Psychology tells us that expectation triggers measurable neurochemical shifts—endorphins, oxytocin, reduced cortisol. But when you sit for a session, the boundary blurs. It’s not just a trick; it’s an alchemical process where belief acts as the catalyst. In tarot, this mirrors Temperance: the blending of opposing forces into a balanced whole. The "energy" isn’t necessarily a mystical river, but the focused intention of practitioner and recipient creating a therapeutic container.

I still treat it like I treat astrological charts: with obsessive precision. You can’t just wave hands and call it Reiki. The alignment, the timing, the mental state—these variables matter. When I’ve sat through sessions, the warmth I felt wasn’t magic; it was my nervous system downshifting. The placebo effect is real, but calling it "elaborate" ignores that real physiological change occurred.

So, is it genuine therapy or placebo? Both. It’s a mind-led body response. As a barista, I watch people’s shoulders drop when they finally exhale. Reiki just gives them permission to do that. The universe doesn’t care about our labels. It only responds to intention.