Feiki” in the clinical study means sham Reiki. In everyday life, “fake Reiki” often means minimal training and no solid teaching framework. Proper Reiki training includes grounding, ethics, a professional reiki attunement and practical teaching.

A real phone call that changed how I explain Reiki 1 training

A few years ago, a lady called me and asked what’s covered in Reiki Level 1 and what I charge. We ended up chatting for around 20 minutes.

She then said: “Why would I pay when I can get attuned for free on YouTube?”

So I explained gently what people are actually paying for when they train with a recognised teacher:

• A structured course (not just a moment).
• Clear guidance and a grounded learning environment.
• Time for questions on the day, so you leave feeling confident rather than confused.
• A teacher with real-world experience – not just theory.

That, I’ve been teaching Reiki for over a decade, and I run my own Reiki business, Culcheth Healing.  I love teaching Reiki, had lots of student 5 star reviews and that you don’t just get reiki training, you achieve an accredited qualification.

A few months later, that same lady called again. She was having problems after “learning Reiki”. I asked who trained her (because the best support usually comes from the person who taught you).

She told me she’d done the free YouTube attunement.

That’s the moment many people don’t realise: an attunement isn’t the whole training. The teaching around it – grounding, ethics, boundaries, and how to practise safely – is what makes the difference between “I watched something” and “I actually know what I’m doing.”

Feiki (Sham Reiki) Is Happening

Over more than ten years of teaching Reiki, I have been contacted by potential students wanting to do their Beginners Reiki Level 1 and Reiki Therapists Level  2 straight away.  I have to explain that you need a gap of at least a month between the two qualifications, to practice Reiki on yourself for 21 days. This is to get used to the Reiki energy and to help heal yourself.  Most students are simply super keen to learn Reiki.  On hearing the reasons why to wait a month, they book on the next Reiki 1 training day they can attend and then wait the recommended period before commencing their Reiki 2 training.

However, some potential students now start to sound stressed.  They then often ask if I will teach them and qualify them over a weekend if they pay more.  I decline,  explaining simply, it’s a bit like art, you can’t suddenly become Matisse, Vincent Van Gough or Michelangelo after two days.

Once, they realise I won’t qualify them as Reiki therapists, the call abruptly ends. Some, I have found are already doing Reiki on the public. As they not qualified, effectively they are charging clients for sham Reiki or Feiki. They will therefore not be covered by insurance.

I do believe there are people with natural healing abilities, like a natural flair for art. I have had massages and can feel the warmth coming from the massage therapists hands. Maybe some Feiki therapists have been simply trying “reiki” out, to see if their clients actually want it, before they invest in qualifications.

Unfortunately, I do believe, some see Reiki as an easier way to make money. To simply stand and place their hands on someone and at the end of the allotted time, collect the payment.

Why Thorough Reiki Level 2 Training Matters For a Reiki Therapist

Reiki is more than simply copying hand positions or a Reiki attunement. Reiki training is about teaching it in a structured way to keep you safe, your client and the environment where you are doing the healing. Here are some things that aren’t often discussed about a Reiki healing session

The Client:

• Your clients may cry – there seems to be a recent trend of putting eye masks over clients, as if it Reiki is simply a “relax and lie down treatment”.
• You can nearly get kicked by clients in the face as you heal their feet and the old energy is trying to leave the body.
• Clients can report feeling a pressing sensation on them, which makes them want to open their eyes suddenly.
• Clients can suddenly start complaining of their hands hurting.
• Clients may have a sudden change in their body temperature changes.
• Clients tell you they are seeing visual images whilst you heal. If they start seeing grey it can frighten them.

You Reiki Master teacher should be able to cover these practical client experiences and what to do.

What about you, the Reiki therapist:

• You could suddenly feel overwhelmed.
• You could feel anxious.
• You may feels aches or sensations  in your body that are not normally associated with you.
• Rarely you may feel scared, sense that the client has something more than usual human body energy, like an energetic attachment.
• The client may tell you they are having the reiki for a general “feel better, time out ” session, yet on arrival they tell you all their darkest trauma. You need to know how to energetically protect yourself.

Again, your Reiki Master teacher should have the depth of practical experience to help. This might be covered on your  training or your Reiki Master is happy to take your calls after. I still have Reiki therapists and Reiki Master Teachers, that were my former students, phoning me occasionally .

Reiki is More Than Woo Woo

Reiki often is portrayed as woo woo. It isn’t about sparkles, rainbows and unicorns. It is a form of energy healing. You can nowadays, read a book on Reiki, do an online Reiki course or  you can go and watch a YouTube video.

The reason why traditional Reiki training is passed from one master to another, is not for a secret club. It does keep Reiki sacred and also allows the much needed core Reiki teaching information to be included. However, you also receive the practical wisdom of the Reiki Master.

Reiki was taught originally orally, and students had to learn it by heart, become at one with the Reiki energy. Paper was also very expensive when Reiki was first starting in Japan, so you didn’t typically receive an accompanying Reiki brochure to take home from your training, to help remind you.

When I teach Reiki, I verbally include stories of my experiences of Reiki. For my Reiki students, I can teach Reiki theory, as well as give them the practical insights that I have gained from a decade of teaching and actually being a Reiki therapist, Students love this practical teaching style, as it helps them to avoid pitfalls,  gain greater confidence and advance their reiki.

Some students and clients want to know your Reiki lineage. They like if it is traceable to Usui, the original founder, century in Japan. Investing in decent Reiki training makes you stand out from other Reiki therapists.

What “Feiki” means in the study (and why it matters)

In the trial, Feiki, the sham Reiki, was available with the same time, similar setting and hand placements, so the researchers could compare results properly for the clinical trial.

What the trial found (kept simple)

The study included 164 adults with physician-confirmed knee osteoarthritis, assigned to one of four groups: Reiki, sham Reiki (Feiki), mindfulness meditation, or a waitlist control.
(“Waitlist control” simply means they did not receive the study sessions during the trial period – they were the comparison group.)
Each active option was four weekly 30-minute sessions – so two hours total.
The headline result (clinically meaningful improvement: over 30% symptom reduction):
• 55% in the Reiki group
• 55% in the mindfulness group
• 20% in the sham Reiki (Feiki) group
• 13% in the waitlist control group

Reiki and Mindfulness

Mindfulness performed strongly in the trial, producing similar results to Reiki. But here’s the real-life truth, for many people mindfulness is brilliant when you have the capacity to practise it consistently.

When you’re busy, stressed, exhausted, or in pain, adding a daily practice can feel like another thing you’re failing at. That’s where Reiki can be so helpful, as you can receive it when you’re depleted, or learn it so you have a skill you can use in minutes at home.

For me, what is exciting about this study, it highlights using Reiki with mindfulness, in a way that fits real life to help your health.

There are so many styles of mediation and mindfulness. A Reiki Teacher usually knows different ways to meditate to fit around your needs, as they usually  include meditation when training students.

Ready to Learn Reiki ?

Reiki Level 1 is  ideal if you want a healing skill for life and  self-care. Reiki Level 1 typically teaches you how to use it on yourself and your loved ones.

Reiki Level 2 is for or those ready to deepen their practice. To discover how to use the sacred Reiki symbols and how to heal remotely. Also, a few students at this stage choose to become reiki therapists .

Reiki Master/ Teacher Level 3 is about the spiritual aspect of Reiki, where you receive your final Reiki attunement. If you wish, you can teach Reiki to the public or maybe a loved one. Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the west, taught her Grand daughter, Phillis Lei Furumoto, to become a Reiki Master.

