Rose De Dan and Saqqara speak ©Rhonda Hanley 2009

Today the July issue of The Reiki Digest was officially announced, celebrating both the 4th anniversary of the publication and its first full edition in the new monthly format. And one more first—the first time I appear as guest editor!

And let me tell you, while it was fun it was also a very serious responsibility. First I had to choose a theme. It should surprise no one that it had to do with animals.

Then I scoured the internet for meaningful Reiki news stories – choosing some, discarding others. I hope you enjoy my choices representing Reiki in ceremony, the veterinary community, and hospitals.

I was seriously concerned about finding a Celeb-Reiki story until I uncovered breaking news about Dr. Oz, the most famous supporter of Reiki in mainstream media.

Finally, I had to write the feature article, which was perhaps the hardest task of all given that I chose to write a very personal story about the lesson that Reiki Master cat Saqqara gifted me with while dying. I would start the article, then it would sit for a while as I worked through my emotions. I wanted to strike a balance between telling a story and the insights – sometimes a very fine line.

I hope you enjoy “Animal Reiki Teachers,” it was written in honor of all the animals who love us unconditionally—sharing our lives, and sometimes—our healing practices. Please let me know what you think in the comments section, or share your memories of Shaman and Saqqara if you knew them personally.

After finishing the article I challenge you to read the four submissions to The Weekly Waka without feeling touched. (Waka are poems used for contemplation, an often forgotten aspect of Mikao Usui’s Reiki teachings.) Both writers knew the theme for this issue, but neither had read my article because it had not yet been written. The resonance amazed me. A special thank you to Reiki Master Beth Lowell, Reiki Digest assistant editor and waka writer, who guided my steps through this entire process and helped calm my nerves!

To read the entire issue click here.

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Think Outside the Cage
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About Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing:

A pioneer in Reiki and shamanic healing for people and animals, Rose De Dan has seen firsthand the profound healing impact of this work on the lives of others. A Reiki Master Teacher, mesa carrier in the Peruvian Q’ero tradition, and animal communicator, she teaches classes, workshops and teleclasses for those interested in learning more about energy medicine.

Rose is also author of the acclaimed book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism, and creator of Animal and Reiki Art. As an animal shaman, she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth.

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