What Is Sekhem? An Introduction to the Egyptian Lineage

Sekhem is an Egyptian-lineage energy healing tradition, often described as Egyptian Reiki. It's channeled, hands-on work passed down through teacher-to-student certification, in the same family as Reiki but tracing its roots to the healing traditions of ancient Egypt rather than early 20th century Japan. Jason Donaldson is a certified master Sekhem practitioner on Hawai'i Island, trained by Juliet Carillo, whose teacher is Gamal, a fifth-generation alchemist in Egypt.

Where the name comes from

Sekhem is sometimes rendered differently depending on the teaching lineage: Sekhem, Seichim, SKHM. These names and lineages have overlapping but disputed histories. What follows focuses only on Jason's practice and training, not a full survey of every branch. For the history of how those names relate, see Seichim vs SKHM vs Sekhem.

The tradition is described as "the first energy, the power of powers," connected to Egyptian healing and priest practices. In Jason's words, "it has always existed" and was "simply remembered" by practitioners working with it today, rather than newly invented.

How it works, in practical terms

Sekhem is channeled through two points: the soul chakra, about twelve inches above the head, which Jason compares to the Akashic records, holding the felt memory of every lifetime, and the earth chakra, about twelve inches below the feet, which grounds the work in the body and the planet. Where many energy traditions focus on the present body and its current state, Sekhem as Jason practices it works multidimensionally, touching past, future, and what he calls parallel lives at a soul or monadic level.

The tradition also works with the Neteru, the Egyptian gods and goddesses, understood as cosmic archetypal energies and star family rather than figures from a textbook. Horus the falcon. Sekhmet the lion. Thoth the ibis. Anubis, described as the way-shower of the inner world. Jason describes his own role simply: "I am merely the channel. They do the work."

What happens in a session

A session runs 90 minutes and costs $222, online, or in person by request. The work often begins before the session itself, in dreams or small meaningful moments leading up to it. In the room, Jason grounds you into deep relaxation, then channels energy with hands over the body, layering in sound, vibration, sage, cedar, and Egyptian oils. Afterward you journal, then debrief together: Jason shares what came through on his end, and a couple of cards are pulled for confirmation. The work often continues for days or up to a week after the session ends.

Experiences with Sekhem vary from person to person. Clients have described feelings of deep relaxation, warmth, emotional release, greater clarity, peacefulness, and a stronger sense of connection with themselves. Some people also describe physical sensations or shifts during or following a session. These experiences are personal and are not presented as expected or guaranteed outcomes. Sekhem is complementary support, never a guaranteed fix, and Jason is direct that some things aren't meant to be removed because the healing is the path itself, not a shortcut around it.

Why some people are drawn to it specifically

People tend to come to Sekhem for one of a few reasons. Some have already tried Reiki and are curious about what a related but different tradition offers. Some are specifically drawn to Egyptian spirituality, the Neteru, or the idea of star family and want a practice that works with those energies directly rather than abstractly. Others come because they've had their own unexplained experiences, a recurring dream, a strong pull toward a particular archetype, and are looking for someone who can hold that kind of material without dismissing it or over-explaining it away. Jason's own path into Sekhem started from that last place: unbidden experiences with figures like Anubis that led him to seek out formal training rather than the other way around.

Who practices Sekhem

Sekhem lineages trace to different teachers and certification paths, and not every practitioner trained the same way or claims the same history. Jason's specific lineage runs through Juliet Carillo and her teacher, Gamal, in Egypt. If you want the fuller picture of how Sekhem, Seichim, and SKHM relate as names and lineages, see that comparison, or read how Sekhem and Reiki lineages connect.

Sekhem as part of a larger practice

For Jason specifically, Sekhem doesn't stand alone. He also facilitates Galactic Breathing, a breathwork method he created, inspired by Wim Hof and Stan Grof, and offers tarot and energy signature readings, a practice he's carried since 2007. None of these are Sekhem itself, but clients who work with Jason across more than one offering often describe a cumulative effect: breathwork opening things up, Sekhem going deeper into what surfaced, tarot helping make sense of the pattern afterward. You don't need to book more than one to benefit from any single session, but it's worth knowing the fuller practice if you're curious.

How Sekhem is taught and passed on

Like Reiki, Sekhem is passed through a certification process rather than learned purely from books. A student trains directly with a teacher, often over an extended period, before being certified to practice. This is part of why lineage matters so much in this field: it's the record of who actually trained whom, in a space without external licensing boards to verify claims independently. Jason's own certification came after a period of direct, unbidden experience with the Neteru that led him to seek formal guidance, rather than starting from curiosity about the modality in the abstract.

A note on approaching this with an open mind

You don't have to already believe in past lives, star family, or Egyptian archetypal energies to get something out of a Sekhem session. Plenty of clients approach it with curiosity rather than conviction, and Jason meets people wherever they're starting from. What matters more than prior belief is a willingness to relax, pay attention, and let the session unfold without forcing an outcome in either direction, toward belief or toward skepticism.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sekhem the same as Reiki?

Related but not the same. Both are channeled, hands-on energy work, but different lineages: Reiki traces to early 20th century Japan, Sekhem to ancient Egyptian tradition. See the full comparison.

What does "soul chakra" and "earth chakra" mean in Sekhem?

The soul chakra is described as roughly twelve inches above the head, holding the felt record of past lifetimes. The earth chakra is roughly twelve inches below the feet, grounding the work in the body and the earth.

How long is a Sekhem session and what does it cost?

90 minutes, $222, online, or in person by request on Hawai'i Island.

Is Sekhem a medical treatment?

No. It's complementary energy work. It doesn't replace medical or mental health care.

Who is Jason Donaldson's teacher?

Juliet Carillo, whose own teacher is Gamal, a fifth-generation alchemist in Egypt known for his Egyptian oils.