R – Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide
Posted by Morrighan on October 1, 2000 at 1:25 am | Last modified: October 1, 2000 1:25 amBy Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)
Author: Diane Stein
Publisher: Crossing Press
ISBN: 0-89594-736-6
Published & Released: 1995
Length: 154 Pages
While working on my Reiki Level 2, I became interested in this book. At the time, it had only been mentioned briefly and casually, mostly by traditionalists putting it down.
Ms.Stein was one of the first people to bring Reiki to the public – the knowledge, placements, and the symbols, kept secret for so long. I found the book at Crossing Press and eventually requested a review copy.
The book itself is quite thorough and Ms.Stein did a wonderful job for the most part. I did find a great deal of the book to be “opinionated” – mostly dealing with the usage of symbols. Ms.Stein represents them as an absolute necessity where-as I and many others use them only to develop the skills, open the channels, and then move past them to channel the energy directly without them.
Despite my disagreement with that element of the book, the rest is excellent quality. The section on Kundalini and Reiki is where Ms.Stein branches off from traditionalist to modern teaching methods.
Descriptions and exercises to keep the healer and the recipient open and healthy, complete commentaries of healing sessions and clear diagrams will help the beginning Reiki student on the path to Master.
This book is meant as a guide and not to replace a Master/Teacher’s lessons. As a learning guide, Essential Reiki tops the list. I know it will be a requirement for my students! The following quotes are from the Introduction.
Pg.3 – Para.3
“I felt filled with an energy I had never before experienced or dreamed existed. I was filled with light and with love for all Be-ings. My healing ability immediately strengthened, more than I had believed possible, and the ease of using Reiki confirmed that this was the healing method I had been seeking. If my hands had been hot in doing healings before, they were far hotter now. I knew at that time that I wanted to teach Reiki, but had no idea how that could happen.”
Pg.5 – Para.2
“Though I have now been a Reiki Master for four years and have taught many hundreds of students, I have no official Traditional certification. I no longer feel it to be important……fully convinced that I am missing nothing in my ability to teach and be effective.”
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.
This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.
Categories: Reviews | Comments Off | PermalinkR – The Healing Craft
Posted by Morrighan on at 1:24 am | Last modified: October 1, 2000 1:24 amBy Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)
Authors: Janet and Stewart Farrar, and Gavin Bone
Published: 1999
Publisher: Phoenix Books
ISBN: 0-919 345-18-2
Pages: 256
I want to dedicate this review/article to the memory of Mr.Stewart Farrar – author of many books, witch, and mentor to many. Blessings to you in the Otherworld.
The main contributor to this book has a nursing degree, and has practiced these methods as both witch and medical professional. Gavin Bone has been with the Farrars for many years, and their coolective energies flow so well together – obvious in this book.
Right from the beginning of the book, we see the detailed research and experience with a lesson in modern biology. Not many pagan/alternative healing books begin with the physical – most consider the physical almost as an after thought. mr Bone and the Farrars on the other hand place the physical highly – and advise knowledge of the body, organs and tissues as a MUST for any healing practitioner.
From the physical we move into energetic therapies, then to spiritual, and into psychological. Past life regression as a means for counselling in the present. A shamanic healing technique is described, as well as the journey a shaman may take to find the power animal.
I quote here from page 222 paragraph 3 – The Power of Naming
“The power of naming is very suitable for use by any group of people. It is very simple and does not require the preparation that is needed for the other techniques mentioned, but familiarity with chakras and basic spiritual healing may be useful. In many respects this method of healing is no different from the raising of the cone of power performed in many Wiccan covens.
Those involved in the healing sit cross-legged, surrounding the patient who sits cross-legged in the middle. Very slowly the group doing the healing begin to chant the person’s name, while using rattles or drums. This will be either his or her given name or Craft or magickal name if he or she has one.
The group should visualize that they are transferring energy from themselves to the patient, normally in the form of light. They may wish to put their hands out in front for this reason. The tempo of the chanting, drumming and rattling should slowly increase, until at a given signal all stop. The group should then ensure that they are adequetly grounded, and that the aura of the patient is sealed.”
At the end of the book, we come to a section on the Last Rites, and bereavement counselling. As many constant readers will know, my family suffered a profound loss this year – the murder of a cousin left the family stunned and in shock for many manoths. By combining candle magick, passing rituals and bereavement counselling tips found here in The Healing Craft, I have been able to help at least one member of my immediate family work through this tragedy.
