Spiritual Information

What is Reiki?

Indian, Tibetan and Chinese philosophy, along with modern science, have all indicated that we are surrounded by and ourselves made up of energy. 

Reiki is a term referring to this Universal Life Force of energy that flows through all living beings. It is referred to as “Chi” in Eastern traditions, while Hindu traditions give it the name of “prana.” Reiki is one of many methods used to activate, harmonize and reconnect with the Universal Life Force. It is a system of energy healing involving the laying on of hands and distant healing techniques. Reiki is universally available to all people regardless of their beliefs, ethnicity, status, etc and is transmitted through an attunement (providing the recipient with the capacity to transfer the Universal Life Force through his or her hands).

What does Reiki do?

Reiki is a tool for promoting healing, relaxation and awareness. The flow of this Universal Life Force Energy emphasizes healing on a spiritual, mental, physical and emotional level as well as on a subconscious level. Reiki can be used to treat people, animals, plants and Earth Healing.

How does Reiki work?

Reiki energy is harnessed through intent according to the needs of the recipient receiving the energy treatment. As a Reiki practitioner, I serve as a channel for this energy, transferring it through my hands to the client. Different Reiki symbols are utilized during a session to harness and amplify energy as well as direct it towards specific healing purposes. As disease first manifests itself on a spiritual level, Reiki is a tool in identifying imbalances in energy and probing a client to consider the root causes of these imbalances. Reiki always heals for the best and greatest good of the recipient and the Universe. Both the practitioner and the recipient will benefit from the healing session. Reiki can also be transferred to people in remote locations through distance healing.

My practices

During a Reiki session, I work my way through the different chakras to feel for and restore any imbalances in the aura. Before beginning a session, I discuss with my client his or her intention for the healing session. The client will then lie down (fully clothed) and be asked to focus on his or her breathing and being in the present moment as well as on being receptive to the energy. People may experience a number of different sensations during a Reiki treatment. These include feeling heat or cold, feeling the vibrations of the energy and seeing colors. 

Who can practice Reiki?

Anyone who has received an attunement from a Reiki Master can practice this energy healing on him or herself and others. Reiki flows naturally when a practitioner places his or her hands on or near a person or animal in need of healing. Reiki training is open to people of all experience and backgrounds.

The benefits of Reiki can include:

· Relieving pain, releasing tension and alleviating anxiety

· Stimulating your body’s natural healing properties

· Supporting the immune system and helping with detoxification

· Feeling more grounded and balanced 

· Releasing buried emotions

Sources:

Penczak, Christopher. Magick of Reiki. Llewellyn Publications, 2004. E-book ISBN: 

9780738717906.

“Reiki at Orion”. Copyright 2005-2019 Orion Healing Center.  https://www.orionhealing.com/reiki-at-orion/Accessed 14 May 2019.

A chakra is a word coming from Sanskrit and defined as “a wheel, a disc, or any arrangement in circular form or organization”. They are subtle energy centers that introduce movement by transforming psychophysical energy into spiritual energy. Psychophysical energy works with the help of prana or “vital life force” energy. Prana is distributed throughout the body by Nadis or “channels of energy” and the chakras are connected to these Nadis. Chakras are active at all times and the energy that moves through them produces different psychic states. The function of chakras is to draw in the universal life force energy in order to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance. There are seven major chakras associated with different areas of the body, the elements and color vibrational frequencies. The following is a description of each chakra and its primary functions:

Muladhara or Root Chakra: associated with the base of the spine, the element of earth, the color red and the tone C. It is related to grounding, self-preservation and survival. An unbalanced root chakra can lead to physical symptoms such as lower back pain, constipation, prostrate problems, anxiety and nightmares. 

Right-side imbalance: overthinking, physically overactive 

Left-side imbalance: an inability to take action, feeling stuck

Svadhishthana or Sacral Chakra: associated with the genitals, the element of water, the color orange and the tone D. It is related to passion, pleasure and creativity. The center of emotions, this chakra is central in developing adaptability to the flow of life and healthy relationships. An unbalanced sacral chakra can lead to feelings of inner conflict and depression. 