Useful Links

I am registered with the UK Reiki Federation at Reiki Master Teacher Level. My Reiki courses are accredited by the IPHM to give me more flexibility on my teaching style, as students are coming from a variety of backgrounds. You’ll find all my Reiki training dates on one page here https://www.culchethhealing.co.uk/training-events/

You can call me, Julia,  on 07931 337941  if you want to book on or have any questions.

Study links (if you like the research)
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41183719/
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103278

The post Reiki vs Feiki (sham Reiki) : What is the difference? appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

What Is My Life Purpose? How Ikigai Answers Differently

In Japanese, ikigai, combines “iki” (to live) and “gai” (worth / value). It’s often translated as your “reason for being” – the things that make life feel worth living. When Japanese researchers ask people about ikigai, they often describe:

• having something to look forward to
• feeling needed or useful
• enjoying small, everyday pleasures
• sensing that life still has meaning, even when it’s hard

Ikigai can be:

• people (family, friends, community)
•  roles (caring, working, volunteering)
• activities (hobbies, learning, spiritual practice)

You can have several ikigai at once. They can be modest, local and quiet.  They can change with the seasons of your life. So instead of asking, “What is the one big purpose I must find?”, ikigai invites you to ask: “What makes my life feel worth living right now?”

The Famous Ikigai Venn Diagram –  Where It Really Came From

You may have heard of  ikigai through a picture that looks like this:

Imagine or draw four overlapping circles. The circles are labelled:

• What you love
• What you are good at
• What the world needs
• What you can be paid for

In the centre, where all four overlap, is “IKIGAI”.

This Venn diagram is everywhere – in books, on social media and in business workshops. But, it’s not how ikigai began in Japan. The original diagram was a Western “purpose” model by a Spanish astrologer, Andrés Zuzunaga, with “purpose” in the middle. Years later, a blogger swapped “purpose” for “ikigai”, linked it to Japan, and the image went viral. It was then reused in popular books.

Japanese ikigai researchers and writers have since said that this diagram did not originate in Japan, and that it can create an unrealistic ideal. It implies that your life purpose only “counts” if it’s a perfect, paid, world-changing passion. The diagram itself can be a useful tool for thinking about a meaningful career or business, especially if you’re designing a Reiki or spiritual practice.

Japanese Ikigai is More Compassionate

Japanese ikigai is far kinder for those who believe not everything in life is about money,

• It includes unpaid caring, volunteering and community work.
• It honours spiritual practice and small everyday joys
•  It doesn’t require you to be perfect, famous or constantly productive.

For many spiritual souls, this is a relief.

What the Research Says: Why Ikigai Helps Your Health and Mood

Ikigai isn’t just poetic; it has been studied in large Japanese and international research projects.

1. Ikigai and living longer. One famous Japanese study followed over 40,000 adults for about 7 years. Participants were asked a simple question: “Do you have ikigai in your life?” Those who said “no” had a significantly higher risk of dying, especially from heart disease. In plain language: people who felt their life had no real “reason to get up in the morning” tended to do worse over time.
2. Ikigai, depression and daily wellbeing. A more recent large study of older adults in Japan found that people who reported having ikigai were more likely to have fewer depressive symptoms, feel happier and more satisfied with their lives, and stay more engaged with hobbies, friendships and daily activities. Ikigai here is not a job title; it’s that felt sense that “my life still matters to someone or something.”
3. Purpose and brain health. Studies that look at “life purpose” (very close to ikigai) show that people with a strong sense of purpose have a lower risk of developing dementia or serious memory problems in later life. They also tend to have healthier habits, better sleep, and more motivation to look after themselves. So, when you nurture your own sense of ikigai, you’re not being indulgent, you are supporting your mental, emotional and physical health for the long term.

Why This Matters for Over-Giving, Sensitive Women

Many spiritual women who I have met over the years, tend to over-give and over-care. They often feel guilty resting, always wonder if they’re doing enough, or struggle with perfectionism and self-doubt.

The Venn diagram version of ikigai can feed painful thoughts such as “My spiritual business isn’t big enough”, “I’m failing my purpose”, “I’m just looking after family, or “I’m only volunteering.” Even, “If I’m not changing the world in a visible way, I don’t really have a life purpose.”

The Japanese Ikigai offers something gentler. It validates what you already do. Ikigai says your “reasons for being” may already include the people you care for, the clients, teams or communities you support. The quiet spiritual work you do (Reiki, prayer, meditation, angel work), and the causes you stand by (schools, justice, the environment, local groups). These all count, even if they are local, unpaid or unseen.

It softens the idea of “perfect purpose” Instead of demanding “Find the one perfect, monetised, world-changing purpose or you’ve failed”, ikigai asks: “Where does my life already feel meaningful?” and “What do I quietly care about enough to keep turning up for?”.  For self-doubters and perfectionists, this “good-enough meaning” approach is far more healing than constant pressure.

It honours seasons and limits. Research on ikigai and purpose suggests that having meaningful roles and connections that fit each stage of life is what supports health and wellbeing. There can be seasons when your main ikigai is family or caring, healing and recovery, building a small practice or business, leadership or public service, voluntary work or activism, or inner growth and study. Your capacity and boundaries are part of your wisdom, not a sign of failure.

Ikigai and Self-Healing: Using Reiki for You

This is where ikigai meets Reiki and self-care beautifully. Many spiritual women happily give Reiki to others, send healing, hold circles, pull cards, and pray for clients and family. But they may not offer that same depth of care to themselves. Ikigai invites you to see your own wellbeing as part of your life purpose. You being reasonably resourced, grounded and alive is itself a reason you’re here.

A simple “Ikigai & Self-Reiki” ritual:

1. Name three current ikigai – Take a moment to list three things that make life feel worth living right now.
2. Ask: what state do I need to be in to keep showing up for these?
3. Offer yourself Reiki as protection for your ikigai.
4. Affirm quietly: “Caring for my energy keeps my ikigai alive. I am allowed to receive as well as give.”

This reframes self-care and self-Reiki as part of your life purpose, not a distraction from it.

A Gentle Ikigai Check-In

You can use this as a short journaling practice or meditation:

1. Where does my life already feel meaningful?
2. If I stopped doing everything “impressive”, what would I still quietly turn up for?
3. What is one small, compassionate change I can make this month to honour both my ikigai and my nervous system?

Keep it small and kind. Ikigai grows through consistent, gentle actions, not dramatic life overhauls.

You Already Have a Life Purpose

When you ask, “What is my life purpose?”, it may feel like you’re searching for something outside you.  A single, shining answer. Ikigai suggests a different truth: your life purpose is already woven through your everyday life. It is the people you love, the work and service you offer, the causes you care about, the spiritual connection you nurture. It doesn’t need to be perfect, public or paid to be real. It can change with the seasons.

When you add self-healing and self-care Reiki into that picture, you’re not stepping away from your purpose, you’re giving it roots, so it can sustain you for the long term.

The post Japanese Ikigai for Your Life Purpose appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

Recently, I meditated using the chant “Gate gate”, a short version of the full heart sutra mantra. It struck me how perfect it is for letting go – especially at times of the full moon, end of life chapters or the end of the year. Maybe, simply after one of those everyday moments that leaves you feeling a bit angry, stressed, overwhelmed and generally not in alignment with the universe.

What “Gate gate” is (and where it comes from)

“Gate gate” is the opening of a famous Buddhist mantra from the Heart Sutra:

Gate gate pāragate pārasamgate bodhi svāhā
(also written as: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha)

It’s often translated as a journey from suffering and confusion into wisdom and liberation – a movement to the “other shore”.

The meaning of the full mantra (simple version)
• Gate, gate – Gone, gone
• Pāragate – Gone beyond (to the further shore)
• Pārasamgate – Gone completely beyond
• Bodhi – Awakening / enlightenment
• Svāhā – Hail / so be it / may it be so

Even, if you don’t use the whole mantra, the energy of it is clear: release… release… move beyond… and seal it.

