Working With Angels, First steps... Options

I am assuming that this is the right section to post in, but if it is not, could it please be moved by a moderator.

To put this thread simply, I want to know the first steps I can take in order to begin working with angels.

I recently read an article in a local magazine about a man who claimed to have a long, in depth conversation with his guardian angel which he nicknamed Theo (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif) . This man said that he communicated with "Theo" through what he calls "Active meditation".

There is a link to an online version of this article here:http://www.antesianprayerteam.org/faq/faq.htm

Now this is all well and good, but I would prefer a much more ritual based, or another way other then meditation. Meditation fails for me when I try to meditate with intent on doing something, i.e. in this case meditating to communicate with my guardian angel would result in me not switching off because I'm thinking about my task too much.

It's not just my guardian angel I would like to talk with, I wish to be able to communicate with any and all angels.

I'm guessing one of the ways to do so is to perform a summoning ritual of some sort to call forth an angel.

If anyone has a link for me or simple exercises that would be helpful.
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Lastly I want to sort fact from fiction.
1) I read here on one of the forums in a thread about demons that angels can be as vicious as demons if not treated with respect. Would performing a summoning ritual be considered disrespectful?

2) Would I need to work on my clairvoyance abilities and other astral senses to be able to see, hear and talk with said spirits? Or are these only needed for when I visit the astral plane?

Thanks guys.
Dgd

If anyone has a link for me or simple exercises that would be helpful.

For someone new to ritual magick and spirit work I would recommend beginning with the old technique of angel meditation or contemplation. Basically you perform the LBRP, once you are finished turn toward the quarter of the archangel you wish to work with and just visualize them standing before you. Contemplate them and their aspects and try to see them and feel them as best as you can. It sounds simple and will only begin as pure visualization but if you actively put out there you desire contact in a few sessions you will gain some bit of actual contact. Over time and use this contact will deepen. Once you are comfortable with the archangel you have been working with try an actual evocation of that spirit which will open a new level of contact. Once you are comfortable with that try an invocation of the archangel which is a very different experience.

Stick with the archangels of the four quarters and later planetary angels and planetary name angels. They are all very helpful and easy to work with. They generally will never give you a problem unless you are trying to yank their chain. Tree of Life angels can sometimes be difficult to work with especially further up the tree and stay away from enochian angels, they are less angels and more like blind forces.