Animals
Anhang
[David
Little]
H.: 3 animal remedies: Sep., Ambra, Calc.
The animal remedies form the smallest number of homoeopathic remedies and
possibly the most homogeneous of the three kingdoms.
To get a
larger understanding of the animal remedies our focus shifts to study the
nature of their sources and their habitats.
Farrington:
offers a clue to the animal character in his Comparative Materia
Medica, in Lach. and other Allied Remedies.
"Medicines derived from the animal kingdom
act energetically and rapidly. They vary in intensity from the fatal snakebite
to coral, sponges, etc., which are more or less modified by their mineral
constituents".
The animal remedies are the most rapidly acting and destructive family. The spectrum begins with the poisons of the Snakes, Spiders, Insecta, Cnidaria and runs to the slower acting remedies that are influenced by their mineral constituents. For example, some mineral influenced remedies are Cor-r. (Calcium and Iron), Spong. (Iodine), and Calc. (Calcium). As in the plant remedies we find that poisons act most quickly and violently while those with strong mineral affinities tend to be slower acting. This shows the suitability of certain animal remedies for crisis and others for more chronic miasms and
degenerative diseases. In general, all foreign animal substances that are not
nutritional act toxically on the human organism and invoke strong, instinctive,
defensive reactions.
"Many of the animal poisons are
distinguished by the violence and intensity of their action, and by the decided
alterations which they produce in both structure and function. The blood is
deranged in its circulation, composition and quality. The nervous system
suffers and even the lower tissues are affected. The whole tendency of these
remedies is to produce destruction (never astehic/always destructive) tending thus to local as well as to general death of the body. We therefore, look upon these poisons as medicines which suit deep-seated diseases, such for example, as are accompanied by changes in the quality of the blood; such as profoundly affects the nervous centres."
Since the ancient Greeks, healers have categorized reactions of the vital force into the functional polarities: sthenic (hyper-functioning), and asthenic (hypo-functioning). These categories are symbolized by the polarities of the primordial homoeomeries, fire and water, as well as earth and air.
In general, the more poisonous an animal substance, the more sthenic the initial
symptoms it produces in the provings. As the mineral
constituents become more dominant the nature of the symptoms
align with the mineral family. For example, Spong
reflecting sthenic tendency of Iodine and the Halogen group (17), while Calc. is more similar to the more asthenic symptoms of the Earth Alkali group (2).
The Development of the Non Chordate Phylums
Azoic and
Archeozoic Eras
Zoology
records the evolutionary history of the animal world. The Azoic
Era (5000*) begins with the origin of the Earth and the appearance of inorganic
elements and organic molecules. In the Archeozoic Era
(5000-3500) viruses formed a bridge between the inorganic minerals and the
organic molecules and the first living cells appeared. The Animal Kingdom is
divided into two major categories, the Non Chordates (no neural tube), and
Chordates (neural tube-notocord).
In the
Five-Kingdom classification, bacteria and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)
are in the
Proterozoic
& Paleozoic Era
Proterozoic
Era (2000-600) viruses, bacteria, and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)
flourished in the Precambrian seas. This period introduced the Porifera (sponges), Coelenterata
(corals, medusae, sea anemone, hydromedusae), Platyhelminthes (flat worms, flukes, tape worms), Ascheliminthes (round worms) and Annelida
(jointed worms).
Paleozoic
Era (600-225) was one of great expansion among the animal phylums
and plant species in the seas and their first adaptation to the land
environment. The Paleozoic Era includes 6 periods.
1. First is the Cambrian Period (600-500) where
viruses, bacteria, blue-green algae and red algae flourished and the 25
non-chordate invertebrate phyla became established. This period saw the
appearance of Molluscae/Echinodermata as well as early Arthropoda
classes, the Crustacea, Insecta, scorpions, spiders), Chilopoda (centipedes) and Diplopoda (millipedes).