How to say it (pronunciation)

A simple, user-friendly pronunciation: Gate = “Gah-tay”

So the full mantra can sound like: Gah-tay, Gah-tay, Pah-rah-gah-tay, Pah-rah-sum-gah-tay, Boh-dee, Svah-hah.
Don’t worry about “perfect”. Let it be rhythmic, soothing, and sincere.

Gate Gate Release

The short version “Gate gate”(“Gah-tay, gah-tay”),  simple means gone, gone. This is the part I love for everyday life as it has a clear message. “I’m not carrying this forward.” Use it when you’ve had a moment where your inner peace is tested and you can feel your mind caught in the heightened emotions:

• A car cuts you up on the way to work or on the school run
• Someone pushes in front of you in the supermarket
• A customer service call leaves you feeling dismissed after a long wait
• A child has a meltdown and it triggers that horrible “I’m failing” feeling
• You try on clothes and feel fed up because they’re tighter than you want

These moments can hook into you – not because you’re dramatic, but because you’re human. “Gate gate” is a gentle energetic boundary. A way of saying: this can be gone now.

A  Two Minute “Gate Gate” Reset  for Anytime

1. Pause for a moment.
2. Take one slow breath out.
3. On the next few exhales, softly repeat: Gate gate… Gate gate
4. Imagine the moment drifting away from you, like you’re letting it float downstream.
5. Finish with a simple thought: “I release this.”

A Gentle Ritual Version for a Full moon or End-of-Year

This is beautiful when you’re ready to clear space for something new, without forcing it, without overthinking it.

• Take a piece of paper and write whatever is bubbling to the surface. It might be one thing, or it might be a whole page. Think of it as the opposite of a to-do list – a let-go list: I don’t need or want to carry this within me.
• Begin chanting Gate gate. Stay with it for 15 minutes or for as long as you need, until you can feel it moving on.
• As you chant, imagine yourself gently waving it goodbye. letting it drift away, lighter: Gate gate – gone, gone.
• When you’re ready, read what you’ve written slowly. After each item softly say: “Gone, gone.”
• Tear the paper up and place it in the bin, imagining the energy leaving with it.
• Finish with one hand on your heart, one slow breath, and say: “I release this. I make space for what’s next.”

Final thought and a gentle invitation

Letting go doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a choice you make in a quiet moment and a mantra that helps your mind and energy follow through. Gate gate. Gone, gone.

If you’re drawn to practices like this, you’ll probably love the way Reiki supports letting go too. Reiki doesn’t  “force positivity”, but  aids you in letting go, an energetic reset.

I’ve been teaching Reiki for over a decade, and I’ve trained students from Warrington, Manchester, and across the North West. I’m proud to be known as one of Cheshire’s leading Reiki teachers, and I love helping people build confidence in their own energy and intuition.

If you’d like to deepen this kind of release work and feel more grounded in your own energy, you can explore my Reiki training and upcoming dates on the Training & Events page of my website.

Any questions as usual, simply ask. In the meantime, let us “gate gate” so we can give room for the universe to nourish us with new opportunities.

Kind  Regards

Julia

Proud Member of the UK Reiki Federation

 Executive Training Provider for the IPHM. Accredited Reiki Training Courses

Photo credit: Jonathan Borba / Unsplash

The post Gate Gate: a simple mantra for letting go (Heart Sutra mantra) appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

Fear Gets Bigger the More We Want It

Here is something I’ve noticed often. The fear gets bigger when we want something more. Not “more stuff” but more meaning. More freedom. More peace. A life that fits you better.

When fear appears you can see it as a sign that you’re meant for more. Sometimes, that tug you keep feeling isn’t random. It can be your intuition nudging you. Your soul whispering, “this is the direction.”

What do we do when we sense that whisper? We often try to squash it down. We distract ourselves:
• have a drink to take the edge off
• eat an extra biscuit (because we “deserve it” after a hard day)
• clean the house to prove we have no time for it
• scroll, shop, reorganise, overthink
• tell ourselves “now isn’t the right time.”

But even when we distract, we still know it’s there. That quiet pull doesn’t go away.

A gentler way to work with fear

With modern lifestyle, you’ve most likely already got a lot on – so your system tries to keep you in the “known”.
Because change means adaptation. Humans are wired to seek safety. The unknown can feel risky (even when it’s something you want), so fear often shows up as protection; your mind and body trying to keep you safe and steady.

Try this instead of forcing yourself:

1. Name it kindly “This is fear. I’m not broken. My system is trying to keep me safe.”
2. Ask a better question Instead of “how do I stop feeling fear?” try and ask “what’s the smallest step I can take with the fear?”
3. Then immediately take one step in the direction of your goal. One message. One call. One diary date. One bit of research. Small steps reduce overwhelm. When overwhelm drops, confidence rises.

Help with Your Goals

We all know that if we do the same things, we will get the same results. You want a new change and level in your life. Sometimes, you already have the skills or experience to call upon, but often new ones are needed.

Don’t do it alone (this is the part most people miss). Fear shrinks faster when you don’t do it alone. If you have a goal or a dream, it can help to seek out someone who’s already a little way ahead on the journey. Not, because they’re “better”, but because they’ve had to face fears too. It’s highly likely they’ve worked through similar doubts (and some different ones as well). Support can make the next step feel far less scary.

Goal of Greater Calm

If your new resolution is feeling calmer, Reiki Level 1 can be a beautiful start. If your goal is to feel steadier, sleep better, reduce overwhelm and come back into yourself, Reiki Level 1 gives you practical tools you can use in everyday life. People often love Reiki because it’s simple, grounding, and usable in real life – especially when your mind won’t switch off, or life feels full-on.

Reiki Level 1 can help you:

• feel calmer and more centred
• support your wellbeing
• build confidence in your own energy
• create a sense of steadiness during change

You need to complete Reiki Level 1 first.  Then if you wish, you can look at Reiki Level 2 around 1 to 3 months after Reiki Level 1, giving you time to practise and build your Reiki confidence.

Am I Ready for Reiki Level 2?

You can learn Reiki 2 without wanting heal others. You might simply want to deepen your practice, learn about the sacred Reiki symbols, focus on the emotional and mental aspect, Reiki Level 2 is the next step. I learnt Reiki Level 2 to help my brother with his health. I never expected to Reiki healing and Reiki teaching as a career around my daughter’s school life. Your anxiety might be ” Am I ready for Reiki Level 2″. Lots of students ask me this. It is normal to wonder.

How to Become a Reiki Therapist

If you have your Reiki Level 1 and your dream is to become a Reiki therapist, Reiki 2 can open the door to:
• offering Reiki as a therapist for extra income
• a flexible path that can fit around family life and commitments
• a gradual change of career (without needing to leap overnight)

I have been teaching Reiki for over a decade and have had my own Reiki business, Culcheth Healing. I can offer you more than Reiki Level 2 theory and a Reiki 2 qualification when you train with myself. You will gain insights into the practical side of working with the general public in your training.

Feeling Anxious About Learning Reiki

Feeling nervous about learning a new skill, at a new place, with new people is far more common than you think. The fear is also big because the dream is real. If learning Reiki is something you keep coming back to –  even after you’ve tried to talk yourself out of it – that’s worth listening to. You don’t have to be “naturally confident”. You don’t have to be “perfectly calm”. You just need a safe, supportive next step.

Want to talk it through?

If learning Reiki is your dream but it’s also making you feel anxious, just call me and we’ll have a quick chat to see how I can help you , like I have many others. Together we can replace fear with Reiki knowledge and experience. Move you from fear to a real sense of achievement.

I’ve helped many people gain their Reiki qualifications over the last decade, and I’m proud to be one of Warrington and Cheshire’s leading providers of Reiki training, highly recommended by students. Call me, Julia, on 07931 337941.

