Moving into the New Energy

2012 certainly has had it's fair share of ups and downs, but did you know that energy is shifting? And by that I mean, consciousness, is shifting. We humans are shifting from the Third Dimension of material want and gain and it's all about 'me', to the Fourth and Fifth Dimensions which are of 'how can I be of service to you' and simplifying our lives.

I know you've felt it . . . that silent urging inside that is getting so loud that you can't sit still any longer. That feeling of "Is this all there is? Really? There must be more!" And you'd be right. There is more. We are much bigger than we've been led to believe. We are expansive and our souls know it. It's time that our minds caught up with our hearts.

It's time to let go of old beliefs that keep you 'stuck'. It's time to grow beyond the boundaries that society has set for you. It's time to listen to your intuition, your guides and angels, and get moving in the direction of your dreams. You can do it . . . you must do it!

You may also be experiencing headaches, flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, muscle and joint pain, depression, crying for no reason, fluttering, pain in the heart or breathing difficulties, hot flashes and day or night sweats, extreme tiredness, excessive energy, weight gain, loss of memory or feeling spacey. These are all symptoms of the energy shift as our bodies adjust and upgrade to the higher frequencies.

It is important to take good care of yourself during this time (and well, at any time really). Where do you begin? I believe it's different for everyone, but there are some basics that apply. First of all, get outside in nature. Go for a walk. Talk to a tree. Bury your feet in the sand. Make a snowman. Look up at the stars or the clear blue sky. Take advantage of whatever is around you at this moment.

Eat fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Go meatless one night a week (or better yet, go meatless, full stop). Exercise moderately with walking, biking or swimming. Get your yoga on or do Tai Chi. Meditate and journal. Volunteer. Take vitamins and supplements that support your symptoms (for example, Vitamin B and a multivitamin for the central nervous system to support extreme sensitivity). And most importantly, drink water!

If you're feeling depressed, stuck, discombobulated, out-of-sorts, frustrated, overwhelmed, emotional or any other myriad of feelings that leave you feeling exhausted, please know that you're not alone. By applying some (or all) of the suggestions above you can move through this energy shift feeling better and more optimistic than ever before.

We're all in this together and together we'll make the world a better place for ourselves, our children, family, friends, neighbors and the world. It's just a matter of time!

Reiki for Animals

Reiki translates as ‘universal life-force energy’ and is an amazing energy healing method that originated in Japan with Dr. Mikao Usui. While Reiki has traditionally been used for healing people, in more recent years, those who have learned Reiki realize how beneficial this healing system is for their own pets and other animals, making Reiki an ideal complementary therapy for animals.

Reiki is a gentle, painless, non-invasive and stress-free experience for animals and I was fortunate enough to have the use of Reiki during a time when my Dachshund, Oliver, needed it most. He had gone out the door to do his business and when he went down the step he let out a loud 'yelp'. I knew something was wrong in that instant and after gently picking him up and assessing the situation, it was evident that a trip to the emergency vet was in order.


After several x-rays and what seemed an eternity, the vet finally called us in to report the findings. Oliver had slipped a disk and surgery was in his future to the tune of 5K. As any of us know when faced with this kind of decision, it was a difficult one to make. Oliver would not be undergoing surgery and I was devastated.

Armed with painkillers and anti-inflammatories for Oliver, we made the trip back home. That night while lying in bed, Oliver next to me, and after having some time to settle down, I thought to myself, "why aren't I doing Reiki"? So, I turned the Reiki energy on and for the next two hours Oliver received the healing energy of Reiki.

The next day one of my husband's co-workers mentioned a veterinarian in the Wisconsin Dells who did chiropractic on dogs. I made an appointment and drove the hour long trip with Oliver in the seat next to me. The vet assessed Oliver and then brought out an instrument that resembled a glue gun. After several minutes the treatment was over and Oliver seemed to be somewhat better.

I also made a crystal healing grid for Oliver which included a pet mandala, quartz crystals, rose quartz, and hematite. I set the intention for Oliver's healing and then activated the grid. I believe that using the grid also helped in Oliver's recovery.