2. The Ordovician Period (500-435) brought the
origin of the first chordates, the lower Chordata
(rudimentary notochord), or Acraniata (no cranium),
and the higher Chordata or Craniata
(notocord, vertebrae, and cranium). The lower
chordates are divided into two classes, the Urochordata
(notochord present only in larval tail i.e. sea squirt) and the Cephalochordata (notochord along entire body i.e.
lancelet). In the lower chordatas the neural tube is
in its rudimentary spinal development. The higher Chordata
or Craniata (notochord, vertebrae and cranium) are
divided into the Agnatha (without jaws, the jawless
and armored fishes) and the Gnathostomata
(jaws and paired appendages), which includes all other vertebrates. In the
higher chordates the neural tube is connect to a brain that is contained in the
bony skull.
3. The Silurian Period (435-395) saw the origin
of the jawed fish and Arthropods, wingless Insecta,
and scorpion-like Arachnida and the first Lichens
moved to land. This interesting plant is a symbiotic combination of algae and
fungi. The Insecta, Arachnida
and Lichens adapted to the new environment and evolved.
4. The Devonian Period (395-345) is called the
Age of Fishes as Pisces ruled the oceans. This period is the origin of the Amphibia that left the seas seeking new territory on land. The fern allies and ferns developed along with the early gymnosperms like the Cycads (= Sagopalmen).
5. The Carboniferous Period (345-275) is called the Age of Amphibians. The great swamps and trees supported the amphibian transition from sea to land and eventually became coal beds. The close of this period witnessed the origin of the first winged insects and reptiles.
6. The Permian Period (275-225)
witnessed the mass extinction of many of the marine invertebrates. At the same
time, modern Insecta and Reptiles flourished on the
land. This period saw the evolution of the first deciduous plants.
The
Mesozoic (Middle) Era (230-65)
The
Mesozoic Era began with heavy glaciation and the
extinction of many previous species. It encompasses the rise and fall of the
dinosaurs, the origin of mammals, and the rise of modern birds and placental
mammals. The Mesozoic Era is divided into three periods, the Triassic Period,
the Jurassic Period, and the Cretaceous Period.
1. The Triassic period (230-180) experienced
heavy glaciation that caused the primitive
gymnosperms to give way to the higher gymnosperms. In this epoch the primitive
amphibians became extinct and the great reptiles like the dinosaurs appeared.
2. The Jurassic period (180-135) is
called the Age of the Reptiles. It gave birth to the first toothed birds and
mammals and gave rise to the flowering plants (angiosperms).
3. The Cretaceous period (135-65) covers the extinction of the giant reptiles and toothed birds and the origin to the ancestors of modern birds and placental mammals.
Cenozoic
Era (65-0)
The Cenozoic Era (65-0) is from sixty-five million years ago to
the present day. This period introduced the modern monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants as well as birds and higher mammals.
This era is divided into the Tertiary and Quaternary Periods.
The
Tertiary Period
1. The Paleocene
epoch (65-54) introduced the archaic mammals and first primates.
2. Eocene epoch (54-38) diversified
placental mammals, and brought the birth of the ancestors of modern horses,
cattle, elephant, crocodiles, turtles, etc.
3. Oligocene epoch (38-23) saw the
appearance of monkeys and apes and the ancestors of cats, dogs, bears, etc.
4. Miocene epoch (23-6) found
mammals flourishing and the early human-like apes (hominids) appeared.
5. Pliocene epoch (6-2) gave rise to
land mammals. Marine life was fully established as it is today.
The
Quaternary Period
1. The Pleistocene epoch (2
million-10, 000 years) witnessed the extinction of the great mammals and the
rise of early human beings.
2. The Holocene epoch (10,000-to
present) is called the Age of Man, which is the home to modern humans, mammals,
birds, fishes and insects. Farming and animal husbandry developed. The year
2000 is at the turning point for humanity, as the species shall either find
solutions to the worldwide ecological and social problems or face extinction.
Classification
of Human Beings
All racial
groups, Mongoloid, Negroid, Caucasoid and Australoid,
are stocks of the species Homo sapiens, which is classified as follows:
1. The Kingdom Animalia
as humans require complex organic food and pass out faeces and nitrogenous
waste materials.
