Welcome to an enlightening conversation with Abigail Kochunas, a multifaceted individual who seamlessly intertwines the realms of artistry and holistic healing. Abigail is not just an artist; she’s a visionary whose brush strokes breathe life into her canvases, an actor whose performances resonate deeply, and an author whose words stir the soul. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Abigail is a seasoned Crystal Reiki Practitioner, wielding the power of Usui Reiki I and II, Energy Medicine, Core Wound Healing, and Shamanism with finesse honed over 25 years of dedicated practice. As the author of “Post Cult Life” on Substack, Abigail fearlessly delves into the depths of human experience, offering insights that transcend conventional narratives. Her monthly Reiki drum healing circles and meditation classes serve as sanctuaries for those seeking inner peace and spiritual rejuvenation in the bustling landscape of Los Angeles. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into the fascinating world of Abigail Kochunas, where art, spirituality, and healing converge to inspire and uplift.
What inspired you to combine your artistic talents with your expertise in crystal Reiki healing?
Well, I’ve been an artist my entire life – painting and writing being my first loves before performing became my focus. I’ve also been drawn to crystals since I was about five and have been working with them for years. During the pandemic, I returned to painting after a spiritual awakening. I had been having powerful dreams and meditations. I’d also been drawn to a collection of antique crystals that I’d inherited from my late grandfather, (with whom I share a profound connection), wondering how I would use them. He used to collect, tumble and polish crystals, making jewelry with them. And after seeing a very vivid image of a painting with his crystals on it in a meditation, it was clear that was the creation asking to be birthed. Frequency shifting art.
By merging color therapy with crystal healing, I aim to create artwork that influences the frequency of its environment and audience, even when not actively viewed. It’s functional healing art.
Each creation is a channeling process, whether through dreams, meditations, or sudden insights. This inspired the name of my company, Sacred Healing Art. Moreover, I believe in the therapeutic power of both creating and experiencing art.
Drawing from my background in acting and stage production, I am attuned to the energy and impact of our environments and spaces. So I strive to cultivate an environment that feels sacred, safe, and conducive to healing – making sure the lighting and temperature are just right and incorporating custom aromatherapy and soundscapes into my healing sessions. In my view, both creating art and facilitating healing are sacred endeavors. They intertwine seamlessly, with each informing and enhancing the other. Whether I am painting or guiding a client through a healing session, I approach it with reverence and artistic sensitivity, recognizing the inherent sanctity in both acts.
How do you see the intersection of art and healing within your workshops and classes, and what outcomes do you hope participants achieve?
My primary goal is to get people to break free from the linear, structured mindset prevalent in our society, to find their truth and gifts. We’ve become disconnected from that, and it’s important to have a balance of both intuition and logic. Many of us have been conditioned to ignore our gut instincts and intuition, which are inherently powerful. I seek to empower individuals to release themselves from the constraints of societal programming, self-criticism, and judgment. Instead, guiding them through meditation and movement to embrace this approach to creating and allowing them to tap into their intuition and explore their creative impulses without limitations.
During these workshops, participants are encouraged to let go of preconceived notions and explore their emotional and sensory responses to the creative process. Rather than adhering to strict rules, plans or expectations, I gently guide them to connect with their inner selves and express their emotions freely through art. This approach draws parallels with shamanic practices, emphasizing the importance of tapping into the subconscious, the spiritual element of art, and allowing for authentic expression.
Through these workshops and articles on my Substack platform, I share the concept of “Art Alchemy” — using creating acts as a form of therapy to transmute trauma and pain. My intent is to help individuals access their inner voice and reclaim their power through artistic expression. Personally, I find that creating art allows me to enter an altered state, where I am fully immersed in the creative process – that flow state – and free from the restrictions of being stuck in the logical, rational mind.
Having grown up with ample exposure to art, music and dance classes, I also understand the importance of creative expression in fostering mental well-being and problem-solving skills. Studies have shown that art education positively impacts performance in other academic areas, such as math and science. For more information on some of those studies, there’s a great article here.
This is why I do this work. To provide people with the time and space to slow down, tune into their hearts, and explore their creative expression. I find it especially important in today’s hyper-connected noisy world. Ultimately, I hope to instill in people the confidence to engage in conscious, intentional creation as a means of exploring their internal landscapes and discovering their true selves. I believe that all the answers lie within each individual, and my passion lies in supporting others on their journey of self-discovery through creative expression.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer remote Reiki and intuitive reading sessions, seeing clients from all over the world. And I also see clients in person in Los Angeles where I’m based. In these sessions, I combine crystal Reiki with sound healing and custom aromatherapy. I’m trained and attuned in Usui Reiki I and II and work intuitively to discern what’s for the highest healing good of my clients. Crystals are placed on the client’s body to amplify the effects of Reiki (crystal grids used in remote sessions), and I incorporate shamanic sound healing using a drum and rattle. Additionally, I create custom aromatherapy blends tailored to each individual’s needs, channeling the blend the day before or the morning of the session. Clients leave with a bottle of their custom channeled blend that also includes crystals inside and is Reiki-charged. Remote client’s get their custom blend shipped to them after our session.
