What is Reiki? How does it work? Reiki Symbols, Crystals, Attunment

October 02, 2024

What is Reiki? How does it work? Reiki Symbols, Crystals, Attunment

Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. The word "Reiki" combines two Japanese words: "Rei" (universal) and "Ki" (life energy). It is based on the belief that a universal life force flows through all living beings, and when this energy becomes blocked or imbalanced, it can result in emotional, physical, or spiritual disharmony.

How Reiki Works:

  1. Energy Transfer: During a Reiki session, a practitioner channels universal energy to the recipient, usually through their hands. The practitioner may either place their hands lightly on the body or hover them just above the body.
  2. Balancing Energy: Reiki aims to clear blockages, balance energy, and promote natural healing. It is believed to align the chakras (energy centers) and restore a harmonious flow of energy throughout the body.
  3. Relaxation and Healing: Many people experience deep relaxation during a session, which can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance emotional well-being. While not a substitute for medical treatment, Reiki is often used as a complementary therapy to support overall wellness.

Reiki is non-invasive and can be used for a variety of purposes, including stress relief, pain management, emotional healing, and spiritual growth.

Reiki symbols:

Symbol Name Meaning Description
Cho Ku Rei Power Symbol "Place the power of the universe here" A coil-like shape resembling a spiral or loop. It is used to increase or focus energy.
Sei He Ki Emotional/Mental Symbol "God and humanity become one" Resembles a wave or a flowing motion. It is used for emotional and mental healing, bringing harmony.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Distance Symbol "No past, no present, no future" Complex characters, often seen as a series of Japanese kanji. It is used for distance healing across time and space.
Dai Ko Myo Master Symbol "Great shining light" Often seen as a combination of characters representing higher spiritual connection and enlightenment.
Raku Grounding Symbol Represents grounding and connecting to Earth energy A zigzag shape resembling a lightning bolt. It is used to ground energy after healing sessions.

 

Each of these symbols holds a unique vibrational frequency and purpose, helping Reiki practitioners focus their intent during healing sessions. While traditional Reiki teachings keep these symbols sacred, they are often passed down to students in the course of their attunements.

Reiki attunement

Getting attuned to Reiki involves a process called a Reiki attunement, which is performed by a Reiki Master. During this process, the master transfers the ability to channel Reiki energy to the student. Attunements typically occur in stages, corresponding to different levels of Reiki practice.

Steps to Attunement:

  1. Find a Reiki Master: To begin your journey, you'll need to find a certified Reiki Master who can attune you. This can be done in person or, in some traditions, through distance attunements.

  2. Prepare for the Attunement: Before the attunement, students are often encouraged to prepare by meditating, cleansing their energy, and perhaps avoiding certain foods or activities (like caffeine or alcohol) for a few days. This helps align their energy and increases receptivity to the attunement.

  3. The Attunement Ceremony: During the attunement, the Reiki Master will guide you through a ritual in which sacred symbols and specific energy techniques are used to open your energy channels. Here’s what typically happens:

    • The Reiki Master may place their hands on or near your body, directing energy to different chakras or energy centers.
    • Sacred Reiki symbols are visualized or drawn into your aura to connect you with universal Reiki energy.
    • The master works with your energy field, opening your body to the flow of Reiki.
  4. Energy Activation: As the attunement progresses, your energetic channels (chakras) are cleared, allowing Reiki energy to flow through you. This process may feel like a spiritual awakening or shift, with some students experiencing sensations like warmth, tingling, or even visions and heightened emotions.

  5. Post-Attunement Integration: After the attunement, you may need time to adjust to the energy. Practicing self-Reiki regularly helps to integrate and strengthen your connection to the universal energy. It's also common to go through a cleansing period where your body, mind, and emotions may release old blockages.

Levels of Reiki Attunement:

Reiki is typically taught in three levels, and each level comes with its own attunement:

  • Reiki Level I: The attunement opens up your energy channels and allows you to channel Reiki primarily for self-healing and for others through direct touch.
  • Reiki Level II: This level involves learning specific Reiki symbols, including those for distance healing. The attunement further enhances your ability to channel energy at a deeper level.
  • Reiki Master/Level III: At this stage, the attunement connects you to the Master symbol, amplifying your connection to Reiki energy. After receiving this attunement, you can also teach and attune others.

Once attuned, the Reiki energy stays with you for life, enabling you to use it for self-healing, healing others, or spiritual growth.

 

Crystal Wisdom & Reiki:

Crystals are natural energy conduits and can complement Reiki healing by amplifying the flow of universal energy and addressing specific emotional, physical, or spiritual imbalances. Below are a few examples how crystal wisdom can weave into your Reiki practice

1. Enhancing Energy with Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is known as the "Master Healer" and is often used in Reiki sessions to amplify the energy being transferred. When combined with the Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol), Clear Quartz helps to focus and magnify the Reiki energy, making it stronger and more effective. This crystal can also be programmed with healing intentions, making it a versatile tool in energy healing.