Together we can overcome your fears and make your Reiki dreams come true. 

The post Fear and Fresh Starts: When New Goals Trigger Anxiety appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

No wonder so many of my clients come to me feel energetically overwhelmed. As if life is slowly squashing them between responsibilities, caring for children (and maybe elderly parents too), food shopping, cooking and cleaning the home, working, running a business or holding down a job. Managing your home, relationships and family atmosphere with your own health, energy and mental load. It’s a lot for one nervous system to carry.

This 2026 energy calendar is here to gently remind you that you don’t have to push all year long. You can move with the energy of the universe, instead of fighting against it. Use the rhythms of the universe to help rather than hinder you.

• Full Moons for release, letting go, cord-cutting and emotional decluttering
• New Moons for re-setting intentions, small course-corrections and quiet courage
• Equinoxes  and solstices for seasonal rebalancing
• Magical Days (Beltane, unicorn, fairy and  Angel days) for for counting your blessings with joy and spiritual celebration

How to Use Your Spiritual Females 2026 Calendar

I’ve not gone heavy on the rituals in this blog because you most likely have enough on your plate already. Yes, on a full moon you can charge your crystals, make moon water, journal about what you want to let go of and safely burn the paper. Or… you could do a little bit less washing, let go of the idea of a perfectly tidy home, skip making tea and order a takeaway and use the time saved to recharge by running a bath, get your candles out and have 20 minutes of peace

Sometimes the most powerful full moon ritual is simply:

“Tonight I’m letting go of life’s constant demands, giving myself some slack, and allowing myself to rest.”

Yes, it would be lovely if we had time every full moon to cleanse our entire home, aura and crystals. But often that’s a wish list. Part of our letting go is releasing the pressure to be the perfect spiritual woman who does all the things.

Think in small, kind steps:

• On Full Moons ask “What can I put down?”
• On New Moons ask “What tiny adjustment would support the woman I’m becoming?”

Full Moons 2026 for Release & Replenish

The energy of the full moon is believed to impact up to three days before and three days after. Below are the 2026 full moons with UK dates, times ( the moon at its peak) and traditional names, plus whether they’re classed as super (moon closest to earth on its orbit) or micro full moons ( moon furthest distance away from earth).

• 3 January at 10:02am – Wolf Moon (supermoon). Instinct, resilience, winter survival. Lovely for releasing fear around money or safety and asking for strong, practical guidance.
• 1 February at 22:09pm – Snow Moon. Stillness, rest, tidying winter energy. Let go of guilt about resting and soften your expectations of yourself.
• 3 March at 11:37am – Worm Moon. A  time of early spring stirrings. Beautiful for clearing old “I can’t” stories and making space for new beginnings.
• 2 April  at 03:11am – Pink Moon. Growth, gentleness, hope. Release comparison and invite in more joy, creativity and self-kindness.
• 1 May at 18:23pm – Flower Moon (on Beltane). Abundance and colour. Let go of grey, heavy routines, and welcome more cheer, sociability and beauty.
• 31 May at 09:45am –  Blue Moon and micro moon. A second full moon in May. Also, classed as a micro moon, as slightly smaller. A time of more introspective. A “bonus” release point for subtle shifts.
• 30 June at 00:56am – Strawberry Moon. A micro moon  too, so typically looks smaller. Ripening, sweetness, receiving. Release the belief that everything has to be hard work.
• 29 July at 15:35pm – Buck Moon. Strength and inner growth. Cut cords to old identities (“good girl”, “only ever the helper”) and step into your power.
• 28 August at 05:18am –  Sturgeon Moon with a partial lunar eclipse.  Let go of “not enough” thinking (time, money, energy) and honour how far you’ve already come.
• 26 September at 17:49pm – Harvest / Corn Moon. Closest full moon to the autumn equinox; perfect for decluttering and clearing old paperwork, plans and people-pleasing.
• 26 October at 04:11am – Hunter’s Moon. Clarity and focus. Release distractions and choose your priorities for the rest of the year.
• 24 November at 14:53pm – Beaver Moon (Supermoon). Building safety and preparing for winter. The moon nearest to earth on its orbit so can appear larger and brighter. Powerful for cutting energetic cords to draining work situations or “friends”.
• 24 December at 01:28am – Cold Moon (Supermoon). Deep rest and completion. A potent moment to release the emotional weight of 2026 and prepare your energy for 2027.

Remember your full moon ritual can be as simple as: charging a couple of crystals on the windowsill, writing one thing you’re letting go of and safely burning it or deciding “tonight I am not doing laundry; I am soaking in the bath with candles and letting my shoulders drop.”

There is no point getting overwhelmed with a full moon ritual to do list on top of normal life. A full moon is a time of releasing what feels right for you, so you can increase your energy and move forward. We don’t want sparkly recharged crystals with you, the worn out spiritually and energetically jaded owner. See moon rituals wouldn’t they be lovely to do if had time, to add to” wish lists2 rather than “to do lists”.

New Moons in 2026 – Reset, Renew & Realign

Here are the new moons in 2026 with UK dates and times. You can typically use the energy of the new moon up to three days after.

• 18 January at 19:52pm
• 17 February at 12:01pm
• 19 March at 01:23am
• 17 April at 12:51pm
• 16 May at 21:01pm super new moon where moon closest to earth
• 15 June at 03:54am super new moon
• 14 July at 10:43am
• 12 August at 18:36pm super new moon  with total solar eclipse
• 11 September at 04:27am
• 10 October at16:50am
• 9 November at 07:02am
• 9 December at 00:52am

Simple New Moon Ritual (10–15 minutes)

Here is a simple new moon idea which will take up to 15 minutes. Sit quietly (even in the car between pick-ups). Place one hand on your heart and the other hand on your womb area or solar plexus. Ask yourself “What tiny shift would make my life kinder and more spacious this month?”. Write down 1–3 simple ideas or intentions on paper or in your phone

Equinoxes & Solstices 2026 – Seasonal Turning Points

These are natural anchor points in the year, perfect for slightly longer check-ins, journaling or family rituals.

• Spring Equinox on 20 March 2026. Day and night in balance. Beautiful for resetting your work–life balance and recommitting to self-care.
• Summer Solstice on 21 June 2026. The longest day of the year, maximum light. Celebrate what’s growing well in your life and business, and say YES to joy.
• Autumn Equinox on 23 September 2026. Balance again; ideal for reviewing commitments, letting go of obligations that no longer fit, and simplifying your calendar.
• Winter Solstice on 21 December 2026. Longest night; the turning point where the light slowly returns. Perfect for quiet reflection, angel work, and deep rest.

Other Celebration Days 2026 – perfect for the Spiritual Female

International Unicorn Day on the 9 April 2026. A day to connect with imagination, colour and big dreams for your life, family and work

Beltane on 1 May 2026 (also a Flower Moon). The first day of May is Beltane, a traditional Celtic fire festival of passion, fertility and creativity. In 2026 it falls on the Flower Moon full moon, making it extra potent.

On this day you might:

• Light your candles with a clear intention
• Bring fresh flowers into your home or onto your altar
• Gently ask yourself: “What can I burn off and let go of so I can bring more colour, cheer and vibrancy into my life?”

You’re honouring both sides of the energy as you are letting go of the heavy, grey, worn-out patterns, whilst inviting in more joy, brightness and celebration for the rest of 2026.

International Fairy Day on 24 June 2026. A sweet day for garden altars, fairy offerings, nature walks and remembering the magic in the everyday.

Angel Day (“Be An Angel Day”) on 22 August 2026. Focus on kindness, compassion and being someone’s earth-angel – as well as asking your own angels for help and reassurance. The Catholic feast of the Guardian Angels falls on Friday 2nd October for honouring Angelic Protectors, such as Archangel Michael.

