Below, learn how to receive messages from the Universe (and how to know if a message is even from the Universe). Plus, discover 10 common signs from the Universe you might receive in your daily life.

What Is A Message From The Universe?

A message from the Universe is a sign, synchronicity, or deep inner knowing that comes from a higher power. You might call this higher power the Universe, God, Source Energy, or another name that resonates with you. Messages can often be signs of alignment, giving you reassurance to know that you’re on the right path. They may also be gentle nudges in a certain direction. And sometimes, they’re simply loving reminders that you’re not alone. When you’re experiencing struggle and hardship, a message from the Universe can be a source of comfort, letting you know that everything’s going to be okay.

Below, learn how to know if a message is from the Universe, what to do after you receive a message, and how to ask for a message when you’re feeling alone, discouraged, or just need a little extra reassurance. Plus, learn about 10 common signs from the Universe that you may experience in your daily life.

In This Article:

• How To Know A Message Is From The Universe
• Common Signs & Messages From The Universe
• What To Do After You Receive A Message
• How To Ask For Messages From The Universe

How To Know A Message Is From The Universe

It’s likely that you’re experiencing messages from the Universe every single day. It may not feel like it because you may not yet associate it as coming from a higher power. A profound reason for this is that often, your daily messages come in the form of your own inner knowing. And trusting your inner knowing can be hard, especially at first.

If you’re ever unsure if a message is truly from the Universe, you can ask yourself, “Does it feel like love?”

Because here’s the truth: every single message you receive from the Universe should feel like love.

You are your own biggest critic. You’re harder on yourself than anyone else could ever be. You may expect perfection from yourself, and because of your own heavy expectations, you think the Universe expects perfection from you, too. But it doesn’t.

The Universe has never had a single negative thought or feeling about you; the Universe knows only love.

So carry that with you as you learn how to decode messages from the Universe.

The Universe is not out to get you. You will never receive a message telling you that you’re not worthy or that you’re not good enough. If you hear an inner voice criticizing or judging you, it’s not the Universe; it’s your own insecurities and self-doubt. You might receive messages to have more patience or to stop holding on so tightly to experiences or things, but even these messages will feel like love. They’ll feel like they’re in your best interest. Sometimes, a message may reveal a difficult truth you’ve been suppressing within, but this is never done to hurt you. These messages are meant to help you move forward on your path and to help you grow.

Again, it all comes back to love. The foundation for all the messages you receive is love.

You might have a hard time trusting your intuition, but ask yourself: can you trust love?

Can you trust that if something feels like love, that means it’s right?

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Common Signs & Messages From The Universe

Sometimes, the messages you receive will come in the form of your own intuition, and other times, it may be an object, symbol, or something you see or hear. Read below for 10 common messages you might receive in your daily life.

Numbers and Number Patterns

11:11. 333. 888.

Numbers and repeating number patterns are often the most common type of message you may experience, especially when you’re first starting out. (Besides your own intuition, which should never be discounted.) The reason for this is because we’re surrounded by numbers constantly: time, temperature, dates, step count, mileage, even the number of likes on an Instagram post. When you’re learning to receive messages from the Universe, it’s also a good way to train your mind to pick up on signs.

So what exactly do these numbers mean? Well, that depends. If the number or number pattern has a unique meaning to you, then trust your inner knowing to decode their meaning. If you’re not sure, that’s okay! Numbers hold spiritual meaning, so it may help to look up the meaning of the number pattern you keep seeing. If you want to learn more about angel numbers and the spiritual meaning of different number patterns, here’s a helpful guide from TheLawOfAttraction.com.

Objects

You’re at the store and a particular object speaks to you. Maybe a book falls off the shelf in front of you. Or you find something in a drawer at home that you haven’t seen in years. Objects can come in all different forms, such as a toy, letter, article of clothing, picture, piece of jewelry, or anything that holds meaning to you.

Dreams

Dreams are a powerful guide to your subconscious mind. Have you ever had a recurring dream? Or maybe a particularly vivid and intense dream? Maybe you don’t have recurring dreams, but you dream about the same people or experiences often. What are these dreams telling you?

Symbols

Feathers, trees, flowers, shapes, and mountains are just a few of symbols that might show up for you. For instance, if white roses have a special meaning for you, maybe seeing or receiving a white rose is a sign to remind you that you are always loved.