I think anyone who reads this book will find it enjoyable and much more in depth than most others on the market.
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.
This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.
Categories: Reviews | Comments Off | PermalinkPP – Raging Hormones Pt.3
Posted by Morrighan on September 1, 2000 at 9:01 am | Last modified: September 1, 2000 9:01 amRaging Hormones – The Puberty Woes 3 – First Blood Sample Ritual
By Jodi Lee
~Originally Published September 2000~
(see author/copyright info below)
The following is a brief ritual outline that I have written myself. I don’t know if one of my girls, or one of my family members will use this ritual, or want to write their own – but I missed out on doing it for myself, so perhaps I am making it up to myself (at least in my own mind! ;-) ) Please remember, I wrote it as prose, not as an actual scripted Ritual. I hope you enjoy!
The Night of First Blood-
She’s sitting quietly contemplating her body. Relaxed now, most of the excitement over, she plans the evening’s activities. She isn’t giving her mother and family much warning, but they have all gathered here in anticipation. They remember how important this night is to a young girl. And, she knows if she makes an error in the basics, her mom will help her.
She scribbles notes on pages from her diary. Her mother will stand in the center of the circle as she, herself, casts. The cord she has crocheted over the last several months will go ’round her waist, and the other end will be around her mom’s. Grandmother and aunts will be at the directions. She has prompted them to speak their mind as she comes to them – to say something significant to her about her youth, about her future, about memories. Once the circle is cast, she’ll invite them all to come to the “center” of her universe – her mom. All will watch as her mom cuts the cord, releasing her to be her own person. The feast can wait as they share wine and cakes with the Lady of the Moon, and release the circle. After the feast, she’ll surprise them with her magickal name.
The Ritual-
Mom-Center circle
Grandmother-West
Aunt(or friend)-North
Aunt(or friend)-East
Aunt(or friend)-South
Girl- Approaches mom, ties cord around her waist, and attaches the other end to her own waist. As the family settles into positions, she grounds herself. Standing with arms held wide and head thrown back to the Moon, she sees roots growing from her feet, anchoring her solidly to the Earth.
Girl- “Tonight is my First Blood ritual. I thank you for joining me.”
She moves to the West, beginning with the oldest member there, her grandmother. Looking her grandmother directly in the eyes, she tells her of her memories of their times together when she was a child – “…but I am child no longer. I ask as maiden, that the Guardians of the West join my circle, lending their protection, sharing our feast.” Her grandmother then speaks of her memories, and acknowledges she is no longer a child, but a maiden. She kisses her grandmother on the forehead, and moves on.
She casts silently as she moves to each aunt or friend in each direction, recalling memories, calling the Guardians, and hearing the memories of others. As she moves on, she kisses each on the forehead.
Finally, she comes to her mother, standing in the center, with tears in her eyes. She calls on the Lady to join the circle, to help her celebrate this important night.
“Mother, at your feet I learned so many things…you have been my stone, my protector, my shoulder to cry on. Tonight I move forward to a new phase with open eyes and the security you have given me. I am child no longer, I ask that the Lady herself comes to my circle, blesses me with her presence, and shares our joy.” She kisses her mother on the forehead, and signals that the others come to the center now as well, to hear her mother speak.
“I knew you before you were born. I kept you close even after birth. You will always be my baby, my child, my cub – I do acknowledge you as maiden, no longer physically child. My arms will always hold you in love, but now they set you free.” Her mother speaks through tears, and the two of them cut the cord that binds them together. She runs, laughing round and round the circle, the energies raising until they all sit and it’s released.
She opens the wine her father has given her for this night. His only allowable contribution, he chose lovingly. The cakes were made by her hand that afternoon, and they all shared in the joy.
“May you never hunger, nor ever thirst.” the blessing is said as each one takes a sip and a bite. The rest she leaves for the Lady.
After a while of talking, memories, storytelling, laughing and tears, she rises to release the circle in her own way. She runs wild counter-clockwise, spinning in place at each direction, releasing the Guardians in her happiness, knowing they will come again.
The Circle is open, but never broken. So mote it be.
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.
This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.
Categories: Pagan Parenting | Comments Off | Permalink