Holy Fire® Reiki is a modern evolution of traditional Usui Reiki, introduced through the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT). The term "Holy Fire" refers to a specific quality of healing energy — one that feels purifying, gentle, and deeply intelligent. Rather than being designed or invented, it emerged through a series of spiritual transmissions received by ICRT founder William Lee Rand beginning in 2014, and has continued to evolve since.

What makes Holy Fire® distinctive is that the energy itself guides the healing process. Rather than flowing through the practitioner's personal energy field, Holy Fire® energy comes from a higher source directly — meaning the practitioner's own energy is not involved in the transmission. This creates a cleaner, more refined experience for both the student and the recipient.

Traditional Usui Reiki is the foundational system of Reiki practice — honoring the lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, and Hawayo Takata. It works with symbols, hand positions, and attunements to channel healing energy. This tradition remains deeply respected and is the root from which all modern Reiki systems have grown.

Holy Fire® Reiki builds on this foundation while working with a more refined, higher-vibrational frequency. A few key differences:

• In traditional Reiki, the teacher physically moves around the student during the attunement process. In Holy Fire® Reiki, the ignition — the process of connecting the student to the Reiki energy — happens through meditation. The teacher's personal energy is not involved at all, which creates a purer transmission.

• Holy Fire® energy tends to feel gentler yet more powerful, with an intelligence that continues working in the student long after the training ends.

• Because of this refinement, Levels I and II can be taught together over two days in a grounded, well-paced container — honoring both tradition and the needs of modern students.

Think of Holy Fire® not as a replacement for Usui Reiki, but as a natural evolution — the same roots, a more refined expression, responding to where humanity is right now.

There are three core levels in the Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki system, plus additional advanced trainings for those who wish to go deeper:

Level I + II — Foundation This is where your Reiki journey begins. Over two days you'll receive your placements, learn the foundational principles and techniques of Holy Fire® Reiki, and leave with the ability to practice Reiki on yourself and others.

Holy Fire® World Peace Reiki Master — Advanced Practice & Teaching The Holy Fire® World Peace Reiki Master training combines the traditional Level III and ART (Advanced Reiki Training) into one immersive experience. Here you'll go deeper into the Holy Fire® energy, work specifically with its symbols, and develop the skills to teach and attune others. Because Holy Fire® energy is so refined, this entire training can be completed over the course of two weekends.

Karuna Reiki® Master — Specialized Healing After completing the Reiki Master level, you may choose to continue into Karuna Reiki® — a system that works with toning and chanting to go deeper into the body's healing process. Karuna Reiki® addresses specific physical and emotional challenges within the body and mental health, working at a cellular level with compassionate, high-vibrational energy.

Holy Fire® Animal Reiki Level I + II — Earth & Animal Consciousness Animal Reiki is a beautiful next step that works with the consciousness of Mother Earth and the natural world. While it is deeply beneficial for supporting the healing of animals, it also opens the practitioner to a profound connection with the Earth itself — helping us, as citizens of this planet, develop a deeper relationship with our surroundings and all living beings.

No prior experience is needed for Level I + II. This is your entry point into Reiki, and it's designed to meet you exactly where you are. All trainings are held in an intimate, trauma-informed, and nervous-system-aware container, so whether you're brand new to energy healing or have been on a spiritual path for years, you are welcome here.

Each training is two days long, with a minimum of four to six hours of instruction per day. Along with the attunement, students learn how to give treatments and practice hands-on during the training itself. That said, Reiki is a lifelong practice — the training opens the door, and the real learning unfolds in the weeks and months that follow.

Yes — and this is actually more traditional than many people realize. Teaching Reiki I and II together has historical precedent going back to Hawayo Takata herself, who sometimes taught both levels back to back. In Japan, Chiyoko Yamaguchi — trained directly by Chujiro Hayashi — taught Reiki I and II together in a five-day class, which is how Hayashi Sensei taught when traveling.

What makes this possible with Holy Fire® Reiki specifically is that the ignition process happens through meditation rather than a hands-on attunement. This means the training can unfold in a more intentional, spacious way — allowing both levels to be integrated thoughtfully over two full days, followed by a 21-day integration period.

Reiki is not meant to be rigid. What matters most is the integrity of the teaching, the readiness of the students, and the teacher's ability to hold a grounded, well-paced container.

Yes — all Reiki trainings are available both in person in New York City and virtually for students anywhere in the world. Energetically there is no difference. The attunements and placements transmitted in Holy Fire® Reiki are equally powerful at a distance, as distance healing has been part of the Reiki tradition for centuries.

Energetically, there is no difference. This surprises many people — but distance healing has been part of the Reiki tradition for over a century, and the Holy Fire® system in particular transmits beautifully virtually.

Because Holy Fire® ignitions happen through meditation rather than physical touch, the process translates seamlessly online. The energy knows no distance. In fact, the refinement of Holy Fire® energy — and the evolution of Reiki that has happened in recent years — has made virtual training not just possible, but genuinely powerful.

In-person trainings in New York City offer the added richness of shared physical space, hands-on practice with fellow students, and direct in-room connection with Nicole. Virtual trainings offer the same depth of transmission and certification, with the flexibility to join from anywhere in the world.

Both are equally valid paths into Reiki.

Yes. Please email hello@nicolerutsch.com to set up a payment plan that works for you.

In-person Reiki trainings are held in New York City. Please reach out to hello@nicolerutsch.com for current location details and upcoming training dates.

Reach out anytime — Nicole is happy to help you figure out which training is the right fit, or simply connect before you commit.

📩 Email hello@nicolerutsch.com to book a discovery call or ask anything at all.