2. Subkingdom Exmetazoa
as humans have digestive tract, tissues and organic systems.
3. Phylum Chordata
as humans have notocord and visceral pouches in the
embryonic stage and dorsal hollow brain and nerve chord throughout life.
4. Subphylum Vertebrate or Craniata
as humans have a cranium around the brain and a segmented vertebral column
around the spinal cord.
5. Division Gnathostomata
as humans have jaws to support the mouth.
6. Superclass Tetrapoda as they have four limbs.
7. Class Mammalia as
humans have hair, pinnae, and mammary glands.
8. Subclass Theria
as human beings are viviparous (live birth).
9. Infraclass Eutheria
as humans have true placenta and prolonged intrauterine development.
10. Order Primates as humans have
nails over the digits.
11. Suborder Anthropoidea
as humans have rounded head and facial muscles that provide emotional
expression.
12. Family Hominidae
because humans have erect posture, bipedal locomotion and forelimbs (arms) that
are shorter then hind limbs (legs).
The Non
Chordate Phylums
The Non
Chordates are divided into 25 phylums of which 8 are
in the Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
The phylums are listed from the lowest to highest
order.
1. Porifera,
sponges (Bad. Spong.).
2. Coelenterata,
corals, medusae, sea anemone, hydromedusae (Cor-r. Medus. Physala).
3. Platyhelminthes,
flat worms, flukes, tape worms (isopathy).
4. Aschelminthes,
round worms (isopathy).
5. Annelida, jointed
worms (Sanuisuga-leech).
The Porifera and Coelenterata are
sometimes combined and called the Radiata based on
their radial symmetries. The Porifera, and the Coelenterata corals, are very strongly affected by their
mineral constituents and reflect their mineral analogs.
Medusa and Physala are remedies that show the rapid
onset and symptoms associated with the animal poisons. The worm remedies are
old isopathic remedies in many cultures and were
experimented with by the homoeopathic-isopaths of the
19th century. We have no provings of the helminthes although they cause serious diseases in their
human host. Perhaps this is a lacuna in our animal materia
medica?
The next
important groups are the Mullusca and Echinodermata. They share many homoeopathic symptoms and are
suitable for some similar conditions. The Murex and Cuttlefish share many
symptoms. The remedies made from oyster and conch shell show the characteristic
symptoms of their related mineral remedies, particularly the Calcium group. The
starfish shares their seabed environment with the oysters. These deep acting antimiasmic remedies have an action on the phlegmatic
temperament, the hydrogenoid constitution, and the sycotic miasm. Such remedies
particularly reflect mistunements of the watery
element, the genitourinary system, and venereal diseases.
6. Mullusca
Class:
1. Cephalopoda
(Sep.).
2. Pelecypoda
(Calc. Calc-pecten.).
3. Gastropoda
(Conch. Murx. Helix.).
7. Echinodermata
(Aster.)
The Arthropoda is the next important phylum. The Homoeopathic Materia Medica includes remedies
from four of the five classes of Arthropoda. This
phylum develops a homogeneous set of signs and symptoms, which is similar
throughout its classes. At the same time each class of Arthropoda
has its own unique family characteristics.
8. Arthropoda
Class
1. Crustacea
(Astac. Hom. Lim. Onis).
2. Insecta
(Apis, Blatta, Canth. Coc-c. Vesp.).
3. Arachnida
(Androc. Lat-m. Mygal. Tarent. Ther.).
4. Chilopoda
(Scolop.).
The
symptoms of the Crustacea, Astac.
(crayfish), Hom. (lobster) and Lim. (king crab) are
very similar as they reflect the nettle and bilious rash of the shellfish
family. All of these remedies are very allergenic and manifest a similar
pattern of symptoms. Onis, the sole land Crustacea, develops symptoms more like the Insecta. The Insecta and Arachnida are easy recognizable by their family symptoms
although each remedy has unique differential symptoms. The only Chilopoda remedy at this time is the centipede.
