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This blog entry is part of my newsletter series about integrating crystals and gemstones into your Reiki practice. If you want to read the other parts of the series, please subscribe to my newsletter, which contains tons of great Reiki information.

I’ll be discussing which crystals and gemstones you could put together as an essential, all-purpose kit. As you’ll see, you can put together an inexpensive group of crystals and gemstones, or you can put together a more elaborate kit, if you have the money and the inclination. There’s no need to get large specimens, either, unless you want one. A crystal or stone that is about an inch long will do just fine; smaller ones will work, too. Remember also that jewelry with the specified crystal or gemstone can also be substituted for a polished or rough specimen.

Here’s my 10 “must have” crystals and gemstones list, if you are going to work with crystals and gemstones as you practice Reiki. Bear in mind that these are my recommendations, based on years of working with crystals and gemstones. Every crystal worker has her/his own favorites. So see this list as a guideline, but go with the crystals and gemstones that speak most strongly to you.

To learn more about crystals and gemstones, be sure to check out my list of Recommended Resources:

CLEAR QUARTZ CRYSTAL: Clear Quartz Crystal is the “all purpose” crystal. I would recommend you get a crystal that has at least one point at the end. You can use it to clear negativity, to draw energy into or away from a person, to protect yourself, etc.

In fact, Clear Quartz Crystal is so versatile that if you could afford only ONE crystal or gemstone, that is the one I would recommend. Why? Because in a pinch you can program Clear Quartz to be whatever kind of stone you want it to be. Simply hold it in your hand and concentrate your intention on what you need the Quartz to do, while sending Reiki into the crystal. Voila! It becomes what you wish.

If you had only one crystal, that might become a problem, because you would have to keep re-programming it and moving it around. But if that’s all you can afford, then that’s all you can afford. Just get the specimen you are attracted to. Either hold it in your hand to feel it vibrate, or if you are buying it on the internet, close your eyes for a moment and see if you can sense the crystal’s energy.

Clear Quartz Crystal can also be used on the Crown Chakra and the Palm Chakras. And one of the additional benefits of Clear Quartz Crystal is that it can be had rather inexpensively.

To look for Clear Quartz Crystal or any of the other crystals and gemstones I’ll mention in this entry, check out eBay. As I’ve said elsewhere, eBay is the best place to get a good price, and sellers from all over the world sell on eBay and ship anywhere. Here’s the link to eBay’s Rocks, Fossils & Minerals category (just enter the name of a particular stone in the Search Box in the upper left-hand side of the page).

HEMATITE: I love Hematite. It’s another stone with a lot of possible uses. It’s a heavy, silver-gray color, and it is slightly magnetic. So you can use it for grounding purposes, or you can use it on the Root Chakra or Sole Chakras. And joy of joys, Hematite is very inexpensive!

AMETHYST: Amethyst is a powerful crystal. Its purple/violet color goes wonderfully with the Crown Chakra, and it also invokes the energy of Kwan Yin. It is frequently available in points (pointed crystals), so you can also use it to draw energy in or away. The price of Amethyst varies quite a bit, but there is no need to get an expensive specimen. You can find reasonably priced specimens on eBay and at rock shops and shows. Don’t keep your Amethyst in the sun, because it will fade!

MALACHITE: Malachite is a deep-acting, powerful gemstone that can facilitate amazing insight and healing. Its gorgeous green color works well with the Heart Chakra and the Palm Chakras. It is so powerful that sometimes people feel a little uncomfortable with it near them; in that case, choose another green stone. Malachite is not an expensive stone, but if you need a cheaper alternative, go with AVENTURINE, which is also a lovely green color.

OBSIDIAN (also known as Apache’s Tears): I love Obsidian as an all-purpose negativity absorber and cleanser. That dark black color just seems to soak up negative energy! It’s a great grounding stone, and you can also use it with the Sole Chakras. Again, it’s rather inexpensive. You can also use BLACK ONYX for the same purposes.

ROSE QUARTZ: The energy of Rose Quartz is just lovely, and it is a very calming stone. You can use it on the Heart Chakra and just about anywhere else you like. And it’s very inexpensive. Just remember not to put it in the sun, as the sun will fade it.

SODALITE: Sodalite’s beautiful dark blue color goes so well with the Third Eye Chakra. You can also use it on the Throat Chakra (although some people prefer TURQUOISE for that). It is great for bringing about emotional balance and for calming panic. If you are looking for a more expensive dark blue stone, you could also use LAPIS LAZULI. But Sodalite is nice and inexpensive, and it will get the job done.

CARNELIAN: Carnelian is another multi-purpose stone. It’s known as a stone that can clear other stones and crystals. It’s great for grounding. It’s associated with both the Root Chakra and the Sacral Chakra (its color is red-orange), so you can use it for either purpose. It’s also associated with reproductive issues, which frequently come up during healing. And guess what? Yes — it’s inexpensive! If you need an even cheaper red-orange stone, you can always go with RED JASPER.

