Actually, I am being really unreasonable. However I would like to ask those who have experienced Angel Feathers to....

[DioneTheDiabolist]

...answer a few questions that I have.

1). What does it feel like when you see that feather?

2). What are your thoughts when this happens?

And

3). What would you say are the long term (if any) effects that you would attribute to these encounters.

I understand that this belief has been the subject of some ridicule here. I have no intention of ridiculing anyone. This thread has been inspired by a previous AIBU thread, but is not a thread about a thread. I am not a journalist. I am not seeking results to use in an academic submission or publication. What I am seeking is knowledge and understanding in the hope that I can use it to help others.

IABU for the following reasons:
I only posted in AIBU for the traffic. If MN rule that I have breached guidelines, can it be moved and not deleted.

And I ask the skeptics not to put people off answering honestly. If you think it necessary, I can start another thread for all your thoughts to be discussed. Perhaps the scientifically minded of you could look at this as an information gathering excersise.

If an angel is capable of dropping a feather in your path to give you some undefined message/warning, why can't they write you a note/speak to you?

I would love, love, love to believe in angels/ghosts/God but if all they can do to ease your huge pain is shed an unwanted feather/ turn lights on and off/ send their son to inspire a book over 2000 years ago, then what fricking use are they?

Where are angels/ Gods when someone is desolate or crying themselves to sleep? Where were God and his angels in the Philippines last week? If God makes/lets that sort of shit happen then ain't no way I'm worshipping him, or giving headspace to angels, ta.

Is this an online version of Chat?

You :(

My child would be 22 now, but she went to 'God' at 4 months.......

I almost moved into chapel form comfort, it took me years and years and years, to come to terms with it.

Everyone is entitled to some comfort wherever or however they find it.

I do Brian, but as I said before, I do not wish to bring the spotlight of skepticism onto those who are in so much pain. Unfortunately the subject and perhaps my name, would do just that.

I would prefer non disclosure or PM, rather than draw unwanted attention to people in pain.

I found a parrot feather the other day . :)
Unless it was a particularly funky green and orange angel.

If finding feathers consoles the grief-stricken, then I'm glad. Anything that comforts the bereaved is helpful.
I am a skeptic but I like to be gentle and wish people well if their beliefs are harmless but comforting. We all need comfort sometimes.

Of course Monty I'm so sorry for your loss. Take comfort wherever you can xxx

It's just I, personally, can't believe in/worship a god/angels who let the things that happen to me and to the world, happen.

You me too, I so wish it were all true. Sadly, I now feel it is not. At the time though, I drew a lot of comfort from my religion, it did help me through it, they helped me through it, so for that I am grateful. What can I say, 'let those that seek comfort find it?' I had my religion before this tragedy so I didn't just adopt it all of a sudden.

In whatever guise people seek help, because boy did I need and it did help, so let people do what people do. Don't judge,care, encourage, love and empathise.

(Wow can't believe I just wrote that lol!).

Anyway, so back to the thread, I feel comfort momentarily when I see a white feather.

There's no harm in it. :)

Oh Monty, .

Thank you Monty. I'm sorry if my thread has hurt you.

This really should go in philosophy topic as its not an AIBU and more importantly so i can hide it

To answer the question. Until a few weeks and 1 MN thread ago white feathers did not register on my radar any higher than a tuft if cat fur floating past. Now they piss me off because they remind me of how utterly frustrating it is to know perfectly intelligent people who believe in some higher being/cloud living friend/heavenly afterlife.

Of, course, Monty, again I am so sorry

I'd never try to change anyone's mind abut what they believe or ridicule it.

What I'm saying is I wish, wish, wish I believed and that angels/God was there for me when I was in my time of need. They weren't. Any feathers were from the decapitated robins my cat brought in and any help came from me seeking and pushing for it from the NHS.

I'm glad they were there for you.x

Depends if its genuine or not, ie: can I,see a logical reason why its there - but the ones that have no source, such as the tiny soft downy one that fell from mid air above my head just after I ad heard my DM had just passed - this was indoors in an upstairs room with no window to open - & we have no feather duvets or pillows at all anywhere due to allergies

1. Peaceful, calm, happy.
2. That I am blessed, that I have just been send a wonderful message.
3. That I neither fear death, nor believe when anyone I love passes that its the end, just a transition to another level & if we are open to seeing & hearing, the sign are always there.

Can I ask in what way you intend to hopevtomusecthe info to help others ??

Di and You honestly, please don't apologise, you both sound absolutely lovely and I'm sorry if I made you feel bad.

My point is, let the suffering be healed, in what way they find.

I wish to 'god' 'it' was all true, but at this stage in my life I don't. I miss that. But I simply am not convinced any more.

Perspective, one lost daughter.... Phillippines, tsunamis, earthquakes and wars that have happened since. I just cherish my memories and glad I have so many loved ones around me.

Sorry for getting so deep.

All about a white feather :)

Sorry for thread hogging or whatever its called, but my message is still the same. Please don't judge people's ways of dealing with grief.

I'm going to shut up now :)

Thank you for your answers Rockinhippy.

I am a counsellor and issues arising from grief loom large in my work with my clients.

Monty, you hog all you like.

As I have said, my hope from this thread is to gain knowledge from those who find comfort, not heap more unpleasantness on those in pain.

In which case I'm glad I answered & very glad to see someone in your profession taking the time & trouble to study this phenomena - but feathers are only one part if it :)

Yes, in grief, you'll grasp anything :)

(Still up) :)

Di pm me if you like. All the counselling in the world didn't help me, but you're welcome to have my take on it, others are different :)

Rockinhippy

And thank you to Fut and all the other posters who have taken time to respond to th OP.

Off to bed now and am working tomorrow. But I will read all replies. I wish you all a good night's sleep.

I should have added to number 2 - that sometimes no matter how bad it seems - I suddenly just know everything is going to be alright.

Like the time DD was admitted to hospital with double pneumonia - we got onto the ward, she as wired up in intensive care & barely able to breathe, I felt so scared & helpless & it had been a battle to get her there at all, I thought it was too late & I was going to lose her, she looked so,tiny & frail & they were doing such awful things to her, but they had to & I had to help her understand that & stay strong, she must not see my fear - but I was screaming with fear inside.

Right there above her hospital bed came floating down a a large fluffy single white feather & I felt suddenly very calm & strong again & just knew, that no matter how bad it got, she was going to be okay.

This was in a brand new kids hospital that had opened that week - DD was the only child on the ward, the only child that had ever been on that ward

A white feather landed beside me at my Mother's burial. Take what you want from it.

Nite nite :)

We see white feathers as symbols of hope, so we take hope from them. It's that way round.

Bit unnecessary there monty

White feathers are a sign that we are not alone.

We in the modern western world have mostly lost our ability to notice and read signs.
To Native Americans and native Australians who lived their lives connected to the Earth it is a way of life.