Crystal Reiki may be defined as the use of cyrstals in
combination with the channeling of Reiki (healing energies)
to stimulate the self-healing mechanisms of the mind, body
and spirit.
It is not necessary to use crystals in order to give an
effective Reiki treatment and, likewise, not all crystal
healers are Reiki Practitioners. Therefore the use of crystals
is not necessarily taught in Reiki courses and vice-versa.
However, as many people are interested in, and positively
affected by, both Reiki and Crystals - treatments and courses
in Crystal Reiki have become very popular recently.
Crystals are thought to have been used for healing, among
other purposes, for thousands of years and by many ancient
cultures.
Modern Reiki Healing dates from the Re-discovery of Reiki
by Mikao
Usui in Japan in the 1890s. This is summarised on the
History of Reiki
page.
During the last 10 years courses in 'Crystal Reiki' have
become available and are increasingly offered by Colleges
and Reiki Masters who have a special interest in crystals.
As in the case of many therapies, there is no fixed format
that is common to all practitioners (See note below Re.
"Finding a Practitioner").
Finding a Practitioner:
'Crystal Reiki' is a combination therapy that may be offerred
by Reiki Practitioners who have completed an additional
course (usually incorporating additional attunements to
'Crystal Reiki'), as opposed to being a stand-alone treatment.
Consequently, it is not common to find listings of 'Crystal
Reiki' Practitioners - look for Reiki Practitioners and
then ask if they offer Crystal Reiki.
(Note that it is not always necessary to have followed a
course in Reiki before taking a course in 'Crystal Reiki',
but 'Crystal Reiki' is not usually offerred as a separate
insurance category so persons offering treatments to the
public may be qualified and insured to practise Reiki, and
so listed as 'Reiki Practitioners' only - even if they also
offer 'Crystal Reiki'.)
The following is a description of a general format likely
to be typical:
Prior to the Treatment
The practitioner may begin by agreeing/clarifying any terms
with the client and then conducting a brief consultation,
typical objectives being:
-
For the client and practitioner to introduce themselves
to each other, especially to ensure that the client
feels at ease in what may be unfamiliar surroundings;
-
For the practitioner to understand the client's expectations
of the treatment, to clarify any issues that the client
wishes to raise and to ensure that the client knows
what will happen next - e.g. that he/she may relax and
enjoy the treatment but no specific outcomes can be
promised.
-
The practitioner may ask about the client's reasons
for requesting the treatment and about his/her general
health (so that if the client requires - or may require
- the practitioner to take any specific actions then
this is known).
-
If the practitioner suggests use of a treatment couch
- as opposed to an appropriately clean and comfortable
pad on the floor - then he/she may check that the client
is able to get onto and off the couch safely and comfortably.
All of the above are also true of other
therapies, some of which also require more detailed medical
histories from clients.
If for any reason the practitioner considers that he/she
is not an appropriate person to offer a Crystal Reiki treatment
to that particular client that day then he/she should say
so. Similarly, if the practitioner considers that Crystal
Reiki is not appropriate for that person at that time (e.g.
because the person has a suspected un-set broken bone) then
he/she should also say so and not proceed to the treatment.
The Crystal Reiki Treatment
itself
A typical treatment may be scheduled for one hour, but
actually take 45-50 minutes - time being allowed for the
consultation before the treatment and a few minutes to become
fully awake and leave the treatment room afterwards. However,
some practitioners offer half-hour treatments, others tend
to take a full hour for the treatment itself.
The actual treatment may take the form of the therapist
first ensuring that the client is comfortable and able to
relax (perhaps playing gentle music and/or burning incense
to facilitate relaxation). The therapist may then lay an
arrangement of crystals around and possibly on the client.
As the treatment progresses these crystals may be moved
and the practitioner may spend some time channelling energy
to the client - using either 'hands on' or 'hands off' techniques.
Treatments may also involve energy or chakra balancing,
perhaps involving dowsing pendulums and/or relying the therapists
intuition.
Competent practitioners welcome client questions about
what will happen during a treatment.
After the Treatment
Following completion of the treatment itself, many practitioners
allow their clients to rest (and realise that the treatment
has ceased!) for a few minutes before gently checking that
the client is awake and offerring him/her a glass of water
to drink.
Most practitioners also invite clients' feedback about the
treatment, and offer their additional feedback and any 'after-care'
advice - depending on the scope of the practitioner's competence
in related areas.
Introductory crystal and crystal healing courses are available
from many local colleges. For a personal introduction to this
subject and to meet like-minded people who have similar interests
find out what is available in your area.
