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 peson 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.
