The Grim Reaper has become the most popular and recognizable figure for Death across the world. Its image found in books, movies, and stories throughout ages as Death itself. The thing that makes me pause here though, is the Reaper is a psychopomp – not Death itself.
Death is an event – a thing that happens to all things that live.
The ones who guide us through that event and care for us afterwards are connected to Death but not Death itself. Some may say that is being nit-picky but I don’t feel it is. Language matters and has real implications as to how we interact with a situation or perceive information.
Reapers and Psychopomps
There are many names for these spirits in various cultures. Some are Gods and some are a special type of spirit. Their names are many – Reaper, Valkyries, angels, The Morrigan, Hecate, even features such as the Northern Lights for some animists. No matter what you decide to call them, They are the Liminal Walkers, the ones who guide you from this world to the next. From the physical world to that of spirit.
They do not cause the death, nor are They responsible for it, They only come because the event itself has happened. They are Guardians and escorts for the soul. Walking with you and ensuring you do not get stuck or lost along the way.
More modern folklore and Hollywood have turned these guardian spirits into ones that create fear at the mention or sight of Them. Even to the point that when a person dies, the soul is resistant to going with them. Could this be one reason why ghosts and poltergeists encounters seem to be increasing in number? Perhaps, but I will leave that one to those who deal in that research.
There are even sections of the occult/ witchy communities that discourage people from connecting to certain Deities and Psychopomps because They are considered “dangerous” and “Dark” by them. Again driving this wedge between embracing Them when it is our time to go.
This is one reason why Death Doulas are becoming more popular, and why certain Deities are calling more people forth to do that work. To help the soul accept and embrace these Spirits when it is time. Not in fear, not walking into the unknown alone, but carried by a one who cares.
Keepers of the Dead
Again, many cultures, many traditions, so many different names and forms, yet the duties They carry are the same. They are the ones who receive the souls and care for them while they remain in Their realms.
They do not cause the event of Death. They are not even the ones who come to escort you. Their realm, Their duties, lie in what happens to the soul once you have arrived at Their doorstep.
So what does happen in the realm of the Dead? There are a lot of theories and thoughts. There are some who come back from its edge with their stories. Others who have visions based upon their traditions. I have that which my Guides have shown me and told me, as well as, some personal theories on why they can be so different. This is all I can really speak on because it is my own experience.
The Keeper I work with is the Goddess Hel, Queen of the Dead. My perspective is shaped by that relationship, what my ancestors have said, and what The Morrigan has implied. I believe when we die we go to what is called The Well of Souls. This is the realms of the Keepers, perceived in the way we have shaped it. There is judgment here, but not from outside of ourselves. While in the Well we are reflecting and judging ourselves, our lives. How long we remain in the Well is completely up to us and how we do this work. How much we did this in life and how long it takes us to finish the work after death. When the work is done, we have some choice as to what comes next. Although the “next” is not something my Guides share often but there have been clues as to the various options.
Hel’s role – like other Keepers – while you are in The Well, is to help you walk through this process. To protect the soul, while it does the work it needs to. To push you and comfort you. To help you be honest with yourself and show other perspectives so you can move past the weights that hold you down. Hel takes Her role very seriously as the Guardian of Souls, and it shows.
All Roles in Death
Reapers/ Psychopomps and Keepers all have a role within Death. They are part of that pattern and event we will all go through, but They do not create it or make it happen. They are not there pulling the strings or writing the fated moment. They can not change it or help you avoid it. They are there to help you move through it.
I feel if there was more understanding around this, there would be less fear and hate towards Them. I have gained so much by working with The Morrigan and Hel. Personal transformations that have completely changed my perspectives and directions in life. By working with Them so closely, it has allowed me new appreciations and joy in the time of living. I am more alive and conscious of life because of the bonds with Them.
They have so much to offer us in this life, not just preparing us for what comes next, but contributing to that journey when it comes. I thin if we do more of the work in life that They lay before is, the less time we will spend in The Well, and the quicker we move on to our next adventure – whatever that may be.
I have no doubt that when my time does come, The Morrigan will be there to greet me and walk me to Hel’s gate. I will greet both with love and appreciation.
Ending Thoughts
I am not here to tell you what happens after death or convince you of anything. That is not my role or even a desire. What I hope did come across was that these spirits/ Deities do not need to be feared. They should be appreciated, embraced, and loved by us, just as much as Those who bring the beauty and fertility of life. Their lessons are not just to help us move through The Well/ Death more smoothly, but also to enhance the colors of the life we are currently living.
If you have been thinking about connecting to one of these spirits/ Deities, I encourage you to start the process of reaching out and connecting. There is so much They have to offer and are extremely devoted to those who walk with Them. All you have to do is have an open mind and the will to step into the unknown.
If you are wanting to dive deeper into Spirit Walking or becoming a Death Doula, I am running a year long course over this starting on October 1st. You can see the full information and course outline here.
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