Synchronicities

A synchronicity is one of those perfect timing moments that feels like there’s no way it could just be a coincidence. Someone you haven’t talked to in years suddenly appears in your mind, and the next day, they call you out of nowhere. Or you decide to follow your heart and move to a new city, and instantly, someone from your past shows up to offer you a job in that city, even though they had no idea you were looking. When a synchronicity shows up in your life, listen. These are gentle nudges from the Universe letting you know you’re on the right path and guiding you toward your next step.

Songs & Song Lyrics

Songs can represent messages both in their lyrical meaning and in your personal relationship with the song. The lyrics of a song could speak to you, or it could simply be the song title that catches your eye. A particular song may also have a special place in your heart. Did a song come on the radio that makes you think of your first love? This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s time to call up your first love and give it another go. What it could be is a gentle reminder of a time in your life when your heart was open and unguarded. Maybe it’s time to open your heart again and let love in.

Animals

Does a certain animal show up for you in different places and times? It doesn’t have to be the actual physical presence of the animal; it could be a picture or a wood carving of the animal. The animal might also come to you in meditation. Your intuition may know exactly what the appearance of this animal means. If not, I encourage you to look up the spiritual meaning of this animal and see what resonates. This guide from SpiritAnimal.info offers some really great insight to help you get started.

Money & Coins

Finding money on the ground can be a message from the Universe that abundance is on its way. Instead of dismissing the next penny you see on the sidewalk as meaningless, say a quiet thank you to the Universe for this sign.

Social Media Posts

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram when you read a post that feels like it was written just for you? Do you know those posts that resonate so deeply, you’re called to bookmark and re-read them over and over again? If the words cause all the cells in your body to light up, trust that power. Trust that those words are meant for you.

Your Own Intuition

I can’t emphasize this enough: don’t discount the power of your own intuition. Your intuition is that deep inner knowing pulling you in a certain direction, even if it doesn’t make logical sense. Trusting your intuition can be scary at first, but once you start leaning in, you’ll realize that the steps you’re taking aren’t random. The Universe is always working behind the scenes to take care of you, even when you don’t see it. And that deep inner knowing you feel is a message from the Universe telling you it’s time to take inspired action. Everything is set up for you perfectly; all you have to do is act. Will the path ahead look exactly as you had hoped? Maybe not. But if you trust it, you may just open yourself up to something even more beautiful and profound than you can even imagine.

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What To Do After You Receive A Message

Your next steps will depend on what message you received.

If you received a gentle nudge to follow a certain path, walk forward in faith. It’s okay if you’re scared. When I received my nudge to quit my well-paying, full-time job to be a writer, I had zero prospects and no idea how I was going to make money. None. I was terrified, and I didn’t make the leap right away. It took me months to convince myself that I wasn’t making a huge mistake. But that pull inside was too strong to ignore. And now? I can tell you with gratitude and awe that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It wasn’t always easy, and it required A LOT of faith, but I couldn’t be more grateful for the courageous girl who made that first scary step into the life of her dreams.

Sometimes, your message won’t be to take action, though. Sometimes, it may be a message to have patience. Or it might be just a little reminder that you’re not alone. In these moments, simply expressing gratitude is enough. You might even imagine a blanket of inner peace washing over you. Let this message be a loving reminder that all is well and you’re going to be okay.

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How To Ask For Messages From The Universe

If you’ve been looking for a message from the Universe and not receiving anything, that’s okay. This is actually completely normal. As frustrating as it sounds, the old adage is true: that thing you’ve been looking for usually comes when you stop looking. In the spiritual world, that means to surrender, let go, and trust.

You can also ask the Universe for a sign in any moment when you’re feeling anxious, worried, or just need a loving reminder that you’re not alone. This may feel a little weird at first, but it gets more comfortable with time. You may think, “If I’m supposed to have faith, does asking for a sign show a lack of faith?” When you have these kinds of doubts and uncertainties (and these types of questions will often arise in your spiritual journey), I want you to come back to this truth:

The Universe is never judging you. The Universe is never criticizing you. The Universe is only ever loving you.

The Universe will never say, “This person asked me for a sign, so they must not trust me.” Never. Every single one of those feelings and doubts comes from within. This is why it’s so easy to self-sabotage when you’re on this spiritual path: because you experience negative thoughts about yourself and assume that’s what the Universe must think of you, too.

So I want you to come back to this time and time again: The Universe is only ever loving me. The Universe is only ever loving me. The Universe is only ever loving me.

You can absolutely ask the Universe for a sign, and in this article, I explain how.

Here are two major points to remember when asking the Universe for a sign:

• Sometimes, the sign will come pretty quickly. Other times, it may not. Have patience. If the Universe doesn’t respond right away, don’t assume you won’t get your message. I’m going to come back to that sometimes frustrating statement: it’ll come when you’re not looking.

