Christopher Penczak is an eclectic witch, writer, and healing practitioner.
His practice draws upon the foundation of modern Witchcraft blended with the
wisdom of mystical traditions from across the globe.
Reiki is the power to heal using "universal life force." Reiki
itself is a system of natural healing coming to the west from Japan. A
trained practitioner of Reiki healing has the ability to channel pure life
force - what is known as ki, chi, or prana - and gently allow the recipient
to absorb this life force. The recipient's own body can use the energy to
heal, gently removing any blocks to health and increasing the flow of life
force to areas that are ill or injured. Reiki also works on the energy
bodies. Healing can occur on an emotional, mental, or spiritual level. Reiki
differs from other forms of energy healing, because the recipient is said to
be in charge of the transfer of energy. The recipient's "higher
self" or "body wisdom" controls the flow, preventing any
overload from too much energy. The Reiki practitioner is like a straw, the
recipient sucks energy through the straw, and just like having a drink, when
you've had enough, you stop drinking. The recipient cannot "choke"
or overload on the healing energy.
As a practicing witch, I use healing magick in my life all the time. I was
interested in learning how Reiki and magick were the same and how they were
different. Although there are many traditions and teachings of magick, anyone
can learn to use it. With some very basic knowledge, or even by closely
following a spell recipe book, you can have successful results working magick
without a lot of training. Magick is a method of speaking your intentions to
the universe, and by using the symbolic language of ritual, you can speak
your intention very easily. Tried and true ritualists know magical theory
well enough to design their own rituals and spells, but anybody can learn a
few basic techniques. Traditional spells become traditional because they work
for a variety of people and get recorded in someone's spell book.
To practice Reiki, technically you must be initiated into the tradition. To
do this, you must receive what Reiki Masters call an attunement (so called
because your body is attuned to the natural flow of universal life force
energy) through a ritual and variety of symbols. There are a variety of
healing energy techniques that are similar to Reiki, but without the
attunement, you are not practicing Reiki. The benefit of doing Reiki healing
specifically is all the safeguards that come with the system. Not only will
you never overload the recipient, but you cannot take on the illness of the
recipient. The flow of energy is one way. Other forms of energy healing do
not have these built-in benefits.
I know quite a few witches who get initiated into Reiki to supplement their
magical energy. These witches use Reiki, not just for healing, but also for
many purposes. They use Reiki energy to charge candle spells, to consecrate
herbal potions, and to cast the magick circle. The Reiki energy will flow
wherever it's needed, not just into the body of one who is ill.
I've also found those who are versed in magick, but not initiated into Reiki,
using the symbols associated with Reiki in magick. Originally the symbols
were kept secret from the uninitiated. They were passed on and memorized,
with few written copies preserved. Later, when Reiki became more mainstream,
the symbols appeared in books and online websites. Now anybody can find them.
Although these symbols were kept secret to prevent people from using them
without an attunement into Reiki, some believe they were kept secret so Reiki
teachers could charge huge amounts of money to reveal the secret symbols in
class. Lore about the danger of using them when you are not attuned to Reiki
grew, and tales of how the Reiki symbols were misused in Egypt or Atlantis
became a part of the teachings. Personally, I think they can do no harm. They
convey healing energy that is guided by the higher self of the recipient. I
think the danger is in thinking if you know the symbols, you have been
attuned to Reiki, and have all the safe guards to do healing work with
others. Someone using the symbols without an attunement may mistakenly use
their own personal energy to heal, and become sick, taking on the illness of
another. Or they might overload the recipient with too much energy. That's
the only danger.
The benefits of using the symbols, even without having an attunement, can be
great. I've given clients symbols written on paper to meditate on after a
healing session. The names of the symbols can be used like mantras, to evoke
their healing power personally into you. I even know someone who, before
coming to a workshop, read my book, Magick of Reiki and found the symbol Cho
Ku Ret from the Seichim Reiki traditions, which is used to heal inanimate
objects. Her car broke down and she used the symbol on it, drawing it and
chanting its name. Her car started back up again and she got to my workshop
on time. I found that quite amazing.
I think chanting the names of the Reiki symbols in meditation is one of the
easiest and safest ways to work with them if you are not attuned. Different
teachers pronounce them slightly differently, so do your best and see what
effect each has on you.
Cho Ku Rei - increases energy and power in general
Sei He Ki - for emotional and mental balance
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen - to heal karma, healing the past
Di Ko Myo - to connect with the higher self
Raku - for grounding
Nin Giz Zida - to align the chakra, to active energy
Zonar - to heal on a multidimensional level
Shanti - creates a sense of peace
Gnosa - clears the mind
Cho Ku Ret - heals inanimate objects and helps make connections to rituals tools and crystals.
Lon Say - creates a sense of love
Explore working with Reiki through chanting. If you find the energy it evokes
speaks to you, explore learning more about Reiki, researching the symbols,
and even taking a class with a certified Reiki teacher to become attuned to
it yourself.
RECOMMENDED TITLES BY THIS AUTHOR:
MAGICK OF REIKI:
Integrate the Japanese method of energy healing with your Wiccan rituals.
WITCH'S SHIELD:
A comprehensive guide to psychic self-defense and protection which includes an audio CD of protection meditations read by the author.
TEMPLE OF SHAMANIC WITCHCRAFT:
An exploration of the shamanic traditions of tribal cultures worldwide, through the lens of modern Wicca.
SONS OF THE GODDESS:
Explore male pagan archetypes and find what Goddess religion has to offer young men. Includes spells for modern living.
OUTER TEMPLE OF WITCHCRAFT:
Learn to manifest sacred space in the outer world through ritual and spellwork in this intensive year-and-a-day course.
CITY MAGICK:
A guide to the rich spiritual spectrum and dynamic forces that are at work within the urban environment.
These title and others can be found at Isis Books & Gifts! With over
500 Wicca and Witchcraft book titles in stock, your sure to find one right
for you!
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receive a free 90-page catalog.
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