The
Chordate Phylums
The Craniata of the Phylum Chordata include
the subphylum Vertebrata and the division, Gnathostomata. This includes the Pisces and the Tetrapods, which are divided into the four classes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia. They all share the complete neural tube but the
brain and nervous system demonstrates different states of evolution in the
fish, land animals, and human beings.
The Two Superclasses
Pisces and Tetrapods
1. Pisces, Class Osteicthyes
(Eryth. Gad. Ol-j. Trach-d, Trach-v.).
2. Tetrapods
Class
1. Amphibia.
2. Reptilia Order
A. Lacertilia,
lizards (Amp. Helo. Lacer.).
B. Snakes
(Elaps. Crot-h, Lach. Naja, Vipera).
3. Aves (Corvus Corax
Principalus (corpus) and (sanguinious),
Serinus Canaria, Indian
Eagle, Ovi Gallinae Pellicula, Calcarea Ovi Testi).
4. Mammalia (Ambr.
Carb-an. Cast. Hipp. Meph. Mosch. Ol-an.).
A. Milks
(Lac-c. Lac-d. etc. )
The use of
a homoeopathic remedy often depends on its source. For example Ol-j. made from the gallbladder of a Codfish. The bile remedies have a deep effect on the hepatic
system, digestion, and choleric temperament. Trachinus
is a poison fish whose sting acts similarly to the other animal venoms.
The poisons
of fish, lizards, snakes, spiders
all cause rapid destruction of tissue and chronic sequels.
Mammalia
include remedies made from glands of
Beaver (Cast.) and Musk Dear (Mosch.), as well as the
anal sac of a skunk (Meph.).
(Mosch. is sexual and hysterical while Meph.
is nauseated and revolted).
The milks
form a remedy group within the mammal family and reflect many animal world
characteristics. (Clearly noted in Lac-c.).
Therapeutic
Hints
Acute and Chronic Diseases
The animal
remedies are suitable for both acute and chronic complaints depending on
constitution, disease conditions, and circumstances.
Poisons
mimic the most dangerous states of acute diseases, virulent miasms,
and toxic states. This includes virulent illnesses like influenza, scarlet
fever, yellow fever, meningitis, diphtheria, typhoid, ebola,
and other potentially fatal acute diseases. The rapid destruction of the blood
and vital centers is almost immediate. The rapid
movement and destructiveness of the animal world simulates this activity when
compared with the more stationary plants and stable minerals. The animal
remedies are suitable for crisis, acute disorders and miasms,
and destructively chronic diseases. The animal remedies reach the most
destructive phases of pathology, like ulceration and necrosis, very quickly. In
general, the plants mimic the rapid development of crisis and acute diseases
while the mineral remedies are slower and more insidious like chronic states.
The animal world remedies reflect both acute and chronic states in equal measure. As the animals are the highest order they reflect both the attributes of the minerals and the plants they depend on for life. (indicated in potentially fatal crises or acute disorders as well as chronic diseases that have the character of the rapid destruction of organic tissue). A chronic disease with the tendency toward acute-like crisis and destructive organic pathology suits the animal remedies well. The Crustacea mistunes the choleric temper and produces bilious constitutions and causes allergenic liver-rash and hives (shellfish reactions). The Insecta (Apis, Canth., Vesp.) are famous for
intense burning, heat, redness, and other signs of fiery inflammation. The Arachnida (Lat-m., Tarent.), and
Reptiles (Helo.), Snakes share the rapid onsets and
destructive degenerative states of the venomous creatures. If one survives the
potentially fatal crisis the poisons move on to chronic sequels and progressive
degenerative diseases. Many of these poisons are known for the darker reds and
blue-black colors of necrotic degeneration associated
with the destruction of the blood and excess of atrabilious humour.
Animals and Constitutions
The animal
remedies of the materia medica
reflect many clear constitutional types that are well known by their mind/body
portraits. The first animal portrait was one of the Mollusk, Sep.