MOONSTONE: Moonstone is so calming, I can’t imagine being without it. And it’s associated with the feminine, so many women practitioners and clients are instinctively drawn to it. Looking at it can ease a troubled mind, as you study the patterns of light and color within the white. You can use it on the Crown Chakra, as well. It can be a little more expensive than the other stones I’ve mentioned, but if you shop around, you can find a bargain.

YELLOW TIGER-EYE: Yellow Tiger-Eye has so many uses. Its yellow tones resonate beautifully with the Solar Plexus Chakra. Its brown tones harmonize with the Sole Chakras. And it’s a great grounding stone; you can even use it with the Root Chakra. (There is also a RED TIGER-EYE variation that also goes well with the Root Chakra.)

That’s it for my 10 “must-have” crystals and gemstones. You could easily put together a collection of one of each for less than $20 (depending on whether you have to pay for shipping).

Here are some other stones that I love, but which I don’t consider “essential” to the beginner, just starting to work with crystals, and on a limited budget:

GARNET: I discussed Garnet in another newsletter, but I love its protective qualities. You can get a Garnet rough specimen or some Garnet beads fairly inexpensively.

AMBER: Not technically a crystal or a gemstone, but incredibly calming. Prices for Amber are all over the lot, depending on whether it has flowers, insects, etc. Personally, I am not too thrilled about Amber that has dead insects in it; I don’t like the karmic vibe it gives off. But that’s just my preference.

CITRINE: Citrine is so wonderful for fatigue and for general clearing abilities. Wearing it has a lovely effect on my mental state. You can get a rough specimen or a less-than-gem-quality specimen and it will work just fine. By the way, I adore combining Garnet and Citrine. Now *that’s* a happy combination!

SELENITE: Selenite, while fragile, is worth having. I have a large specimen that is the pride of my collection. Selenite can bring deep, deep peace while you meditate. It is great for opening the Crown Chakra in order to deepen your connection to a Higher Consciousness. It’s also wonderful for work involving the spinal column, as it has a reputation for re-aligning the spine. Note: DO NOT get Selenite wet! It can dissolve when wet.

FLUORITE (all colors): Fluorite is a wonderful stone, with many possible uses. It comes in many colors, and many specimens are multiple colors, so that you can use lots of different color energies from one specimen. Fluorite is great for protection, for drawing off negative energy, and it is great for revealing the truth of a situation.

To read more about these crystals and gemstones, see my list of Recommended Resources:

Well, I could go on and on! And I could talk about each stone in much more depth. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for lots of crystal and gemstone Reiki information that I do NOT post on this blog!

Just remember: Let the crystals and gemstones speak to you in their own way; listen to their subtle vibrations. They have so much to say to us.

Namaste,

Loretta

© 2006 NobleReiki.com. All rights reserved. Nothing on this website may be reproduced completely or partially without the written consent of the copyright holder.

In this blog entry, I wanted to explore a debate within the Reiki community. It’s about an issue that may have already come up in your Reiki work.

In a nutshell, the debate is this: Should we do Reiki hands on (touching the person), or hands off (with our hands above the person’s body)? Does Reiki work better using one method or the other?

Reiki is usually thought of as “touch therapy”. There’s no denying that touch itself is very healing. There are many studies showing that our brains release “feel good” chemistry when we are lovingly touched by someone.

And when Reiki is taught in classes, it is almost always taught by having the students place their hands on the person they are channeling Reiki to.

But here’s the interesting part: our physical bodies end, and then our energetic (or auric) bodies begin. Our energy field extends out from our body for at least 4 to 6 inches. Some people believe it extends much farther than that, 2 or 3 feet out from our body. We know that many physical ailments have their roots in spiritual issues. And we know that disturbances in our energy field can have a profound effect on our physical bodies.

So if we don’t do hands-off Reiki, can we sense where the energetic/auric body needs attention?

The answer is that each individual Reiki practitioner must decide for himself or herself. And, the answer often depends on the situation. It also requires a certain amount of confidence on the part of the Reiki practitioner — confidence to know and interpret the things you are sensing as you working with someone.

When I first got my Reiki attunements, I worked hands-on, as I had been taught. But one day, I instinctively raised my hands off the body of the person I was working with. Wow! I noticed immediately that the energy I was channeling was flowing much more powerfully, more strongly. I could really feel the difference. And I could feel subtle changes in the person’s energy field that had not been apparent to me when I worked hands-on.

From that day on, my personal preference has always been for hands-off work. I always start a Reiki session hands-off and frequently work that way for the entire session. If I am drawn intuitively to touch some part of the person, I always ask their permission first, so as not to startle them.

