Techniques
Rune Power Reiki
A Rune-stave is a pattern which conveys that which transcends shapes and yet is an essence from which form is enabled to take shape. Each Rune is a means of relating to a natural potency that is within YOU and the Universe.
You can use Reiki to activate and concentrate the power of the Rune-staves in much the same way you would when working with the symbols in 2nd Degree Reiki. If you don’t have 2nd Degree Reiki, it will work just as well, and is especially fun if you are eager to begin working with symbols.
Here’s how it works:
From the list below, find an intention that you would like to work with. This can be something you want to empower for yourself personally, or it can be for someone else.
Concentrate your attention on that Rune, and couple with it the intention you have chosen from the list. Now, with your finger, draw that Rune symbol on the palm of each hand. Next, place your hands where it feels most appropriate and allow the Reiki to flow.
For example, if you have chosen Raido with the intention of making more balanced judgments, you might feel led to place your hands on either side of your head. If you have chosen Hagalz with an intention to clear the air, you might want to hold your hands out and allow the Reiki to flow into the air around you.
It’s that simple. The Rune will be activated and bring along with it, it’s own power and potency.
Below is a simplified listing of each Rune, and the qualities they can awaken within.
Uruz, Ur
- Begin a new project or endeavor
- Find the courage to make a fresh start
- Feel rejuvenated
- Increase your resolve
- Be more assertive
Thurisa, Thurs
- Fight against detrimental influences
- Clear away lethargy
- Strengthen your determination
- Break down “barriers”
- Find both the unity and the division within things
Ansuz, Ass
- Obtain inspiration
- Discover your “hidden” potentials
- Improve your communication skills
- Increase your intake of Chi
- Strengthen your mind
Raido, Reid
- Gain access to inner wisdom
- Come into attunement with your personal rhythms
- Extend your awareness
- See things in their proper perspective
- Make balanced judgments
Kano, Ken
- Express yourself creatively
- See what needs to be transformed in your life
- Turn knowledge into wisdom
- Attain clarity of thought
- Generate enthusiasm
Gebo, Gifu
- Make more effective use of your time
- Receive more by giving more
- Bond personal relationships
- Turn wisdom into understanding
- Come into active partnership with your Higher Self
Wunjo, Wynja
- Attain a sense of well-being
- Strengthen personal relationships
- Encourage good fellowship
- Build self-esteem
- Heal rifts
Hagalz, Hagal
- Banish unwanted influences
- Develop intuitiveness within a structured framework so it does not get out of control
- Clear the air
- Focus your intentions
- Prepare the way for desired changes in your life
Nauthiz, Naud
- Cope with stress
- Succeed in a crisis
- Achieve the seemingly impossible
- Break through your limitations
- Develop perseverance
- Value endurance
Isa, Iss
- Still your mind as an aid to meditation
- Concentrate
- Create a protective barrier to immobilize harmful intent from whatever quarter
- Strengthen your Will
- Overcome restlessness
Jera, Jara
- Learn that patience brings rewards
- Nurture your creativity
- Know the secret of proper timing
- Come into harmony with the cycles of Nature
- Harmonize your body “clock”
Perth, Pertra
- Give birth to your hopes and dreams
- Hold on to what is essential to be retained
- Experience pleasure
- Be aware of your hidden potentials
Eihwaz, Eoh
- Liberate yourself from unnecessary fear
- Develop within you the quality of endurance
- Connect with other levels of reality
- Avoid confusion
- Release your inner strengths
- Receive flashes of enlightenment
Algiz
- Find the powers within you to meet any situation
- Ward off negative influences
- Connect with an inner drive to achieve more
- Keep your ideals and aspirations grounded
Sowelu, Sol
- See things as they are
- Receive inner guidance to discern more clearly
- Boost your energy levels
- Attain that “impossible” dream
- Connect with your Soul’s purpose
Teiwaz, Tyr
- Become more vigilant
- Strengthen your reliability
- Work more methodically
- Face difficulties with fortitude
- Develop greater trust in yourself
- Have courage to accept responsibility for your own choices and actions
- Perform deeds in an honorable way
- Allow your “greater” Self to have more influence in your life
Berkana, Bjarka
- Effect closer relations
- Nurture what it is you want to bring forth in your life
- Conserve your energies
- Come through a crisis safely
- Let go of what may be blocking your progress
Ehwaz, Eh
- Find more fruitful ways of achieving what you set out to do
- Attain a more harmonious relationship with your partner
- Impart trust and loyalty
- Become more balanced in your ways
Mannaz, Madr
- Become more fully integrated within yourself
- Sharpen your intellect
- Activate your intuitive senses
- Adopt a more co-operative attitude towards Nature and others
- Strengthen family relationships
Laguz, Lagu
- Become more adaptable
- Actualize your potentials
- Identify your true feelings
- Come into harmony with the ebb and flow of energy streams of life
- Increase your healing powers
Inguz, Ing
- Strengthen your faith
- Renew your hope for the future
- Open up new areas of self-realization
- Access “higher” powers
Othila, Odal
- Develop the abilities you have
- Connect with past lives
- Feel more secure
Dagaz
- Realize your true Reality
- Get in touch with your Spirit
- Recognize your connectedness with all things
- Become a good “finisher” as well as a keen “starter”
Fehu, Feh
- Recognize your true wealth
- Evaluate the true value of things
- Find fulfillment in your endeavors
- Brings things to completion satisfactorily
- Draw down the power of the Sun, Moon, and Stars into your own personal “universe”
Adapted from a post in: Magickal Ingredients
Shu Chu-Reiki
Shu Chu-Reiki is a concentrated Reiki group exercise. The Japanese word shu chu means “concentrated.” All group members give energy to one group member while wishing and praying for that person’s happiness and health. This can be a very intense experience, so use common sense when choosing the recipient.