H.: wrote
how the brownish-black ink of the Sepia produced a dejected, weepy, gloomy
melancholic state that is pensive, anxious, apprehensive, and suffers aversion
to work and indifference to the family. Melancholia is an excess of "black
bile" that is associated with feeling "blue" or suffering "dark
moods". Sepia affects the weepy phlegmatic humour and mistunes the sexual
system producing a downward pressure as if everything would protrude from the
pelvis. The complexion is yellowish and the face often has a yellow or brown
saddle across the nose and cheeks demonstrating the hormone imbalances
associated with this remedy. The cuttlefish has a luminescent brownish body
with white spots and stripes and a beautiful violet lateral fin that acts as a colorful, scintillating cape. The image of the Sepia
squirting its dark brown cloud as a 'smoke screen' to attack prey and hide from
an enemy is symbolic of many of the symptoms of Sepia. These images are part of
Sepia's signatura rerum.
Animal
Remedies and Chronic Miasms
The animal remedies
play an important role in the treatment of chronic miasms.
The animal substances have a clear action on the non-venereal and venereal miasms. Bufo, Lac-c., Lach., and Sep. have been confirmed in all the four miasms Hahnemanni. The animals
reflect some of the most degenerative and corrupted states of the miasmic
process. They over stimulate the life force producing sthenic
states and plethora that become progressively destructive in nature and may end
in exhaustion. The animal remedies produce some of the foulest, vilest and most
degenerative states of physical and mental pathology. The clinically confirmed antimiasmic remedies are relatively few in number so they
are listed below:
1. Psora (Ambr. Apis, Bufo, Calc-ostr. Canth. Carb-an.
Coc-c. Crot-h. Elaps, Lac-c. Lac-d. Lach. Sep.).
2. Pseudopsora (Bufo, Calc-ostr. Carb-an. Lac-c. Lac-d. Lach. Ol-j. Sep. Ther.).
3. Sycosis (Apis, Aran. Aster. Bufo, Calc-ostr. Cast. Canth. Coc-c. Crot-h.
Elaps, Dor. Lac-c. Lach. Mosch. Murx.
Ol-j. Sac-l. Sep.).
4. Syphilis
(Apis, Bad. Bufo, Canth. Cor-r. Crot-h.
Eryth. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong.).
Animal
Temperament
The mineral
remedies have a direct effect on the intellect and intelligence (Geist)
The plants
initially mistune the emotional disposition (Gemüt).
The animal
remedies have a profound action on the animal instinct, the vital force, and
human sexuality. These remedies deeply affect the subconscious and instinctive
levels of the human being ruled directly by the vital force. The animals stir
primitive subconscious emotions over which the rational spirit has little
control. This struggle is between the higher neocortex
ruled by the rational spirit and the old instinctive reptilian and mammalian
brain centers. In reality such troubled souls are
fighting with the "beasts" within them. This conflict can bring out
some of the lowest qualities of a human being.
Farrington:
"You will find, too, that these animal
poisons are apt to affect the mind (emotions). They arouse the lowest qualities
in human nature, and produce a condition which is truly shocking.
Some of
them arouse the filthiest lust, the most intense anger, and passions of a
kindred nature. So we may find many of these drugs suitable for persons
affected with insanity, whether it be
the result
of functional or organic, cerebral changes, whether or not it be reflex from
irregularities in bodily functions."
The
spiritual and emotional symptoms of the animal world are distinct yet
complementary to the images of the minerals and plants. The animal poisons are
well known for stirring up the instinctual level within human beings and
producing "animalistic emotions" with altered states of
consciousness.
Instinctive, Subconscious, Animalistic
The
instinctive animalistic emotions of the animal remedies are found within all
the animal remedies to one degree or another. The virulent poisons like the Insecta, Arachnida,
Reptiles and Snakes produce the most rapidly
developing delusions, delirium and dreams. The animal realm is under control of
the subconscious mind rather than the rational human spirit. These emotions are
seated in the "reptilian brain" which rules over our early
evolutionary epochs and are not under the conscious control of the individual
ego. The battle to control the "beast" within is an essential theme
of the animal world remedies. The old reptilian brain has not changed much
since humans lived in caves and is confused by the rapid changes of the last
century. The struggle between the animal and human nature within our species is
the source of many myths, fables and religious teachings.
