"Dying well is the unthinkable thought in a culture that does not believe in dying, and it will take about as much courage and wisdom as you can manage to do it. Dying well is a life’s work." Stephen Jenkinson
Creating Sacred Space:
When we create sacred space it is an outward sign to those that enter that the space has somehow changed from that of the mundane to a place where something really important and sacred is happening. This is an important step for those supporting loved ones as well as those in the dying process themselves, especially at a time where there are many caregivers coming and going from the space, as it serves to remind them to hold reverence for what is happening within that space.
There are many different way to create sacred space, from lighting candles, to adding personal touches to the room such as photos and special bed linen or blankets that provides comfort.
Another way is to clear the space where the dying person is going to be of any negative energy or previous intentions so that the space holds a more open and calmer environment. This can be done in many different ways from smudging the space with smoke, to using calming essential oils or if scents are not allowed in the space opening up the doors and windows to allow fresh air into the space and circulate the old air out.
Another way is to call in the Sacred into the space by inviting those supporting the dying person into the room and inviting them to understand more deeply what is happening and explaining that the space has shifted and is now to be considered sacred, therefore requiring a respectful presence when entering it.
There are many different ways to create a sacred space for those in the dying process and it will be different for each client depending on their wishes.
There are many different way to create sacred space, from lighting candles, to adding personal touches to the room such as photos and special bed linen or blankets that provides comfort.
Another way is to clear the space where the dying person is going to be of any negative energy or previous intentions so that the space holds a more open and calmer environment. This can be done in many different ways from smudging the space with smoke, to using calming essential oils or if scents are not allowed in the space opening up the doors and windows to allow fresh air into the space and circulate the old air out.
Another way is to call in the Sacred into the space by inviting those supporting the dying person into the room and inviting them to understand more deeply what is happening and explaining that the space has shifted and is now to be considered sacred, therefore requiring a respectful presence when entering it.
There are many different ways to create a sacred space for those in the dying process and it will be different for each client depending on their wishes.
Spiritual Shamanic Support:
For those near the end of their life is can become very important to feel that reconciliation with both their loved ones and within themselves, especially around their illness, has been reached and peace made so that they can move on and into the next phase. Sometimes deeper spiritual and shamanic support can also be helpful in finding inner peace.
In this case the shamanic practitioner can be of vital support and comfort to the dying and their loved ones in many different ways.
Shamanic Journeying: Those in the dying process find it very empowering to learn what their helping spirits/ animal guides are and how to journey to meet them. During this process the shamanic practitioner journeys on their behalf to discover what helping guides are wanting to come forward at this time and then they relay any and all information given to them in the journey process.
Those who also learn how to journey for themselves also find that having contact with their helping guides can help to remove their fear of the unknown as well as any anxiety that may arise from past religious teachings.
Soul Retrieval: This process can be very helpful for those seeking spiritual healing for themselves. As a shamanic practitioner, with the aid of my guides I can journey to retrieve any of your missing soul parts as well as return any soul parts belonging to others that need to go back at this time. Soul Retrieval can be a deeply healing process that serves to support the dying person in their reconciliation process.
Psychopomp and Soul Ushering work: The word psychopomp comes from the Greek term psychopompus, which means “ a guide or usher of souls”. As a shamanic practitioner I am trained to work on a shamanic level once the soul has left the body ushering the soul in the most compassionate way to make sure that they are not disoriented and that they find their way.
Knowing that soul ushering will happen after the death of a loved one can be very comforting for family as well as those in the dying process.
Although these are three specific kinds of shamanic healing once I begin the process it is always surprising what kinds of healing spirit has in store for us in that it often surpasses any kind of written word or fixed ideas we may before beginning.
In this case the shamanic practitioner can be of vital support and comfort to the dying and their loved ones in many different ways.
Shamanic Journeying: Those in the dying process find it very empowering to learn what their helping spirits/ animal guides are and how to journey to meet them. During this process the shamanic practitioner journeys on their behalf to discover what helping guides are wanting to come forward at this time and then they relay any and all information given to them in the journey process.
Those who also learn how to journey for themselves also find that having contact with their helping guides can help to remove their fear of the unknown as well as any anxiety that may arise from past religious teachings.
Soul Retrieval: This process can be very helpful for those seeking spiritual healing for themselves. As a shamanic practitioner, with the aid of my guides I can journey to retrieve any of your missing soul parts as well as return any soul parts belonging to others that need to go back at this time. Soul Retrieval can be a deeply healing process that serves to support the dying person in their reconciliation process.
Psychopomp and Soul Ushering work: The word psychopomp comes from the Greek term psychopompus, which means “ a guide or usher of souls”. As a shamanic practitioner I am trained to work on a shamanic level once the soul has left the body ushering the soul in the most compassionate way to make sure that they are not disoriented and that they find their way.
Knowing that soul ushering will happen after the death of a loved one can be very comforting for family as well as those in the dying process.
Although these are three specific kinds of shamanic healing once I begin the process it is always surprising what kinds of healing spirit has in store for us in that it often surpasses any kind of written word or fixed ideas we may before beginning.
Practical Aspects:
Some of the practical aspects that I can provide support around are:
Advance care Directive planning – conscious death planning for eventual or imminent death.
Home Funeral planning – I can provide information on your rights around having the body at home post death as well as creating the ceremony and space for a home funeral or memorial, as well as vigil holding.
Body disposition – such as cremation or green burial depending on location.
Memorials, Ash Scatterings and Celebration of Life Ceremonies
Advance care Directive planning – conscious death planning for eventual or imminent death.
Home Funeral planning – I can provide information on your rights around having the body at home post death as well as creating the ceremony and space for a home funeral or memorial, as well as vigil holding.
Body disposition – such as cremation or green burial depending on location.
Memorials, Ash Scatterings and Celebration of Life Ceremonies
Fees:
My death Doula/Midwife fee $80.00 per hour and then pro-rated after that at $180.00 for every three hours.
© Copyright 2016. By Nikiah Seeds. Ancestral Healing, Red Drum Making, Ceremonies, Mystery School. Vancouver, BC.
Living and working on the unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Living and working on the unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.