Over the next several weeks I continued to do Reiki on Oliver and we travelled to the Dells for his weekly chiropractic treatment. After about a month there was noticeable improvement and he was walking on his back legs without any difficulty. Best of all he was free from pain!

I continued to do Reiki but one night after just a few minutes, Oliver looked up at me, got up and moved down the bed. I followed him and layed my hands on him. He again looked up at me, got up and walked away. I tried one more time to lay my hands on him, but he moved once again and at that point I knew that he was done with Reiki!

I believe that between the chiropractic treatments, the crystal grid and Reiki, Oliver's back mended without surgery and without an extended recovery period. I am truly grateful for the Reiki energy and for the healing that it brought Oliver.

(Disclaimer: Reiki is a natural method of energy clearing and balancing for the purpose of stress reduction and relaxation and may be used as part of an integrative healing or wellness program. While it can be used entirely on its own, it is not meant as a substitute for proper veterinary care.)

Reiki for Children

Reiki translates as "Universal Life-Force Energy" and is a complete system of natural healing founded by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s. It is 100 percent pure, organic, natural, and holistic. Reiki works with our whole being on all levels physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Everyone has the innate ability to use Reiki and anyone can learn it. It is wonderful for children because in the process of learning Reiki they learn about their bodies, their inner spirit, their personal power, and their connection to the universal life force, which is pure love.

Reiki for Children (ages 5 - 12) provides a safe and nurturing experience for children interested in learning about Reiki and how to use it in their own lives, and for their parents in hopes that they will encourage and support their child’s journey.

Benefits of Reiki for Children:

• calms excitability and promotes balance
  
• enhances relaxation and sleep
  
• enhances self-awareness and self-esteem
  
• eases the effects of depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder
  
• improves concentration for better school results
  
• can help with asthma, ADD, ADHD, and Autism
  
• aids in setting personal boundaries at home, school and on the playground

The gift of Reiki at a young age can promote an increased awareness of one's self aiding in developing a healthy way of living throughout childhood and well into adulthood.

To register your child(ren) in a 'Reiki for Children' class visit Loving Heart Reiki and click on the Classes tab.

Happy New Year!

2012 is going to be an amazing year. The energies and global consciousness are growing to a point where they can no longer be ignored. People are realizing their potential and are tuning in to their life's purpose. We are no longer willing to sit on the sidelines and watch our lives parade by. We want to participate, engage and be fully present physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

If you haven't already, now would be a good time to think about what you want to release and let go of. Write a letter or a simple note, tie it with black ribbon or yarn and throw it on a fire. Think about what you want to bring into your life in the New Year to fill up the spaces left by what you're letting go of. Be prepared to have your best year ever!

I spent New Year's Eve at the Bluff Trail Labyrinth. Our hostess, Melanie, guided us through three different meditations,one of which was with 13 crystal skulls. Each meditation was unique and profound in their own way. I especially enjoyed the Crystal Skull meditation and connecting with these amazing and knowledgable creatures. I was downloaded with information and when the time is right for me to know what it is, it will come into my consciousness.

Just before midnight, the twenty of us gathered there, headed out single-file to walk the Labyrinth. It was amazing . . . Once in the center we stood in silence, reflecting on the year that was soon to be behind us and at the stroke of midnight, I threw in my good-bye to 2011 along with some letters I had written for releasing what I didn't want to bring into 2012. As I watched the letters burn in the fire, I was grateful to put those issues and concerns out to the universe to heal and take care of for me. I felt a physical release in my body as well.

With all the energy gathered in this amazing place, we were all delighted when the roar of thunder crossed the sky behind us. It was a fitting end to a wonderful evening.

May each and every one of you experience the energies of this New Year with anticipation, excitement and joy. It is destined to be your best year ever!

Happy New Year 2012!