Here’s how:
In a small group each person lays hands on the recipient, and begins the flow of Reiki along with the prayers and wishes for that person. Do it for 1 to 3 minutes per person.
Another way to do this is to form a human “chain” or circle. The first person touches the recipient directly, and the rest of the group forms a circle, or “chain.” Hands are placed on the shoulders of the person in front (and so on until each person is connected hands to shoulders).
The Reiki is then channeled through the “chain”. The energy flows and surges through every one participating in the healing and finally reaches the “patient.” A wonderful experience for all involved.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Reiki Mawashi
Reiki current ~ Group exercise.
The Japanese word mawashi means current. In this exercise a current of Reiki energy is passed through a group of practitioners. The energy of a group often exceeds the sum of the energy of the participants, and spontaneous healing at all levels may occur. You can practice this exercise for 10 or 15 minutes.
Here’s how it works:
Sit in a circle, and hold your hands a few inches above / below the hands of your neighbors ~ so that the left hand extends to the neighbor on the left, and your right hand extends to the neighbor on your right.
Turn your left hand upward, and your right hand downward.
Begin the flow of energy, sending Reiki to the left.
The recipient receives the energy from his or her right hand, lets it flow through his or her body, and passes it on to the next individual through his or her left hand.
It’s best if the energy flows clockwise “sunwise,” but this is not mandatory. The exercise will work either way.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Reiki With Animals
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a special class in order to use the healing power of Reiki on animals. The techniques vary slightly only because the shapes of animals and their needs are just a little different. What follows are some basic guidelines to help get you started.
Cats
Cats deserve special mention. Cats respond very well to Reiki. They seem to know instantly what it is. Unlike almost any other animal, cats will position themselves precisely under your hands according to exactly where they need the help. Once they realize what you’re doing, their desire to cooperate is instantaneous and their acceptance of the healing is usually total.
When they’re done, they’re done. They’ll move away. And when they want more, they’ll come back. Cats tend to show a bit of attitude about energy work. It’s possible that they think they invented it!
Once in a great while, you will find a cat who believes that she or he is already so perfect that Reiki is non-essential to their well-being. When you work on another human, or animal, however that same cat will be right in the middle of the Reiki treatment soaking up the good energy. It has been an observation that the older the cat, the more they seem to appreciate Reiki.
Dogs
Dogs love Reiki. It works to calm hyperactive dogs and to help rehabilitate abused dogs. Reiki is also wonderful for healing and overall well-being. Dogs tend to return to you once they’ve gotten the idea that you will do the treatments on them. They aren’t nearly as “efficient” about it as cats, although occasionally a dog will also turn an area needing Reiki to your hands.
I generally use the technique of activating the Reiki and then just letting my hands go to the area they feel most drawn to, or to where it seems most comfortable for the dog. I had a little dog with bad knees, and every night I put my hands on whichever knee was closest to me, and sent Reiki until we both fell asleep.
If you want to work with animals, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with breed specific needs. For example, some breeds of dogs, the German Shepard for example, have a history of hip or knee problems, and these areas may require more energy and more time.
Fish
You can either place a “Reiki bubble” around the fish tank, or you can “beam” the fish. The Reiki will pass through anything. You can also place your hands on the aquarium glass. They will stay in the Reiki field for as long as they want the energy and then they’ll move. If you keep your hands in place, you’ll find they will come back, expecting the energy to be there.
Birds
Birds, unless they have been hand raised and are quite used to human contact, do not normally like the restraint of human hands. This can be very stressful for them. For this reason, it usually works best to enfold the bird in a “Reiki bubble” or beam the Reiki directly to them.
