Michelle Tupper-Brown from Sacred Star Offerings is a dedicated Master Reiki Practitioner with an additional 20 years of experience as a substance abuse professional. Following her personal health challenges, including multiple brain tumors and a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Michelle embarked on a healing journey that transformed her approach to wellness. She now specializes in holistic healing methods that blend Eastern and Western practices, including spiritual counseling, Shamanic techniques, Usui Holy Fire Reiki, and sound healing. Michelle’s mission is to illuminate, heal, and inspire her clients, helping them address physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual barriers to achieve holistic well-being. She offers complimentary consultations to discuss individualized healing pathways. MysticMag finds out more.
Michelle, you describe yourself as a “wounded healer.” How has your personal journey with serious health challenges influenced your approach to healing and working with clients?
In 2013, I experienced what many refer to as a “dark night of the soul.” I had been a substance abuse professional for 30 years, and while I loved my work, it became increasingly clear that Spirit had a different path for me. I had first sensed this back in 1994 during a meditation when a powerful, fluid orange orb appeared in front of me. It was an overwhelming moment that marked the beginning of my spiritual awakening. I felt every emotion simultaneously, an experience unlike anything else in my life—except for a near-death experience I had at age 6 when I drowned. That event, I believe, accelerated many of my abilities, but I had suppressed them over the years, especially as they were not accepted by my family. Later in my early teens I found drugs became a way to quiet the spiritual voice within me.
In my early 20s, I found recovery and went on to become a counselor. I raised three children, navigated a new marriage, and continued my career. Yet, I always knew Spirit wanted me to use my gifts in a different way. While I had done a great deal of healing around emotional wounds, such as those stemming from sexual violence, I had not yet connected the dots between trauma, emotions, and the body. Then, in 2013, I was hit with rheumatoid arthritis. It was debilitating—I could hardly move, shower, or even pour a cup of coffee. I eventually had to apply for disability.
It was through this intense physical experience that I began to understand the necessity of holistic healing. The Western medical system, while helpful in managing my condition, made me realize that true wellness involves much more than just treating symptoms. This marked a turning point in my life. I realized I could no longer continue in my comfortable career; Spirit was calling me to something else. My journey into deeper healing began—integrating the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected pieces. You cannot address one without considering the others. That realization has since guided my work and my life.
You integrate a variety of healing modalities like Reiki, Ho’oponopono, Munay Ki, and Womb Wisdom. How do you determine which approach or combination of methods is best suited for each client’s unique healing journey?
One of the key lessons I’ve learned from working in addiction treatment is to see the whole person, not just the addiction. It’s not just about teaching someone to stop using substances—it’s about addressing every aspect of their life: medical issues, emotional challenges, housing, employment, legal needs, and more. This holistic approach is something I carry into my practice now. When I meet a client, I begin by channeling their energy and asking Spirit what they need from me. I prepare by creating an altar specifically for them, guided by intuition and Spirit, which is usually confirmed during the session.
Before the client arrives, I meditate and align myself with their energy, ensuring I’m in tune with what needs to happen during their healing. In our session, I may use tools like cards for confirmation, or have them interact with the altar, especially using stones that help guide our work. Much of my healing involves Reiki, chakra balancing, sound healing, and sometimes the Munay-Ki rites, particularly the Rite of the Womb for women.
For clients who prefer a more scientific approach, I use a system called Bio-Well, which captures energy readings using Kirlian photography and provides a detailed view of their chakras, energy alignment, and balance. This allows us to integrate both the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing with a science-based method, helping those who may be skeptical of more intuitive or spiritual practices. Ultimately, I collaborate with Spirit and my intuition to create a deeply personalized healing experience for each client.
Can you share more about the significance of your Ho’oponopono practice? How does the concept of forgiveness play a role in the healing process for your clients?
Many of my clients come to me suffering from various forms of addiction. I often find that nearly everyone grapples with some kind of “ism,” whether it be substance abuse, food, sex, gambling, debt or codependency. For example: We often believe we are being helpful when, in fact, we may be causing harm, like when we try to soften the blows of loved ones by enabling them.
In these situations, it becomes quite natural for me to guide clients in the practice of cleansing. This practice involves a universal acknowledgment of “I’m sorry.” It’s not just directed at one individual but serves as a broader cleansing process. For instance, if I’m working with someone who has harmed me in the past, I might find myself saying, “I’m sorry” to that person. This might also encompass taking responsibility for my negative thought patterns and acknowledging how I have, at times, mirrored their behaviors.
