What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a simple, gentle, hands-on energy technique that is used for stress reduction and relaxation. Discovered and developed in Japan, Reiki means Universal Life Energy.

What does a Reiki session look like?

During an Equinox Reiki session, you can expect to lay comfortably and fully dressed on a massage table. I will rest my hands gently on different areas of your body with the goal of balancing, clearing, and invigorating energy. When your energy is vitalized and balanced, your physical and mental systems are strengthened and fortified to function more efficiently. You may feel more refreshed, clear, creative, strong, calm, safe, and content.

What about Distance Reiki?

Reiki is so cool that it works even when the client and practitioner are not in the same room. You can be anywhere in the world (I wonder if anyone has tried Distance Reiki with Astronauts?) and receive the benefits of Reiki! This is a great option for clients who prefer to safely stay home or are not local.

A Distance Reiki session will begin with a phone or zoom connection to discuss your current state and any specific needs you have for the session. Then you may find a comfortable place to sit or lay while Reiki is being sent. I will reconnect afterwards to discuss and help integrate anything that came up during the session.

If you want your session to be Distance Reiki, please say so when you book. Let me know if you prefer to connect via phone or zoom.

What is Seva Reiki?

Seva is a Sanskrit word meaning selfless service. All donations and tips given to Equinox are used to provide Reiki in hospitals, hospices, and care centers. Because of restrictions due to COVID-19, I'm now offering in office Seva Reiki to people in acute outpatient treatment. Learn more HERE.

Where are you?

I work from my home-based office in Old Southwest Reno, about 1.3 miles from Midtown and 1.7 miles from Downtown. When you book your appointment, I will share my address with you via email.

How are you handling Covid?

I am only accepting vaccinated clients in person. I may ask to see your vaccination card. Distance Reiki is a convenient option for the unvaccinated.

Is there anything else I should know?

Reiki is not a replacement for medical or mental health care, but works quite well in tandem with treatments offered by licensed medical, holistic, and mental health professionals.

Ok, I think I'm ready. What if I have more questions?

In your initial session, we can talk through any questions or concerns you may have before beginning treatment. There will be no surprises!

How do I book my Reiki session?

Please text (775-360-6428) or email (laurie@equinoxempire.org) to set up your appointment. I'm currently booking one-hour appointments to allow the session to be what it needs to be for each client each day. I will prorate the cost based on the actual length of the session, usually between 30 minutes ($30) and 60 minutes ($60).

How do Tarot Readings work?

In person Readings are the traditional method of providing Tarot Readings. When you arrive for your appointment, we'll work with the cards to find guidance and answers to your questions. I read free form, customized to the questions and needs of each client, and sometimes use spreads.

How do Virtual Tarot Readings work?

Virtual Readings are a safe and convenient alternative to meeting in person, and the quality of the reading is just as strong.

If you want your reading to be virtual, please say so when you book. Let me know if you prefer to connect via phone or zoom.

Do you read Tarot at events?

Absolutely! I love doing events. Please contact me to see how I fit into your event plan and to get a quote.

Should I bring questions to my Tarot Reading?

Yes! You can make the most of your reading by sitting for a moment (or a few) and thinking of the questions you want to ask. Consider what it is you really want to know, what you're most confused about, or where you feel like you're missing information. Do this in the days leading up to your appointment, and write down notes to bring with you.

This article has some great tips about asking Tarot questions.

If you're unsure, do not worry! I can help you find the best questions at your reading. Do what you can, and we will let the rest unfold.

Where are you?

I work from my home-based office in Old Southwest Reno, about 1.3 miles from Midtown and 1.7 miles from Downtown. When you book your appointment, I will share my address with you via email.

How are you handling Covid?

I am only accepting vaccinated clients in person. I may ask to see your vaccination card. Virtual readings are a convenient option for the unvaccinated.

Is there anything else I should know?

Some people like to say Tarot is cheaper than counseling, and while that is probably true, I want to stress that I am not a licensed mental health professional. Tarot is a tool but not a treatment or cure. If you struggle with mental health issues (don't we all?), I encourage you to establish a relationship with a mental health professional to be sure you have the support you need.

Same goes for legal and financial advice. Tarot may offer some ideas or directions, but before making any big changes, please consult a professional to help you map out a detailed plan.

How do I book my Tarot Reading?

Please text (775-360-6428) or email (laurie@equinoxempire.org) to set up your appointment. I'm currently booking one-hour appointments to allow the reading to be what it needs to be. I will prorate the cost based on the actual length of the reading, usually between 30 minutes ($40) and 60 minutes ($80).

You make candles?

Yes, I do. I'm a fire witch! Quick story - I started playing with candle magic, wasn't thrilled with the candles I was finding, so I decided to make my own Spell Candles. I wanted to make them as earth friendly and magically powerful as possible, so I built a candle lab. I developed a process to dye them with natural plant material (no other candle maker has OCD'd their way into this particular project), selected the best wax, containers, and wicks, and mixed my own magical dressing oils and herbs.

Once I had all the candle making supplies, knowledge, and skills, I went about the same process to create Ritual Candles to use with clients and in my own personal practices. They are infused with essential oil blends to support those on the spiritual path. The blends were designed with consideration to both their magical properties and balanced top/middle/base notes to create a powerful tool for altar, ceremony, ritual, and meditation work.

I have pulled back from selling candles for a lot of reasons, but I do use them in Reiki Sessions and Tarot Readings, and I offer Spell Candle Services (I burn them for you). I can burn candles continuously and address any burn issues that crop up, and I provide daily video reports. It can be remarkably helpful to burn Spell Candles between Reiki and Tarot appointments to continue the work.

You can buy Spell Candle Services HERE.

What's this about a Witch's Solar Calendar?

I've developed a calendar/journal that organizes the year into eight sections according to the seasons and the witch's Wheel of the Year. It begins on November 1, 2021, to coincide with the Witch's New Year.

Click HERE to learn more and order your Witch's Solar Calendar.

Equinox Academy is a collection of educational programs and resources which offer a holistic way to find balance at all levels - from deep within all the way through the expansive spaces without. Please consider our offerings and decide what calls to you.

All classes and gatherings are held at Local Beer Works at 955 S. Virginia St. in Reno.

Tarot Circle: Reno

Aaron Lozano teaches Tarot for all levels, using various teaching methods to keep Tarot fun and accessible.

The first hour, Aaron will offer a short lecture and an exercise to open up our psychic abilities. During the second hour, we will be practicing readings on each other to strengthen our confidence as a reader. You will be able to ask questions throughout the morning.

Bring your favorite Tarot/Oracle deck, a notepad and pen, and an open mind. Open to everyone, from beginner to seasoned reader.

$20 per class

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday from 10 am until noon

Click HERE to Register for Tarot Circle: Reno

Wait, Who is Aaron?

Aaron Lozano, of Turtle Heart Tarot, has been studying the Tarot for over 20 years. He believes that Tarot is part of everything, and when used properly, can facilitate great healing. Please go to Aaron's website and blog to learn more about his teaching work.

Sabbat Gatherings

In addition to classes, we host community gatherings to celebrate powerful moments in lunar and solar cycles. Our last event was the Samhain Gathering on October 29 at 6 pm. We taught a series of spells that work with each element - fire, earth, water, and air.

Click HERE to view the Equinox Academy Google Calendar.

Hi. I'm Laurie Maren - Reiki Master, Tarot Reader, Fire Witch, and Founder of Equinox.

Let's take those one at a time.

Reiki Master

Reiki entered into my life many years ago when I was in the pit of stupefying depression and anxiety. A therapist recommended Reiki, and I began receiving treatments regularly. Reiki has been essential to my healing and survival as I then dealt with faith crisis and transition, divorce, loss of community, back injury, surgery, EMDR trauma therapy, and psychic opening. BTW, not all change is bad.

I received my Reiki I training with Kim Roubo and Whitney Tierney years before I ever considered offering Reiki to others. I then stumbled into a training program that included additional modalities (vibrational therapy, development of psychic senses, shadow work) along with Reiki I, II, and Master certification. Afterwards, I did additional practicum work with Whitney Tierney to integrate my learning. I began her "advanced" (my word) Reiki Master Training in June 2021 and will complete it May 2022.

Because of my personal experience, I understand deeply how Reiki energy feels, and I hold great honor and respect for its power to heal. I find immense clarity and expansion when I offer Reiki. Each of my clients is a gift.

Also note, as a parent of teenagers and a Reiki practitioner, I continue to receive Reiki regularly to maintain and improve my mental, physical, spiritual, and energetic health. We never stop growing, and this is integral to my self care.

Tarot Reader

I found Tarot in a period of faith transition. Leaving the Mormon church, I wanted to explore all of the things I had been afraid of before - things that had been called "evil" or "anti-Mormon". I quickly learned a lesson I thought I already knew, that all methods of spirituality are valid and worthy of respect inasmuch as they cause no harm and help a person feel more centered and connected with themselves and the universe around them. For me, Tarot was the thing that kept calling for more study and practice.

It was actually my second Reiki training that truly opened my psychic senses and shifted how I was reading Tarot. It released an awareness in me that had been hibernating, protecting me from judgement and exclusion during a time when I was not allowed to use and express these skills. (I believe everyone is psychic. You just have to find your language and tune in.)

Finding a Tarot teacher and mentor shifted my confidence, and his continued guidance and direction led me to read professionally before I ever would have recognized my readiness or my value as a reader on my own. I'm still shocked sometimes, at the positive impact my readings can have, and I am always honored by people's willingness to share their lives with me. I learn from every client.

Here's what it boils down to for me: Tarot can be a tool for greater growth and augmented understanding. I read the energy of the cards to provide more insight and new perspective in your life. I have studied Tarot since 2018 with experienced teachers and mentors. My readings are informed by my training in psychic development, trauma healing, shadow work, and Reiki. I’m naturally a left-brained, type A, efficiency and organizational expert, so my readings cut right to the point. I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear, but I will tell you what you need to hear, with love and compassion. Life can be a gross, confusing, ugly, painful mess. I use Tarot to get out of the muck to find the deep, powerful, gracious, beautiful, intelligent, strong, authentic YOU.

Fire Witch

I have always been a bit of a pyro, so when I started getting into magic, Candle Magic made perfect sense to me. I started collecting candles and books and spells and quickly decided I wanted to make my own candles. One reason was that I figured it would be more cost effective to pour my own candles since I was running to the stores constantly. Another reason was so that I could control the wax and wicks and containers, especially because no one was coloring soy wax naturally the way I envisioned it could be done. Though maybe the biggest reason was so that I could put even more magic into the candle throughout the creation process to support my work.

I started researching and experimenting to create the best candles I could make to use for my magic. Once I created a product I liked, I started offering them to my Reiki and Tarot clients to support their journeys as well.

I am also proud to be the Resident Fire Witch at Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company in Reno, NV. If your company/org needs a Resident Fire Witch, contact me to learn more.

Founder of Equinox

Yeah, I did it. What of it? No, I actually care and have all sorts of fancy stuff written about what I'm trying to do here. Check it out in the next section "What is Equinox".

Vision

Equinox envisions a world where all life exists in compassion, equity, connection, and sovereignty.

Mission

Our mission is to guide people into balance following the perfect example of natural cycles.

Values

Balance: This is our core value. It informs everything we do. Equinox is the balance between light and dark, day and night, erratic energy and dull energy, apathy and struggle, the past and the future. We strive to find balance in all aspects of our work.

Compassion: We meet each person where they are, with tenderness and care.

Equity: We recognize and champion each person's lived experience.

Connection: We nurture each person's sense of safety, security, and belonging.

Sovereignty: We honor the power and strength of each person's authenticity.

Commitments

Traditional Land: We recognize that Equinox’s physical spaces are located in Reno, Nevada, on the unceded land of the Numu and Washeshu People. Before the European invasion, The People lived harmoniously, migrating strategically in cycles with the seasons, for thousands of years. The People continue to inhabit and manage these lands. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, work, and grow on their territory and to learn from their example and experience. You may read more about The People at rsic.org, as well as many other sources.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity: We value all voices and perspectives and require them in all spaces. We endeavor to use whatever power and privilege we have to support people without it. We fight against anyone or anything that strives to do the opposite.

Seva: We use all donations to expand our services to those in hospitals, hospices, and other care centers.

Generosity: We put five percent of our proceeds towards Seva work. We also set aside five percent for donation to other nonprofits. We select these organizations using a collaborative process to ensure our impact meets the widest area of need and aligns with our values.