Left-side imbalance: Frustration, disappointment

Right-side imbalance: Guilt, shame

Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra: associated with the navel, the element of fire, the color yellow and the tone E. This chakra relates to confidence, self-esteem, willpower and the ability to take initiative and move forward with plans. It is related to the digestive system and metabolism and when unbalanced, can lead to anxiety, restlessness, indecisiveness and a feeling of stagnation.

Left-side imbalance: Feeling powerless

Right-side imbalance: Anger

Anahata or Heart Chakra: associated with the heart, the element of air, the color green and the tone F. This chakra relates to love of others and self, kindness and compassion. It is the balancing chakra, linking the top and bottom three. An unbalanced heart chakra can lead to feelings of jealousy, anger and fear of intimacy.

Left-side imbalance: sadness, grief

Right-side imbalance: trying to please others

Vishuddha or Throat Chakra: associated with the throat, the element akasha (void or space), the color blue and the tone G. This chakra relates to communication, self-expression, creativity, the ability to speak one’s truth and life purpose. An unbalanced throat chakra can lead to difficulty with communication, shyness or a lack of verbal control.

Left-side imbalance: difficulty with communication or self-expression

Right-side imbalance: a feeling of not being heard

Ajna or Third Eye Chakra: associated with the intuition, the point between the eyebrows and mahatattva, a combination of all the elements in their purest form. This chakra is the color indigo and relates to self-awareness, inner knowledge, intuitive guidance and the tone A. An unbalanced third eye chakra can lead to confusion and difficulty with concentration. 

Left-side imbalance: worrying about the future

Right-side imbalance: overthinking the past

Sahasrara or Crown Chakra: the link with Source Energy, transcending all elemental influence, the color violet or white and the tone B. This chakra is related to oneness, a connection to one’s higher self and inner peace. An unbalanced crown chakra can lead to feeling a lack of purpose, depression and a loss of faith.

Sources:

Johari, Harish. Chakras, Energy Centers of Transformation. Destiny Books, 2000. Digital  

Edition: 978-1-59477-909-1

Mager, Stefan. Chakra Guide. Aracariaguides.com. ISBN 978-0-9942519-7-8.

 Crystals are a beautiful tool that can be used to aid in spiritual, emotional, physical and mental healing. Each crystal has a unique structure and energetic properties that can influence the human energy field. Natural crystals, which have been formed in the Earth over millions of years, carry the strongest healing properties. Like all matter on Earth, crystals have a vibrational frequency. Most crystals vibrate at high levels, while some have extremely high vibrations. As a result, they can be used as a complementary therapy to traditional Western medicine to aid with physical problems and illness as well as with improving our mood and focus. Crystals are a way to help you connect with your intuition and focus intentions for meditation, visualization and affirmation practices. When used in conjunction with Reiki, they are especially powerful in clearing emotional blockages. Crystals can also be used for cleansing and clearing away negative energy as well as negative thought patterns. When a chakra is blocked, using the appropriate crystal can help to clear the blockage and restore normal energy flow throughout the body. Crystals come in various shapes, which play a role in how their energy is channeled. 

Cleansing and programming your crystals will help them to work more effectively. It is essential to cleanse your crystals regularly as they are absorbers and transmitters of energy. Ways of cleansing crystals include soaking them in salt water, smudging them with sage or palo santo, burying them under a full moon, placing them in the light of the sun for a few hours and using different reiki symbols. Certain crystals, such as selenite, are self-cleaning and also have the ability to cleanse other crystals.

The following is a chart of crystals that correspond to the various chakra points. Often crystals can be used interchangeably for more than one chakra.

Root Chakra

Garnet: an energizing stone, it cleanses and reenergizes the chakras. It revitalizes, purifies and balances energy, can stimulate both passion and tranquility and is considered a stone of protection. Garnet balances the sex drive, inspires love and alleviates emotional disharmony. It can bring hope and courage in times of crisis. Garnet is linked with the pituitary gland and can stimulate expanded awareness and past-life recall. It can help to rupture negative behavior patterns that no longer serve you. Garnet can help to remove inhibitions and inspire self-confidence.

