The Second Degree requires that the student has completed the First Degree and has had sufficient practice for the energy to be flowing with less variation in intensity. Usually at least three months will have passed since the student took the First Degree.
In the second degree Reiki initiation, the central channel is opened up to a greater level, and the amount of energy that can be channelled increases.

The student receives three symbols:

• The Power Symbol. This increases the amount of energy that can be channelled. It enables the student to open and close the energy connection when treating himself or others. It allows the student to use the Universal energy to cleanse and purify places energetically. The power symbol can also be used as a protection around a home, car etc.

• The Mental Symbol. This allows the student to enter into a different level of energy, which works on the mental and emotional levels of the person receiving the energy. It is therefore used for mental and emotional healing. It is particularly helpful in dealing with anger, sadness, anxiety, depression and problems with relationshipsand when sending Reiki to the cause of a condition. . It can also be used to help stop unwanted habits such as smoking.

• The Distance Symbol. This allows healing to be sent at a distance. The recipient does not have to be physically present, but could be anywhere in the world. This symbol can also be used to send Reiki into the future. If the student wants to send Reiki to something he plans to do, he simply asks the energy to arrive at a particular time, and it will be ready when that time comes. This also works for the past. Reiki can be sent to specific events in the past, or to the cause of a problem, even if the cause is unknown.