Combative, Aggressive, Possessive
and Jealous
The animal
remedies tend to be dominant, competitive, aggressive (Apis,
Androc. Lach. Sep.),
envious (Calc. Cench. Lach.
Sep..) and jealous (Apis, Bufo,
Calc. Cench. Lach.). This
jealousy is of a very sexual nature and they are envious toward other dominant
types in the "herd". The animal remedies like to be the leader and
will do almost anything to get to the top. The animal temperament lives by the
Darwinian law, the survival of the fittest, and tries to control their
territory and keep "intruders' out so they collect the best
"food" and "breeding stock". In the modern world much of
this animal instinct is compensated for by the intellect, but as time passes,
the rational spirit loses control to the impulses of the animal realm.
Altered States, Delusions, Heaven or Hell
The animal
remedies produce exalted states of fancy (Ambr. Apis, Bufo, Canth.
Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.) and visions
(Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Crot-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.). They are also
prone to fearful states where they feel threatened. The animal remedies amplify
subconscious instincts and undermine the rational spirit producing delusions
and delirium
(Apis, Canth. Crot-c.
Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Lat-k.
Mosch. Tarent.). The
animals have delusions of phantoms (Ambr. Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.), of persecution (Calc. Crot-h.
Lach. Spong.), and that
they are sick (Calc. Mosch. Murx.
Sep. Tarent.). The Snakes hear voices (Cench. Crot-c. Crot-h. Elaps, Lach.).
Fear, Fight or Flight
The animal
remedies respond to danger with immediate fight or flight. This response is
instinctive in nature and takes place with no contemplation. This state is
neither like the emotional panic of the plants or the loss of reason seen in
the minerals. The animal remedies express a state of high tension, fear, and
fright in which the instinct for self-survival overpowers the rational mind (Ambra, Androc. Bufo, Crot-h. Coc-c.
Elaps, Lach. Mosch. Murx. Sep. Spong. Ther.).
Violence and Intense Anger
The animal
temperament is more apt to fight over sex or territory than over higher
principles. When they become angry or afraid they can attack with great
ferocity (Bufo, Canth. Coc-c. Crot-h. Form. Lach. Lat-m. Mosch. Sep. Spong.). The animals can be very hard on their own species
and will use force to control other submissive creatures. Some will destroy
those who are in competition with them for mates, territory, and leadership
roles. The animal anger is explosive and very dangerous to self and others.
Excessive Vitality and Perverted Sexual
Instinct
The animal
remedies mimic plethoric states of vital energy that is seeking an outlet. The
animal substances pervert the sexual instinct and produce states of nymphomania,
lasciviousness and "satyriasis" (Aster. Bufo,
Canth. Lach. Mosch.) ). In the healthy state the animal remedies are
vital and sexual and seek release through sexual intercourse or masturbation (Ambr. Apis, Bufo,
Lach. Meph. Sep. Tarent.). The animal's desire for sex is physical rather
than emotional like the plants or mental like the minerals. The animal remedies
have the potential to descend into the lowest levels of human sexual activity
and can be completely immoral and shameless (Bufo, Canth. Mosch. Murx.
Tarent.).
Drinking and Substance Abuse
The animal
remedies have a desire for alcohol and are substance abusers (Bufo, Cocc-c. Crot-h.
Lac-c. Lach. Meph. Mosch. Sep). Using alcohol to antidote the effects of
snakebite is common to many traditional cultures. Lach.
offers a clear picture of the relationship of the Snakes drinking. They crave
alcohol because it makes them "feel better". In the beginning
drinking is part of an outlet for strong instinctive energy and a way of
letting go of tension. It does not take long before the delusions and
confusions hidden in their subconscious mind begin to surface. When drunk their
minds become a kaleidoscope of strong repressed emotions and carnal desires.
This combination may stimulate unsolicited sexual advances or rape while under
the influence. Drinking also brings out the kind of violence that leads to
full-fledged animal attacks and brutality.
