By Sage Rainsong/Jason Durham

Reiki, the Violet Flame, Johrei, Seichem, Shinkiko, The white light of the universe, Magnified Healing; what is all of this stuff? When shopping around the new age market, one comes across many different and conflicting energy-healing modalities. Many pagans may feel uncomfortable borrowing from a culture that may or may not conflict with their beliefs; also some healing modalities seem so far removed from the physical plane that it makes the earth based folk uncomfortable. To make matters slightly more confusing many healing modalities claim to be the “best” or “most powerful” one as if there is some kind of hierarchy. So what is a good little Pagan to do? Of course if you want to follow Reiki or some other healing system then more power to you, and happy googling. However, if you want to practice some kind of psychic healing within a pagan context you need not look any further. All it takes is imagination or rather visualization. You may be moved to try one of these techniques:

1) Grounding with a purpose: It is a common practice to visualize oneself as a tree while grounding. While you are connected to the earth and sky ask for the correct amount of energy flow through your body. Visualize or simply will the energy to move through you and meet at your heart. Then see it move down your hands and into your client. Make sure that you do not use your own personal energy. To help prevent this if you have trouble, visualize separate filter-like shields around you and your client. Let the energy flow until you intuitively feel like it is complete. After thank the energies and release them.

2) Elements of healing: Would you rather, for whatever reason, call upon the elements instead. Cast a circle and go to each quarter. When you call the directions say something like: “I call upon the element of air. Element of our breath and thought. I ask that the correct amount of air energy needed to bring _____ into balance (and thus health) come to this circle.” After you are done see the energy slowly descending into the person. After close the ritual as usual and thank the elements. Ground the excess energy. It is possible to use only one of the elements if you feel that they are not balanced at one thing. When in doubt just call all four of them. The right energies will come. It is also possible to not cast a circle simply have the elements present, and see it rising from the object and fixing the problem.

3) Gods to the rescue: Some pagans are more focused on the Gods rather than the elements. These pagans may enjoy using this method. It also can be used in conjunction with the rest. There are Gods of healing in every pantheon. Make sure you do your research carefully. If you wanted to be specific, you can research other gods besides healing, for example, if you are helping someone who is infertile, call upon a fertility deity. When you select the God that you would like to work with, it is recommended that you leave a small offering while introducing yourself, and explaining the situation. If you get the inner green light (even if you don’t), say thank you and then wait until the session. If they say no then continue your search. If you are a strict Wiccan, then simply call upon the healing Goddess and God. When you are ready and the client is comfortable, call the deity and remind him or her who you are and ask for helps. Feel the God near you and embracing you; (you may use a different visual as long as the purpose is to connect with him/her.) as they are doing so feel the healing energy go through you and into the patient. Continue this for as long as needed. Make sure that you thank the deity and then ground and center as usual. This can be quite powerful. Oh and make sure that you are open. A different God or Goddess may show up than you expected but that is probably rare.

If you would like to really get into this style of healing and plan to do it on a regular basis, there are a few things that you may experiment with that will enhance your practice. You can try some of the following methods:

Crystal Clarity: If you would like the energy of the earth and sky to be more focused, obtain a crystal point and hold it in your hand. When you are sending energy, visualize it going through the crystal. See it come out of the crystal like a laser destroying and fixing the specified problem. If crystals are too new-agey for you, focus your energy with your athame or wand.

Power Sachet: A good way to become more attuned to the elements is to create a sort of spell bag for it. Obtain a cloth bag of whatever color your intuition tells you. To fill this bag you need a representation of the four elements. Ask your deity to help you fill it. Some suggestions may be a feather for air, a stone for earth, a vial of water for water and some hot pepper or an unlit match for fire. When you are finished pass it through the four elements again asking that it be consecrated for the purpose of attuning you to the natural world.

Deity Fashion: You may decide that you really like the god or goddess that you are working with and you would like to attune to him/her on a deeper level. Jewelry is always a nice way of doing it. If you can, try to find a necklace of that particular deity. If you can’t simple obtain a piece of jewelry of an animal associated with him/her. Next, get at least seven small candles, (or any number of candles that is associated with that deity). Place one each day (or night whatever is appropriate) in a holder next to your ring or pendant. Offer one candle a day to the deity asking that the piece of jewelry be empowered to attune you to his/her energy. Wear it with you as often as possible, especially during a healing session. You can use this method for a statue if you wish. Keep the statue in the room in which you do healings. Of course you don’t need anything physical to attune to a god/dess, but it can be a nice enhancement.

So there you have it. You don’t have to stray far from your tradition in order to heal someone with energy. You only need to look at your beliefs and your creativity. Happy healing Pagan pals!!

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