• And if you don’t receive the answer you were hoping for? From my experience, every single time I didn’t get what I wanted, it’s because something even better was coming. Every. Single. Time.

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What kind of messages from the Universe do you receive in your daily life? Share your experiences in the comment box below!

And for positive affirmations, self-love tools, manifestation inspiration, and spiritual resources, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram.

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Are you looking for loving guidance from the Universe? In this post, learn how to ask the Universe for a sign, plus get examples of common signs and synchronicities you might experience in your external world.

Speaking to the Universe

How often do you pause in the middle of the day to simply talk to the Universe?

For a long time, the idea of speaking to the Universe felt like a strange, foreign idea to me. Even as I grew deeper in my spiritual journey, I had learned how to accept and receive love from the Universe, and I had found a way to communicate with a higher power through visualization, but rarely did I actually speak out loud to the Universe.

When I did finally start speaking to the Universe, it was usually when I was at my lowest and was looking for some kind of guidance. But in time, I started talking to the Universe more often throughout my day, and now, it’s rare that I don’t speak aloud to a higher power at least once a day.

Sometimes, I pause to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that I have.

Other times, I might ask for guidance when I’m in the midst of uncertainty.

And often, I just speak without needing or expecting an immediate answer. For instance, a couple months ago, I was experiencing a period in which I was feeling lost and uninspired. I felt like I didn’t have the words to share to help people; I wasn’t sure if I had anything meaningful or of value to offer the world.

So I laid down on the couch and started talking to the Universe:

“I feel like something has been missing this week. I feel like I don’t have the right words to help people right now. I’ve been feeling off. And I realize that’s okay. I don’t have to label that as good or bad. It just is. Maybe if I stop labeling it as bad, I’ll see that in some ways, this experience is a gift.”

I paused after I finished speaking and almost laughed at the irony of it all; in 20 seconds of slowing down and speaking to the Universe, I’d found words more profound and meaningful than in a week of struggling to find inspiration outside myself.

In any moment, you can choose to slow down, step back, and communicate with the Universe. Below, I’ll discuss the ways you can ask the Universe for a sign as well as some of the ways you know the Universe is speaking back to you.

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How to Ask the Universe for a Sign

Speaking to the Universe and asking for a sign is a deeply personal experience. Ultimately, the best way to ask for a sign is to do what feels best to you, regardless of what someone else does or doesn’t do.

Below, I discuss two ways to ask the Universe for a sign. The first way is to ask for a specific sign. For instance, you might ask to see a butterfly sometime during the day to show you that you’re on the right path. The second way is to ask for any sign and trust your intuition to recognize the sign when it comes.

Neither way is better or worse than the other; it’s simply about what feels best for you.

No matter which way you choose to ask for a sign, remember that this practice isn’t about getting the answer you want; it’s about getting the answer you need. As Gabrielle Bernstein writes, “Asking for a sign means that you’re willing to collaborate with the Universe. It means that you’re committed to releasing structure and control to instead be led by a power greater than you. “

That means accepting that the sign you receive may not be what you were hoping for. This can be difficult at first, especially when you’re in the thick of your emotions, but I can tell you this from my experience: every single time I haven’t gotten what I wanted, it’s because the Universe was leading me somewhere better.

Every. Single. Time.

So the best thing you can do for yourself is to release your attachment to the outcome and simply trust the Universe to guide you exactly where you’re meant to be.

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How to Ask for a Sign: Asking for a Specific Sign

The first way to ask for a sign is to ask for a specific sign. As I mentioned above, this might mean asking to see a butterfly or another animal or creature during the day. You can ask to see something completely random that you don’t normally see, like an origami swan or a white feather.

It doesn’t matter what you ask for as long as it feels right to you.

The key to this practice is to not manipulate the outcome. For instance, don’t ask to see the numbers “111” and then stare at the clock until it’s 1:11. Or if you know there’s going to be rain, don’t ask to see a rainbow and then stand outside, staring at the sky the entire evening. Because chances are, even if you do see it, it won’t feel as meaningful as if the sign had come naturally.

So how exactly do you start the process of asking for a specific sign?

Choose a time and place when you feel safe, comfortable, and undistracted. If it feels right, you can close your eyes. Take a deep breath. You might choose to put your hand on your heart or to extend your hands in front of you with your palms facing the sky. Again, this is all about what feels best for you.

Then, speak out loud your request:

“Dear Universe, if I’m on the right path, please send me a white feather sometime in the next 24 hours.”

