Washing of the Soul

Kristen from Akron, Ohio, asked:

Hi Julie,

I recently had a reading with a man who channels a group of beings from the Other Side. During our session, I asked about my friend John, who passed away in Arizona while I was visiting him and his wife. He was in hospice care at the time of his death.

The channeler shared something I’d never heard before, that John is delaying “the washing of the soul” in order to remain “present.” I’ve heard of a life review in the afterlife, but not this concept of soul washing.

What is the “washing of the soul”?

Thank you.

Kristen

Hi Kristen,

Thank you for your question. Like you, I hadn’t heard the term “washing of the soul”, so I did some exploring to see what I could learn.

It turns out that “washing of the soul” is an ancient concept found across many religious and spiritual traditions. While the exact phrase may not be commonly used, the idea of spiritual cleansing, especially during transitions like death, awakening, or rebirth, is universal.

In Judaism, the mikvah is a ritual bath symbolizing purification. In Christianity, baptism serves a similar purpose, representing the washing away of sin and spiritual uncleanliness. These acts reflect a deeper belief that the soul benefits from purification as it evolves.

Christian mysticism also speaks of the soul’s journey toward union with the Divine, often through stages of purgation or cleansing. Mystics like St. John of the Cross describe a “dark night of the soul” that ultimately leads to purification and enlightenment.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bardo Thödol (Tibetan Book of the Dead) teaches the soul encounters a series of experiences after death to help it release attachments and prepare for either liberation or rebirth.

So, “washing of the soul” can be seen as a poetic way of describing the sacred process a soul undergoes at death, including letting go of earthly attachments, regrets, pain, or emotional residue that no longer serves its higher path. While the life review offers compassionate insight, this soul-washing is more about release, renewal, and return to the soul’s pure essence.

In my own work with thousands of people at the end of life, and with spirits who have transitioned, I’ve found that every spirit/soul returns to Heaven, to non-physical existence. Each spirit is pure love. It leaves behind the human elements of personality, fear, regret, and pain. Perhaps that’s our modern understanding of “washing the soul”. It’s the transformation of spirit back into unconditional love.

Your friend John wants you to know that he is still with you, just in a non-physical form. You may sense his presence in moments of quiet, memory, or love. He hasn’t gone away, he’s simply shifted form.

To learn more about how every person is lovingly surrounded by angels, as well as the spirits of deceased loved ones and pets at the end of their life, here’s a link to a free digital and audiobook download of my book Angelic Attendants: What Really Happens As We Transition From This Life Into the Next.

Hugs,

Julie