Red Jasper: Known as the “supreme nurturer”, Jasper inspires tranquility and wholeness. It aligns the chakras, is a protective stone and both grounds energies and absorbs negative energies. It balances yin and yang energies and aids with seeing projects through to completion. Red Jasper provides insight into difficult situations, helps to calm emotions and can be used to assist with dream recall. It strengthens boundaries and detoxifies the circulatory system, blood and liver. 

Obsidian: This is an extremely powerful stone and considered a stone with no limitations. It can bring negative emotions and truths to the surface and provides deep soul healing, facilitating going back to past lives to heal trauma and emotional blockages. Obsidian is a protective stone and absorbs negative energy. It is especially helpful for highly sensitive people and blocks psychic attack. Obsidian promotes physical digestion and reduces the pain of arthritis, joint problems, cramps and injuries. Black Obsidian can help to increase self-control and to provide support during change. 

Onyx: This stone provides support in difficult circumstances and during times of stress. It promotes stamina and self-confidence. Onyx is said to hold the physical memories of things that happened to the wearer and can therefore be used to heal old injuries and physical trauma. Onyx helps to relieve fears and worries and balances the yin and yang energies within the body. It is considered beneficial for teeth, bones, bone marrow, blood disorders and the feet.

Smokey Quartz: this is an excellent stone for both grounding and raising vibrations during meditation. It helps to relieve stress and assists in dealing with difficult situations. Smokey Quartz absorbs negative vibrations and electromagnetic smog and helps with detoxification. It assists in releasing that which no longer serves you, helps to relieve fear and depression and brings about emotional calm. Smokey Quartz helps to alleviate nightmares and to manifest dreams. It promotes concentration and aids with fear of failure. It helps to relieve pain related to the abdomen, hips and legs along with headaches and cramps.

Tourmaline: this stone cleanses and grounds spiritual energy while balancing the chakras. It is a highly protective stone and helps to disperse negative energy. It aids in understanding oneself and helps with self-confidence. Tourmaline aids in balancing the right and left hemispheres of the brain and transforms negative thought patterns into positive ones. Black Tourmaline protects against radiation, psychic attack and electromagnetic smog. It can be used to strengthen the immune system, treat arthritis and provide pain release.

Hematite: this is a grounding and protective stone which harmonizes the body, mind and spirit. It balances the meridians, addresses yin imbalances and has a strong yang element. Hematite dissolves negativity, boosts self-esteem and enhances will power and confidence. It helps with overcoming addictions, improving concentration and focus and enhancing memory. It has a strong connection with blood, restoring and regulating the blood supply. Hematite aids circulatory problems, blood conditions such as anemia and stimulates the absorption of iron. It can aide in treating leg cramps, anxiety and insomnia.

Ruby: this is a dynamic stone often used for energy. It encourages passion for life, improves motivation, stimulates the heart chakra and balances the heart. It is a protective stone, shielding against psychic attack and encourages positive dreams. It is a stone of abundance, aiding in retaining wealth. Ruby encourages removal of negativity and brings about a positive state of mind and heightened awareness. It detoxifies the body, blood and lymph, treats fevers and is beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. 

Sacral Chakra

Tiger’s Eye: this stone combines the earth and sun energies to draw spiritual energies to earth, creating both a highly vibrational while also grounded state. It is a protective stone, brings out integrity and helps in accomplishing goals. As a grounding stone, Tiger’s Eye is especially effective for people afraid of commitment. It heals issues of self-criticism and blocked creativity, balances yin and and yang energies, alleviates depression and lifts moods. Tiger’s Eye can be used to heal the throat, reproductive organs and broken bones. 

Amber: this stone is not actually a crystal but a tree resin that is solidified and fossilized; as a result it has a strong connection with the earth and is a grounding stone for higher energies. Amber is a powerful chakra cleanser, healer and protector. It absorbs negative energies and transforms them into positive ones, stimulating the body to heal itself. It brings stability, stimulates the intellect, clears depression and promotes creative self-expression. Amber can be used to treat problems related to the throat, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder and liver.

