A practitioner sits with hands hovering over a client’s crown chakra. She traces a shape in the air: a cross touched by a circle, an ankh fused with a sunburst. The client reports a wave of warmth moving down the spine. This is Seichim Reiki, a system of energy healing that blends Reiki principles with symbols channeled in the 1980s, drawing heavily on Egyptian and Atlantean imagery. The Seichim Reiki symbols are a set of visual keys used to connect with energies that practitioners describe as the “Sekhem” (power) and the divine light of the Source. Unlike Usui Reiki’s four main symbols, Seichim uses a larger, less standardized set, often including the Seichim, Sekhem, Mer-Ka-Ba, and protective symbols derived from Egyptian mythology.
What Is Seichim Reiki? A Definition
Seichim Reiki (also spelled Seichem, Shekhem, or Sekhem-Reiki) is a modern energy healing method that combines the hand-position system of Usui Reiki with a distinct set of symbols that practitioners believe were received through channeling or spiritual vision. The word “Seichim” itself is variously translated as “power of the light” or “the life force of the divine.” In practice, Seichim Reiki is used for attunements, distance healing, and emotional or spiritual clearing, often with an emphasis on accessing the “Sekhem” – a term borrowed from Egyptian sekhem (scepter of power) to denote a high-frequency energy.
The system is not standardized. Different lineages teach different symbols, and no single authoritative body governs them. The most commonly encountered symbols are the Seichim (a cross-within-a-circle), the Sekhem (a winged sun disc or a double spiral), the Mer-Ka-Ba (a rotating star tetrahedron), and the Anubis or Horus symbols for protection and inner vision. This variety reflects the system’s origin: a modern channeling rather than a transmission from a closed historical tradition.
Where Did the Seichim Symbols Come From? History and Origins
The history of Seichim Reiki begins with Patrick Zeigler, an American Reiki master. According to his account, in 1980, after a near-death experience triggered by a car accident, Zeigler received a series of visions in which he was given symbols and attunements from what he described as Egyptian and Atlantean sources. He had already been initiated as a Reiki master by Ed Duvall in 1979. The symbols he channeled were not part of the Usui system. Zeigler named the new system “Sekhem” and taught it privately.
In the late 1980s, Zeigler’s work came to the attention of Linda Colton, a Reiki master and teacher. Colton studied with Zeigler and then, with his permission, expanded and renamed the system “Seichim” (a variation she said came from the Egyptian sekhem but with a softer pronunciation). She added her own channeled symbols and developed a structured course. Colton’s version became the most widespread, and she is often credited with popularizing Seichim Reiki in the West.
By the 1990s, Seichim had merged with Reiki in various hybrid forms: Sekhem-Seichim-Reiki (SSR) and Seichem Reiki. The symbols were taught as part of advanced attunements, often above the Master level in Usui Reiki. No ancient Egyptian texts describe these symbols. The system is firmly modern, with its authority resting on the personal revelations of Zeigler and Colton.
The Core Seichim Reiki Symbols and Their Meanings
Symbolism in Seichim is intentionally layered. Each symbol is said to evoke a specific vibration or energy field. We describe the four most consistent symbols across lineages.
The Seichim Symbol (Cross and Circle)
The primary symbol of the system is a cross enclosed in a circle, sometimes with a dot at the center. In Colton’s teaching, it represents the union of spirit (vertical) and matter (horizontal), with the circle signifying the infinite. Practitioners use it to open the crown chakra and connect to the “Seichim light” – a term for universal love. When drawn in a session, it is often held above the client’s head or over the heart.
The Sekhem Symbol (Winged Sun Disc or Spiral)
The Sekhem symbol appears in two common forms: a winged disc (reminiscent of the Egyptian sun disc of Horus) or a double spiral turning in opposite directions. Its name comes from the Egyptian sekhem, a scepter representing power and authority. In practice, the Sekhem symbol is used for grounding, protection, and calling in transformative energy. Practitioners trace it over the base chakra or the soles of the feet to anchor the session.
The Mer-Ka-Ba Symbol
The Mer-Ka-Ba is a three-dimensional star tetrahedron, often drawn as an eight-pointed star or a spinning wheel of light. The word means “chariot of light” in Egyptian (a modern neologism, not ancient). This symbol is not exclusive to Seichim – it appears in various New Age practices as a vehicle for ascension and multidimensional healing. In Seichim, it is used to expand the practitioner’s energy field and to facilitate distance healing. A typical practice is to visualize the Mer-Ka-Ba spinning around both practitioner and client.
Protective Symbols: Anubis and Horus
Some Seichim lineages include symbols linked to Egyptian deities. The Anubis symbol (a jackal-head or black dog) is used for cutting cords and protecting the session space. The Horus symbol (the falcon or the Eye of Horus) is used for inner sight – to see imbalances and past-life patterns. These symbols are not universal; many teachers omit them. Where they appear, they function as tools for boundary-setting and clarity.
How Practitioners Use Seichim Symbols
The symbols are not static drawings. They are activated through intention, breath, and touch. A typical Seichim healing session follows the same hand-positions as Usui Reiki, but the practitioner first centers herself by tracing the Seichim symbol in the air over her own crown and heart. She may then draw the Sekhem symbol at the client’s feet to ground the energy.
During the session, the practitioner listens for intuitive guidance on which symbol to use. The Mer-Ka-Ba is often visualized at the start to raise vibration, then again at the end to seal the energy. The Anubis symbol (if used) is invoked before touching the client, to clear any stray emotional debris from the room. Unlike Usui Reiki, where symbols are typically drawn with the hand or mentally, Seichim practitioners sometimes use wands or crystals charged with the symbol.
Attunements in Seichim differ from Usui. Rather than a set of four symbols passed down from teacher to student, the attunement is said to open the student to the Seichim light directly, and the symbols are then revealed as needed. This makes the system more fluid, but also harder to standardize.
Seichim Reiki vs. Usui Reiki: Key Comparisons
The most obvious difference is in the symbols. Usui Reiki has four primary symbols (Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo) with agreed-upon meanings across schools. Seichim’s symbols vary between teachers. No two Seichim manuals show exactly the same set.
A second difference lies in the claimed origin. Usui Reiki traces back to Mikao Usui’s early 20th-century practices in Japan, with a documented lineage. Seichim’s origin is explicitly channeled and modern – Zeigler’s 1980 vision – and does not claim a continuous human lineage. This is a point of contention some traditional Reiki practitioners raise.
Third, the emphasis on emotion. Seichim is often described as “softer” or more emotionally focused than Usui Reiki. The Seichim symbol is said to work directly on the heart chakra, whereas Usui symbols tend to address different layers (power, mental/emotional, distance, master). Practitioners who switch from Usui to Seichim often report feeling a deeper sense of surrender during sessions.
That said, Seichim is often taught as an addition to Usui Reiki, not a replacement. Many students learn it at the Master/Teacher level. The two systems coexist.
Common Misconceptions About Seichim Reiki Symbols
“Seichim is an ancient Egyptian healing method.” The symbols are modern inventions channeled in 1980. No Egyptian papyrus or temple carving contains the Seichim cross-and-circle or the Mer-Ka-Ba as a healing tool. The Egyptian references are symbolic, not historical.
“Seichim symbols are more powerful than Usui symbols.” Power in energy work is subjective. Some practitioners feel the Seichim symbols produce a stronger emotional response; others find them diffuse. There is no objective measure.
“Anyone can learn Seichim without Reiki training.” Some teachers offer Seichim as a standalone system, but most lineages require prior Reiki attunement. The two are so intertwined that learning Seichim without Usui is possible but uncommon.
“The Mer-Ka-Ba symbol is secret.” The Mer-Ka-Ba is widely taught in New Age circles, Reiki included. There is no evidence it was secret in ancient Egypt. Its current use is part of modern mystical literature.
FAQ
What is the difference between Seichim and Reiki symbols?
Seichim uses a different set of symbols (cross-and-circle, winged disc, Mer-Ka-Ba) that are not part of traditional Usui Reiki. The meanings are also aligned more with Egyptian and Atlantean themes.
Can you practice Seichim Reiki without Usui Reiki training?
Yes, some schools offer it as a standalone system, but many teachers require prior Reiki training. The two are often combined.
Is the Seichim symbol the same as the Sekhem symbol?
No. The Seichim symbol is the cross-and-circle (often called the “Seichim” or “Seichem” symbol). The Sekhem symbol is a separate sign representing power, typically a winged disc or spiral.
Where can I find accurate information on Seichim symbols?
Because the system is channeled and not standardized, the best sources are the original teachers’ books (Patrick Zeigler’s writings, Linda Colton’s manuals) and reputable Reiki organizations that offer Seichim training. Avoid general internet listings that may mix symbols from different lineages.
Closing
The Seichim Reiki symbols are a modern addition to the broader energy-healing landscape – a set of tools that emerged from one man’s vision in 1980 and have since been adapted and expanded. They offer a different flavor of practice, one that leans heavily on Egyptian symbolism and emotional release. For those who already work with Reiki energy, learning the Seichim symbols can deepen the connection to client sessions and personal meditation. To explore the symbols themselves in more detail, visit our glossary of energy healing symbols. For a step-by-step comparison of major Reiki systems, see our guide on Karuna Reiki vs. Usui Reiki vs. Seichim. The symbols are not ancient. They are not universal. But for the practitioners who use them, they are precise, effective, and grounded in direct experience.