You can also place your hands on either side of the cage. They will stay in the Reiki energy for as long as it is comfortable, and then they’ll move.
I once healed a bird with Reiki energy. It crashed into a window at my home and when I ran out to see if it was OK, it was limp, and it’s little head was at a weird angle. I picked it up and immediately the Reiki began to flow. The energy was very intense and strong, and after about five minutes, the little bird stirred, and next thing you know, he seemed just fine. He looked around a little startled, and then flew away.
Small Animals
It is important to remember that most small animals do not enjoy being physically restrained. Make every effort to ensure that the animal is comfortable and feels safe. Small animals can be held loosely in your hands while you allow the Reiki energy to flow.
If they are squirmy or seem uncomfortable with being held, you can hold your hands an inch or two away from them, and send the Reiki that way. Alternatively, you can send the Reiki into their cage or enclosure using a “beam” or “bubble.”
Do not worry if it seems the Reiki flow doesn’t last as long as you would expect when working with a person. Sometimes it doesn’t take much time for a small animal to receive the full benefit of the Reiki energy.
Large Animals
Large animals can be treated by simply activating the Reiki and then allowing your hands to go to whatever areas of the body they are drawn to, or that seem comfortable for the animal.
Beaming the Reiki is also an option, especially if the animal does not seem to enjoy the actual hands on contact.
Reptiles and Other Animals
Any time you are asked or guided to give Reiki to an animal that doesn’t seem to enjoy actual physical contact, use a “beam” of Reiki, or a Reiki bubble. If the animal allows, or seems to enjoy being touched, activate the Reiki energy and then allow your intuition to guide you.
Other Options
Other options for healing animals include infusing their water and food with Reiki energy. Infusing the food with healing Reiki energy is done by holding the food bowl, or food container, and sending the Reiki energy into it with the intention of infusing the food with healing power. Infusing the water with Reiki is done the same way.
Don’t Forget!
Even if the need for Reiki comes up suddenly, and you are treating on the fly, always remember to center yourself first, and open your heart. If you are doing a “full Reiki” treatment, approach it with the same respect and care that you would for a human client or friend.
And remember, just as with humans, respect the animal’s choice. If they reject the Reiki, or try to get away, do not force it.
Also, it’s very important to smooth the aura and cut the ties when complete, just as you would when working with a person.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Balancing the Brain Hemispheres
This grounding technique is called, balancing the brain hemispheres. Many of my clients and I practice this exercise because it is so relaxing.
Place both hands on the sides of your head so the palms are resting on the temples and the fingers cradle (wrap around) the crown of your head. The fingers from both hands will possibly touch at the top of the head. Hold firmly but not too tight.
Close your eyes and take several deep breaths. This is an opportunity to become aware of what your body needs regarding how many seconds it takes before you feel grounded and balanced.
Source: Balanced Woman’s Blog
A Simple Breathing Technique
Here is a quick and simple breathing technique to help ground yourself, clear the mind and helps alleviate headaches. If you would like to, you can use calming, grounding statements as you breathe, as in the example shown below:
Inhaling (through left nostril, closing right nostril with right thumb), “I am breathing in calm” or “I am breathing in good energy.”
(Close left nostril with right ring finger) Exhaling (through right nostril), ”I am breathing out anxiety” or “I am breathing out bad energy ,” or “I am safe.”
Repeat rounds 6-10 times, focus on keeping breath smooth, deep and rhythmic. You will not want to practice this exercise if you have a cold.
It is not necessary to use affirmations with this exercise.
Source: Balanced Women’s Blog
Jyoshin Koki-ho
Jyoshin Koki-ho (Joshin Kokyo-ho) is a breathing technique. You breathe Reiki in through the nose through the crown and into the hara on the in breath. You breathe the out breath from the hara.
Jyoshin Kokiho is done to cleanse the spirit, heart and mind. It is a focus meditative breathing technique.
To do Jyoshin:
- Start by placing the hands in Gassho and your eyes closed.
- Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.
On the in breath, breathe in the light of Reiki through the crown and into the hara. Let the light fill your body completely transmuting all that is negative and stuck into light. On the out breath, breathe out that light and radiate it from you to all the universe.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
The Kenyoku Technique
Also known as “dry bathing,” Kenyoku purifies body and soul. It strengthens your energy and helps you to detach from your clients, situations, thoughts, and emotions. It brings you into the present moment. It can be used before and after a Reiki session, and can also be used anytime you feel a need to release negative energy and/or nervous tension.
Kenyoku-ho is a technique to clear and strengthen the energy channels. The technique was common to many martial arts and chi kung schools such as JuJitsu, Aikidoand KiKo and was added by Usui.
