The Art of Psychopomp

Animism & Alchemy for Death & Dying

6 Tuesdays, October 14 - November 18, 2025

Live classes take place 10am-12pm PT. Replays available in 24 hours.

Silhouette of a crow on a rock against a cloudy sky

AN IN-DEPTH online Training

Death touches all of us. If we’re lucky enough to live long lives ourselves, we’re bound to lose many loved ones along the way. And we know that for us too, death will come. 

But rather than fear this natural transition, what if we embraced it? 

In this workshop, we’ll explore the world of death and dying with compassion and open minds. Traditions around the world will guide our journey, as we pay particular attention to the role of the psychopomp — the guider of souls. 

In this workshop, you’ll explore animist, alchemical, and shamanic concepts and skills around the afterlife, including:

  • What happens when we die?

  • How can we engage with spirits in other realms safely — and on our own terms?

  • How can we partner with the elements to support the dying process?

  • Who are lost souls, and what is our role in supporting their passage home?

  • Who are the psychopomps, and why are they important?

  • What does it mean if YOU are a psychopomp?

By the end of our time, you’ll have learned powerful skills for actively helping souls transition to their next stage of evolution. 

new for 2025

learn how to support the dying & dead with sacred oils & vibrational essences

Plants are bridges between worlds, and as such they make invaluable allies for our work as psychopomps. You’ll learn:

  • Which plants have an affinity for death, dying, and soul healing

  • How sacred oils can help with harmonizing elements at the time of death

  • Poison plants as psychopomp allies

  • The vibrational impact of flowers for spiritual healing

  • How to anoint and dose people and portals for safe soul passage

  • and more

Black and white photo of two men and a woman with angel wings, one man leaning over the woman lying on a table, the other man standing with arms raised.

You will be able to…

  • Meet a psychopomp ally in spirit form

  • Create a psychopomp altar

  • Work with a “waiting room”

  • Help lost or suffering souls cross over

  • Learn an elemental anointing for personal death work

  • Perform a psychopomp journey for personal practice

  • Understand the role of sacred aromatics in funerary rites

  • Create personal ethical and safety boundaries

  • Understand death and dying from alchemical and animist perspectives

Is this right for you?

This is an advanced class.
We’ll have a small, intimate group of dedicated practitioners.

I’m not requiring an application.
I want anyone who feels called to have access to these powerful practices. Please evaluate your own readiness based on the above criteria.

If you are a beginner but feel authentically called to this work, please join us.
Some elements might feel over your head, but I will be here to offer support throughout the course. Take my Intro to Shamanism course or reach out if you have questions.

Special Offer for Beginners!

Add the Introduction to Shamanism prerequisite for only $200 — this is a savings of over 50%!!!

Simply click the box to add this course at checkout — no coupon needed :)

Who is this for?

This is for you if…

  • You have a foundation in shamanism and are looking for deeper skills

  • You have a strong journey practice and relationships with your spirit helpers

  • You are a coach, massage therapist, counselor, acupuncturist, or healer

  • You are a spiritual seeker looking to understand threshold work and ritual

  • You feel called to heal others and our Earth with spiritual and energetic techniques

  • You are able to self-regulate and tend your own nervous system as needed

  • You have some protection practices. (You should feel comfortable navigating spiritual, ghosty territory without freaking out.)

This is not for you if…

  • You’re a complete beginner in shamanism. Basic skills are required. (You can fulfill the prerequisites with this class.)

  • You’re experiencing severe trauma and are unable to self-regulate

  • You feel like you’re being psychically attacked, are afraid of foreign energy, or will get thrown off center by deep topics such as death and griefwork.

  • You’re looking for a training in becoming a death doula or intensive client skills — this is primarily for working with lost souls, self healing, and supporting loved ones; client skills are taught in the practitioner program

  • You’re looking for a training in depossession; that topic will be covered in the practitioner program.

Registration is closed

Join the waitlist for the next round

    Your Guide

    Dense evergreen forest with light highlighting one tree.
    Juniper Stokes

    Welcome! I’m Juniper Stokes, and I am devoted to supporting you on your journey of connecting to nature, spirit, and the cosmos.

    I’ve been studying, practicing, and teaching animism and alchemy for over two decades.

    My work is a convergence of many lineages, and when it comes to psychopomp a few are especially impactful, including: ongoing IFS mentorship with Robert Falconer, a 3-year shamanic practitioner training and 2-year teacher training with Sandra Ingerman, several intensives with Betsy Bergstrom, an ongoing Taoist mentorship in sacred anointing practices, and extensive plant work. (you can see my full bio here)

    Integrity and service are at the heart of my offerings…as is joy! This is serious work and we don’t shy from shadow, but we do laugh our way though.

    I can’t wait to meet you as we claim the divine mantel of the psychopomp in sacred community.

    “I am delighted Juniper Stokes has brought her work out into the world. Juniper has a real gift for all she passionately offers. Anyone taking a workshop, seeing Juniper as a client, or buying some of her sacred herbal products will be introduced to fresh ideas, a compassionate and brilliant practitioner and teacher, and a path back to balance and healing. Juniper’s work is exceptional!”

    Sandra Ingerman, MA, world renowned shamanic teacher and best selling author of 12 books

    FAQs

    • This course is for practitioners who feel called to accompany souls and want concrete, repeatable skills. Typical students include healers, death doulas, therapists, acupuncturists, shamanic practitioners, and spiritual seekers. You should already have basic journeying skill (Intro to Shamanism or equivalent).

    • Six live sessions on Tuesdays, October 14–November 18, 2025. Each session runs 90 minutes to two hours on Zoom, beginning at 10am PT.

      Sessions will be recorded and replays plus handouts will be available in the course platform.

    • I’m unable to offer refunds for cancellations at this time. Please be sure of your commitment before you pay.

      If life happens, all calls will be recorded so you can do this on your own time.

    • There are many ways you can fulfill the prerequisites. Taking my online intro to shamanism course is probably the best way—and you can add this to your psychopomp class at check out (and save $225!).

      If that doesn't work for you but you're called to this course, reach out and I can help you decide if you’re a good fit.

    • You will learn and practice: screening and safety protocols; journey protocols for thresholds and waiting rooms; identifying suffering beings; plant- and oil-based protocols for bedside and threshold work (with safety and dosage guidance); elemental partnering; case-style practice; and ethical boundaries for psychopomp work. Expect lecture, breakout groups, and journey homework.

    • Yes. Replays and downloadable handouts will be posted to the course platform.

    • Course materials and replays will remain available in the platform for 12 months after the final session. You will be able to download all materials to keep forever on your own device.

    • I typically have 8-12, though I may allow more as not everyone can usually make every live call.

    • Live attendance is recommended for practice weeks, but it is not mandatory. Replays and handouts allow you to catch up. If you miss live work, you should review the replay and complete the written exercises before the next session.

    • Yes. We cover safety, contraindications, and dosage carefully. If you are pregnant, nursing, allergic, or under medical supervision, consult your health provider before using any plant medicines or topicals. The course teaches safe, conservative anointing protocols and offers alternatives when necessary.

    • No. This course is educational and skill-based. It does not replace medical, psychiatric, or emergency care. If you or a client have acute medical or mental-health needs, seek licensed medical or mental-health professionals.

    • No. This might be your last time to join this course with me LIVE. I will offer an on-demand version at a later date.

    We acknowledge that this workshop takes place on land ceded under pressure to Oregon Territory in the Treaty of 1855 by Paiute, Wasco, and Warm Springs tribal chiefs. May our work be in service to the benevolent beings who still tend this sacred land.