For as long as I can remember, gardens have been a part of my life. Growing up in a gardening family, we had a large vegetable patch every summer, a tradition I continued when I left home. Planting, nurturing, and ultimately harvesting and enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of one’s labors is fulfilling and satisfying. And, working in the garden has always been therapeutic for me. Communing with Mother Earth, digging deep into Her, and feeling the aliveness of the soil, plants, and creatures that live within Her was a soothing balm for whatever problem or challenge I faced. The garden was a healing space where I could simply Be, and allow Mother to nurture me as I nurtured Her plants.
My garden took on even greater significance after Reiki arrived in my life. As I slowly surrendered to the wisdom of its loving energy in all aspects of my life, my innate compassion and sense of Oneness developed and grew. Over time, my humble garden became a symbol of my abiding affection and love for Mother Earth and all She provides. Through my garden, I became a visible extension of Her as I cared for the plants that would eventually nourish my family’s bodies as She nourishes all of us every day – in every way.
As Reiki practitioners, we share a unique ability to bring healing and light to all situations, circumstances and spaces, such as your garden. By doing so, we reap benefits for all levels of our being, individually and collectively. If you are new to or curious about Reiki gardening, I describe some of its benefits below and offer some simple suggestions and tips to help you find inspiration for your own Reiki Garden.
Growing a Reiki Garden
At its core, Reiki is a beautifully simple practice, and so is growing a Reiki Garden. The practice of Reiki primarily involves setting an intention and allowing the loving energy to flow, whether through the hands, feet, eyes or from our whole being. Remember that energy follows intention, so establishing a clear one is essential.
Following Reiki’s example, my intentions tend to be simple as well. The intention for the garden also encompasses my home, property, and all that dwell therein, as I intend that the garden, its surroundings, and all who live there be filled with Reiki and blessed by the continuous flow of its loving energy, in accordance with the Highest Good. As a personal preference, I typically invoke the Holy Fire symbol during the intention. Of course, you may use whatever symbol(s) you are guided to use, or choose to proceed without symbols.
In preparing to spend time in the garden, I clear and cleanse my energy and send Reiki to the gardening tools and any equipment I may use. I invoke the Holy Fire symbol in the air and then “step” into the symbol so that its energy envelops me. I also draw it and the Power Symbol in my palms as I begin the flow of Reiki.
When working in the garden, I am conscious of Reiki’s energy flow and always feel a sense of gratitude for this remarkable gift from Spirit. As the energy flows through my hands as they cultivate and nourish the soil and the seedlings, the energy of Reiki touches, permeates and uplifts everything in its path. Its restorative energy also flows into Mother Earth, offering Her a much-needed healing boost. As I focus on my tasks and the feeling of oneness that often accompanies them, I am delighted by the increased presence of honeybees as they hum and buzz around the garden, along with hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. I have noted that the Reiki Garden attracts large numbers of these pollinators as they too bask in the healing energy.
When my tasks are complete for the day, I offer gratitude – to Mother Earth, the garden, and, of course, Reiki. My final intention is that the energy continues to flow for as long as needed, knowing that Reiki’s wisdom always aligns with the Highest Good.
I repeat this process each time I work in my garden. And, over the years of growing a Reiki Garden, I have observed that the plants tend to be larger, healthier, more robust, and more productive than my pre-Reiki gardens. Reiki really does help everything!
Benefits of the Reiki Garden
- Connection with Mother Earth – For me, this may be the most important benefit. By tending to, nurturing, and caring for a garden, we forge a deep relationship with our Mother, who provides endlessly and asks for little in return. As I work in my garden, I am acutely aware of Her sights, sounds, scents, and feel, and allow my senses to merge with them. And, as I prepare the soil, cultivate the plants, feel the sunshine warming my body, hear the humming of bees, and breathe in Her fragrances, I am conscious of an energy exchange. The garden provides an opportunity for me to give back to Her as I care for and genuinely appreciate the abundant gifts. This symbiotic exchange is the foundation of a profound relationship, for which I am exceedingly grateful. With Reiki as a co-creator, the garden becomes a meaningful source of healing for Mother Earth.
- Grounding and Balancing – We are well aware of the importance of grounding and balancing, both as Reiki practitioners and in our daily lives. Working in the garden is inherently grounding because of our proximity to Mother Earth, along with our awareness of this closeness. When we allow ourselves to experience this connection, we naturally become grounded. As we realize the magnitude of all She selflessly provides, we renew our connection to Spirit, creating gratitude in our hearts and souls. Thus, we are balanced, and balance is a key to wellness.
