Why Psychopomps are so Important

Psychopomps play an important role in the lives of many even today. We all have personal guides, former friends, and ancestors who are willing to lend a helping hand at the time of death, and there have been many reports of angels or animal guides that appear to show the way. A host of archetypal characters, including religious figures and mythic beings, are also available to offer their assistance with the transition. Still, with the numerous souls present today on our planet, there is no doubt a need for some additional help.

This is especially true in the Western world where many people now die alone, or in situations where they are overcome by fears and distractions, such as the bright lights, numerous noises, and lack of privacy that can be found within many of our modern medical facilities. This is compounded by the fact that people often undergo heroic life-saving measures just days or hours before their death, which is an additional distraction to the dying process.

As our world becomes progressively more out of balance, an increasing number of people are also dying from such unfortunate and disturbing circumstances as violence, warfare, famine and natural disasters.

We all wish for a peaceful, calm end-of-life transition. We hope to die in our own bed as we sleep, or maybe surrounded by the loved ones we have just said goodbye to. But that’s not the way most people die in the industrialized world.

We also need to consider the question of whether the soul or spirit of a person can get lost or stuck on the way to the afterlife. Many believe they can, especially when they die in a state of fear or confusion. This is particularly true for those who have been brought up in a society that does not generally support the dying process, and where rite of passage rituals, which once helped prepare a person over the course of their lifetime, have been largely forgotten.

When people are unprepared to face death, they often need additional help. They may not know there are beings waiting to help them, or they may be too preoccupied or anxious to acknowledge such assistance. Some people do not even know they are dead and may attempt to continue on with their human existence. This is often the case when people have died in a sudden accident or where addictions may be involved.

This is where the modern-day psychopomp plays an active role. Some do this work as part of their job as a hospice worker, spiritual counselor, or as a midwife to the dying. Others fulfill the role of the psychopomp as a shamanic practitioner or while doing some form of energy work. There are also many individuals who make it a part of their personal spiritual practice to reach out to those in need, including the souls of those who may be lost and in need of additional guidance to the hereafter.

This is important work, not only for individuals, but also for our planet at this time. I see that in addition to accumulating an enormous amount of physical trash in our materialistic culture, we have also amassed a great deal of psychic pollution. And while there is lots of talk about raising our personal vibration and transforming the planet, we also need to tend to the psychic space around us. This includes looking after individuals who may have gotten lost on their way to the other side, such as those who have died during a sudden or violent death, those who were unable to give up their false beliefs or addictions, the growing number of people who die alone in nursing homes and hospitals, and the numerous others who have crossed over during our state of cultural amnesia where we have forgotten how to properly care for the dying.

This may all sound a bit grim, but it is not. There is great hope. We are in a time of transition, when people are once again learning how to care for the souls of the dead. And hopefully in the not-too-distant future, there will be a growing understanding and new appreciation for the importance of this work.

We can transform our culture and reshape our relationship with death, especially if we are able to envision a modern society that is comfortable with the end-of-life transition, and where each individual can instead celebrate a life well lived as they are supported on their final journey.