Let’s Talk Symbols: Raku — The Lightning Bolt That Grounds It All
Ah, we’ve arrived at the home stretch, fellow Reiki explorers. We’ve powered up with Cho Ku Rei, soothed our hearts thanks to Sei He Ki, zapped across space-time using Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, and basked in master-level light with Dai Ko Myo. Now it’s time to come back down to Earth (literally), with the grounding champion: Raku.
Meet Raku (aka The Grounding Lightning Bolt)
Raku (pronounced rah-koo) translates roughly as “attached” or “descending dragon”, but I firmly prefer “lightning bolt to Mother Earth.” It’s the symbol used in the final stage of a traditional Reiki attunement, sealing the energetic pathway and anchoring that shiny new Reiki connection deep into your energetic roots.
Why We Use It
Think of Raku as the anchor on a hot-air balloon full of cosmic energy—you need it to keep you from drifting off into the stratosphere in a glittery haze. Specifically, we call on Raku to:
Seal and ground the attunement process for students and ourselves.
Anchor the powerful Reiki energies into the physical body and the Earth.
Release any excess or unneeded energy at the end of a session.
Ensure that the flow of Reiki is stable and sustainable.
The Benefits
Ah, Raku. The Reiki mic drop. It's the final flourish in a session, but don’t be fooled by its subtlety. This zigzagging wonder prevents energetic overwhelm, especially when clients are buzzing from all that high-vibe goodness. It secures attunements, locking new Reiki channels in place like sealing wax on a sacred letter. Think of it as the energetic equivalent of saying, “Stay.” Raku also enhances grounding, gently guiding clients back into their bodies and the present moment after a soul-deep journey. It’s your go-to for clearing residual energy, sweeping away anything that doesn’t belong post-session. And perhaps most importantly, it supports energetic integration, helping every shift, insight, and release land solidly in the system. Subtle? Yes. Optional? Absolutely not.
Real-Life Ways to Use Raku
Though it’s the attunement closer, you can use Raku anytime you need a bit of Earth-love:
After a Reiki session: Draw it over your palms and tap them to your root chakra or the ground to root excess energy.
When feeling spacey: If you’ve been meditating, journaling, or hyper-focused all day, draw Raku on paper and stand on it barefoot.
Before sleep, Raku on your bedside table helps anchor your dreams and prevents 3 AM jitters.
In nature: Trace it in the dirt or sand to connect directly with Earth’s stabilising vibe.
On crystals: Charge grounding stones (like hematite or black tourmaline) with Raku for extra earthing power.
In Your Reiki Practice (The Perfect Send-Off)
Raku isn’t just the curtain call—it’s the clasp on the necklace, the zip on the suitcase, the “namaste” at the end of a yoga class. In attunements, it’s always the final step, drawn last to complete the energetic “lock and key” that seals the deal. But Raku’s magic goes far beyond initiations. It’s perfect for session closure, grounding both practitioner and client after a deep dive into energy work. If you’ve ventured into heavy emotional terrain—grief, trauma, or anything particularly sticky—Raku steps in to clear transference, gently discharging any leftover weight. And in group settings, it’s a unifier. A collective Raku drawn at the end of a circle or workshop helps bring everyone back to centre, rooted, and ready to carry the energy forward without floating off into the ethers.
And That’s a Wrap!
Congratulations—you’ve now journeyed through the core Usui Reiki symbols:
Cho Ku Rei – power
Sei He Ki – emotional balance
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen – distance/time healing
Dai Ko Myo – master key
Raku – grounding lightning bolt
Use them, mix them, and let them become part of your daily flow. And remember, grounding isn’t just the last step. It’s the firm foundation that makes all the magic possible :)