- Contributing to Positive Planetary Change – It is no secret our beautiful planet is struggling during these pivotal times. Although being of help may seem an overwhelming task, remember that every act to preserve our planet can have an enormous impact, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. The energy potential created by the action of caring for and nurturing a garden cannot be overstated. Its energies of love and gratitude billow outward, touching everything in their path. And that effect is magnified immeasurably when Reiki’s divine love is a co-creator in that garden. So, whether the garden is a few plants on a windowsill or balcony, a large area of land, or something in between, know that it matters.
- Nourishing our Bodies – Most people plant a garden to provide food for themselves and their loved ones. And, there is little doubt that home-grown food seems to taste better and seems to make us feel better. As stated earlier, growing one’s food is incredibly fulfilling and satisfying, and the energy of that affects our perception of the food’s taste. With that in mind, consider the bounty produced by a Reiki Garden. Every aspect of it has been receiving Reiki since its inception – the structure, soil, water, fertilizer (hopefully organic and natural), seeds, plants, insects, birds, and so on. And we are familiar with Reiki’s ability to raise the vibration of all it touches. The quality of the food we eat has a profound effect on our bodies, minds, and souls. Indeed, macrobiotics teaches that “food is spirit.” (1) When we channel Reiki to the food we are growing and to the garden from which the food comes, we are, in essence, inviting Spirit into our bodies through the higher vibration of the food we eat. And that creates a cascade of healthful energy within our bodies and energy fields. As a bonus, I have observed that foods grown in a Reiki Garden have rich, complex flavors that are often lacking in conventionally grown foods. Others have also commented on the depth of taste in the Reiki Garden bounty.
- Nourishing the Mind and Spirit – Inviting Reiki to co-create a garden also benefits our emotional, mental, and spiritual selves. As stated earlier, gardening has always been therapeutic for me. This effect is magnified significantly with Reiki by my side. As I engage in my gardening tasks and allow the energy to flow, my mind clears, my focus sharpens, and I feel a sense of inner peace and calm, which is often lacking in today’s world. It becomes a meditative practice, and I am one with the garden, enjoying and appreciating the exchange of healthful energy flowing through my body, mind, and spirit.
Growing a Reiki Garden is a wonderful way to nurture ourselves on all levels of being, as it supports our Earth and deepens our connection to Her. During these pivotal times, it is more important than ever to care for ourselves as well as Mother Earth and all her creatures. A Reiki Garden accomplishes this beautifully – and deliciously!
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© 2021 Kathleen Johnson
Article by Kathleen Johnson
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Kathleen Johnson is a Holy Fire III Reiki Master, Usui Reiki Master, Kundalini Reiki Master, and a Certified Crystal Healer. She is also a Past-Life Soul Regression Therapist, and an Angelic Soul Activation Practitioner. As a Spiritual Teacher and Mentor, she assists others in discovering their unique path to wellness, wholeness, and authenticity.
Kathleen is the Founder of UniverSoul Heart, LLC, a holistic healing and wellness practice based in Pennsylvania, USA. Her education includes a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Criminology, as well as extensive postgraduate studies in Mental Health Counseling and Transpersonal Psychology. Although she taught Reiki for several years, this changed in 2020 when Reiki’s guidance redirected her focus to working with individuals during this pivotal time in humanity’s history.
Kathleen is committed to raising awareness of the benefits of Reiki and holistic wellness. To that end, she has been a co-host as well as a presenter and sponsor for the Reiki Rays Annual Summit since 2017. She has also been a featured guest in numerous radio interviews and also hosted “UniverSoul Heart Radio with Kathleen Johnson- Sensible Spirituality for Everyday Living” on Transformation Talk Radio. Most recently, she co-hosted Seasons 1-3 on the “Beyond the Reiki Gateway” podcast, and in January 2025 was interviewed by MysticMag, in which she shares healing insights and revelations during her transformative journey as founder of UniverSoul Heart. In February 2025, she was a guest on “The Way 126” podcast to discuss Reiki and its benefits.
In her personal life, Kathleen is a passionate advocate for animals and Mother Earth, and as such, committed to a compassionate plant-based lifestyle. In 2021, she became certified as a Plant-Based Nutritionist through Cornell University’s Nutrition Studies Program. She is the mother of 4 grown sons and grandmother to two beautiful babies, who each clutch a substantial piece of her heart in their precious little hands.
Kathleen’s articles about Reiki and Spirituality have been published on Reiki Rays, Reiki News Magazine, and Medium.com. Her eBook “Let Reiki Guide the Way” is available on her website.
Kathleen can be contacted at kjohnson@universoulheart.net.
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