Weekly Witchy Challenge Entry - Natural Health and Healing
Background: I started my professional allopathic career over 20 years ago. That education included information on Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) techniques such as meditation, herbs (especially drug-drug and drug-disease interactions), accupuncture, etc. Although I knew that these techniques could work (if not by power-of-suggestion or placebo effect then by reducing blood pressure, etc), I never tried any of it.
I respected it at a distance, preferring more standard options.
We were, however, always taught to recommend non-pharmacologic options before starting medications and I fully supported and encouraged that.
I recently started menopause and, as is typical, have been dealing with excessive anxiety and stress which has greatly impacted my life for the negative.
SOOOO, I decided to follow my training and try the non-pharmacologic approaches.
I have an intense interest in physics and believe it fits in perfectly with magick, chaos theory and alchemy. I also believe that I am not the only one who sees this connection which is why there are so many witchcraft and alchemical texts published under pseudonyms.
I dove into Reiki (pronounced Rey-ki, not ray-ki, I have since discovered!) which follows in-line with āuniversal free energyā concepts supported by Tesla, physics and all the ancients. It teaches that Usui discovered a ubiquitous Universal Love energy that provides the adherent with the healing energy that they need when they need it, so to speak. It includes personal statements geared towards āJust for todayā psychological healing techniques.
I became certified in traditional Usui and am learning Quantum Reiki (figures, right? 
).
How did it go, you ask?
I do it every single day now.
I didnāt notice any difference at first.
Nowā¦yes. I drop into an Alpha meditative state almost immediately and feel the stress reduction just as quickly. I hope to continue with Karuna Ki and the 5-20 Usui Master programs later on.
I am certain that much of the health benefits are psychosomatic.
I am equally certain that I donāt give a sh$t 
because, like the cumulative power of positive prayer and offerings, IT WORKS!
Caveat: I am not recommending that anyone use natural healing techniques instead of traditional allopathic medicine, and every respectable natural practitioner would say the same. Never forget that it was allopathic medicine that cured and/or suppressed diseases that natural medicine couldnāt heal for millenia.
But I am saying that when allopathic and natural are used together - allopathic for the professional treatment of the body and natural methods for the individual treatment of the mind/soul - the combination can be powerful!
Thatās because, I believe, natural healing methods allow the patient to have control over themselves to a degree lost in allopathic medicine. That ālostā feeling means that there is an imbalance in treatment, as I was taught decades ago, that some natural empowering methods may restore leading to a more fulfilling, or complete, treatment.
Thank you for giving me this chance to share my experience with you all.
In love and strength
I love when different areas of science and/or magick fit together like puzzle pieces- there is so much to be said about interdisciplinary studies. Iāve heard about and tried (once) Reiki, but I donāt know much about traditional Usui- it sounds like it has been very helpful and made a big, positive difference in your life! Iām happy that youāve found things that work well for you- thank you so much for sharing! 
). Good luck and I hope you can get your next appointment soon- enjoy!
, wearable oils
& Ice 
when I need to
a day, well, really probably closer to half a cup. 
or I have eliminated quite a few (both as needed & daily). Even within the last couple of months, so much has changed with my medications. I am so very proud of myself 
for all of the work that I have put in to get here because I feel more like meā¦ My family has said that I seem happier & so much better. I try to use an alternative whenever I can now rather than something prescribed to me & itās working out really well for me. 
At the end, I thoughtā¦ āHuhā¦ so thatās quite a few changes with how I work through things & get through challenges in both physical & mental health since the end of February.ā Admittedly at least one of those things was inadvertent from another thing going on but in the end, I am better off now. Itās really worked for me 
The cordyceps 
Everything else though I do have.
Iāll have to find some little tins & try to do the same. Iāll get there 
