Reiki and Magick. Magick and Reiki. At first, you might think these two practices have nothing in common. Despite several fundamental differences, though, there are a number of similarities. Combining Reiki with your Magickal lifestyle can be very rewarding. Reiki and Magick are both open to anyone since neither are related to any religious dogma. Let’s take a look at some of how they can work together, by using energy, meditation, visualization and intention.
Reiki is a hands on (or hands off and distant) method of energy healing
Reiki uses Universal Energy, channeled through the practitioner, to help heal the auric, subtle bodies and chakras of the recipient. A Reiki practitioner does need to be attuned to Reiki by a Master Teacher. Reiki is not at all religious and can be utilized by anyone open to experiencing energetic healing.
Magick is manipulating energy for the practitioner’s outcome. Magick is also open to anyone and not a religion.
Everything is energy
In Reiki, we channel Universal Energy for another’s highest good. The energy flows through the practitioner and to the intended. We consider this an intelligent energy and acknowledge that it knows where it is most needed. This is the reason that you might hear to not be too specific with your Reiki intentions and that the phrase, “Highest good” is often used. This allows the energy to use it’s natural intelligence to see what is needed as opposed to be directed.
In Magick, we also realize that everything is energy. Magick, at its essence, is using energy to meet one’s intention. Magick relies on the practitioner to be able to manipulate the energy. Here we have a key similarity and difference. Both are practices using energy, but one is more passive while the other is active. However, understanding how to use energy both passively and actively can allow you to have a deeper connection to energy. While using different methods of channeling or harvesting energy, there is a similar end goal to having an intention met. I think of Reiki and Magick as though two sides of the same coin, Yin and Yang.
Meditation is a central part of both practices
It focuses the mind, calms the spirit, and centers the body. Meditation allows the practitioner to make a deeper connection to the Universal Energy or to the Ether. Once, the connection is made, another component is visualization. With visualization, we then see the ultimate outcome of what we hope to achieve, whether that be for someone’s highest good, for prosperity, abundance, or for spiritual guidance. With meditation and visualization, the next step is for us to use our intention. This is where the manifestation of our goal can be actualized. Mediation, visualization, intention, and manifestation all require lots of practice. Reiki and Magick also are best learned by practice and doing and not solely by reading, or in a class.
Reiki and Magick also both use symbols
In Reiki 2, the student learns three symbols; distant, emotional/mental, and power symbols. In Reiki 3, the student will learn the master symbol. These symbols help the practitioner access higher levels of healing and also serve as a way to focus the intent of the session. In other forms of Reiki, there are many, many more symbols that can be learned.
In some Magick practices, the practitioner might use sigils. These are symbols that represent the desired outcome of the ritual. Much like in Reiki, these symbols can be viewed as sacred, but are also open to change and personalization.
What unites Reiki and Magic is, first and foremost, energy. While the two practices are different, the similarities are quite clear when seen through a lens of learning the basic fundamental steps to practice each one. Meditation, visualization, intention with manifestation, and in some, cases, using symbols to help direct the outcome. On their own, each is a beautiful form of using energy. Learning both though, opens us up to a more nuanced understanding of energy healing, and how universal energy really is once we see it all around us.
Article by Carrie Anderson
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Carrie earned her Ph.D in Metaphysics and Energy Healing through World Metaphysical Institutes. She is a Reiki Master Teacher, Animal Reiki Master Teacher and holds degrees in several types of Reiki. Her focus is on Distance Reiki. Carrie is a Master Level Psychic Intuitive and gives daily readings. She combines Reiki and Divination to create unique readings. She is accredited through World Metaphysical Association and Council of Holistic Healers. She also has certifcations in Teen Guided Meditation,. Additionally, she is a Professional Yoga Facilitator with a focus on Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Carrie is a co-author with Mellisa Dormoy for the book, “Easy Mindfulness for Today’s Teens”. She is an active member of the Natural Healer Society and may be reached at www.caresreiki.com
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