Carnelian: this is a stabilizing stone with high energy and helps to restore vitality, motivation and stimulate creativity. It has the ability to cleanse other stones. Carnelian helps in acceptance of the cycle of life and in removing fear of death. It aids in overcoming abuse, improves concentration and clarifies perception. Carnelian calms anger and banishes emotional negativity. It stimulates the metabolism and increases fertility. It can help with lower back problems, arthritis, depression, regulating bodily fluids and the kidneys and in accelerating healing in bones. 

Solar Plexus Chakra

Citrine: this is an energizing and creative crystal that carries the power of the sun. It is a powerful cleanser, having the ability to cleanse the chakras and never itself needs cleansing. Citrine is a protective stone, absorbing and transforming negative energy. It is a stone of abundance and assists in manifesting wealth, prosperity and success. It raises self-esteem, improves motivation, activates creativity, enhances concentration and helps in developing a positive attitude. Citrine promotes inner calm, aids in overcoming depression and fears and assists in becoming emotionally balanced. It stimulates digestion, the spleen and the pancreas, increases blood circulation, detoxifies the blood and balances the thyroid. It balances the hormones and helps with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Heart Chakra

Rose Quartz is a stone of unconditional love. It purifies and opens the heart and brings deep inner healing and self-love. It is calming and assists with trauma. Rose Quartz strengthens empathy and sensitivity and aids with the acceptance of change. It helps to release unexpressed emotions, opens the heart chakra to being receptive to love and provides comfort during times of grief. It encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance. Rose Quartz stimulates the heart and circulatory systems, helps with chest and lung problems, provides healing towards the kidneys, alleviates vertigo and can assist in increasing fertility.

Emerald: this stone eliminates negativity and ensures physical, emotional and mental balance. It raises consciousness, brings about positive actions and enhances psychic abilities. It strengthens memory and is a wisdom stone, helping to bring to the surface things known on an unconscious level. Emerald can be used to aid with sinuses, the lungs, heart, improving vision and detoxifying the liver. 

Aventurine: this is a stone of prosperity. It absorbs electromagnetic smog and protects against environmental pollution. It promotes a feeling of well being, encourages perseverance, stabilizes one’s state of mind, calms anger and enhances creativity. Aventurine balances blood pressure, stimulates the metabolism, lowers cholesterol and helps to prevent heart attacks and to relieve migraines. 

Jade: this is a protective stone and brings harmony and good luck. It releases negative thought patterns, helps with emotional release and can bring insightful dreams. Jade is a cleansing stone and treats the kidneys, detoxifies and assists with fertility and child-birth.

Kunzite: this is a high vibrational stone that awakens the heart center and unconditional love. It radiates peace, assists people who find it difficult to meditate and enhances creativity and self-expression. Kunzite is a protective stone and dispels negativity and anxiety. It strengthens the circulatory system and heart muscle, stimulates the immune system, is beneficial for depression, and calms epilepsy and panic attacks.

Moss agate: a cleansing crystal, agate stabilizes the aura while eliminating and transforming negative energies. When placed on the heart, it helps to inspire acceptance of love. It can also be taken as an elixir to stimulate the digestive process.

Rhodonite: this is a crystal that balances yin-yang and emotions, nurtures love and both clears and activates the heart chakra. It clears emotional wounds from the past and transforms painful emotions. Rhodonite promotes self-love and forgiveness. It stimulates fertility and can be used to treat arthritis and stomach ulcers.

Throat Chakra

Lapis Lazuli: this is a powerful stone that can be used to stimulate both the third eye and throat chakras. It promotes enlightenment and psychic abilities, releases stress and brings deep serenity. It is a protective stone that blocks psychic attack and harmonizes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. Lapis Lazuli reveals inner truth and encourages self-awareness and self-expression. It releases repressed anger blocking communication, aids in the expression of feelings and emotions and stimulates objectivity and clarity of thought. It encourages creativity and helps in confronting truth. Lapis Lazuli alleviates pain, especially related to migraines and helps in overcoming depression. It helps boost the immune system and aids in alleviating insomnia and in lowering blood pressure. 

