A psychopomp is the hero's helper in myths and fairy tales, most often an animal. A gray wolf, a rabbit, a raven — it varies across cultures.
One may come to you as well — in a dream, a psychedelic experience, active imagination, or a guided imagery session.
In ancient Greek mythology, the psychopomp guided the souls of the dead into the underworld. In Jungian psychology, he serves as a mediator between consciousness and the unconscious.
The animal can do what a human cannot. He is directly connected to instinct, the unconscious, nature, and the primal force of life.
The human mind creates doubt, traps, and dilemmas. The animal simply does what the present moment calls for.
And since the dream or image is yours, the animal is yours too. It's one of the aspects of your psyche that you're likely least familiar with.
A particular animal often embodies qualities you long for that, for one reason or another, have become repressed. In dreams, the helper often does exactly what, deep down, you desperately need to do yourself.
Do not be disturbed by the animal's appearance or actions. No matter how strange or frightening they may seem, the meaning is usually the same: the animal is trying to establish living contact with you and help you in some way.
It's your choice — accept its help or push it away. But when the path leads into the unknown, it is better to have a mysterious guide by your side than to face Chaos alone.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
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