Editorial: reflections

As the year draws to an end, we look back at what this time has brought us. Some interesting and exciting developments have taken place, as well as some loss.  

The terrain of the mineral kingdom is now well established and homeopaths world-wide are becoming proficient at prescribing a much wider range of elements than ever before. The Lanthanides, pioneered by Jan Scholten, are almost household names in many practices – possibly even over-prescribed in some, as we search for the proper boundaries of newer remedies. Time will tell – those patients who are touched most deeply in their being by a good remedy will continue to be our guides; now as before, the proverbial “proof of the pudding” remains our best measuring stick. To this end, Interhomeopathy aims to publish cases that have lengthy follow-ups. The Actinides are now starting to become more known and used, thanks to the pioneering work of Jan Scholten, which has been further developed by Margriet Plouvier, and Patricia Le Roux; a fitting development in a time which seems to be speeding up and in which old systems seem to be falling apart. [1]

Now that the foundation has been laid through the mapping of the mineral kingdom, the plant kingdom can systematically be explored – roadmaps are being drawn making this previous jungle of remedies accessible for homeopaths. The work of Rajan Sankaran and his colleagues is helping many to find plant remedies for cases that were difficult to solve in the past. Another dynamic team, Frans Vermeulen and Linda Johnston, have just published their four-volume opus on the plant kingdom: “Plants: Homeopathic and Botanical uses from a Botanical Family Perspective.” Jan Scholten, more known for his innovative work on the periodic table, has long been exploring the plant kingdom and teaching his findings all around the world. We await his book with bated breath – when asked about the date of publication, the answer is inevitably “August 2006”! So, relatively quickly, this field is being put to effective use, to the great relief of our patients and to our own professional satisfaction. There is after all nothing quite like having someone come back after several unsuccessful remedies, declaring with a big smile on his face: “That last remedy is the perfect one, I feel like I’m reborn.”

Homeopathy is being applied with success in agriculture and horticulture, and those with long-term experience in this field are finding each other and comparing notes. This could prove to be of great value in a time when more and more questions are asked about the way we treat our planet and all its inhabitants, humans, animals, and the countless species which form the plant kingdom. Having personally put to use some of the available information on treating plant diseases homeopathically, we can certainly attest to its effectiveness. Our peach tree, suffering from the fungus which causes curly leaf, responded well to Thuja; its diseased leaves falling off and being replaced by fresh, healthy ones. Placebo? I think not… It would seem that we are ever going beyond that which we thought to be possible, stretching ourselves and being pleasantly surprised.

On Hahnemann’s birthday, April 10th, Rajan Sankaran and his Mumbai colleagues opened the new Academy for postgraduate studies, “The Other Song”, a centre which offers comprehensive training to those who already have a solid foundation in homeopathy and a good knowledge of the Materia Medica. A team of experienced homeopaths demonstrate, teach, and discuss, through live cases, the sensation method with an eye to building a solid foundation for practice.

Amidst these exciting developments, this year has also brought great sadness to the homeopathic community with the loss of Patricia Le Roux of France, who died in Paris in September. A great light has gone, leaving behind her a legacy which reflects the passion and the commitment Patricia had for her work and her patients. She will be sorely missed.

So, as 2011 is coming to a close, we are proposing you one of our “fireworks" issues. It is truly wonderful to see how Interhomeopathy has grown in its ‘inter-ness’; articles are regularly sent from different parts of the world, as well as from different ways of praticing and methods. 'Tis the season for gifts, so we are also proposing you some homeopathic Chritmas stocking-fillers, which combine usefulness and pleasure.

We wish you a wonderful end of the year and we hope to welcome the year to come, which will no doubt again provide excitement and reflection, joy and sorrow, togetherness and differences, meaningfulness and interrogations, with all of you.

[1] Patricia Le Roux’ book “Actinides” will be available early next year: http://www.narayana-verlag.com/Actinides/Patricia-Le-Roux/b10353

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tealight in glass with snowflake decoration; Wildfeuer