedicated followers she would prefer they didn't read one of her books as it no longer held true for her. Ouch.
As you might imagine, this development sent me into a tailspin. Although Doreen’s beliefs are, frankly, none of my business, she’s someone I’ve looked to for guidance over the years, so her dramatic transformation from the platform of independent, heart-centred spirituality to judgement-based organised religion has shaken me to the core. If the person who created the program that taught me how to communicate with angels no longer believes in nor advocates that framework, where does that leave me (and the millions of others who’ve felt resonance with her principles over the past 20 or so years)? Was my Angel Intuitive certificate even valid? How could I, in good conscience, continue to use angel cards that have effectively been discredited?
As my lightworker pals pointed out to me last week (thank you to everyone who I turned to for advice!), Doreen did not discover angels herself nor invent the ability to channel them – these have been present for time immemorial. Doreen was merely one of many (prominent) mouthpieces for the angelic realm, and her growing discomfort with the new age world does not erode anyone else’s connection to it.
After some serious soul-searching, I’ve concluded Doreen’s conversion doesn’t change anything for me, and here’s why: the strength and integrity of my connection to the spiritual realm. I know that connection be legit from the countless signs I’ve experienced from the Universe over the years. The flow of emails and messages from clients and random social media followers whom my readings have helped. And a deep knowingness inside me that can’t be quantified. For me, it all comes back to this: many people find my messages helpful – not all people, of course… spirituality is not for everyone (including, now, one of its loudest champions lol) – and, in an often bleak and hostile world, that is reason enough to keep doing it.
I am grateful to Doreen for creating an angel-communication program which has informed my spiritual journey, but my continued progression on that path is not contingent on her teachings. I'm also thankful she was guided to create so many decks of angel cards which give shape, colour and nuances to the messages I channel. But my work and my connection are, ultimately, very much my own. I have forged my own path. There are plenty of Doreen’s teachings and principles I have rejected over the years or adapted to fit what resonated for me (her work with mermaids, unicorns and dolphins, for example, didn't appeal to me, although I know others felt a connection with it, and her judgement of people who enjoy coffee and even moderate intakes of alcohol didn’t exactly find favour). I've unfollowed her across all media channels now, but I wish her well on her new path.
There’s a valuable lesson from all this. Even though many spiritual leaders will inspire, uplift and stir awakenings within us, we must be very careful to always follow the guidance of our own intuition. I know this event has caused a deep rupture in the spiritual community, but I hope those who are feeling confused will respond as I have – with an honest examination of our truths, and a renewed understanding of the need to keep marching to the beat of our own drum. Blindly following people will only create a world full of sheep, and that's the last thing the planet needs right now.