The Reiki Blog

Polar cold calls for Reiki. January 22, 2014

Here in my adopted home state of Pennsylvania, we’ve just been hit with another bout of heavy snow and arctic cold that will actually top the polar vortex conditions we endured a couple of weeks ago. I hope none of you are enduring this, but even if you’re just going through a standard winter, I want to remind you that it’s more important than ever to do hands-on healing, on yourself, your family, pets, plants, and extended circle.

In winter, the relentless cold, the low light, the early dark at night and late light in the morning can combine to take a real toll on our spirits and our health. The effects build gradually, and since we’re so distracted and frantically busy, between the holidays, the resulting crush of work as we try to make up for lost time, the start of a new school semester, etc., it’s easy to forget and let our wellbeing slide. (Apart, of course, from those all-important resolutions to diet and hit the gym.)

Slowly, however, we realize that we’re not doing all that well. It gets dark so early, and light so late, that we find ourselves dragging and going to bed much earlier than usual, then wondering how it could possibly be 7 a.m. when it’s still pitch-black outside. We don’t feel much like cooking, or even eating, but when the urge does strike, find ourselves heading to a restaurant or fast-food place where we can get something hot, rich, and fatty now, since it’s much too cold to contemplate cold, low-cal food. We stay indoors as much as we can, depriving ourselves of vital vitamin D.

And we’re not the only ones who’re suffering. Usually, our houseplants are the first to tell us that the drop in temperature in the house and the low light conditions aren’t at all to their liking. Our pets aren’t happy, either. The fish hate the drop in temperature in their aquarium; the parakeets fluff up their feathers and huddle on their perches; the cats sleep curled together all day; the dog no longer loves going outside, instead dashing out to do her business and rushing miserably back in. All of us could use a little Reiki!

We humans can, of course, console ourselves in other ways too. We can try to feel brighter and warmer by adding warm-bulb lights, lighting candles and incense, stoking the fire, knitting, making pots of tea and settling in with a lap robe and a good book or favorite film or program. (“Sherlock,” “Game of Thrones,” Jane Austen, anyone?) We can make a commitment not to forget our vitamins. We could even try to get ourselves outside every sunny day and try to soak up some vitamin D (while avoiding frostbite).

But we still need Reiki, now more than ever. Our plants need Reiki every day (hands-on for all of them except ferns; hands-above for those). Our fish need hands-on on the glass or plastic of the aquarium; our birds need hands-on if you can cradle them comfortably, or if not, need hands on their cages. Our cats, dogs, rabbits, and other pets need hands-on Reiki while being cuddled; hold them gently and let it flow. And they all need the first symbol for protection, and the second for peace of mind.

We do, too! Everyone in the family needs hands-on Reiki every winter day. And that means you, too. It’s best if you do Reiki self-healing every night before you sleep and every morning when you wake. And don’t forget to put your hands in gassho (prayer position) morning and evening and recite Usui Founder’s Five Reiki Principles (aka Precepts, Ideals) to get yourself in a better state of mind.

Just for today, take care of yourself and your household.