You can also ask about a more specific situation:

“Dear Universe, if I’m meant to take the job, please send me a seashell in the next 24 hours.”

After you’ve asked, the key is to let go. Don’t obsess over whether you’ll see your sign, and as I said above, don’t manipulate the outcome.

Trust your path, and trust your inner knowing to guide you.

How to Ask for a Sign: Asking for a General Sign

Whenever I ask for a sign, I usually take the path of asking for a more general sign and trusting my intuition to recognize the sign when it comes.

The steps I wrote above are the same, except in this instance, I might say something like, “Dear Universe, please send me a clear, loving sign of alignment that I’m on the right path.” Or, “Dear Universe, please send a gentle, clear, loving sign in the next 24 hours that I’m meant to accept the job offer.”

You can phrase this however you’d like. I always like to use adjectives like clear, loving, and gentle, and I might also add in a request that the sign brings harm to no one. You can play around with this and do what feels best for you.

What to Do After You’ve Asked for a Sign

So after you’ve asked for a sign from the Universe, what do you do?

First, open your heart and your mind. Allow whatever comes forth to be, exactly as it is. Trust that whether or not you get your sign, it’ll be okay. The Universe is supporting you in every way possible.

As you walk through your day, let go of any obsession over seeing the sign and simply walk forward in faith and trust. If I’ve asked for a sign and want to let go of my preoccupation with seeing the sign, I’ll choose to find things in my world to be grateful for. Gratitude becomes my anchor that keeps me grounded, centered, and at peace.

And no matter what, whether or not the sign comes, I always say a little thank you to the Universe after. This is how I recognize that the Universe has my back – always.

Common Signs and Synchronicities

If you’ve asked for a more general sign from the Universe, you might wonder how exactly you’ll know when your sign comes. Below, you can find some common signs and synchronicities you might experience. For more, be sure to check out my blog post on signs and synchronicities here.

Numbers

Is there a certain number that has a special meaning to you? Seeing that number somewhere in your external world could be the sign you’ve been waiting for. You might also see a certain number sequence over and over again. If you see a specific number sequence that doesn’t have a particular meaning to you, I encourage you to look up the spiritual meaning of that number. For instance, “222” is often associated with sitting in faith and trusting that everything is working out for you. A number sequence could be the Universe’s way of communicating with you.

Objects

An object might be a toy, letter, article of clothing, picture, piece of jewelry, or anything that holds meaning to you. Did you have a favorite childhood book that you haven’t seen in years, and suddenly it’s in front of you in the used bookstore? This might be your sign. Or, if a book literally falls off a shelf in front of you (I’ve actually heard of this happening to someone, and the book completely changed her life), take this as your sign and receive the guidance the Universe is offering you.

Symbols

Feathers, trees, flowers, shapes, and mountains are just a few of symbols that might show up for you. For instance, if yellow tulips have a special meaning for you, seeing or receiving a yellow tulip could be the sign you’ve been waiting for.

Songs

A song title appears on your Spotify playlist that seems to be written just for you. An old song that reminds you of a certain friend comes on the radio. You hear a lyric of a song that speaks straight to your heart. Don’t write these moments off. Let them speak to you.

Animals

Does a certain animal show up for you in different places and times? It doesn’t have to be the actual physical presence of the animal. It could be a picture or a wood carving of the animal, or the image of the animal could randomly appear in your mind. (This has happened to me with eagles.)

What to Do After You’ve Received Your Sign

Did you receive the sign you were looking for?

If you asked about a specific situation, such as whether you should accept a job offer, and you received a sign that indicates you should, then this is the time to take inspired action and accept the job.

If you asked about a more general situation, such as whether you’re on the right path, and you’ve received a sign that you are, then keep going with what you’re doing. Walk forward in faith, trusting that everything is working out for you, just as it’s meant to.

And if you didn’t receive the sign you were looking for? Know that it’s okay. This does not mean the Universe is ignoring you. Truthfully, every single time I haven’t received the answer I wanted, my inner knowing already knew the answer. And there lies your greatest power: your intuition.

Because it’s very likely that your intuition already knows the right next step. Your intuition may have already known whether or not you’d receive the sign before you even asked.

Your intuition is one of the ways the Universe speaks to you.

Trust it to guide you forward.

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Have you ever asked for a sign from the Universe? What practices feel best to you when it comes to asking for a sign? And what signs and synchronicities have shown up in your life? Share your story in the comment box below!

And for more spiritual resources and self-love tools, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram.

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