Turquoise: this is a protective stone and can enhance intuition. It can be used to release old inhibitions, assists with purification and dispels negative energy. It balances all the chakras, installs inner calm and aids creative expression. Turquoise can help with exhaustion, depression and panic attacks. It is anti-inflammatory and detoxifying. 

Aquamarine: this is a stone that assists with courage. It has a calming energy, helping to alleviate stress and quiet the mind. It promotes self-expression, soothes fears and assists in understanding underlying emotional states. Aquamarine sharpens intuition and is a good stone for meditation. It can be used to help with sore throats and thyroid problems. 

Blue topaz: this is a mellow stone that directs energy where needed. It sooths and aligns the meridians, promotes truth and forgiveness and brings joy, abundance and good health. It is known as a stone of love and good fortune and supports manifestation. Blue topaz helps in cleaning the aura and releasing tension. It promotes honesty, self-control, self-realization and aids in problem solving. It assists in stabilizing the emotions and be used to aid digestion, combat anorexia and stimulate the metabolism.

Azurite: this is a stone that stimulates psychic development, raises consciousness and facilitates entering a meditative and channeling state. It is a powerful healing stone, bringing about clear understanding and new perspectives while also stimulating the memory and releasing blocks in communication. Azurite helps to clear stress and worry and to transform fears and phobias. It can be used to treat throat problems, arthritis and joint problems, thyroid, bones, teeth, skin and aids in detoxification. 

Third Eye Chakra

Amethyst: this is a powerful and protective stone with a high spiritual vibration. It guards against psychic attack and blocks negative environmental energies. It has a serenity that aids in higher states of consciousness and meditation. Amethyst has strong healing powers and helps in overcoming addictions and blockages. It assists with focus, facilitates decision making, protects against nightmares and helps in recalling dreams. Amethyst aids with emotional balance, dispels fear and anxiety and alleviates sadness and grief. It opens the intuition and enhances psychic gifts. Amethyst is an excellent stone for cleansing and relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain or stress. It helps to alleviate headaches, reduces swelling, is beneficial for the intestines and treats insomnia. 

Moldavite: this is a rare stone and can help in connecting with Ascended Masters. Its extremely high vibration helps to open, clear blockages from and align the chakras. When placed upon the third eye, Moldavite can enable you to go forward into the future or backwards into the past. It is a stone useful for sensitive people who find it difficult adjusting to suffering and deep emotions. Moldavite promotes healing by making one aware of the cause of dis-ease and by supporting the releasing and healing process. 

Crown Chakra

Clear quartz: this is the most powerful healing and energy amplifier. It absorbs, stores, releases and unblocks energy. Quartz cleanses and enhances the organs and acts as a deep soul cleanser. It raises energy at the spiritual level to the highest possible level, enhances psychic abilities and attunes you to your spiritual purpose. Quartz can be used to aid concentration and unlock memories. Quartz is a master healer and can be used for any condition to stimulate the immune system and bring the body into balance. 

Moonstone: this is a “stone of new beginnings” connected to the moon and intuition. It is very powerful in calming emotions, making conscious the unconscious and promoting intuition. It can be used to enhance psychic abilities and is filled with feminine energy. Moonstone stabilizes emotions, eases stress and provides deep emotional healing. It affects the female reproductive cycle, alleviates menstrual-related tension and balances the hormonal system. Moonstone helps the digestive and reproductive systems and eliminates toxins.

Selenite: this gentle stone opens the crown chakras to aid in accessing angelic consciousness and guidance. It is a calm stone instilling deep peace and aids with meditation, spiritual work and telepathy. It has a powerful vibration and can be used to form a protective grid around a house. A large piece of Selenite placed in a room helps to create a peaceful atmosphere. Selenite wands can be used to detach entities from the aura. Selenite assists judgment and insight, clears confusion and brings about an understanding of the subconscious level. It aligns the spinal column, promotes flexibility and protects against seizures. 

Labradorite: this is a highly protective stone, raising consciousness and connecting with universal energies. It protects against negative energies, stimulates intuition, banishes fears and strengthens trust in the universe. Labradorite helps to calm an overactive mind, stimulates the imagination and is a stone of transformation and a companion through change. It assists with disorders of the eyes and brain, relieves stress, balances hormones and lowers blood pressure.

