Geochelone o. Centrochelys
sulcata =
Spornschildkröte/= African spurred tortoise
The core
sensation for this proving was related to the sensation of tingling/prickling/burning
“As if something was coming alive” in head/chest/stomach/upper extremities.
What was
unusual was that several provers described this sensation within seconds after
taking the first dosage of the remedy.
First
thing; immediately after taking the remedy my lips started tingling and burning
lips top and bottom; in the center only; the burning spread in an oval down my
chin to the center
of the soft
palate into my teeth; went around the back of my neck; spread to tip of nose
and chin; really weird; this lasted for 24 hours the tingling; burning
sensation.
Burning in
a circle in the middle of the tongue. Wandering burning sensations.
First night
within one minute after taking the remedy I had a physical reaction; started in
right breast; crushing pressure radiating down to my breastbone; warm; went
down my wrist out my arm
and into
the inner ear; like a numbing in my inner ear; r. eye r. cheek; upper jaw;
radiating heat; base of my skull; all < right; inner corner of my eye was
burning; it was like dental anesthesia was wearing off; it was a mild tingling.
It was warmth.
This was
most strongly expressed in the stomach area. Many provers described a numbness
or emptiness in this area, which was followed by a tingling prickling excitement.
When this sensation was most strong + a feeling of anxiety and agitation.
One prover
described it as follows;
I could not
think; I started craving for anything I could eat to fill the emptiness inside;
I ate 18 popsicles; 7 pieces of pineapple cake; then sunflower seeds (ate a
whole pack of them) 2 pounds;
I kept
going and going. Finally went to bed to stop eating but I could have kept
going. I just had to have it.
The
opposite of this sensation was that of numbness which was experienced by
several provers, < at night. This was primarily located in the extremities.
Other
sensations noted during the proving included, fullness, heaviness, burning
pains, stitching pain, pressing pains and biting sensations.
Lovesickness
Several
provers experienced lovesickness during the proving. The feeling was one of
romantic excitement. One prover had not experienced this for many years and the
other prover had never experienced this. The feelings were intense. One prover
described it as originating from the stomach and associated with numbness and
tingling in that region.
Lovesick; I
never get involved emotionally with anyone that I am dating; in the last month
I have been love sick about it; that has been strange; all consuming kind of
emotional; thing; very out of character. He is older than me; I have been
getting into poetry and listening to love songs; still going strong for me;
never ever felt this way about anyone in the world; Always been a serial dater
and never get involved emotionally; felt like I had a spell put on me. To be
thinking about him all the time; wanting to be with him all the time; looking
to the future with that person In it; feeling
like a
longing kind of feeling in the pit of your stomach; like you are hit by this
huge emotion that you cannot kick; like really deep in my stomach; kind of like
a tingling or numb sort of feeling;
it is not
painful or uncomfortable; neither good or bad. Frequently stayed up late
talking to this guy on the phone.
The
opposite side of lovesickness was also seen. One prover left a marriage of long
standing duration during the proving. She felt oppressed and trapped in the
marriage and was longing for the love that she felt was missing in the
marriage.
Movement/Motion
Another
prominent sensation during the proving was that of compression by a circular
band. This was accompanied by a hand gesture of circular tightening. Many of
the provers described
pressing
pains in the head “As if someone was pressing their finger or a band tightly on
them”. This was most problematic in one prover in the abdomen where she felt
simultaneous compression and swelling/expansion at the same time. She described
it as follows;
Bloated
stomach. Feels like my stomach as been in the way. It feels too big and in the
way. Feels bruised and sore to the touch. Bruised feeling. Fat like I am going
to burst. Liver hurts.
< lying
on back. Sensation of being an upside down turtle. Like I am on my back and
cannot turn over. Like I am contained in a shell. Like it is contained and
bloated.
One of the
disadvantages of carrying around a hard shell is that there is little room for
expansion or contraction within the shell. This is particularly problematic for
desert creatures where expansion and contraction is one of the main themes of
desert remedies. Other provers described it as follows:
Aching in
arms like being grasped very hard.
Beside
myself with worry about my son. Feel gripped by this. It is pressing in on me.
Felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin High anxiety.
First night
within one minute had a physical reaction; started in right breast; crushing
pressure radiating down to my breastbone;
The
compression tended to be circular. One prover described it as compression of
the head like an iron helmet. Band like constrictions around the abdomen and
feet were also noted.
