Louise Westerhout

REIKI

I have been a Reiki Master since 2000 and have taught hundreds of students throughout the world, sometimes in formal environments, sometimes just passing attunements in nature under spontaneous moments with friends, strangers, loved ones. My teacher Rita Baptista (a Franciscan nun) was 5th generation and was an old woman when I studied with her.  For me she represents a style of teaching we see less and less in the world and I cherish and try to uphold her gentle and disciplined approach and deeply wise teachings.  I encourage all students to become Masters/teachers as I feel the gift of Reiki needs to reach all as it is one of the truly sacred healing modalities available to anyone, and for this reason I try to charge modestly and do not turn anyone away for lack of funds.

There is so much information on Reiki everywhere, but none of it will tell or show you just how simple and powerful it is once it is in your body.  Reiki allows us all to have the ability to heal ourselves and others. Anyone can have it, use it, benefit from it and share it. It is transformational, the ability to draw from the natural Universal energetic field around us for the benefit of wholeness and health is our birthright.

 Please contact me should you wish to study or learn more about Reiki 1,2 or Masters.

YOGA

I have been a devotee of Swami Venkatesananda for 25 years and a teacher since 1997. I had a traditional teacher’s apprenticeship for 3 years with my teacher Sita Blomkamp, a devotee of Swami Venkatesananda and in her 70’s when she taught me entirely free of charge. I am proud to belong to the lineage, to honour their traditional methods of upholding the teachings of the guru, serving others, teaching, self realization and imparting knowledge.

As a disabled person and a Stage 4 cancer survivor  I’m very interested in the consciousness that adapted bodies have.  For me the successful hatha yoga asana has less to do with physical virtuosity and more to do with self-awareness, metaphysical alignment and understanding of energy.

As a vegan feminist I apply current post-humanist and queer critical theory in order to live an ethical life and I find this blends perfectly with my spiritual study and the teachings, lectures on Bhagavad-Gita, and commentaries on Sutras of Swami Venkatesananda and Sat Guru HH Swami Sivananda (some now almost 100yrs old!)

“The soul is nothing more than a reflection of the Self, the sole reality, which is indwelling, omnipresent. It is in you, but not confined to the individuality. It gives reality to the entire personality.” 

– Swami Venkatesananda

Looking forward to learning and transforming together.

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

THERAPY/ ENERGY WORK/ MASSAGE

I have been seeing clients since 1997 and use various techniques and modalities depending on their needs.  A typical session may begin with a chat, stay a counselling session with perhaps a physical energy balance at the end.  Or if the client requires more physical help we do a blend of Reiki, massage, acupressure, energy balancing. These days its more likely to be a talk or tarot reading or distance healing via Whatsapp video.  We humans change and evolve.  I would love to think that, as a deeply imperfect being myself, I inspire us all to have compassion for ourselves.  Our crises can be challenging but can also be pathways to transformation.  I’m always thrilled and honoured and interested in the journeys of my clients, all who I learn from and trust that they know best.  I’m simply there to reflect to them what they already know. Our journey of self realisation sometimes needs support.  I have benefitted immensely from the support I have received from teachers, therapists and friends.  I view my practice as a safe  space where I can offer support and keep evolving myself.  I truly love it.

TUITION AND COMMUNITY THINGS

As a Wiccan I regularly run Full Moon ceremonies, and have students who apprenticing the craft.  As a vegan I am often holding cooking courses.

I teach Tarot and divination.

Reiki 1,2 and Master’s level

Also massage, yoga, meditation.

I teach one on one, groups and in person and online.

I have married people!

Let nothing impede our thirst to learn and evolve together and create a powerful and self healing, generative community.

SUPERNATURAL (WORKSHOPS)

12 Week Immersive Study

Research and craft at your own pace. Develop a sustained, intimate relationship to natural energy and the subtle, magical realms as a reflection of your spirit, for harmonising, balancing and transformation.  Access to inner resources, self-awareness and  belonging are our birthright. 

This on demand course is designed to give you time and inspiration to  heal, step forward and take up your magic mantle. 

“The soul is nothing more than a reflection of the Self, the sole reality, which is indwelling, omnipresent. It is in you, but not confined to the individuality. It gives reality to the entire personality.”  – Swami Venkatesananda

As spiritual study is first and foremost that of self, primary focus shall always be on 1) routines and practices for enhanced physical life, 2) mental development, emotional clarity and exploration of consciousness, 3) the fullest expression of your authentic personality. We shall be drawing largely from Hindu spiritual texts, and finding common magical practices from vudun, wicca, paganism although these are merely starting blocks. Students are encouraged to research and draw from many spiritual traditions according to their interests, traditions and calling.

All research and discussion is within posthumanist, decolonised, queer normative frameworks. 

Coursework includes but is not limited to:

Week 1

Origins of magic.

What do we mean by: lineage, teachers, ancestors, history, culture, ethics, stereotypes, community?

Week 2

Sacred mysteries vs rationalist science.

Myths and  folklore. Deities. Wicca, Vudun,paganism, shamanism.

Week 3

The natural world: herbal lore: familiars: elements:minerals: sun and moon: seasonal cycles.

Week 4

Healing, trauma, delusion.

shrines: altars.

Week 5

Inner work:meditation: visualisation, raising energy,grounding,clearing, running energy.

Week 6

Yoga, dance, Tai Chi, qi gong, Reiki, sex magic, gardening, diet and lifestyle.

Week 7

Spells, spellmaking, circle casting, wands.

Week 8

Spells continued. Symbols.

Week 9

Rituals, ceremonies. Creating and planning and setting intentions.

Week 10

Divination. 

Week 11 and 12 to be determined. Includes conclusion/beginning ceremony.

This is primarily an online course.  Notes and worksheets are provided but all students are encouraged to also do their own research.   There will be a once-weekly 1hr Zoom meeting for discussion and feedback purposes.  I am always contactable and students may organise private time with me. Each week will have practical and research homework so that you develop skills and your own personal style naturally and incrementally. 

Course fees

R600 deposit to secure space, then 300 per week (or however you wish) R3600 paid in full before 12th week.

Or R3000 (single payment) as registration and payment in full before the 12week course begins. 

My name is Louise Westerhout and I have been a devotee of Swami Venkatesananda, and yoga teacher for 25 years, a sixth generation Reiki Master for 20 years and a Wiccan for 15 years. I am a disabled person, cancer survivor..I would love you to join me on this exciting journey!

The Mother Charge

“ Whenever you have need of me, once in the month when the moon is full, meet together and adore me, for I am the Queen of all Witchery. Assemble there all you who would learn; to you I will teach things that are yet unknown, You shall be free from all slavery and as a sign that you are free you shall be joyful in your rights… for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine is joy on Earth, for my law is love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest ideals and let nothing stop you or turn you aside. Mine is the secret door which opens upon the door of youth and mine is the cup of life, the Cauldron of Cerridwen which is the Grail of Immortality. I am the Goddess who gives the gift of joy to the mortal heart. Upon Earth I give knowledge of the eternal Spirit and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice for I am the Mother of all living and my love is poured out upon the Earth.”