Welcome to the December issue of our newsletter.

In this Issue

	REIKI NEWS AND VIEWS
	SPACE PURIFICATION
	BE BRAVE AND EXPERIMENT
	BRINGING REIKI TO THE CHRISTMAS GATHERING
	HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS, FILLED WITH REIKI BLESSINGS, LOVE AND LIGHT.

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REIKI NEWS AND VIEWS

 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

Before I knew it December was upon us and I felt I'd like to send a message of love and light to you all.  May your new year be blessed.

These beautiful, crisp, clear mornings have been awe inspiring for wonderful scenic views of the countryside, so I thought I'd share one of my favourite photos with you, Saltash bridge at 8am on a particularly lovely morning.

I recieved two inspiring articles recently that I felt would help to lift our spirits and the atmosphere around us.  Its currently a time of endings and new beginnings, a time of clearing out the old and bringing in the new.  In addition it's a time when many negative thoughts and words are bombarding us from all directions, so I couldn't think of a better time to send these to you. 

SPACE PURIFICATION

The metaphysical properties of plants have been valued for countless centuries. Ancient knowledge understood the powerful and purifying properties of plants, using them to remove past memories and to cleanse the soul of a dwelling, which was respected as a living entity, Ritualistic ceremonies were carried out to ensure that people lived peacefully, healthily and harmoniously. Those same ancient methods of cleansing the atmosphere in which people live continue to be carried out today by many traditional cultures. Flowers are scattered daily on doorsteps and floors to purify and heal the atmosphere of buildings in places such as Bali. In Japan it is a traditional custom to pour salt on the threshold of the entrance door.

We can follow those principles by purifying our living and working spaces with fragrantly aromatic essential oils and therapeutic flower essences, precious gifts which are capable of healing our surroundings and our own bodies at a profoundly deep and wondrous level. Our sense of smell and the receptors of our olfactory system which connect to the memory part of our brain, are so sensitive that they will instantly respond to a single molecule, quickly uplifting moods, clearing congestion and changing the way a person feels.

The highest vibrations of a plant’s energetic and spiritual intelligence and its scented properties are released by steam distillation or expression, then collected as a highly concentrated liquid known as an essential oil. The best quality plants for this purpose are gathered from protected wild or organically grown sources and the essential oils are carefully extracted straight after harvesting. In fact essential oils are not oily, they are volatile aromatic extracts and are found in various parts of different plants, being present in the flowers, stems, leaves, stalks, seeds, rind, bark, rhizomes or roots. They are so concentrated that with few exceptions they cannot be used directly on the skin. As little as one single drop is sufficiently therapeutic to successfully activate healing.

Flower essences too carry the imprint of a plant’s healing properties. Usually they can be collected simply by placing newly gathered flower heads in a bowl of natural spring water and exposing the bowl to the morning sunlight for about three hours. During that short time the energetic qualities of the flowers permanently transfer into the water. This vitalised water is then preserved by adding the same quantity of pure alcohol. Just two to four drops of the tincture diluted in a little water are sufficient to help release negative tendencies or attachments and will bring emotional vibrations back into equilibrium.

In Feng Shui terms, the natural vibrations of a place may be out of balance due to misalignment of furniture, objects and elements or because stagnant energy has undermined the quality and movement of Chi. The atmosphere of a place is also affected by people and events. Such memories, both happy and undesirable, are absorbed into the fabric of a building and can be felt for centuries afterwards unless they are removed by clearing the energy pattern that they have created. So it is quite understandable that we can so often sense a ‘feeling’ about a place very quickly. Our sensing ability is part of our unconscious intelligence and it will detect a myriad of information about every single vibration we encounter. Because in our so-called civilised communities we have suppressed our ancient faculties, these days the information is not generally recognised by our intellectual mind but it will nevertheless affect our lives.

You will notice a huge beneficial shift when you purify the atmosphere of your home or workplace with space clearing. Close the door and open windows whenever possible. it is best to make sure the space is clean, tidy and clutter free first of all, then break up the denser subtle energy by clapping or using bells before misting. This is always necessary wherever a room is suffering from stagnant energy or undesirable past imprints, following arguments or sickness, or before and after working with a patient if you are a therapist or healer. A regular ‘spring clean’ of the atmosphere will ensure that your surroundings remain cleansed.

After that, spray aromatic essences by circling the room slowly and with pure intent, paying special attention to the corners and to any area where you can actually feel the ‘stuck’ energies. For this you will require a mist spray bottle, fresh, filtered or bottled pure spring water and a selection of essential oils and plant essences. It is advisable to use no more than three essential oils together, otherwise the clarity of their aroma can become lost. Add 2 - 4 drops of each to 100ml of water. Shake well to disperse the essences as they do not dissolve in water.

Where there has been emotional disturbance, trauma or ill health it is very helpful to add a couple of drops of two or three flower essences as well. You will find that various combinations are useful for different circumstances and experience will teach you which ones work best for you at any time. Dowsing your selection is an effective way to help you decide which to use as it will identify with the needs of the place at any given time.

After you have completed the process you may feel a deeply moving, connected sensation whilst the room itself may appear brighter and lighter and will usually feel more peaceful. You might even feel compelled to bless the place and sanctify it, because a spiritual connection is quite often apparent and it will also help to strengthen the healing effect of the purification. Please perform this ceremony too whenever you move into a new home or office so that you can make it feel your own and enjoy a truly fresh start there.

Once we begin to realise the infinite healing energies of the plant kingdom and the subtle realms to help purify our surroundings, our appreciation will continue to grow as we experience their wonderful abilities to enhance our physical and emotional well-being.
 