Senility, Madness and Insanity
The animal
remedies demonstrate a great number of symptoms similar to madness and insanity
(Ambr. Apis, Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Crot-c. Crot-h. Lach. Mosch. Murx.
Naja, Sep. Tarent.) These
remedies are suitable for mental disorders based on functional changes as well
as organic pathology and chronic miasms. Under acute
stress or crises the animals tend to become hysterical (Ambr.
Bufo, Calc-ostr. Canth. Crot-h. Elaps, Lach. Mosch.
Mygal. Sep. Tarent. Ther.). As time goes on and the stress builds their mind
become more delusional until they enter true madness. The marine animals (Ambr. Aster. Calc-ostr. Murx. and Sep.), and Amphibia (Bufo) end in exhaustion while the Insecta
(Apis, Canth.) tend to
amorous frenzy or shamelessness. The animal venoms (Ophidians, Arachnida, Lacertilia) tend to
produce altered states with raving, raging, and delirium. The animal remedy's
battle for survival ends in the most hideous types of senility, dementia and
insanity. The animal instinct for self- preservation is very strong but they
sometimes end their torment with suicide (Ambra,
Calc-ostr. Crot-h. Lac-d. Lach. Naja, Sep. Tarent.).
Stages of Life
The animal
remedies thrive in a competitive environment. In the functional stage the
animals are strong, vital and active individuals who are sexy and full of
animal magnetism. When this natural power is channeled
in creative directions they are capable of more energy output than the average
human being. They are ambitious, strong willed, and are not easily defeated. As
children they need lots of room and are difficult to keep indoors for long
periods of time. They are prone to sibling rivalries, jealousy, and envy. This
makes them it difficult for them to get along with other children. In a
dysfunctional home or abusive environment they become wild and unruly and may
imitate the most negative of behavior. As they are
sexually magnetic they may fall victim to sexual abuse. As they grow older sex
becomes a power over which they have little control. The animal temperament may
have sex for the sake of sex alone. They demand neither the emotional support
that the plants need nor the appreciation that the minerals expect.
When the
animal remedies are placed under stress they react with crisis much like the
plant remedies. This crisis, however, displays dangerous signs and symptoms
immediately. The alarm reaction of the animals is violent and potentially
destructive. Only the most poisonous plants and minerals approach the rapid
destruction that the animal substances and poisons produce. This is why many of
the animal remedies are so useful in virulent acute miasms
and poisonings of the most dangerous nature.
In the
stage of resistance and adaption the protracted
battle with the beast within begins. As time goes on their sense of healthy
competition descends into unhealthy rivalries, envy, and combativeness. They
may intellectually realize their faults but they can't help themselves when
they feel challenged. The animal instincts and the lower emotions that they
seek to repress drive them to provocative actions. The more stress they
experience the more they react from instinct rather than intelligence. Life
becomes a struggle that they intend to win at all costs. Their sexuality also
transforms from a healthy state of vitality to a desire to conquer and control
which makes them jealous of any other potential mates. This leads to constant
conflict in the home with angry outbursts and accusations. They have difficulty
with other animal types of the same sex. Life becomes a struggle for them and
everyone around them.
In the
final stage of exhaustion the rational spirit and higher emotions can no longer
compensate for the baser instincts and perverted sexuality of the animal realm.
At the same time, their former tendency toward altered states of consciousness
is transformed into delusional states. Their jealousy now takes on insane forms
of suspicion when there is no reason behind such emotions. They now see those
who they perceive as a threat as enemies and begin the final battle for
supremacy. They do not realize that the true obstacle is the beast within them.
Their instinctive fears are projected onto the outer environment and they may
become dangerous. The law of the jungle takes over from more civilized norms
and they lose what little humanity they still possess.
The above
rubrics for the animal family offer a glimpse of the general nature of the
animal remedies. Many of the animal remedies are poorly represented in the repertorium. A study of the characteristic symptoms of the
animal world and its remedy families helps put these remedies into perspective.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum