“In a world more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost our never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.
They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.” (Henry Beston).
Animals in general can teach us to be more human or at least a better version of ourselves.
In this article we are going to refer to the dog and consequently the wolf it’s primordial ancestor.
Like ourselves, the wolf is intelligent, family orientated and highly socialised animal, but, unlike men, our wild sibling has remained a loving, loyal, dutiful child of Mother Nature; a child, who at the full moon, salutes the heavens and howls homage to the celestial image of the Great Goddess, acknowledging her loving presence and protective power. While decadent and rapacious humanity has become an infestation on the surface of Gaia, the wolf is immaculate, noble and pristine: all that we once were – all that we once were – all that we should be – all that we must become!
The dog, an architype closely related to the wolf and a remedy that we often use in practice (called Lac caninum), is called particularly when the psyche has been subjected to prolonged or recurrent adversity, abuse and deprivation.
This is a remedy that is found in the abuse rubric:
Aliments from a long history of domination by others
A rubric that reflects the suffering of so many humans across the globe, domestically, socially and politically, but also a rubric that pertains to the plight of the wolf: an animal that has been scapegoated, despised, hated and persecuted almost to the point of extinction.
Today more than ever, our animals are subject to all kinds of stresses – city traffic, noise, exhaust gases, their owner’s nervousness, anxieties, moods and behaviours, depleted nutrition, unsatisfactory living conditions or sometimes excessive spoiling (so many cases of obesity in prevalent in our days in too many dogs and cats), etc., with the result that anxiety symptoms and behavioural problems develop over the course of time.
These symptoms that deviate from their standard behaviour call for definite treatment. There are many ways that homeopathy can be used to address mental and emotional conditions which arise from the causations above mentioned or traumatic life events.
Mental conditions can vary from the mildest form of nervous state like Barking which some dogs are prone to and usually is associated with restlessness, excitement and jealousy, to the neurotic type dog which is prone to Biting which is a very unpleasant dog to have around. Below are some examples of remedies essences which can be seen often in our mundane life.
If you would like to know more about it, please get back to homeopathyunited@gmail.com as we are planning to formulate a course based on Animal Behaviour and Homeopathy.
FEAR (example)
STRAMONIUM
Stramonium is one amongst significant remedies for fear. The extreme anxiety of being alone in the dark, the fear of being attacked and harmed and the feeling of being almost always in constant danger and pursued, are all aspects of being an animal in danger.
Animals in a Stramonium state experience Absolute Terror. They act as though they are seeing ghosts or spirits and wind themselves up to a state of almost delirium. Consequently, they have an Overwhelming need to Escape and their behaviour can be Alarming – wild, hysterical, uncontrollable.
In this state they are Dangerous as usually cannot recognise their owners and their own panic supersedes any regard for safety, of themselves or others. Commonly, is very common that a Stramonium animal has seen or experienced violence and abuse as an infant in their recent or distant past. The right potency and frequency of this remedy will make wonders and help to erase the trauma giving the animal and the owner a new lease in life:)
IRRITABILITY (example)
BRYONIA
The Bryonia animal is extremely morose and irritable to the point of being aggressive if not left alone. He is likely to be single minded and determined, with a taciturn nature and needs to be treated with careful respect by the other animals in the heard or pack.
Usual averse to company and to being disturbed Particularly when in pain, he will be averse to be touched and his irritability will increase if he is disturbed or refused whatever he wants.
When an animal is in a Bryonia state he will be Very reluctant to move as any slight movement will increase the pain.
The animal will be very thirsty for large quantities of water at a time, as the mucus membranes become very dry. He is better for hard pressure and often will lay on the painful part.
All complaints like fever, colds coughs, bronchitis, arthritis, back pain, constipation laminitis, mastitis, to name a few, will have a slow onset. The main message is “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
TIMIDITY/SHYNESS
BARYTA CARBONICA
Shy, timid, hesitant and submissive, often seems at first glance to be lacking in intelligence. This will also affect him in later life. He lacks self-confidence, is unable to defend himself, can easily be subdued, always at the bottom of the pecking order. The dog will look older than his years and will age prematurely, he will suffer from hair loss, shuns bright light and will seek out dark places.
These dogs need lots of reassurance and time to work out what is being asked of them. They appear to be dull-witted and slow, but often they are just confused and nervous of getting it “wrong”.
They suffer from separation anxiety, are afraid of strangers and have a tendency to hide behind their owners. They are reluctant to play with other dogs and have low self-confidence.
RAGE/VIOLENCE
BELLADONNA
The Belladonna animal is extremely intense and very overt in their reactions – both physically and mentally. They can easily fly into sudden violent rages. While in this state, they are wild, furious and totally lacking self-control (like Stramonium).
Any attempt to interact or intervene is likely to incite further fury.
Usually this intensity is short lived, but is alarming and often comes suddenly with biting and or kicking. These types of dogs can bite quite suddenly and with no warning or growl beforehand. In addition, they are quite sensitive to light, noise or touch.
Their natural tendency, when in a stressful situation is to fight. Occasionally, they may also attempt to escape if they feel frightened or realised that can be overpowered. Having said that when they are not stressed or agitated the belladonna animal can be lively, charming, playful and a pleasure to have around.
There are many ways that homeopathy can be used to address mental and emotional conditions which arise from the causations mentioned or traumatic life events. Should you would like to know more about it, don’t hesitate to get in touch or book a discovery call: https://alexandracarneirodemelo.setmore.com/
About the Author
PRACTICING CLASSICAL HOMEOPATH AND DOCTOR OF MICROBIOLOGY
ALEXANDRA CARNEIRO DE MELO, PhD MSc, PhD (London), DIHom (Pract), FBIH, RSHom
Education Personal
Accreditations:
- BSc – Food Engineering, 1989 – Porto University, Portugal (High Class Honors)
- MSc – Food Microbiology, 1991 – University of Reading in the UK
- PhD – Applied Microbiology, 1997 – King’s College, London
- DIHom(Pract) – Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine, Practitioner Level British Institute of Homeopathy
- FBIH – Fellowship for life, British Institute of Homeopathy
- RSHom – Member of The Society of Homeopaths
As a homeopath, my ultimate goal is to help you live to your fullest capacity, where the entire spiritual, mental, emotional, social and physical being is restored to the natural state it was created in. Please do get in touch if you are ready to begin your healing journey.
Website: www.alexcmelo.com
Alexandra Melo