Diamond: this is a stone symbolizing purity and its white light can help in bringing life together into a cohesive whole. It bonds relationships, bringing love and clarity into a partnership and attracts abundance. Diamond is an amplifier of energy and enhances the power of other crystals when used for healing. It helps to instill fearlessness, clears emotional and mental pain, inspires new beginnings and stimulates the imagination. Diamond can also bring clarity of mind. It cleanses the aura and aids spiritual evolution. It can be used to treat allergies, chronic conditions and to rebalance the metabolism. 

Super Seven: this is an extremely high vibrational stone, combining the spiritual and protective properties of Amethyst, the grounding ability of Smoky Quartz and the energy-amplifying properties of Quartz with Rutile, Goethite, Lepidocrocite and Cacoxenite. It has exceptional clarity and is said to shift the vibratory level of the planet through attuning to the highest sources of guidance and inspiration. Super Seven supports and heightens the vibration of other crystals, activates all the chakras and stimulates spiritual gifts. Emotionally it is a soothing and nurturing crystal and useful for harmonizing the body and stimulating the body’s natural healing system.

Opal: this is a stone that induces psychic visions, stimulates creativity and aids in expressing one’s true self. It is absorbent and able to pick up and amplify thoughts and feelings and return them to source. Opal is a karmic and a protective stone with the power to make you unnoticeable when properly programmed. Opal brings psychological characteristics to the surface for transformation, enhances self-worth and is associated with love and passion. Opal teaches how to take responsibility for emotions and can strengthen the will to live. It helps to treat Parkinson’s disease, infections, fevers and strengthens the blood. It can help with childbirth and in eliminating PMS.

Spirit Quartz: this is an uplifting stone that radiates high vibrational energy and helps to align the chakras. It facilitates out of body journeying and multi-dimensional spiritual healing. Spirit Quartz carries the vibration of universal love and promotes self-forgiveness. It balances the yin and yang and stimulates heightened awareness and psychic perception. Spirit Quartz cleanses other stones and enhances their energy. Psychologically, it can help with overcoming obsessive behaviors and assists with psychological, mental and emotional detox.

Sources:

Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible, Volume 1. Octopus Publishing Group, 2003, 2009. 

ISBN:9781841814131

Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible, Volume 2. Octopus Publishing Group, 2009. 

ISBN:9781841813509

Mager, Stefan. Crystal Gemstone and Minerals Guide. Aracariaguides.com. ISBN 

978-0-9942519-6-1.

Askinosie, Heather and Jandro, Timmi. Crystal Muse. Hay House, Inc, 2017. ISBN 

9781401952389.

 Tarot

Over the past six hundred years, people have consulted the tarot for spiritual insight and to divine the future. The tarot consists of a series of images divided into two categories: Major and Minor Arcana. The 22 Major Arcana cards relate to significant life events and shifts, while the 52 Minor Arcana cards can relate to more daily occurrences and situations. Regular tarot practice has the benefits of increased self-awareness, enhanced creativity and improved intuition and psychic abilities. 

Tarot readings can be done using a number of different types of spreads. When doing I reading, I first clear the cards of other energies and then have the recipient of the reading shuffle the cards while focusing on a specific question or issue for which he or she seeks guidance. The symbols of tarot can be interpreted in different ways and the recipient of a reading may intuitively be drawn to a certain aspect of a card. The tarot does NOT predict an unalterable future, but rather indicates how the energy is of a given situation and the most likely outcome, should the recipient continue along his or her current path. I have done tarot readings for clients and gotten completely different cards from one day to the next based upon their energy and decisions made. 

Oracle cards

Oracle cards provide another visual medium for connecting with one’s inner voice and seeking guidance about an issue. These cards are more straightforward than the tarot in that each one offers a specific written message. There are many different decks of oracle cards, allowing recipients to seek guidance from different deities, angels, spirit animals and spiritual guides. I allow my clients to pick from a collection of 18 different decks in order to help them find a deck that they connect with on a personal level.

Sources:

Dean, Liz. The Ultimate Guide to Tarot. Fair Winds Press, 2015. Digital Edition: 978-1-62788-640-6.