31 August 2026 – Review and Celebrate This is an important date in the Hindu calendar. However, if you are not of that faith you could still utilise this date to have a later summer review and reset. Treat 31 August as your modern Phoenix Day to ask: “What am I absolutely not taking into the last third of this year?” and write a short list of what you’re ready to rise into. Celebrate what is positive about your life, Gratitude is known as a powerful manifesting aid as well as energetically making your feel brighter.

Release, Renew, Rise & Celebrate – Your 2026 Theme

If 2025 left you feeling squeezed and overwhelmed, then in 2026 be like the phoenix and rise and soar once more.

• Release on the full moons the old stories, cords, guilt and impossible standards.
• Renew on the new moons with small, loving changes instead of huge pressure.
• Rise at the seasonal gateways – choosing again who you are becoming.
• Celebrate on Beltane, Unicorn, Fairy and Angel days – and on the quiet, ordinary days in between.

Spiritual Tip: Lots of my female clients feel more drained and emotional on a full moon day. If you on the 13 full moons  of 2026 in your diary simply  try to do a little less, go  a bit slower, be more gentle on yourself, then you will be regularly working with the energy of the Universe.

Less can be more. The universe has a greater chance to guide you in the quiet. Nurturing yourself can help to make you less emotionally charged around loved ones or work colleagues. Thirteen full moon “less is more” days.

You are already doing so much. If using this 2026 calendar helps you feel even 5% more supported. hopeful, aligned with something bigger than your to-do list…that’s a beautiful step in your phoenix-year journey of releasing what no longer serves you and rising to be the best version of you.

The post Spiritual Females Moon Calendar 2026 appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

To work professionally with clients, you do need your Reiki 2 qualification, because that’s where you learn the symbols, distance healing and how to deepen your practice. What you don’t need is to become a Reiki Master or collect every holistic certificate under the sun before you ever see a paying client.

I first started Culcheth Healing from my lounge to fit around school hours. Clients in times of need aren’t interested in big and fancy surroundings, they wanted somewhere nurturing, normal and safe. So, if you’ve got kids’ toys piled in the corner, or you’re thinking you need a spa-perfect room before you can see clients, this is for you. Your Reiki client is more interested in a warm smile, an open heart, someone who understands them and to leave feeling calmer and more soothed.

10 Common Mistakes When Setting Up As A Reiki Therapist

Here are 10 common misconceptions and mistakes I see beginners make when they’re setting up as Reiki therapists, with some gentler, more practical ways to think about each one.

1. “ I need to be fully healed before I can practise.

Many sensitive, spiritual women hold themselves to impossibly high standards. You know Reiki flows better through a clear channel, so it’s easy to think you must somehow “fix” all your own issues first. The truth is none of us are fully healed. I’m a Reiki Master and still very much a work in progress.

Reiki isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being committed to your own self-healing while you support others. Regular self-treatments, journaling and honest reflection are what matter. You are unique, your human quality and honesty are part of what makes you a warm, trustworthy therapist. You may be just ahead on the journey than them, you understand what they are going through. I always tell my Reiki students “your mess is your message”. People want help from people who have gone through life experiences.

2. “If my Reiki is good, clients will magically find me.”
We’ve all heard the phrase, “The right people will be guided to you.” There is some truth in that, gaining referrals are wonderful. But people can only be guided to you if they know you exist. Relying purely on the universe while hiding away is not a business strategy, it’s spiritual camouflage. It is like wanting to date, but only seeing the Amazon or pizza delivery person, as you won’t leave home to experience life.

Think of it as a partnership with the universe and yourself. Let your Reiki gift  be seen. That might be by creating a simple website, creating some posters for local noticeboards, putting an advert in a local shop window or promoting yourself on one social media platform you actually enjoy using.

The energy is the same as Reiki: you show up, you offer, and you trust that the right people will feel drawn, but you still put the light on so they can see you.

3. “Charging properly for Reiki is unspiritual.”
This one runs deep as many women in particular have been conditioned to over-give and under-charge. There’s a belief that if you truly care, you should do everything for free or “just enough to cover the room.” When you chronically undercharge, you burn out. You can’t afford training, rent, the insurance, the marketing or even a proper rest. Eventually resentment creeps in and the Reiki joy goes.

A fair price is simply an energy exchange that allows you to live, keep your own energy steady, and show up fully for clients. Your pricing needs to honour both you and your work.

The universe gave you a talent in healing, why would it not want to provide support and clients so the world can become a happier place? Remember, there are more sick people in the world than Reiki therapists. It is so easy when you start, to research the Reiki prices in your area and charge the lowest price thinking you will get clients that way. You are not in competition with others. I always put prayers in for clients who love what I do and are happy to pay my prices. Your tribe is your vibe.

4. “I need loads of extra attunements and certificates before I’m ready.”
Once you’ve completed Reiki 2, you are qualified to work with clients. That’s your foundation. What often happens, though, is that instead of starting with a few paying clients, people keep signing up for more courses such as crystal healing, sound healing or different forms of Reiki. Anything rather than beginning to start their business.

Collecting certificates becomes a way to postpone the scary but beautiful part: trying it and seeing if you actually like working with clients and if it fits around your life. Practical experience expands your Reiki gift.

It’s absolutely fine to discover, after giving it a real go, that you prefer Reiki for yourself and loved ones rather than as a business. That’s a healthy, informed decision. It’s much kinder than endlessly investing in more holistic qualifications without ever giving yourself the chance to find out what being a practitioner is really like.

Depth of practice matters far more than a long list of certificates. Get truly comfortable with your current level first: lots of self-healing, practice sessions, and real clients. Then, add trainings slowly and intentionally, choosing the ones that genuinely interested in rather than just decorate your wall.

5. “I am the one doing the healing.”
Clients will often say, “You healed me,” and it’s easy to start feeling responsible for every outcome. But taking full ownership for someone else’s healing journey is incredibly heavy and it simply isn’t how Reiki works.

You are a channel, not the source. Reiki flows where it’s needed. The client’s body, mind and spirit decide what to do with that energy. Your job is to show up grounded, prepared, and ethical; to be present and compassionate. The rest is a partnership between Reiki, the client, and their own readiness to shift.

6. “Reiki can replace medical care (and I can diagnose people).”
Reiki can bring wonderful shifts in pain, stress, sleep and emotional wellbeing. It’s very tempting to start thinking of it as a cure for everything. However, it is not your role as a Reiki therapist to diagnose conditions, tell people to stop medication or offer medical opinions (unless you are also medically qualified and clearly working in that capacity).

Reiki is a complementary therapy. It sits beautifully alongside medical care in helping people relax, cope, and accessing their own inner resources. Use language that reflects that you don’t diagnose, you don’t promise miracles, and you always encourage clients to seek appropriate medical advice when needed.

7. “I need a perfect, spa-like treatment room and a bigger house.”
Let’s talk about the no-spare-room worry. You might be imagining a picture-perfect therapy space with matching cushions, Himalayan salt lamps and no sign of real life. Meanwhile, your reality is a lounge with Lego, laundry and a dog bed.

When I started Culcheth Healing, I worked originally from my lounge in my former family home around school hours. Clients weren’t looking for a glossy spa, they were looking for a nurturing, human space where they felt safe.

You don’t need perfection. You need a clean, comfortable space which is as quiet and private as you can manage. A treatment couch or comfortable chair. Also, a way to gently screen off the chaos (a simple bamboo screen to section off the children’s toy pile works beautifully!)

Tiny touches make a huge difference to anxious clients. I usually:

• Give them the bigger, more comfortable chair and sit on the smaller one
• Have a glass of water and tissues ready for them before they arrive
• Offer the toilet before we start as some are too nervous to ask. Ensure the toilet, sink and towel are clean. The children’s bath toys are not important.
• Place them near a door or window so they don’t feel trapped or overwhelmed

Don’t overcompensate for the home surroundings by putting on loads of candles and using lots of scented laundry powder. Your client could be asthmatic with eczema. Also, ask if the client likes the music. You might love the sound of water, but the client might think they need the toilet again or worry whether the kids have left the taps on at home.

And one more very practical tip: I still have my daughter’s old toddler step, and she’s now 16. I use it for clients who need a bit of help getting on the therapy bed. Things you think look “unsightly” can actually be incredibly useful and caring. It’s these small acts of thoughtfulness that create a healing environment, not the size of your house or how good for Instagram your room is.

8. “A good Reiki therapist should fix people in one or two sessions.”
Social media is full of dramatic “before and after” stories, so it’s easy to think every client needs a life-changing experience instantly or you’re failing. Real healing is often gentle and layered. For some clients, one treatment brings huge change. For others, it’s a quieter, gradual unfolding over a series of sessions.

Be honest in how you talk about Reiki. Explain that people often benefit from several sessions, especially for long-standing issues, and that each person’s experience is unique. An hour appointment may not miraculously fix what has been energetically building up within them for years. You support a healing process, you are not a one-session miracle worker.

9. “I don’t really need insurance, consent forms or boundaries.”
Because Reiki is gentle and non-invasive, beginners sometimes assume nothing can go wrong. They focus completely on the spiritual side and forget the practicalities. But you are still working with people’s bodies, emotions and very personal stories. You might have kept the children’s toys out of their way to find the unlikely event that they fall off the therapy bed; accidents can happen even with the best intentions.

Professionalism is deeply spiritual – it shows respect for yourself and your clients. At a minimum, aim for appropriate insurance, a simple consultation and consent form. Have clear confidentiality boundaries and offer policies for cancellations, timekeeping and payment. These are not cold or unkind. They create a safe, predictable container that allows the Reiki to do its work.

10. “I must be on every social platform and offer everything to everyone.”
When you look around, you’ll see practitioners offering Reiki, crystals, coaching, sound baths, retreats on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads and more. It’s easy to think you’re failing if you’re not doing all of it. Spreading yourself too thin often leads to constant overwhelm and very inconsistent marketing.

You absolutely do not have to be an expert in social media to have a thriving Reiki practice. Choose one place you enjoy, where you don’t dread posting, and start there. If you like Instagram, use Instagram. If you prefer Facebook, use Facebook. Your tribe is far more likely to be where you feel comfortable and authentic.

The same goes for your services: start with one or two clear offers. Get really solid with those before adding more. Simplicity is kind, both for you and for your clients. A kinder way to build your Reiki practice

Becoming a Reiki Therapist

If you’re a spiritual woman considering becoming a Reiki therapist, or you’ve just completed your Reiki 2 and feel a bit wobbly about setting up your Reiki business, please know this: you don’t need a perfect house, a perfect life  or perfect marketing to help people. You simply need a love of Reiki, your Reiki 2 qualification, your insurance and the courage to start. To offer a safe, thoughtful space (even if that’s a corner of your lounge with a bamboo screen and an old cd player for music) and a desire to help others move forward in life.

From there, everything can grow. Step by step, client by client, you can build a practice that fits around your life, to grow a thriving Reiki practice which supports both your soul and your finances.

I grew my business as a single mum, from home in a little village with life events, such as my Dad dying, were still occurring. Sometimes you just have to start to fly and allow your wings of courage to expand.

The post 10 Common Mistakes New Reiki Therapists Make appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

If you’re nodding along as you read this, know that you’re not alone and Reiki might help you to cope. Reiki is a gentle, natural and effective way to restore calm and bring balance to your body, mind and soul. When you feel you have lost your “fairy magic”, that life has just clipped your wings and you don’t feel quite your usual self.

As a leading Reiki teacher based in Warrington and Cheshire, I’ve supported hundreds of women across the North West through my business, Culcheth Healing. To help them feel more peaceful, grounded and back in control of their lives.

What Is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced “Ray-Key”) is an ancient Japanese healing technique that works with the body’s natural energy system. It involves gentle touch or hovering hands over the body to channel healing energy, release emotional blockages, and restore balance. Reiki isn’t about ‘doing’, it’s about just being. You don’t have to talk, re-live trauma, or even understand how it work. Simply lie back, close your eyes, and receive.

But some women choose to talk, let it all out, what they have been keeping within. Release it, rather than bottling up the feelings and frustrations. It is your time, your conversations are private. Walk out at the end of the appointment, knowing, as the door shuts your conveyed thoughts are in safe keeping. Some clients don’t want to see a counsellor, they just want to chat. They feel they have no-one they can or want to tell without the fear of judgment, it causing hurt or it could cause further problems. They simply need a safe space. You can choose to talk before your reiki session or during it, or stay silent whilst your rest. Your choice.  The reiki healing energy can still be received by you regardless.

How Reiki Helps with Stress and Anxiety

Our bodies have a “fight or flight” mode to help deal with threats. We can go through a sustained period of high stress, where everything seems to be needing our attention. If you like to be in control and have high perfection qualities, these can be particularly difficult times. Life gives you “curved balls” or events that you cannot always resolve. Over a sustained period of time, stress and anxiety is not your body or mind’s best friend. You may feel on edge, overstimulated, sad or exhausted.

Reiki is a soothing, natural therapy that is believed to work in conjunction with the body’s natural healing system. An opportunity to rest, calm the mind and recalibrate. Time out for you, to do nothing and let the Reiki natural energy help with your healing.

Many of my clients say they walk into a session feeling frazzled or tearful, and leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more like themselves again.

Benefits of Reiki for Emotional Overwhelm

Every client is different, but here are some of the client experiences from over the decade I’ve been providing Reiki healing.

• Promotes deep relaxation
• Can help reduces physical symptoms of stress (racing heart, tight chest, headaches)
•  Helps to clear mental fog and overthinking
• Helps to support emotional release in a gentle, non-verbal way
• Helps to restore a sense of hope, peace and resilience

Real-Life Reiki for Real-Life Women

Whether you’re caring for elderly parents, navigating the challenges of motherhood, managing health conditions, or simply burnt out from life’s demand, Reiki offers a sacred pause. It’s a space just for you, where you can receive without giving, rest without guilt, and reconnect with the part of you that’s quietly strong and wise beneath the noise.

Many of my clients describe Reiki as life-changing. As Yasmin recently shared:

“I’ve been going to see Julia for healing for years now. Cannot recommend her services more. She’s fantastic, my life has changed so much for the better since seeing her. She provides great comfort, a place I can be my most vulnerable self, and offers messages of genuine peace and hope. I’ve seen other Reiki masters but nothing compares to Julia and her work. If you’re thinking about it, just go for it. Best decision I’ve made for myself. Thank you Julia for all that you do and for being an earth angel.”

Why Choose Julia at Culcheth Healing?

I’ve been offering Reiki sessions and certified Reiki training courses for over a decade and I am proud to be a recognised and trusted Reiki training provider for Warrington, Cheshire and the wider North West of England.

Culcheth Healing is more than just a therapy room. It’s a place where you feel seen, safe, and supported. Whether you’re curious about experiencing Reiki for the first time or you’re ready to learn it as a life skill (for yourself or your loved ones), I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Quite a few women start with a Reiki treatment,  then decide to go on to learn it themselves. Reiki 1 is a beautiful, empowering tool to help you manage your own stress and support your family in times of need.

Final Thought

You don’t have to carry everything on your own. Reiki is not a luxury, it’s a support system. Taking time out for own self-care is not selfish. When you feel good, you can help others more. An hour Reiki healing appointment with myself, in Culcheth is £60.

You can, if you fancy, join one of my Reiki Level 1 training days in Culcheth, Warrington and learn this gentle healing life skill for yourself, in just one day. I tend to teach  Reiki 1 one Sunday a month and it is £120 for the training and your qualification. I am registered with the UK Reiki Federation at Reiki Master Level and also an Accredited Training Provider of Reiki for the IPHM.

If you have any questions, want to book a Reiki healing appointment or book on a Reiki 1 training day, simple call me Julia on 07931 337 941.

 Further Reading: Research & Resources

If you’re someone who likes to read the research or wants to understand more about how Reiki works, here are a few studies that explore its effects on stress, anxiety and wellbeing:

1.  Systematic Review (2025): Reiki significantly improves quality of life and emotional wellbeing
   https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-025-02811-5
2. Reiki & Anxiety Reduction (2024): Clinical trial showing Reiki lowers anxiety compared to placebo https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11170819
3. Reiki for Stress & Burnout (2023): Study showing Reiki helps frontline workers reduce emotional exhaustion and physiological stress https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10443426
4. Reiki vs Placebo for Stress Relief (2022): Reiki shown to outperform placebo for reducing stress symptoms https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312/full
5. Reiki for Mothers Under Stress (2025): Reiki helped reduce anxiety in mothers caring for hospitalised children https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830725000199

The post How Reiki Can Help Women with Stress, Anxiety and Overwhelm appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

We wash our clothes, bathe ourselves and clean our homes. But our homes absorb energy, our energy and the home contents. Energy tends to stagnate in certain areas, and we just need to move it along. To give the energy in our homes a refresh.

Best Times to Clear Your Home

The time to clear the energy of your home is a personal preference. Here are some suggestions:

• Full Moon is well known as a time to release and let go of old energy. By clearing the energy of your home at  this time, your home will typically gets a monthly clear out.
• Spring Equinox is a time of fresh beginnings, energetic reset. A good energy spring clean.
• Autumn Equinox is considered energetically for reflection, gratitude, and gentle release.
• To clear you home after illness, visitors, or times of emotional stress.

Areas To Focus On

There are usually places where old energy gathers and needs clearing, areas to focus more on. These include:

• Entryways or doorways
• Areas where things are dumped such as school bags, coats, parcels
• Behind curtains
• Corners of rooms
• Areas which tend to be busy or have a lot of clutter
• Places where people spend a lot of time – sofas, desks, beds

When healing people, I watch old heavy energy leave the body and move to the ground, it then tends to move along the skirting boards into the corners. Use your intuition, your guidance. You may just sense that an area needs a bit more upliftment. Maybe, you walk into an area and there is a slight temperature change or, your just feel a bit more low or drained.

Clear and Refresh Ritual

To uplift the energy of your home you will be moving from room to room. If your home is of more than one floor level, start at the highest floor level and work your way down.

You start in each room, closing any doors and leaving a window open, an exit point for the old energy to leave. Then when you have finished, you simply move to the next room. This way old energy is not moving from room to room.

Step 1: Use a Seed Rattle
Get a seed rattle, or alternatively you can use a jar with a lid filled with rice. Shut the doors, open an exit window in the room. Now, go around the room shaking the rattle focusing on areas you are intuitively drawn to and the key areas where energy gathers.

It is normally suggested to move in a counter- clockwise direction in each room, as if unwinding the energy. However, this does not take into account lay lines, previous construction developments at property and your energy – go with what feels right for you.

Move in a counter clockwise direction through each room. Focus on corners, behind doors, under seats, around cushions and walkways. Shake your rattle with the intention of  stirring up and lifting old energy up to then shift it.

Step 2: Sage
Once you’ve rattled through a room, light your sage bundle safely and using the same counter- clockwise flow, allow the smoke to drift gently into the corners and spaces you  have rattled. You are still leaving the window open and any doors shut.

Step 3: Visualise

After the sage, close your eyes and visualise a gentle white light pouring down from above, into the room the ceiling, walls and floor, filling the room with light, calm, and clarity. Not everyone is great at visualising, so do your best or ask someone who is.

If you are reiki qualified, you can also visualise or draw with your finger/hand the emotional and mental harmony symbol, Sei He Ki, in the corners of the room and over the windows. Then visualise or draw the power energy symbol, Cho Ku Rei, in the centre of the room. You can choose to do this in your therapy room if you are a therapist

The rattle agitates. The sage harmonises. The light restores.

Now shut the window, or if you want wait until you have completed all your rooms. Open the door shut it behind you, this room is complete move onto the next room.

Step 4: Add Crystals
After clearing, you can ground the energy and you can bring in protection using crystals . Black Tourmaline is known to help with shielding against negative energy and EMFs. It helps in promoting grounding and a sense of safety; as well as absorbing lingering stress in the environment. Place your black tourmaline near doorways, entrances, rooms corners and by electronics or Wi-Fi routers.

For peaceful energy, such as in the bedroom or lounge, you can place amethyst  crystals near to where you will be spending time. Amethyst is known for soothing the mind, encourages relaxation and emotional balance. It can help with peaceful sleep and protection from nightmares.

Amethyst has a soft soothing , protective energy.  Black tourmaline has a different  energy and protective qualities.

Step 4: Choose Plants To Help Purify and Uplift
After cleansing, another gentle way to uplift your space is with plants. Some, like chrysanthemums, gerberas, peace lilies  and spider plants, were even highlighted in a NASA study as natural air purifiers.

For those who are energy-sensitive (or learning to see auras, like in my workshops), plants do more than clean the air, they emit soft, healing energy.

Choose a plant you’re instinctively drawn to, not just one that matches the room décor. It means there is a greater chance your plant will be wanting to be with you, come home with you and help you.

Plant auras actually get larger and brighter when they are happier and they tend to thrive more easily, vibrating positive energy within your home.

Final Thoughts

Cleansing your home is an act of sacred care for yourself, your family and your environment. Your home sanctuary. Even a short clearing can leave your space feeling fresher, lighter and more peaceful.

Make it a monthly ritual or just tune in when the energy feels heavy. Your home, like you, deserves lightness and love.

The post How To Clear Negative Energy From Your Home appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

The Lion’s Gate Portal combines Leo season’s fiery heart energy, the alignment of the Earth with the star Sirius, and the powerful numerology of 8/8, which is often seen as the number of abundance, infinity, and higher consciousness.

This is a time to manifest, realign, release and awaken.

What is the Lion’s Gate Portal?

The Lion’s Gate Portal is an annual celestial alignment that occurs between July 28 and August 12, peaking on the 8th August. During this time the earth, the sun (in Leo), and Sirius (one of the brightest stars in our sky) align. Sirius, is also known as our “spiritual sun”, shines high in the sky, radiating high-frequency energy.

Commonly Asked Questions

Does the Lion’s Gate portal open every year?

Yes, every year on the 8th August it peaks. This alignment opens a cosmic gateway that floods the Earth with light and transformation energy. It invites us to heal, set intentions, receive downloads, and rise into our highest potential.

What is the spiritual meaning of the Lion’s Gate Portal?

It’s a powerful energetic time that supports spiritual awakening, deep healing, and soul-aligned manifestation.

Why is it called the ‘Lion’s Gate’?

The portal peaks during Leo season, the astrological sign symbolised by the lion. Leo rules the heart and encourages courage, passion, self-expression, and confidence.

Do you need to do anything special on 8/8?

You don’t have to do anything, but this is a beautiful time to reflect, meditate, journal, and connect with your intuition.

Is it safe to do manifestation work during the Lion’s Gate?

Yes, use this opportunity to create manifesting intentions from your heart and not your ego. Align with what your soul truly wants.

Why is 08:08  Lions Gate portal date seen as important for manifesting?

The number 8 sideways is the sign for infinity. In numerology it represents infinity, balance, and manifestation. Therefore as the peak of the energy occurs the 8th day of the 8th month, 8:8, this manifesting energy is often perceived to be magnified, maybe doubled.

What are the side effects of the Lions Gate Portal?

It is said that some people find it brings emotional implications, such as feeling overwhelmed, having mood swings, anxiety, stress or sadness.  Others mention headaches or tiredness. A “portal overwhelm” due to the intense energy shift.  If you are sensitive to its energy, consider deep breathing, prioritising rest, relaxation and activities that support your well-being. Ground yourself by spending time in nature or walking barefoot on the grass.

Why is called Galactic New Year?

Sometimes, you can get so caught up simply doing every day as you push forward in life. You can forget to consider if what you are focusing on is what you want. The annual Lion’s Gate portal is a sacred time to reconnect and go beyond what the mind wants and the general busyness. To tap into your heart and soul. At time to create new resolutions and intentions.

As you let go, you may have specific dreams or goals to manifest. However, you could choose a theme for the next 12 months, such as: to feel more joy and happiness, to have more love or to feel more sexy. Moving forward, you can make more decisions which align with those feelings. For you to move forward in life with greater clarity.

Simple Lion’s Gate Ritual to Connect with the Energy of 8/8

Here’s a gentle ritual you can do on or around 8/8 to connect with the Lion’s Gate Portal energy.

What You’ll Need:

• A candle (gold, orange, or white if possible)
•  Two pieces of paper and pen
• A crystal such as citrine, carnelian or clear quartz
• A quiet space

Ritual Steps:

• Create a Sacred Space: Light your candle. Take a few deep breaths. Place your crystal beside you.
• Reflect and Release: On one piece of paper, write down what you’re ready to let go of. Safety burn or tear up the paper: A symbolic act of letting go.
• Call in Your Desires: On the other piece of paper, write what your soul truly desires. Say out loud your intentions into the universe. You may wish to put the paper in a place where you can see it daily.
• Prayer and Gratitude: Give the universe, angels, guides (or what resonates with you)  permission to help you by praying. Give thanks for this guidance and be prepared to act on it. It will often mean being brave like the Lion. Now, simply sit in silence for a few moments.

Final Thoughts

The Lion’s Gate Portal is an invitation to let your soul guide you. You don’t need to “do it perfectly” to benefit from this beautiful energy. Even just pausing, breathing, and listening to your heart on this day can shift so much. An opportunity to take time out for reflection and letting go. When you let go, it means you can grow opportunities that are in keeping with your dreams; your life.  To let your inner light grow, your heart radiate with more joy and hopefully, for you to have greater fulfilment.

Julia x

The post Lion’s Gate Portal 8th August – What It is and How to Access Its Energy appeared first on Culcheth Healing.

What Is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice is an exact moment, when the northern hemisphere is most tilted towards the sun. It is occurring this year on 21st June 2025 at 03:42 BST. The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium, meaning “sun stands still”. We can use this moment as a chance for us to pause, reflect, and realign with what matters most.

For centuries, cultures around the world have honoured this turning point with rituals, gatherings and ceremonies to celebrate abundance, fertility, joy, and the connection to the sun. Whilst the northern hemisphere is celebrating summer solstice, the southern hemisphere has their winter solstice.

The Spiritual Significance of the Summer Solstice

Energetically, the solstice represents

• Illumination of truth as the sun shines at its brightest, we are invited to see ourselves more clearly.
• Manifestation – for it a great time energetically to take action on intentions planted in the spring.
• Balance of light and shadow – honouring both the growth and the release needed on our path.
• Connection to the Divine Feminine – symbolised by the earth’s fertility, creativity and beauty.

This is the perfect time to reconnect with your higher self, amplify your spiritual practice and bask in nature’s vitality.

What is the Difference Between Summer Solstice and Midsummer’s Day?

The name “midsummer” comes from the Old English midsumor. It is a celebration of the season of summer taking place on or near the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

Summer Solstice Crystals

Below are some suggested crystals to use in helping celebrate summer solstice and creating a summer solstice ritual personal to you.

Citrine is  known as the “Merchant’s Stone” or “Success Stone”. Citrine is associated with abundance, prosperity and manifestation, making it a great crystal for the summer solstice.

Sunstone is deeply connected to the sun’s energy and is believed to ignite inner light, enhance confidence, and promote creativity.

Carnelian has a vibrant orange hue which is reminiscent of summer sunsets. It’s known for boosting courage, creativity and compassion, making it a wonderful choice for the summer solstice.

Golden Healer is considered to be considerably high vibrational stone. A  fabulous healing crystal with a large concentration of energy to help release emotional conditioning. To help you to release, empower and motivate into making positive life choices this summer solstice.

Tiger’s Eye is associated with strength, protection and inner vision. You can use it to help enhance your willpower and promote a positive outlook during the summer solstice.

Clear Quartz is a versatile stone that amplifies energy and promotes clarity. It can be used to cleanse and reset energy during the summer solstice, allowing for fresh starts.

Summer Solstice Ritual

1. Charge your crystals: Place crystals in the sunlight to charge them with solar energy.
2. Meditate Outside: After a few hours, or when you are intuitively guided, hold or place the charged crystals near you during meditation to enhance the energy of the summer solstice and align with the sun’s rays. At the end place your hand over your heart and give thanks, gratitude for all that is blooming in your life
3. Create a Solstice Altar: Gather crystals and create a circle with them, to represent the sun. In the centre of the circle place summer flowers. Write down your blessings in life and place in the centre too. Now light a yellow, orange or gold coloured candle.
4. Summer Solstice with the Angels: Call upon Archangel Uriel, whose name means “Light of God”. Ask for Uriel’s help “Dear Archangel Uriel, please help light up my path moving forward so my life may be blessed with abundance. Thank you for giving me the confidence to follow and act upon the guidance I receive. Amen”
5. Solstice Journaling:  Light a candle, take a few deep breaths, and explore what part of you is ready to shine more brightly? What intentions are you now ready to take action on? What can you now release?
6. Sunset Release and Protection: Before your candles burn out or when the sun sets (whichever is first) blow out your candles. Ask for Archangel Michael, “Dear Archangel Michael please protect me on this summer solstice eve and moving forward. Thank you for helping to release what no longer serves me,  in a kind and friendly way. Amen”

Go to bed, in peace knowing you have asked for abundance and protection moving forward in life.

How Reiki Supports Summer Solstice Energy

If you are trained in Reiki you could consider giving yourself a Reiki self-healing. The summer solstice is a time of amplified energy. Reiki, with its gentle yet powerful life force, helps you ground your energy amidst the solar intensity. Focus also on your feet chakras, as feet tend to block energetically, especially with our more sedentary modern lifestyles. By using Reiki healing on yourself it assists in helping you body’s energy. You can focus on your chakras, such as the solar plexus chakra, your centre of confidence and personal power.

Reiki is also useful for helping to let go, and in doing so helping to assist in clear limiting beliefs, so you can step into abundance. As you release the past energy, some find it easier to reconnect to their life purpose and soul mission.

If you fancy learning how to work with the natural healing energy of Reiki, then join one of the upcoming Reiki Level 1 training days. Gain a valuable Reiki life skill and your Reiki 1 qualification.

Summer Solstice Celebrations

The Summer Solstice is a sacred time to celebrate the light within and around you. Embrace the warmth, the radiance and the opportunity to realign with your soul path. Let the sun be your reminder; you were made to shine.

The post Summer Solstice – Embracing your spiritual light appeared first on Culcheth Healing.