Patterns, Chi Rho & Cho Ku Rei

Each time I perform Reiki I am reminded of its subtle yet profound energy. It seems to last for a few days and I find I am more open to signs and patterns that re-invigorate the shift in energy. Today I came across an article reminding me about one of the main power symbols in Reiki and how we can place it as light into our heart. As I was reading it I could feel a golden brightness emanating from my heart as an acceptance and enhancement of this symbol.

Patterns can be elements of familiarity or symbols of repetition. As part of my training, we use the Cho Ku Rei symbol three times. As we draw Cho Ku Rei and say it with intention the potency becomes affirmed.

Reiki is a powerful energy healing modality that comes from Japan, embedded with Buddhism. My lineage is just a few levels from the originator Mikao Usui. As a Master Reiki practitioner I commit to four aspects:

• Healing practice on myself and on others,

• Personal development (which has become an endless engagement),

• Spiritual discipline (the idea of being a clear vessel allows for consistent review),

• And mystic order (after travelling back to Ireland I am open to see where this may take me).

Healing and creativity hold an interlinking loop for me.

I have been delving into the history of Tarot cards to connect our journey through layers of consciousness. My personal Oracle card designs have been brewing for a few years and I have to accept the pace and direction they guide me. Currently it is to have a stronger foundation. I have created my own metaphysical map but now I see through Tarot there are universal designs from which I can draw parallels. Patterns again, if we care to see them.

I am passionately pulled towards Celtic mythology and Irish references to the spirit world. Yesterday I came across incredible painted iconography in a small oratory in Dún Laoghaire. This tiny space was transformed over sixteen years by the artistic endeavours of Sister Concepta Lynch.

Curvilinear spirals and stylised motifs have often been part of my sketchbook work. Reflecting on Sr Concepta's work I remember the Chi Rho page in the Book of Kells. I love how this has a signature flair, a wildness to its design while containing a solemn reference to Christ consciousness. I cannot help but feel a connection between this, Chi Rho and the Reiki symbol Cho Ku Rei as holders of potent energy.

While they originate in different cultural and religious traditions they carry a sacred visual representing higher spiritual authority and protection.

The Chi Rho is an ancient Christian monogram for Jesus Christ, while Cho Ku Rei is a fundamental power symbol used in Usui Reiki to focus universal energy.

The Chi Rho (☧)

• An early Christian monogram created by overlapping the first two capital Greek letters of Christ's name — Chi (Χ) and Rho (Ρ). Christ means 'the anointed'.

• Roman Emperor Constantine, 4th century AD, placed the emblem on his army's shields and standards after a reported vision, bringing the symbol into popularity.

• It serves as a symbol of Christ's sovereignty, and historically acted as an identifying sign for early Christians.

Cho Ku Rei

• Definition: The primary Level I power symbol in Usui Reiki, roughly translated as 'focus the energy of the universe here' or 'place the power of the universe here'. It acts like a light-bulb to power up the session, full of versatility.

• Structure: Drawn using a line forming an initial angle followed by three concentric spirals intersecting a central vertical spine — connecting life force energy from the ether into each of the chakras.

• Purpose: Used as an energetic 'light switch' to clear negativity, protect spaces, and amplify the flow of universal life force energy during holistic healing. Cleanse, activate and protect. In self-treatment it increases the ability to channel the universal life-force energy and enhances the properties of other symbols.

Patternitus — my made-up term for finding patterns in our world that help us make sense of our journey, our surroundings, our history and the universal connections. Am I stretching these connections or is there much more to this comparison than I have begun to unravel!? Through my practice I hope to see more.