The Sacral Chakra

The second chakra is known as the Sacral chakra and is located in the lower abdomen, behind and approximately two inches below the belly button. It is associated with the color orange and is the source of creativity and inspiration and is the foundation of the emotional body. It influences our ability to feel emotions, sensations and atmospheres and controls our ability to let go of our emotions. It influences our sexuality and sensuality, physical force, sexual and ardent love, open-mindedness, and our ability to yield and cooperate amicably with other people.

The sacral chakra connects us to the water element and its eternal state of movement and dynamic change. It is the hub of creative potential and assists us in wielding and manifesting our internal raw creativity into an external form involving visual arts, body expression, and sound. When the sacral chakra is functioning optimally, we are able to go with the flow of life and to move as our creative expression calls us, without judgement. This chakra also contains the creative energy of the universe and our ability to harness this energy to manifest our dreams, desires, and passions. Where we put our energy, we will manifest.

The sacral chakra helps us to be empowered in terms of creative expression and reflects the relationship of the self to all living beings in our surroundings - or our relationship with others. Emotions can trigger the creative process within and get us moving in our desired direction.

Signs you might need work on your Sacral Chakra:

• If you don't enjoy life.
• If you don't feel sexually fulfilled or if you suffer from sexual problems.
• If you lack appreciation for life and don't recognize its beauty and poetry.
• If you are very hard on yourself and put too much importance on discipline and self-control.
• If you feel that your creativity is blocked.
• If you tend toward jealousy or are preoccupied with feelings of guilt.
• If you are prone to back pain.
• If you suffer from impotence or lack of sexual appetite.
• If you get severe menstrual pain.
• If you have bladder or kidney problems.
• If your prostate gives you trouble.
• If you feel that your physical drives are controlling you.

Color: Orange

Functions: Procreation, assimilation of food, physical force and vitality, sexuality, creativity, emotions, relationships, self-worth, empathy.

Glands/Organs: Ovaries, testes, prostate gland, genitals, spleen, uterus, bladder.

Affirmation: “I give my creativity and joy in living free rein.”

Foods to feed the Sacral Chakra: Orange-colored foods like apricots, blood oranges, cantaloupes, kumquats, mandarins, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, persimmons, tangerines, carrots, orange bell peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yams, salmon.

Crystals/Stones: Red Aventurine, Coral, Fire Opal, Orange Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Sunstone, Red Tiger's Eye, Orange Kyanite

Sources: A Handbook of Chakra Healing by Kalashatra Govinda; Chakra Foods for Optimum Health by Deanna M. Minich, Ph.D., C.N.

About Energy

No, we're not talking about the kind of energy that runs your household. We're talking about the energy that runs you! There are many types of energy in the body from the energy it takes for you to digest your food to the energy it takes to power your muscles. For our purposes, we'll be talking about the energy in your aura, chakras and meridians.

The Aura

The aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds the human body (Human Energy Field-HEF) and every organism and object in the Universe. The Human Energy Field is a collection of electromagnetic energies of varying densities that permeate through and emit or exit from the physical body of a living person. These particles of energy are suspended around the healthy human body in an oval shaped field. This “auric egg” emits out from the body approximately 2-3 feet (1 metre on average) on all sides. It extends above the head and below the feet into the ground.

The aura consists of seven layers or bodies. Each one of the subtle bodies that exist around the physical body has its own unique frequency. They are interrelated and affect one another and the person’s feelings, emotions, thinking, behaviour, and health as well. Therefore a state of imbalance in one of the bodies leads to a state of imbalance in the others.

The Etheric Body ~ This layer lies close to the human body approximately half an inch wide. It is usually grey, white or blue in color. Strong or weak health is revealed in this area. It is the most easily seen auric layer or etheric field. This field can also be seen around trees, plants, animals and even inanimate objects such as furniture. A white or black background will often highlight the etheric field.

The Emotional Body ~ This layer lies beyond the etheric field and extends one to three inches beyond the body. In a good state of health it appears bright and colorful. These colors change as emotions change.

The Mental Body ~ This layer lies just beyond the emotional body. It’s colors are yellow, green or blue in a good state of health. It relates to the thoughts and attitudes of the person.