Drawing from my upbringing in Paganism and lifelong interest in and use of herbalism and plant-based healing, I integrate my knowledge of aromatherapy with intuitive insights. I select organic and wild-harvested essential oils based not only on their therapeutic properties, but also on the emotional and energetic vibrations they impart. I am consistently [still] surprised and happy when clients resonate with their aromatherapy blend and its intentions.
This multi-sensory experience enhances the overall healing process, incorporating touch, scent, and sound. My approach is trauma-informed, prioritizing informed consent and the client’s sense of personal agency. My focus is to empower my clients. I offer flexibility in the type of Reiki treatment provided, whether hands-on or hands-off. In my intuitive readings I use various card decks, including Tarot, Oracle, and animal decks.
My connection with animals has led me to offer remote Pet Reiki and Animal Communication sessions. I facilitate sessions remotely as animals are often more comfortable in their own environment and are naturally more sensitive to energy. With remote work, I’m able to make a direct connection with their energy body.
Additionally, I teach meditation classes and host monthly Reiki drum healing events in Los Angeles with guided meditation and drum healing to support grounding, heart opening and overall harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
In what ways do you integrate principles of shamanism into your healing practices, and how does it enhance the overall experience for your clients?
It’s funny, I didn’t really delve into Shamanism until just over a year ago. Everything I offer now, even when I started my Reiki training, has always felt like a remembrance of some sort. When I began studying Shamanism, it all felt so familiar and very close to the Pagan practices I was raised with, but it went beyond that. It felt like memories from a past life. Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice on Earth, and I see many elements of it present in various spiritual and religious traditions today.
Having a deep affinity for the Earth, probably rooted in my Taurus Moon, I feel most connected to Source when I’m grounded, walking barefoot, and communing with nature and animals. This connection feels instinctive and profoundly right, so it makes sense that Shamanism suits me. It is also the path of direct revelation – there is no external authority dictating one’s experience or path. The power is within, self-actualized. Having emerged from my own trauma recovery journey after being in a cult, I understand the importance of self-empowerment, autonomy and what sovereignty looks like. Because I recognize the patterns of programming and coercive control within our culture, I think the collective empowerment that Shamanism offers is needed now more than ever. It gives individuals the tools to tap into their innate gifts and ancient wisdom, supporting their self-discovery and healing.
One personal example from my own shamanic journeying meditation is when I journeyed for guidance in healing my body. My guide showed me a specific pill supplement – magnesium. After initially hesitating since I preferred liquid supplements over capsules, I followed the guidance. Standing in the supplement aisle of the grocery store speaking to an associate, I glanced on the shelf and my eye went directly to a bottle of magnesium – a specific type of magnesium that the associate explained is recommended for cardiac support. It helps to alleviate heart palpitations, which I’d been experiencing for the last year. It’s important to note that my cardiologist diagnosed me with what’s known as PVCs, a fairly common mostly benign type of palpitation that can be brought on by stress, anxiety or too much caffeine. Quite extraordinary and miraculous when my “subconscious” guidance supports medical science. This is the type of experiential truth and magical aspect of life that I believe Shamanism can help us reconnect with.
For clients seeking alternative or complementary approaches to their healing journey, shamanic practices can offer ancient tools for modern times and can be an empowering journey that has always been available to us; we just need to reach out and embrace it.
Your artwork was recently showcased in the Emerging Artists Gallery. How does your art reflect your spiritual journey and the principles you teach in your healing sessions?
I believe that being both an artist and a spiritual practitioner reflects the culmination of my life’s journey thus far. As someone who has always been a seeker, curious and eager to learn and discover, I see my creative and spiritual work as the physical manifestation of these two paths. They often intertwine, especially during meditation, where I find inspiration and clarity.
I hold a genuine belief in humanity’s potential to elevate itself. I envision a world where we transcend the duality and polarity that exists, fostering harmony within ourselves, with others, and with the Earth. Recognizing that the Earth sustains us, I advocate for treating it with respect and living in harmony with all its inhabitants, including animals.
In my art, each piece carries a story and specific healing intentions to support individuals at any stage of their journey, encouraging them to delve into their hearts and subconscious to remember their true Self.
Art has been my tool for empowerment, a means through which I have transmuted trauma and released difficult emotions. For those seeking an alternative path to healing, Art Alchemy offers that. Whether through painting, dance, or writing, individuals can explore, heal and transform, fostering a deeper relationship and harmony within themselves.