Some Essential Oils that I find very helpful are:

Bergamot - Cheerful, releasing, uplifting

Corriander - Peace, stability, protection

Eucalyptus - Decongests, cleanses negative energy, particularly helpful after arguments

Frankincense - Helps to break ties with the past and grieving, assists personal growth

Geranium - Balances, calms, nurtures femininity

Juniper - Purifies, detoxifies, clears stagnation

Lavender - Clears trauma, removes negative energies calming, balancing

Lemon - Cleansing, refreshing, excellent to cleanse drawers and cupboards

Lime - For clearing and overcoming psychological blocks

Mai Chang – Deoderising, euphoric, refreshing for spring cleaning inside cupboards

Marjoram - Comforting, warming, helps after loss of a loved one

Patchouli - Grounding, sensual, helps to unite physical and mental detachment

Rosemary - Spiritual house protector, stimulating, deeply cleansing

Ylang Ylang - Cleanses anger, relaxing, harmonious and sensual properties

Bach Flower Essences that are helpful for space cleansing include:

Aspen - helps to clear apprehensve feelings, particularly of being alone in a place

Crab Apple -specific remedy for cleansing and purifying, helpful for perfectionists

Cherry Plum - helps to clear uncontrollably fearful, disturbed or confused feelings

Honeysuckle - classic remedy for letting go of links with the past

Gentian - suitable where setbacks have left a depressed feeling in a place

Oak - where there has been struggle with illness

Olive - restores strength and balance to a place drained by stressful events or illness

Pine - Invigorating, cleansing, strengthens self-identity

Star of Bethlehem -helpful to soothe and clear energetic trauma

Walnut - helps adjustment to a new environment, during transition and major changes

Rescue Remedy - classic combination remedy for shock, sudden upsets, bad news

Sylvia Bennett is a leading feng shui expert, consultant, author, broadcaster and teacher, an environmental designer and an affiliate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. She is also a healer and Reiki Master. Based in Devon and London, she works with individuals, residential and corporate clients throughout the UK and Europe Sylvia will be very happy to hear from you. Contact her on 01548 580989 sylvia@fenghsui-living.com www.fengshui-living.com
 

BE BRAVE AND EXPERIMENT

Over the last few weeks I've taken some time to make my own room sprays following the advice of Sylvia. My personal focus was to combine the healing of Reiki, together with crystals, as this felt right for me. Remember each of us has our own direction and inner guidance, so make sure you listen out for yours and are guided by it.

How did I get on?  Well firstly I got a large bowl and half filled it with spring water.  I put in a large piece of cleansed Amethyst which I'd programmed to fill the water with its healing energies.  I placed 4 quartz crystal points around the bowl programmed in the same way .  I directed Reiki to the water and to the crystals so that they would work together to make a healing and cleansing liquid. 

This was left for 24 hours before taking the crystals away.  I added one drop of Resuce Remedy, one of White Chestnut Bach Flower Remedy, then two drops of Lavendar oil.

The local chemist sell small plastic, travel spray bottles for a reasonable price, although some people may prefer glass.  I used a clean piece of cotton cloth to strain the liquid into a jug and then poured it into the individual bottles to be labelled and passed on as Christmas gifts. 

You don't have to use crystals, this was my personal choice.  You could use Reiki in combination with your prefered oils and essences to impart healing to the water.  You could also write words such as 'LOVE' or 'HEALING' and place this under the bowl of water for 24 hours, this will impart the properties of the word, to the water.

Be brave and try your own recipe, but most of all have fun.  I certainly did!

Annie

BRINGING REIKI TO THE CHRISTMAS GATHERING

This time of year is special for a variety of reasons: ancient, old and new. In addition it’s a time of family gatherings, seeing people you love, relaxing, enjoying life, celebrating, reflecting on the year ending, new hopes, resolutions, and dreams for the year ahead.

Family time can provide a wonderful opportunity for strengthening bonds, seeing others in a new light and healing old ground from our past histories together. One way to enhance special moments is to bring reiki to them, intuitively sensing when it's right to do so.

I use the following visualisation to bring out the best in people.  I've found this method has enabled people to talk in an amazingly open, honest and trusting way.

When I use this technique I do so with complete attention, having the intention of working with unconditional love for those around me to receive reiki blessings, if their souls wish to, or to reflect it with ease if it's not wanted at that time.

Everyone works differently but I choose to quietly bring reiki's loving energy into group gatherings without fuss and without others knowing.

I centre and ground myself, feeling the grounding energy running through the soles of my feet into the earth. I open my crown chakra to reiki energy and draw that into my heart and down into one hand.

I imagine a ball of reiki energy growing, glowing and expanding in the palm of my hand. When doing this I find it helps to gently turn my palm up, sensing and feeling my palm and fingers cradling the ball of reiki light. I visualise the golden rays of the reiki ball shining out like the sun and stretching to fill the room/car/restaurant/table or wherever I am, thus bringing reiki to everyone in the vicinity. I hold this image for a few minutes and then close the ball down by closing my hand. This technique seems especially useful in times of tension but can be just as helpful if you want to use it at quieter times when it provides an opportunity for deeper conversation or quiet quality time together.

I've used this many times with amazing results and would really love to hear others feedback about trying this too.

Maz Williams
 

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS, FILLED WITH REIKI BLESSINGS, LOVE AND LIGHT.

You will recieve the next newsletter on the 21st of January, feel free to forward articles, information or comments about what you've read, or send in poems, artwork or photos that have been inspired by Reiki.  We look forward to hearing from you all in the new year.

Annie McMahon - Spirit and Wellbeing
email: anniemcmahon@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 01752 841302
Mobile: 07894 147544