Many people have experienced Reiki, or have a good-to-vague idea of what it can do.

Using certain symbols, Reiki is channelled through the hands of those who have been attuned by a Reiki Master to receive the specific energy frequency of Reiki, and to pass on its gentle healing qualities to those who want it.

Reiki may be channelled directly with gentle light-touch hands-on healing, through clothes, in a long, relaxed, cocooned session. It can also be used as an instant first aid. The energy flows and heals wherever it is needed. Those who receive Reiki sometimes sense it as heat, cool, tingling, or positive physical and emotional changes.

Receiving a hands-on session can be a relaxing, loving experience, enabling the child within to feel nurtured. Even when there is pain, an open wound or a plaster caste, with the hands held over the area, Reiki still flows and heals. It can also be channelled distantly to those who wish to receive it, but can't be present.

Sometimes my clients ask me to send them Reiki distantly when they have a problem and I can't be with them. Clients having Chemotherapy, for instance find the chemo less traumatic, with fewer side effects and less anxiety. People feeling low, depressed and lacking energy can receive a boost from distant Reiki.

Reiki can energise and optimise the nutritional benefits of food and water. It also works just as well with animals and plants.

I was part way through my first Reiki attunement, and in the break I decided to see if I could use it to cheer up a very miserable Sunflower that a friend had uprooted from her garden and given to me to plant in mine. The next day, the droopy reluctant bud had opened up, lifted its face to the sun and resurrected its leaves.

I was thrilled: the Reiki was working already! Two days later, the entire flower head had vanished, then its leaves and finally the green sleeve of the stalk, leaving only a brown stringy stick! What I had failed to notice was that the flower was not alone as I reikied it: I had unintentionally created a voracious army of gourmet Super Snails!

Animals, (who don't have to suspend ingrained disbelief), seem to repair and thrive with Reiki. Once they've received it they never forget, and often demand it when they meet me - especially dogs. I met Cooper again just as I was crossing a side road. He was out for a Constitutional with his Owner when he spotted me and dragged her to the middle of the road to insist I gave him more. I obliged briefly (back on the pavement), and he resumed his walk. When animals have had enough, they don't hang around being polite like humans do, they abruptly walk off, sensibly curl up and go to sleep.

I was staying in a beautiful Bed & Breakfast in Glastonbury. The lovely landlady, Angela had created a wonderful energy in the house through Feng Shui. One afternoon I was there alone with her elegant, aristocratic and assertive cat, Tumi. He followed me around yowling just one demand, over and over. I asked if he wanted food, to go out, to be stroked, to tell his owner to "come home right now!!!" I just couldn't fathom it. He followed me into the bathroom and sat pointedly with his back to me and the loo. Light dawned!...He wanted Reiki. I stretched out my hand, asked for Reiki to come through and he became peaceful...he knew I could do it! He also recognised that my sister and daughter were a source of Reiki and yowled for more.

I found out from Angela that she often settled on the couch of an evening with Tumi, and he would cuddle up purring while the Reiki flowed. She told me that he had been mistreated by his first owners so, like a Reiki junkie, he craved the comfort of Reiki and Cuddles with Angela. (I just rang Angela to ask permission to include their story, and heard Tumi rushing in, yowling from the garden. He knew Reiki was afoot, or is it apaw?!!)

Daisy Dog was in decline. Her Owner, Phillippa had a new baby, and Daisy was not eating properly. She was also walking on three legs, seemingly unable to put her left back paw down. I was sitting with Daisy on the sofa, chatting with Phillippa and offered to let the Reiki flow while we talked. Daisy turned around whenever she needed the healing in another spot. She fell asleep for a while, then wandered off on three legs into the garden. I watched her surreptitiously through the window and saw her momentarily put her left back foot down. Surprised, she picked it up again, then replaced it. From that day she has remained a four-footed dog, and eats heartily. Sometimes when I call, she flings herself at my feet, belly up or worst hip forward for more healing.

Occasionally I rescue creatures that are injured, or have flown into the house. Even without asking for it, the Reiki switches on. This has happened with a bat, a bluetit and numerous butterflies and moths. Cupped in my hands, they tend to calm down and stop fluttering. Outside when I open my hands, most of them pause for a moment before confidently flying off. I love that momentary connection with a wild creature.

For me, my attunements to Reiki were a gift. Through a friend and a series of affirming synchronicities, I happened to meet my Reiki Master, Michael. I exchanged Health Kinesiology and Holographic Repatterning in return for the three attunements that enabled me to become a Reiki Master and to share Reiki with others. I will be eternally grateful to Michael for passing on this gently powerful healing ray.