Everything in the universe is in vibration. When human bodies fall out of vibrational harmony, they can develop illness. Stress and negativity create blockages in the flow of energy, first manifesting in the energy field around our body as lower energy disturbances and later, when they are not dealt with, as illness in our physical body. The vibrations that emanate from tuning forks and singing bowls at specific resonant frequencies are found to having healing effects on the body by treating imbalances in the aura, the energy field surrounding the body. The human body is extremely sensitive to sound and different tones can be used to treat different chakras. When there is a deep relaxation through resonant sound, the body is affected on a cellular level and the flow of energy is restored back towards vibrational alignment. Sound can help us to shift our energy frequency from lower to higher and remove the lower vibrational frequencies of emotions such as fear, anger and resentment. When we use sound coupled with intention, the most important aspect of healing, sound vibration can be used to raise the body’s vibrational frequency. 

The sound of bowls and tuning forks are calming and frequently used as a meditation aid. Healing through sound and vibration can have the following benefits:

· reducing stress

· improving concentration

· reducing blood pressure

· improving immunity

· heightening intuition

· removing mental and emotional negativity 

· enhancing creativity.

During healing sessions, I activate tuning forks and hold them over different parts of the body. Similar to acupuncture, the stimulation of these particular areas unblocks stagnant energy, improves energy flow throughout the body and supports the body in self-healing. I additionally employ crystal and Tibetan bowls as another form of sound healing. The following are the tones associated with each chakra:

Root chakra: C

Sacral chakra: D

Solar Plexus chakra: E

Heart chakra: F

Throat chakra: G

Third eye chakra: A

Crown chakra: B

Sources:

McKusick, Eileen Day. Tuning the Human Biofield. Healing Arts Press, 2014. E-book ISBN 

978-1-62055-246-9.

Shrestha, Suren. How to Heal with Singing Bowls. Sentient Publications, 2009. E-book ISBN

978-1-59181-087-2

Smudging is the traditional spiritual practice of clearing away negative thought forms and other negative energy with the smoke of burning herbs such as dried sage, cedar or Palo Santo, a special wood found in Peru. Because of its tendency to rise towards the heavens, smoke has been used in spiritual practices across the world, often by smoking herbs or incense as part of a ceremony. Smudging can be used to clear a physical space, to clear the energy of a person, to clear away negative energy that has accumulated on possessions or to clear a new possession (such as jewelry) of any foreign energy. All space contains accumulated energy and the vibrations of thoughts, feelings and emotions; it is therefore important to cleanse both your space and yourself regularly. 

Before beginning a healing session, I use either sage or Palo Santo to clear the space and additionally smudge my client’s aura or energy field to release any unwanted energy. To smudge a space, set the intention to release any accumulated negative energy and move your sage or Palo Santo in a clockwise position around the room. Always be sure to clear corners and doorways between rooms, as these tend to accumulate a great deal of energy. 

Sources:

Lembo, Margaret Ann. All About Smudging. Llewellyn Publications, 2011. E-book ISBN: 

9780738733142.

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils to impact our subtle energy and spiritual wellbeing on a physical, emotional, mental and subtle level. Essential oils can be used in a variety of different ways, including through vaporizers, diffusers, incense, oil burners and massage. Essential oils are considered to have a direct influence upon the chakras. The following are a list of oils to use to help balance each chakra.

Crown chakra:cedarwood, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli

Third eye chakra:bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, lemon, orange, patchouli, vanilla

Throat chakra:basil, bergamot, chamomile, geranium, lavender, peppermint, rosemary

Heart chakra: jasmine, geranium, jasmine, lavender, rose absolute

Solar plexus:grapefruit, clove, lemon, lemongrass, mandarin, lime, rosemary

Sacral chakra:bergamot, cardamom, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, neroli, orange, patchouli, ylang-ylang.

Root chakra:cinnamon, frankincense, ginger, patchouli, nutmeg

Sources:

Battaglia, Salvatore. Practical Guide to Chakras and Aromatherapy. Perfect Potion, 2009. www.perfectpotion.com.au