My clients often comment that it feels as if I have a thousand hands on them, even though my hands are usually about 6 inches off their body!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you should check the legal status of Reiki in your locale. In some states in the U.S., it is illegal for anyone who is not licensed to touch (nurses, doctors, chiropractors, etc.) to practice any modality that involves touch. That’s kind of sad, isn’t it? And it says a lot about our society that you need a license in some places to touch someone! But given that that is the reality, we have to live within the rules. The good news is that even if you live somewhere where you cannot touch someone during Reiki unless you are a nurse, doctor, etc., you should still be able to do hands-off Reiki.

But a few states — most recently, Florida — have decided to regulate Reiki as if it were massage, making it illegal for a non-licensed massage therapist to practice Reiki. So again, know your laws and work toward changing any laws you feel are harmful. FloridaHealthFreedom.org is one website working for change. (I have no affiliation with them; I am just passing on their information for people who live and work in Florida.)

If you are working with someone who has been physically abused, that person may prefer that you not put your hands on him or her. Sometimes, people who have been abused or traumatized go into an automatic guarding mode when they are touched. In those cases, it’s easier for them to be receptive to the Reiki if your hands are off them. As you continue to work with them over time, they may relax and feel comfortable with you touching them. But always be respectful of their desire to not be touched.

In fact, the hands-off method gets around the discomfort that anyone might feel when you touch certain places, such as the Sacral Chakra and the Root Chakra. Some people, understandably, are not comfortable having someone touch them anywhere near their genitals, breasts, etc. Especially if the practitioner is of the opposite sex… So in those cases, hands-off Reiki enables you to send Reiki to any and all parts of the body without actually touching those parts.

You might find that you prefer to work hands-off, too. Or, after trying one way or another, you might find that you really prefer to keep your hands in contact with the person’s body.

Outside of legal considerations, it really doesn’t matter whether you choose to work hands-on or hands-off, because the Reiki will flow through you and from you, regardless. Use your intuition to guide you. As long as your intention is positive, the Reiki will flow where it is needed, no matter where your hands are.

Would you like to read lots more informative and thought-provoking Reiki information? If so, subscribe to my newsletter. You’ll get plenty of great Reiki information from my newsletter that I don’t post here on my blog. So go ahead and subscribe. You can unsubscribe at any time from a link that’s included in every newsletter.

Namaste,

Loretta

© 2006 NobleReiki.com. All rights reserved. Nothing on this website may be reproduced completely or partially without the written consent of the copyright holder.

How long should you wait between your Reiki I and Reiki II Attunements? This is a question I am frequently asked.

There is no hard and fast answer to that question. In the old days, students used to be advised to wait 2 or more years between attunements. And according to the “The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui”, many of Dr. Usui’s students stayed at the Reiki I level for their entire lives. (You can find the Original Reiki Handbook in our Recommended Reiki Resources section. You’ll have to scroll down and click on Page 2 or Next to see that particular book.)

But I don’t believe you need to wait years. Many people are ready to make the jump to Reiki II much more quickly than that. From my perspective, I like to see students wait at least a month between their Reiki I and Reiki II Attunements. I say that simply because most students like to become accustomed to working with Reiki. They need a little time to see how it feels, how the energy feels when it flows, etc. And they need some time to practice on others. This is especially true of students who have had very little exposure to any kind of energy work.

Having said that, I’ve seen some advanced students who took their Reiki Attunements in rapid succession, and they did fine. Most of those students have had experience with energy healing, such as Chi Kung or Acupuncture or other modalities. When they got their Reiki Attunements, they were quite ready to move quickly from Reiki I to Reiki II and Master.

So, as usual, the correct answer to the question, “How long should you wait between your Reiki I and Reiki II Attunements?” is: It depends! If you feel you’re ready to move on, don’t be timid or afraid. And if you feel like you need some time between Attunements while you build experience and confidence, don’t let anyone hurry you.

To read my detailed discussions of how to conduct a Reiki I, Reiki II and Reiki Master Attunement, as well as tons of other highly informative, useful, easy-to-understand Reiki topics, subscribe to my newsletter. You’ll be glad you did!

© 2006 NobleReiki.com. All rights reserved. Nothing on this website may be reproduced completely or partially without the written consent of the copyright holder.

In this blog entry I’m going to describe Reiki attunements in general terms. If you’d like specific information about the Reiki I, Reiki II, Reiki Master, Psychic or Healing Attunements, subscribe to my email newsletter. (Don’t worry; you can unsubscribe at any time through a click that’s on every newsletter.)
I know that many of my newsletter readers have already had at least one attunement, so I apologize in advance if any of this information is something you already know. As I said, I have had a number of requests for this information, so I’m assuming that at least some of my readers are seeking this particular knowledge.