The Astral Body ~ This layer lies beyond the mental body. It shows an array of beautiful pastel colours such as pinks and blues when healthy and unblocked. It extends up to one foot from the body and indicates your capacity for conditional and unconditional love.

The Etheric Template ~ Beyond the astral field is a type of x-ray or blueprint of the physical body. When there is illness or blocks in the body, negativitiy can be observed and treated in this field. It extends one to two feet from the body and is usually observed as grey/blue in colour.

The Celestial Body ~ This layer is the sixth auric field extending two to three feet from the body. It is filled with mother of pearl colours and energies. It is the layer through which you can experience spiritual ecstasy.

The Causal Body or Ketheric Template ~ This layer is connected to the crown chakra. It is a type of photographic negative of the mental and spiritual aspects of the person. It is usually filled with golden shimmering light and is surrounded by a gold or silver halo or outer rim of protection. It extends from three feet to four feet outwards from the person.

The Chakras

The word ‘chakra’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’. If you could see chakras, you would be able to see each primary chakra as a spinning vortex, or wheel, of energy which spins from the front of your body through the center point of each chakra and then spinning outwards from your back. There are seven primary chakras beginning at the base of the spine and running up the spinal column to the crown. These are the:

Kundalini or Root Chakra
Color: Red
Functions: Gives vitality to the physical body; life-force survival, self-preservation, instincts.
Glands/Organs: Adrenals, kidneys, spinal column, legs, bones.

Sacral Chakra
Color: Orange
Functions: Procreation, assimilation of food, physical force and vitality, sexuality.
Glands/Organs: Ovaries, testes, prostate gland, genitals, spleen, uterus, bladder.

Solar Plexus Chakra
Color: Yellow
Functions: The center of personal power, ambition, intellect, astral force, desire, and emotions based on intellect and touch.
Glands/Organs: Pancreas, liver, digestive tract and stomach.

Heart Chakra
Color: Green
Functions: The center which vitalizes the heart, thymus, circulatory system, blood, cellular structure, and involuntary muscles.
Glands/Organs: Heart, ribs, chest cavity, lower lungs, blood, circulatory system, skin, hands, thymus.

Throat Chakra
Color: Blue
Functions: Communication center, acting to provide the energy for and the understanding of, both verbal and mental communications.
Glands/Organs: Thyroid gland, throat and jaw areas, alimentary canal, lungs, vocal cords, and the breath.

Third Eye Chakra
Color: Indigo
Functions: The center of psychic power, higher intuition, the energies of the spirit, magnetic forces, light, clairvoyance, and healing addictions.
Glands/Organs: Pituitary gland, cerebellum, ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, central nervous system.

Crown Chakra
Color: White/Violet
Function: The center of spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It is the center which vitalizes the cerebrum, the right eye, and the pineal gland.
Glands/Organs: Pineal gland and cerebrum.

Clearing and balancing the chakras is very important to the health and well-being of our physical, mental, and emotional state. When our energy centers are blocked or not balanced we may feel fatigued, confused, depressed, and our physical bodily functions may be affected, thus allowing disease to manifest.

A blocked or overstimulated/understimulated energy center may result in ailments or weakness in its correlating part of the body. The thought processes of the mind may also be affected, allowing fear and negativity to preoccupy the individual.

The Meridians
Meridians are energy channels. They can be likened to the wiring of a house, or the veins and arteries through which our blood flows, except that they have no discrete physical structure. They run through our physical bodies but they cannot be dissected or found surgically. Meridians are part of the body’s subtle energy anatomy and have no concrete form. Humans are not unique in having meridians – dogs, cats, horses, and all mammals seem to have energy meridians.

Despite their intangible nature, we know that meridians exist because their impact can be felt. Sedating (weakening) or strengthening the various meridians has a noticeable impact on energy levels, mood and adaptability, health, immunity, thinking and cognition, and more. Some of the meridians are yin and some are yang, and each corresponds to an element and specific emotional tendencies.

For more information of any of the above energy systems, please visit my website at Loving Heart Reiki.