2. Emotional Healing with Amethyst

Amethyst is a crystal of spiritual protection and emotional balance. It resonates with the third eye and crown chakras, helping to calm the mind and alleviate stress. When used alongside the Sei He Ki (Emotional/Mental Symbol), Amethyst supports deep emotional healing, releases trauma, and facilitates mental clarity. Its calming energy also helps the recipient connect with their higher self, deepening the healing process.

3. Distance Healing with Selenite

Selenite is a powerful stone for clearing and transmitting high-frequency energy. It works well with the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Symbol) for distance Reiki healing. Selenite can help connect the healer to the energy field of the person being healed, even if they are not physically present. Its ethereal energy also clears stagnant energies, allowing for smoother distance healing across time and space.

4. Spiritual Awakening with Labradorite

Labradorite is a mystical stone known for awakening one’s spiritual gifts and heightening intuition. When paired with the Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol), which is associated with enlightenment and spiritual connection, Labradorite helps the practitioner align with higher consciousness. It also protects the aura and balances the energy field, facilitating a stronger connection with universal energy and spiritual growth.

5. Grounding and Protection with Smoky Quartz

After a Reiki session, grounding the energy is essential to integrate the healing fully. Smoky Quartz is a grounding crystal that connects to the root chakra and works well with the Raku (Grounding Symbol). It helps pull down the healing energy into the physical body, ensuring balance and stability after a session. Smoky Quartz also offers protection by clearing away negative energies that may have surfaced during the healing.

Combining Reiki and Crystals for Holistic Healing

Reiki amplifies the natural vibrations of crystals, and each crystal's unique properties can be used to align, balance, and heal specific chakras or energy centers in the body. Using Reiki symbols with carefully chosen crystals enhances the healing experience, creating a multi-dimensional approach to well-being. Whether you're focusing on emotional clarity, spiritual awakening, or grounding energy, combining Reiki with crystal wisdom can lead to deeper and more transformative healing experiences.

Apophyllite with Reiki:

Apophyllite is a powerful crystal often associated with spiritual connection, clarity, and higher consciousness, making it a perfect complement to Reiki healing. Its high vibrational energy harmonizes well with Reiki's universal life force, enhancing the flow of energy and promoting a deeper healing experience. Here’s how Apophyllite’s energetic characteristics align with Reiki:

1. Amplifying Reiki Energy

Apophyllite is known for its ability to amplify energy, much like Clear Quartz. In a Reiki session, it can enhance the flow of universal life force energy, ensuring that healing reaches deeper layers of the emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Its natural structure, often in pyramid or cluster forms, helps direct and focus the healing energy where it’s most needed.

2. Clarity and Intuition

Apophyllite has a strong connection to the third eye and crown chakras, promoting mental clarity and deepening intuitive abilities. When used in conjunction with the Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol), it can help the Reiki practitioner receive clearer guidance during the healing process. Apophyllite assists both the healer and the recipient in connecting to higher spiritual realms, allowing for profound insights and healing at a soul level.

3. Facilitating Spiritual Healing

One of Apophyllite’s key energetic traits is its ability to facilitate a connection to higher realms, making it ideal for spiritual and emotional healing. During Reiki, it can be used to aid in the release of old emotional wounds, trauma, or blockages, particularly when paired with the Sei He Ki (Emotional/Mental Symbol). Its energy is gentle yet powerful, helping to clear away negative emotions and providing a sense of peace and spiritual upliftment.

4. Enhancing Relaxation and Meditation

Apophyllite has a calming and tranquil energy that supports deep relaxation, making it a useful tool during Reiki sessions where the recipient needs to fully surrender and release stress. Its soothing vibrations help to create a peaceful environment, allowing for deeper meditative states and healing. Placing Apophyllite near the recipient during a session can enhance their ability to remain calm and receptive to the energy being channeled.

5. Promoting a Stronger Connection to Source

In Reiki, connecting to the universal life force energy is key. Apophyllite aids in strengthening this connection, acting as a conduit between the physical and spiritual realms. When used with the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Symbol), it helps to bridge the gap between time and space, allowing for more potent distance healing. Apophyllite's energy can also assist the practitioner in staying aligned with the Source energy throughout the session, preventing energy drain.

6. Grounding Spiritual Energy

Despite its high vibration, Apophyllite also has a grounding effect, particularly when it appears with natural inclusions of other minerals. This helps to anchor the spiritual energy received during Reiki into the physical body, which is essential for holistic healing. Its ability to ground high-frequency energy into the physical realm aligns with the purpose of the Raku (Grounding Symbol), making it effective in integrating the healing at the end of a session.

Summary

Apophyllite’s energetic characteristics of amplification, clarity, spiritual connection, and grounding make it an exceptional crystal to use during Reiki healing. It facilitates a deeper, more intuitive healing experience, enhances the flow of Reiki energy, and ensures that the recipient remains both connected to higher realms and grounded in their physical body. Combining Apophyllite with Reiki creates a balanced healing process, supporting both spiritual elevation and emotional release.