Those familiar with the martial arts will recognize the two parts of this technique as common techniques. The first is a down block across the midsection (this technique is used in a variety of martial arts such as Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, etc.). This down block is followed by what is commonly called in the martial arts as a “shirk” or technique to remove an opponents hand from your wrist that is done by sliding the knife edge of your hand down the arm.
Part One:
A. Place your right hand on the left shoulder so that the right fingertips are on the left shoulder. The hand is open, the fingers held together all point upwards. The hand (palm down) is against the body.
B. Slide the hand downward toward the right hip. Move the hand, going across the chest and ending up fingers down at the right hip. The hand (palm down) stays in light contact with the body the entire movement. (This is what is called an open handed down block in the martial arts.)
C. Repeat this process starting with the left hand on the right shoulder and going down to the left hip.
Part Two
D. Place the right hand again on the left shoulder. Slide the right hand down the left arm (inside or outside, each will cover different meridians) all the way to the fingertips. (This is what would be called a “shirk” in the martial arts, used to remove an opponents hand that is grabbing your arm.)
E. Repeat this with the left hand on the right arm.
F. Start with the right hand on the inside of the left elbow, and slide the hand down to the fingertips.
G. Repeat this with the left hand on the right inside of the elbow.
Note – Some masters teach the hand should slide to the inside of the arm and others teach it should slide down the outside of the arm. Different meridians are stimulated for each.
- The inside slide is yin and will effect the lung, heart, and kidney meridians.
- The outside slide is yang and will effect the triple warmer, colon and small intestine meridians.
It is interesting that this technique appears to have survived after a fashion in the Rand school that teaches to cut the cords on the solar plexus using a “karate chopping technique”
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Nentatsu-ho
Nentatsu-ho is a Reiki method for sending a thought or wish, also called a “deprogramming” technique. The technique itself is thought to send a though or wish to yourself (higher self) or that of another with Reiki energy or vibrations.
The technique is simple to do and involves placing your hands another’s head (or your own) and confidently transmitting or sending the message with a pure mind and intent.
It is important to understand that this is not healing with mind power, but rather sending a message to the person’s sub consciousness with the Reiki energy.
Do not push, strain or try to hard as it can create tension for you and the other person. Like all reiki techniques, this is an effortless practice. It is done from a relaxed, meditative state of mind that is free of selfish intent.
This technique is still seen in the west in some attunement sets. It is common for the hands to be placed on the forehead and back of the head and to place an affirmation such as “you are perfectly attuned to the Reiki”, etc., when doing the attunement.
Nentatsu-ho can be used to share or transmit the five principles of Reiki, to remove bad habits, to reinforce good or positive alternate behaviors when treating bad habits, to reinforce functional or positive affirmations and many other possibilities.
If you are doing this for other people, make sure you understand clearly what the other person wants. Make sure you choose positive affirmations.
A. Connect to Reiki. One method is to hold your hands up high in the air to feel the Reiki energy and let its light flow into your whole being.
B. Bring the hands down and place one hand on the forehead (hairline) and the other on the back of the head. The affirmation “I am the Great Universe, Great Life Source and Great Reality” was taught to me to say at this point.
You can say, “you are healed, healthy, well” or any other affirmation that you choose. It is an aid to treatment and healing. The important part is to keep the intent clear, pure and confident.
C. Move the hand on the forehead to the back of the head by placing that hand on top/bottom of the other hand that is already on the back of the head and send the energy there for several minutes.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Gedoku-Ho
The Detoxification Technique.
The Japanese word doku means “poison” or “toxin” and the word ge means “to bring down.” This technique is used to detoxify a client or yourself.
Here’s how:
- Place one hand on the tanden and the other behind it on the lower back.
- Leave your hands there for 13 minutes while simultaneously imagining all the toxins leaving the body of the Reiki receiver.
- Encourage the person receiving treatment to also imagine all the toxins leaving the body.
You can imagine that the toxins are flowing out through the bottoms of the feet into the care of Mother Earth for purification and recycling.
When complete, give the client a glass of Reiki charged water, and encourage them to drink plenty of water for the next 3 or 4 days to facilitate the detox.
Also suggest an Epsom salts bath to be taken that evening. This will leach the released toxins out of the system, and the person will be physically more comfortable the next day.
You might also mention that a detox may have a physical effect on the body. The person might experience a “healing crisis” as the body adjusts.
If Gedoku-ho is done at the end of a Reiki treatment, or if it is done as a stand alone treatment, remember to sweep and seal the aura, and detach yourself.
If Gedoku-ho is done at the beginning, or middle of the session, you would then continue with the treatment. Always follow your inner guidance and allow yourself to be directed by Spirit.
For my sources see: Recommended Reading
Cindy Plante: Gedoku-Ho
Gregory: Natural Power Spots
Alexander Boyd: The Seven Subtle Bodies
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