In this way, I engage in a form of reciprocity. The phrases “I’m sorry, please forgive me” reflect my commitment to personal accountability. It’s akin to a metta prayer, where I wish peace for others, which ultimately becomes a desire for inner peace within myself. Following this, I express gratitude: “Thank you” for the lessons learned from past experiences. These lessons have been instrumental in shaping my purpose, allowing me to support other women who have faced similar challenges.
I often use the full phrase: “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.” Approaching healing from a place of love makes it infinitely more challenging to see others as enemies rather than friends.
When I encounter triggers, like an extremely slow car in front of me, while running late for a meeting I recognize that resisting those feelings only breeds more negativity. Instead, I practice Ho’oponopono in my car, repeating, “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.” Initially, I may feel detached from the words, but with persistence, I eventually connect with their meaning.
This practice enables me to cleanse that energy and strive to come from a place of love. It reminds me that whatever I perceive about others is often an illusion. At our core, we are all spiritual beings; some have simply drifted far from the light and forgotten who they truly are.
What can clients expect during one of your Women’s Circles or Sound Bath Healing sessions, and how do these group healing experiences differ from individual sessions?
My group healing experiences differ significantly from individual sessions, as my circles are deeply influenced by the lunar cycles. I’ve led co-ed circles, which I enjoy, as I appreciate bringing the masculine energy into the space. However, since around 2018, I have focused more on women’s circles, drawing on my extensive background in the substance abuse field where I facilitated various groups. I’ve been gathering women together throughout my life, and these moon circles are designed to be universally spiritual rather than tied to any specific religion.
In these circles, I sometimes introduce a particular goddess or entity that resonates with the energy of the moon. I always ensure to seek permission from participants, emphasizing that if it doesn’t align with their beliefs, that’s perfectly fine. I believe in sharing valuable information regardless of individual backgrounds.
Each circle lasts about two hours. We begin by creating sacred space, often incorporating music to promote grounding and help participants drop into their heart space. I use instruments like drums and rattles to enhance this experience. We usually share a theme or an oracle card, reflecting on how these elements influence our lives and how we can carry that wisdom into the world.
After a brief break, we engage in a ceremonial practice focused on topics for instance of releasing and letting go. There’s something incredibly powerful about women gathering collectively; the camaraderie that develops among regular attendees fosters a deep bond and trust. Together, we become potent forces for healing, whether for ourselves, our community, or the world.
Sound healings are a different experience altogether. I utilize an array of sound equipment and often work in co-ed settings, collaborating with yoga teachers who lead restorative yoga sessions. During these sessions, I play gentle sound bowls in the background, creating a soothing atmosphere. In the last half hour, I integrate all my sound equipment for a more immersive experience.
I’ve noticed that men are increasingly engaging in healing work alongside women. Younger men, particularly those aged 18 to 25, are exploring spiritual practices, often discovering them by chance. After sound baths, I frequently receive inquiries from young men about my process. They want to know the structure behind what I do—whether I took classes or if I follow musical notes.
What’s remarkable is that many of these participants come from backgrounds devoid of spirituality or religious practices. They arrive as skeptics, yet they often leave with profound experiences they can’t quite explain. Witnessing their transformations is truly inspiring.
The sound bath experience is enriched by the use of gong medicine, which I find to be incredibly powerful in healing work. The resonance of the gong creates a magical atmosphere, facilitating deep healing for participants. There’s a unique quality to the gong that profoundly impacts those who encounter it, enhancing the healing journey for many.
As a former substance abuse professional, how do you see the intersection between traditional addiction recovery approaches and the holistic healing techniques you now offer?
I approach each person holistically, recognizing that they are a blend of mind, body, and soul. With 30 years of experience in the healing field, I bring a unique perspective to my work. If I had come from a purely technical background, my practice would likely look very different. However, my foundation in healing and helping others has been instrumental in shaping my approach.
I strive to stay out of my analytical mind, as it can sometimes lead me astray. While psychology provides valuable tools, it often categorizes people and emphasizes western medicine approaches, which can sometimes be contradictory to the healing process I promote. Instead, I focus on emotional and spiritual connection, which is where the real transformation occurs.
I sometimes integrate tools from art therapy, guiding individuals to create drawings and then helping them interpret their meanings. This intuitive process fosters self-discovery and personal insight. Ultimately, I aim to engage with clients on a deeper emotional level, tapping into that fluid, transformative energy that facilitates healing.
If you would like to find out more about Michelle Tupper-Brown, please visit https://www.sacredstarofferings.com/
