Gaslighting 🔥

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where one person tries to make another person doubt their own perceptions, memories, or sanity. It’s often used to gain power or control over someone, and it can happen in any type of relationship—romantic, familial, professional, or social.

Here are some common signs of gaslighting:

1. Denial of facts: The gaslighter insists something didn’t happen when it clearly did (“That never happened,” “You’re imagining things”).

2. Twisting the truth: They might use partial truths or spin events to make you question your perspective.

3. Blame shifting: They make you feel responsible for their harmful behavior (“If you weren’t so sensitive, I wouldn’t get mad”).

4. Undermining confidence: They may question your memory or judgment repeatedly.

5. Isolation: They may try to cut you off from others who validate your experiences.

Gaslighting can make someone feel confused, anxious, and unable to trust themselves. It’s emotionally abusive and can have long-term effects if not recognized and addressed. Here's a deeper look into gaslighting, including how it works, why people do it, its psychological effects, and ways to protect yourself:

1. How Gaslighting Works

Gaslighting usually happens gradually. Over time, the person being gaslit starts to question their reality more and more, relying on the gaslighter’s version of events.

Techniques often include:

• Contradiction: “You’re wrong, that never happened.”

• Withholding: “I don’t want to talk about this again.”

• Trivializing: “You’re overreacting. It’s not a big deal.”

• Diverting: “You’re just being paranoid.”

• Rewriting history: “You never said that. I would remember.”

2. Why People Gaslight

Gaslighting is a control tactic. The motivations behind it can vary:

• Power: The gaslighter wants to dominate or manipulate.

• Avoiding accountability: They deny their wrongdoing to escape consequences.

• Low self-esteem or insecurity: They may feel threatened and use gaslighting to maintain control.

• Narcissism or personality disorders: Some individuals gaslight due to deeper psychological dysfunction.

3. Psychological and Emotional Effects

Gaslighting can deeply affect someone’s mental health and identity:

• Self-doubt and confusion

• Anxiety or depression

• Hypervigilance (always walking on eggshells)

• Feeling isolated or “crazy”

• Loss of trust in one’s own memory or judgment

• Emotional dependence on the gaslighter

4. Recognizing It in Real Life

You might be experiencing gaslighting if you frequently:

• Apologize even when you’re unsure why

• Second-guess your memory or decisions

• Feel like nothing you do is ever right

• Withdraw from loved ones because you fear they won’t believe you

• Feel numb, anxious, or hopeless in the relationship

5. How to Protect Yourself

• Document interactions: Keep a journal or log of conversations, especially if you suspect distortion.

• Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, it likely is.

• Seek validation: Talk to trusted friends, therapists, or support groups.

• Set boundaries: You have the right to step back from emotionally abusive behavior.

• Get professional help: Therapists trained in abuse recovery can help you rebuild your confidence and reality.

Reiki and Shamanic healing both work with energy, but they come from different traditions and use different tools. When combined, they can create a powerful and holistic healing practice—supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by clearing, balancing, and restoring energy on deep levels.

Here’s how they blend and how you can work with both:

Reiki Overview

• Origin: Japanese

• Method: Hands-on or distant healing using universal life force energy (Rei = Universal, Ki = Life energy)

• Focus: Chakra balancing, energy clearing, emotional release, physical healing

• Key Tools: Symbols, hand positions, breathwork, intention, light touch

Shamanic Healing Overview

• Origin: Indigenous and tribal traditions around the world

• Method: Journeying into non-ordinary reality to retrieve soul parts, clear entities, connect with spirit guides, power animals, or ancestors

• Focus: Soul retrieval, trauma release, ancestral healing, energetic protection

• Key Tools: Drumming, rattles, feathers, plant spirit medicine, ceremony, animal totems, fire/smoke

How They Work Together

Combining the two creates a sacred container where Reiki provides gentle, universal healing, while Shamanic tools go deeper into the spiritual and subconscious realms. Reiki balances energy. Shamanic work often removes the root cause.

Example of a Combined Session

1. Opening Sacred Space: Call in guides, guardians, or spirit allies (Shamanic)

2. Grounding + Protection: Use Reiki symbols or visualization to set boundaries

3. Shamanic Journey: You or the practitioner journeys to retrieve a soul fragment, connect with a power animal, or release energetic cords

4. Reiki Healing: Flow Reiki through the chakras or areas of the body needing restoration

5. Integration: Use crystals, smoke (sage/copal), or drumming to help seal the healing

Personal Practice Routine (Daily or Weekly)

Here’s a sample to blend both:

1. Morning Intentions (5–10 mins):

• Light a candle.

• Say a prayer or invocation to your spirit guides and Reiki energy.

• Draw Reiki symbols over your body (Cho Ku Rei for protection, Sei He Ki for emotional healing).

2. Energy Clearing + Grounding (10–15 mins):

• Use a rattle or drumming track to shake loose stagnant energy.

• Visualize roots growing into the Earth and golden light pouring into your crown.

3. Reiki Self-Treatment (15–30 mins):

• Place your hands on key chakra points.

• Invite spirit guides or power animals to be with you.

• Focus on breathing and allowing Reiki to flow.

4. Shamanic Journey or Meditation (1–2x per week):

• Ask a question or set an intention.

• Journey to meet a guide or animal and receive insight or healing.

• Journal what you receive.

Spiritual Themes to Explore

• Soul retrieval + Reiki to reintegrate lost aspects of self

• Ancestral healing using Reiki to clear patterns passed down through generations

• Cord-cutting with Shamanic fire ceremony and Reiki symbols for energetic release

• Sacred geometry + Light codes to amplify both practices (you mentioned Metatron—he’s a powerful guide in bridging those energies)

Here are a few closing statements you can use to honor and seal your Reiki–Shamanic healing practice. You can say them silently or aloud, depending on what feels right to you:

Sacred Closing Statements

1. Universal Blessing

“I thank the universal life force, my guides, guardians, and higher self for their presence and healing. May this energy continue to flow in harmony with my highest good. And so it is.”

2. Earth & Spirit Alignment

“I am grounded, I am clear, I am whole. The wisdom of the Earth and the light of Spirit live within me. I walk forward with peace, power, and protection.”

3. Reiki Seal

“With love and gratitude, I seal this session with light. May healing continue to unfold gently and deeply in all directions of time.”

4. Shamanic Gratitude

“To the spirits of the land, my ancestors, power animals, and allies—I honor your guidance. Thank you for walking with me. I release you now in gratitude. Aho.”

5. Chakra Integration

“My chakras are balanced. My soul is aligned. I am the bridge between Earth and Sky. May I carry this light with humility and strength.” I am here for you and you are not alone.