So what is an attunement in the first place? I know that some Reiki practitioners make the attunement seem like something mysterious. And indeed, they can be wonderful, spiritual experiences. But there’s nothing terribly mysterious or secret about them.

In short, a Reiki attunement is a ritual. During this ritual, two main goals are accomplished:

(1) Certain of your chakras are opened and/or strengthened, so that you are connected to the source of Reiki and your ability to channel Reiki is increased; and

(2) Certain knowledge and information is passed from the Reiki teacher to the Reiki student. This knowledge and information may include passing specific Reiki symbols to the student, depending on the teacher and the level of Reiki attunement. You could think of attunements in this sense as an initiation.

Let me stop here and restate something I’m forever saying, but which is so important:

Everyone already has the ability to send and receive Reiki. An attunement simply strengthens that ability. You could think of it as a “fine tune-ment”. In other words, the attunement sharpens and focuses your abilities in the same way that any natural skill can be developed.

I say this over and over because I want you to feel empowered. You are already a healer. All you need is some information, some strengthening of your Reiki abilities, and some practice (either on yourself or others).

It’s really that simple.

The other really simple part is this: The most important part of the Reiki attunement is the INTENTION of both the teacher and the student. The teacher’s intention is for you to be a wonderful healer and for you to be able to receive and send Reiki. He or she should focus very clearly on that intention before and during the attunement.

The student’s/your intention is simple: you intend to receive the loving Universal Reiki and to use it for its highest good. It’s not necessary that you know what its highest good is at that moment. Just allow the Reiki to flow into you and through you, and it will seek its highest good. You should also focus very clearly on that intention before and after the attunement.

As I’ve said before, it’s the intention of both student and teacher that allows long-distance attunements to work as well as they do. So if you don’t have a Reiki teacher anywhere near you, don’t hesitate to take advantage of Reiki attunement DVDs:

You might be asking yourself at this moment: Do I really need to have an attunement at all? If I already have the ability to channel Reiki, do I need to have this ritual?

The answer is No, it is not absolutely necessary, in my experience and opinion.

HOWEVER, the attunement process really does fine-tune and strengthen your Reiki abilities. And it will create changes in you on a spiritual level. I guarantee that. You will be an even better, stronger healer with the attunement than without it.

And if you’re lucky enough to have a wonderful Reiki teacher attune you in person, you can learn a ton of practical information as well as intuitive skills from that person.

I am often asked how a student should prepare for an attunement. Different teachers will give you different answers. Some teachers will tell you to avoid caffeine, sugar, cigarettes and alcohol for a week before an attunement. The purpose of this is to purify your body as much as possible, and it’s not a bad idea. However, don’t stress if you are unable to do this. Remember, intention is paramount.

Some teachers also recommend a fast before an attunement, but I don’t feel that this is necessary. If you feel better fasting beforehand, go ahead. But I don’t feel that any of the Reiki attunements needs to be about deprivation.

From my perspective, the mental preparation for attunements is the most important. I ask my students to meditate or just think about why they want to be attuned, and what they hope to get out of the process. I ask them to meditate or think about the highest good that their Reiki may attain, and to be willing to accept that the Universe may be wiser in this matter than they are at this moment.

When I say “meditate”, it doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out thing, although it’s fine if you want to do that. I simply mean to stop for a short period of time and focus your thoughts on the issues. You can do it while taking your daily shower or bath, if you are pressed for time.

The other important mental preparation is to be willing to let go of anger, hurt, jealousy and any other negative emotions. You must be willing to put them aside for at least the day of the attunement. The night before your attunement, you might want to imagine putting these thoughts and emotions in a beautiful box for safekeeping, so that your mind is free of them, at least temporarily.

It follows that if something very emotionally upsetting happens to you right before your attunement, it would probably be wise to postpone the attunement until you can clear your mind. There really isn’t a hard and fast rule here — some people might say that the upsetting thing is all the more reason to have the attunement.

All I’m suggesting is that if you feel the upsetting event will distract you and leave unable to focus on your intention, save the attunement for another day.

You might want to focus on the 5 Reiki principles as you prepare for an attunement (you will see slight variations on these principles as you study other Reiki Masters’ work):

JUST FOR TODAY, I will give thanks for my many blessings.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not worry.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not be angry.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do my work honestly.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be kind to my parents, teachers, elders, neighbors and every living thing, including myself.

Not bad principles to live by, eh?

If you’d like to read more about specific Reiki attunements, be sure to subscribe to my email Reiki newsletter. It’s jam-packed with information about Reiki symbols, the chakras (including palm and sole chakras), uses for Reiki, Reiki attunements and lots more.

Namaste,

Loretta

© 2006 NobleReiki.com. All rights reserved. Nothing on this website may be reproduced completely or partially without the written consent of the copyright holder.