One prover
could not tolerate shoes around the feet because of the compression.
There was
also an emotional component to the compression-a feeling of emotional
restriction and an accompanying intolerance to this. One prover described it as
follows;
Friend and
I had a conversation about having restrictions on me and telling me what to do;
if he goes on a business trip he can do whatever he wants to do; when I do
something he is all over it;
I want him
to quit putting restrictions on me; that issue came to a head. Restriction is
not able to move or deep breathe; being confined; like the same feeling with
the belly.
Dream: Full
of cockroaches. I was at this house and it was full of roaches. There was a
young girl there. I asked her to help watch my kids. She was afraid and said
that I will never let her go.
She felt
that I would “keep her forever”.
Feel all
tied up.
I feel like
a caged tiger. Agitated.
There was a
strong theme of split and divided that came out during the proving. This is a
common animal theme, which is particularly strong in the reptile family.
One desert
theme that was particularly strong in this proving was that of prolonged torpor
followed by hyperactive energy. This relates directly to the core sensation. In
the torporous state, there was a desire for dark cave like places (the animal
spends much of its time aestivating during summer heat) and photophobia. One
dream that described this:
Dead
pirrhana that is pink and yellow. I am afraid of it. I try to flush it down the
toilet. It’s alive and tries to get out and then turns into a yellow cat.
Miasmatic
classification is difficult to do based on a single proving. However, there are
suggestions of the Leprosy Miasm with suicidal tendencies, homocidal
tendencies, self contempt and loathing, disgust, helplessness, hopelessness,
self-torture, feeling violated and dirty and not feeling good enough. The
syphilitic miasm is also a possibility.
General
Characteristics
R. sided
predominated in this remedy. Tends to be warm and was associated with hot
flushes in several patients. In addition, there was a predominance of nighttime
aggravations.
Other
general characteristics included a tendency towards injuries, weight gain,
swelling and lassitude.
Emotions
were typically felt in the stomach. Most commonly this was an empty or hollow
sensation that had to be filled, accompanied by feelings of loneliness, and
anxiety.
The
aggressivity of this remedy was particularly marked by irritability and anger. There
was a strong desire to kill that came out in the dreams (this was surprising
considering the placidity of
the animal
and its vegetarian diet). The most common descriptor of the irritability was
“snappy”, a characteristic commonly associated with turtles in general.
Compassion
and benevolence was seen in several provers. This involved a need to protect
others primarily. This also came out in a maternal protective role with many
provers having dreams of protecting babies and others. This is interesting in
that the animal does not protect its young.
Interestingly,
slowness was not seen at all in the proving, a quality common associated with
turtles and tortoises.
Physical
areas most targeted by this remedy included the extremities, eyes., head and
stomach.
The eyes
demonstrated much lacrymation and burning pains. They were often heavy and
discolored red. Profound photophobia and pressing pains, which could be
accompanied by a foreign body sensation. Provers would often rub their eyes.
The stomach
area experienced much crampy abdominal pains. Nausea and vomiting < morning
and insatiable appetite (these tortoises known for being voracious eaters), +
distension and fullness. THIRST (for cold drinks), could be unquenchable.
Anxiety was experienced in the stomach.
Extremities
were the seat for many symptoms. Much numbness and tingling. Pressure pains
were noted that were particularly right sided and in the shoulders, wrists and
arms. + often stiffness
and
swelling. Much itching.
Menstrual symptoms
were fairly common in this proving. Menses were either late or early and
coupled with a cramping dysmenorrhea. Several provers experienced a white
leucorrhea.
Sex drive
was generally low.
Skin was
often dry and there was much formication.
Note:
little in the way of respiratory symptoms elicited by the proving. This is
interesting in that respiratory diseases are some of the most common forms of
pathology for this animal.
Preparation
of the Remedy
A video was
made of the preparation of the remedy. The theory is that people who prepare
the remedy also briefly participate in the energy of the remedy. Although we
did not include this information in the selection of proving themes and
rubrics, it is interesting to note that several themes were reflected in the
making of the remedy. These included the following:
Communication cut off
Eating
Survival; going belly up
Animals
Hyperactivity/ADHD;
Pin pointed right side headache >
pressure
Vergleich: Siehe: Reptilia
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum