The Pieces Come Together

Often during a session there is open communication between the one offering Reiki and the one receiving, whether the receiver is human or animal. Not in the typical fashion that we humans are accustomed to, rather an intuitive communication that comes through in many different way.

Sometimes it's seeing pictures in your minds eye, other times it hearing something, feeling emotions, getting a taste in your mouth, a smell that comes from out of the blue (see Onion Clay and Stitches post as an example) or simply a knowing that you understand. It is intuitive, and therefore many people easily dismiss the information they receive. Does one have to be "gifted" to communicate in this manner? In my opinion definately not. We all have the ability, some people's ability is just more practiced than others.

In some recent sessions with Lyra (See the previous blog A Rocky Road Leads to Peace) I had the opportunity to have some extraordinary communication with her. However, there were pieces of that communication I didn't understand and therefor didn't share with the people who cared for her until a few days after her passing. Partly because it didn't make sense, and partly because Joey and I didn't have a chance to talk until a couple of days later.

The first session with her I the word "mushy" came to mind. Not once, but several times. It was an odd word to appear our of nowhere, and I couldn't relate it to anything, so didn't say anything about it to anyone. The next session I clearly understood the words "insides are liquid" off and on during her session. Again, there wasn't anything I could relate it to and simply kept that to myself. Near the end of that second session I also heard the chorus to the song Baby Blue, by George Strait. I hadn't thought of that song in years so knew it wasn't a passing thought, rather that it was something she was trying to share with me. That song ran through my head the rest of the day and several days later.

When Joey and I were able to connect a few days later she was curious about my last session with Lyra. I shared the words I heard in the two session, thinking I was either going to sound crazy or it would make perfect sense to her. I was relieved and grateful it made sense to her.

She let me know that after Lyra passed they did an autopsy on her. So much was wrong inside her from the spread of the cancer. Her bladder had lost all elasticity and was, in Joey's words mush. Her intestines had lost all structure and were simply masses of liquid tissue. As far as the song, after she read the entire lyrics it made perfect sense to Joey. And, it also seemed appropriate for what Joey experienced as Lyra transitioned. Lyra's best friend Jamboree, and many believe her soul mate, was there in spirit to help her move on. (Jamboree had passed several months earlier due to complications from colic.)

You can imagine the goosebumps that ran through my body when I realized that what had seemed like strange and random words, turned out to make sense to someone who loved and cared about Lyra.

I quickly realized how easy it is to doubt what we experience during a session when we try to make it make sense. And even thought it doesn't make sense to us, it may to someone who knows the animal well. Had the autopsy not been performed I wouldn't have known any different, but I think it was a great gift and teaching moment from Lyra to get that confirmation after she left us. Her way of telling me to trust myself. :)

And, thankfully Joey is open to all of this and we could openly talk about these things that didn't make sense to me.

Thank you Lyra, you are a beautiful soul and an amazing teacher!

A Rocky Road Leads to Peace

Lyra is a beautiful strawberry roan and once you meet her you know she's a sweetheart through and through. She was being fostered and was returned to the rescue because she had stopped eating and was rapidly losing weight. Last Saturday I had the pleasure to meet and work with her.

At first she wasn't too sure about this Reiki stuff as I began offering Reiki from a short distance away. The session flowed like a rocky road. On, off, on, off, on, off..... Wondering if it was something I was bringing into the session I took a few minutes to do some personal Reiki. When I offered Reiki again to Lyra, the same awkward dance began again. Understanding she was taking it in the increments that were best for her at that time I continued the session for another 20 minutes or so.

Thinking the session was over I was preparing to leave when Lyra came and stood directly in front of me and I heard her say "I'm ready now." And of course I happily obliged! The session continued for another 30 minutes with the energy flowing steadily. Within several minutes of starting back up again Lyra sidestepped, placing her body directly in my hands. You could feel the instant sigh of relief.

A couple of days later I received a text from the rescue stating that Lyra was fading fast, the blood work results did not look good, and asking if I could come over. Approaching her stall I knew Lyra was in a very different place that morning. She lifted her head in greeting as I entered and did not hesitate when Reiki was offered. She wanted nothing less than a full hands-on treatment. We worked together for a little over an hour. Sometimes I intuitively sensed where my hands needed to be, other times she moved her body a little this way or that way so my hands were just where she wanted.

When I felt the Reiki flow subside, I could still feel a faint trickle. So I happily gave her a full body rub-down from head to hoof letting the light flow of Reiki continue. She was very peaceful and content when I left.

Lyra taught me many things during these two sessions. Many of which are best experienced between Reiki practitioner and an animal, often difficult to put into words. However, a gentle reminder from Lyra was to allow the animal to decide how the session should flow. Often the beginning and end of a session will be completely different, and preferences can, and often will, change with each session.

Onion Clay and Stitches

Several weeks ago Zeke was rescued from a killer buyer. (A person who buys horses at auction or other places to send to slaughter. They make their money by selling the animal to the slaughter house for a set price per pound.) He was an otherwise healthy young gelding who had the misfortune of tearing open his shoulder on a fence when being loaded into a trailer. The killer buyer tied him down tight and stitched the flap of skin up. Zeke, not thrilled about that procedure, when turned loose freaked out and tore the stitches open again.

The killer buyer again tied him tightly to the fence, but this time cut off the flap of skin, leaving a gaping wound exposed the size of a football. Without receiving the care this type of wound should have had, it began to fester and ooze. Luckily Zeke was rescued from that situation by Joey at Luv Shack. Zeke was treated with a mixture of Green Clay and onions to heal the wound and take care of any infection. Joey also called me to work with him and I gave him several Reiki treatments over a week and a half. (Did I mention I love my job?)

It's been a week or so since I've seen Zeke, and yesterday started smelling onions at random times, in random places. I washed my hands several times, brushed my teeth, checked my clothing, all to no avail. I couldn't find the smell. I also saw several Reiki clients that day and was hoping that they too didn't smell the onions.

Then it dawned on me...the smell was the clay mixture used on Zeke. As soon as I realized that I also sensed Zeke's presence, as if saying "Finally, you got it!". I sent Joey a text to see how Zeke was doing. She said he was great, other than 5 stitches he had to have on his check. She wasn't quite sure how he acquired the gash. I let her know I was coming by the next day and would see him, and the smell and feeling of Zeke nearby went away.

Fast forward to today. I'm at Luv Shack, just finished working with Lyra another horse, and headed to the turnout where Zeke and the rest of the herd are. As soon as I get out with them Zeke comes up and shows me his stitches. I just couldn't help but laugh out loud. He was just like a little kid showing me his boo-boo. He, of course, received lots of attention and Reiki, seeming pretty pleased with himself. I just can't help but chuckle every time I think of this. :)

Morning Reiki with a Coyote Friend

This morning while my husband and I were cleaning up the kitchen we looked at the window and saw a coyote limping through the yard. Something was wrong with one of his front paws, as he was only walking on three legs. He stopped for a minute and looked at the house before continuing on his way. He was a full grown beautiful adult.

Without really thinking about it, I dried my hands of and went into the other room to offer Reiki him. At first our connection could best be described as wary. I simply explained what my intent was and felt the energy slowly begin to flow until it became a strong flow. I expected it to last for only a minute or so as he continued on his way. However, it lasted for a quite sometime. Eventually I received an indication that he was done. I ended the session with gratitude that I had been able to work with him this morning.

When I returned to the kitchen my husband and I were talking about what had just happened. I shared my surprise that the Reiki with the coyote lasted as long as it did. Mark went on to tell me that after I left the room the coyote hobbled through the yard and hung out under some mesquite trees for a while. Then as stealthily as he had come into our morning, he disappeared into the desert. Was he resting in the trees while I offered him Reiki? I'd like to think so.

I realized that Reiki has become such part of my life that I no longer think about offering it, I simply do it. Thank you to my wild coyote friend for connecting with me this morning, allowing me to share a some Reiki time with him, and helping me realize what an important part of my life Reiki has become. I wish him well on his journey.

Bandit Knows Best

Last night I received a call from a good friend Georgia about her horse Bandit. (He is going through rehabilitation at Luv Shack Horse Rescue and she will adopt him when he's ready.) Seems he was down and wouldn't get up. She called a neighbor who helped him on his feet. They could tell he wasn't feeling well, but not sure what was going on. Joey, founder of Luv Shack was away from the ranch and heading back home. Knowing help was on the way she called and asked if I could help Bandit with some Reiki.

My first thought was to go over, as they are less than 5 minutes from me. I then realized that there would be people checking him over and lots of activity going on and distance Reiki may be the better way to support Bandit. And so I began....

Almost immediately Bandit let me know that he didn't feel good. Not knowing exactly why he was not feeling good I began doing a full body treatment for Bandit. Within several minutes I kept seeing in my minds eye his lower back, hips, buttocks, and thighs. Realizing this is where he wanted to be treated I began focusing on that area. I immediately felt an increase in the flow of Reiki as my hands heated up and the usual tingle became very strong. The Reiki continued to flow very strong for nearly 30 minutes, and then gently began to subside.

During this time I kept hearing the word 'achy' and sensed it was the word that described what he was feeling in that area. Near the end of the treatment he finally relaxed and his energy seemed to soften, with the edginess fading away. The session ended with a wonderful 'Thank You' from Bandit.

After the session ended I called Georgia to let her know. She indicated that the areas where I worked were the areas that Bandit did not want to be touched and seemed to be the most uncomfortable. Georgia also mentioned that achy seemed to describe what they were seeing as well, and finally Bandit had also relaxed and was not quite as edgy.

It was a wonderful reminder to allow the animal to direct where Reiki is most needed. Sometimes not knowing the exact circumstances frees me from any expectation and allows me and the animal to work together as partners in healing. I am thankful for the great reminder from Bandit to trust and allow that Reiki flows for the highest good.