Photo: Andrew Lambert Photography/Science Photo Library . : “the Lucifer – the light- aerial nocticula phosphoros spirit of night light”. which his celebrity depended, Krafft declined both requests, but could not resist giving a cryptic clue to his eminent host: “It was,” he said, “somewhat that belonged to the body of man.” For a this was sufficient and mind like Boyle’s, in 1680 he produced a scientific paper on the isolation of the glowing material, which he called The light-bearer It became known as Phosphorus, derived from the Greek, bearer. The Latin equivalent is bearer. This extraordinary substance, which glowed in the dark from a source of light within itself and took fire spontaneously caught the imag- upon exposure to air, ination of the 17th century public. It seemed mysterious, magical and filled with wondrous possibilities. Some thought OF THE MATERIA THEOF MEDICAMATERIA RCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA:RCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA Phosphorus At the time, Boyle, himself a back- A PHOSPHORUS – THE ELEMENT – PHOSPHORUS OF LUCIFER Phosphorus The Spirit of Night Light The Spirit On a historic Saturday night, the 15 September 1677, at the home of Robert Boyle in England, Johann Krafft of Dresden performed a unique experiment before members of the Royal Society. He demonstrated the luminescence and spontaneous combustion of a remark- able “new” element, which had been first prepared in 1669, from the residue of evaporated urine, by an alchemist, Henning Brand of Hamburg. room alchemist, was already renowned for his pioneer work in the study of gases Law). Intrigued by the unique (Boyle’s properties of the substance, Boyle asked Krafft to leave a sample with him for further experimentation, or at least to explain its method of preparation. Not wishing to disclose this secret, which he had purchased from Brand, and upon ARCHETYPES Lilley by David ASTERCLASS M

symbolic, mytho-

Thuja Aurum

Ferrum Cuprum considering eight major Argentum carbonate ASTERCLASS Magnesium

Phosphorus Lac caninum M In this series of masterclasses, I will be remedies from a logical and homeopathic perspec- tive to better penetrate the unique genius of each substance and reveal its emotional, psychological and Studying spiritual healing power. homeopathic remedies in this way opens the mind and heart to the mysteries of life and the cosmos and imprints the healing images at the deepest level. The use of the words he or she in these articles refers to the male or female principles present in all of us and is not rel- Certain remedies ated to gender. are more conveniently spoken of as male, for example Aurum, and others as female, for example when their char- Cuprum, however, acteristics match the picture of the patient, they are suitable for the treatment of either gender. MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA

it must be the flammae vitae: “the vital chakra and thus links Phosphorus to clay the most beautiful woman ever flame of life”. Magnesium. The two have many clinical created, the Four Winds to breath life It was soon noted by those coming similarities and are paired productively into her, and each of the gods and god- in frequent contact with phosphorus that in our physiology, providing energy and desses to endow her with irresistible unusual sexual arousal was experienced. directing our functions, and consort qualities, but only after he had charged It acquired a reputation in the treatment destructively in our warfare (the bomb- Hermes, the God of Guile and Trickery, of TB and very dilute preparations were ing of Hamburg, 1943). to give her a selfish, fickle, shameless found to increase mental power and mind, filled with vanity and an idle, physical energy. Not surprisingly, phos- Prometheus acquisitive, deceitful nature. phorus was soon esteemed a powerful Prometheus, a Titan and a demigod, was tonic and aphrodisiac. the Lucifer of the Greeks, who, like his Pandora’s box Fear and respect for its extreme tox- Biblical counterpart, suffered a terri- Zeus named her Pandora, every-gift, and icity would only come later after many ble fate. In the War of the Titans, he and entrusted to her care a beautiful box that poisonings and many tragedies. For all his brother Epimetheus supported Zeus she was ordered to give to the man who its effulgent charisma, a diabolical and his brothers against their father married her. With Hermes as guide, Zeus energy lurks behind its seductive charm. Kronos. On his triumph, Zeus became sent her down to Prometheus – a gift from the almighty God of Olympus and the the gods! Prometheus, whose name means The fall of Lucifer sky, yet set great store by the cunning forethought, was sensible of the deceit, In Lucifer, Judeo-Christian myth con- wisdom of his Titan henchman. and without allowing himself to be cap- jures a vision of an archangel, the Prince A dispute arose amongst the inhab- tivated by her charms, sent her away. of Light, who inflated with hubris, like itants of Sicyon over which portions of His brother Epimetheus, whose name the Morning Star, which at dawn out- a sacrificial bull would be the most means afterthought, was not possessed shines both Jupiter and Saturn, but dims pleasing to the gods. Prometheus was of the same prudence and sagacity. Soon, to extinction as the Sun ascends, aspired invited to act as arbiter. His loyalty was besotted by her beauty and deaf to his to raise his throne above the stars of the always first towards mankind, especially brother’s entreaties, he married Pandora. Most High and was cast down from the if it permitted him to outwit the Olym- Fearing the worst, Prometheus made him heights into the depths of the Abyss, to pians. His nature was full of mischief, vow to keep the box sealed, but it was become the Lord of Demons. In his fall, trickery and opportunism. He forthwith not long before Pandora bewitched him a sacred emerald fell from Lucifer’s brow sacrificed two bulls and filled their skins, into satisfying her cat-like curiosity by and was lost in the infernal gloom. one with all the bones artfully hidden opening the forbidden box. Out flew the The light that Lucifer bore was not beneath a rich layer of fat, and the other malicious Spites – Lust, Vice, Passion, the light of spiritual illumination and with all the flesh, but concealed beneath Sickness, Strife, Insanity, Travail and self-realisation, but the light of ego-based the stomach and other organs, which he Senility – which stung the foolish pair intellect, logic and reason, which becomes knew to be least tempting to the divine on every part of their bodies and then blinding when it shines with selfish pride palate. He then asked the Father of the dispersed all over the world to beset the and seeks only in itself for wisdom, Gods which of the two skins he would entire race of mortals. Only delusive becoming its own god, altar and focus. accept as an offering. Hope remained behind, able to ease the The emerald that was forfeit and lies for- Trusting him, Zeus became the dupe labours of humanity and to render the gotten in the shadows is the symbol of of his artifice and chose the bones. In his troubles and sorrows of life less painful. unconditional love, occult knowledge anger at the deceit, Zeus, knowing of and the memory of our immortal, angelic Prometheus’ sympathies, exacted pun- An immortal liver state. It is the jewel of the fourth (love) ishment by withholding fire from Thwarted in his revenge against the mankind. “Let them eat their flesh raw!” crafty and rebellious Prometheus, Zeus he cried out. To this day, the only remedy now took direct action against him and appearing in the homeopathic repertory ordered Hermes to carry him to Mt of symptoms under the rubric –“desire Caucasus and there, with the help of for raw meat” – is Phosphorus! Hephaistos, bind him with cruel chains to the rocks where he would be exposed The theft of fire to the eternal torment of having his liver Then, Prometheus took pity on mankind. devoured each day by a long-winged eagle. With the assistance of the goddess Athene, Each night his liver would regenerate, he gained access to Olympus, the dwelling so that his anguish was without end. It place of the gods, and lit a torch at the is said that where the blood from his fiery chariot of the Sun. He broke off a terrible wound soaked the ground the fragment of the burning charcoal and poisonous herb Aconitum sprang to life. enclosed it within a stalk of giant fennel. After 30 years had passed, the hero, Thus concealed, he conveyed the brand Herakles, freed him from his torments Photo: Bridgeman Art Library to mankind and furthermore commit- by breaking his chains and killing the ted himself to teaching them all the arts, eagle with an arrow. The wise centaur, crafts and skills necessary to enrich their Cheiron, finally brought reconciliation civilisation. between Zeus and the Titan and later, Zeus was enraged at this flagrant longing for death to put an end to his transgression and swore vengeance. He trials, he bequeathed his own immor- caused Hephaistos, the divine artisan tality to Prometheus, who was thus able and God of the Forge, to fabricate from to take his place among the gods.

MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA: Phosphorus Phosphorus

law. The price is the eternal torment of and reveals a relationship with the blood, Prometheus. His liver, a third chakra spleen and haemorrhages, while emo- organ, is the target of the devouring intel- tionally it indicates intensity, passion lect personified by the eagle. During the and an excitable, animated disposition. day, when the intellect holds sway, it is Black phosphorus, the rarest form, destroyed; during the night when the shows the affinity of the remedy for plumb- intuitive powers surface, it is restored. ing the depths of the personal abyss, the Shadow, releasing the effects of grave Cold-light trauma and defusing the perverted prompt- The very essence of Phosphorus is light ings of a very disturbed unconscious mind. – a light that reveals itself through lumi- In Phosphorus, as in Belladonna, it is the nescence. Luminescence is the process light of the ego or false-self that proves by which certain substances emit light toxic; redemption lies in the murk of the while at low temperature without the repressed Shadow-self. production of heat. Luminescence emis- sion is therefore cold-light in contrast “Mirror, mirror on the wall!” with the incandescence emission from The Olympians repeat the miracle of very hot materials. Pandora whenever a Phosphorus child

Photo: Bridgeman Art Library Every mineral, plant or animal is a is born. In health they are exquisitely symbol of something deeper, something beautiful, whether girl or boy. We wit- timeless, something sacred. When un- ness how each of the divinities con- ravelling the hidden wisdom of myth, tributed to the perfection of their we need to peer beyond the obscuring creation, from the lustrous glory of their veil of appearances and scrutinise the hair, to their delicately fashioned feet. essence. To understand Phosphorus, we Above all, their eyes are a source of fas- must ponder the significance of cold- cination: huge, limpid and sparkling, light. It evokes an image of shining and expressive and confiding, framed by These interlinking myths reveal pro- attracting without feeling, without long, sweeping eyelashes, artfully used found concepts laid down as patterns in empathy, without warmth and without to captivate and beguile. the collective unconscious and require love. It is a superficial or shallow light, Even the very young are precociously interpretation for us to be able to grasp selfish and seductive, that shines for its aware of their impact on admiring adults their deeper meaning. In both the nature own gratification and glory, and to and of the power and influence this of Prometheus and Pandora and in the enchant, entice and ensnare. It is the affords them. No child can pout and sim- contents of the box, emotional and clin- alluring light of Pandora. Cold-light per more provocatively. They are con- ical characteristics of the Phosphorus exposes the secret of Phosphorus: that scious of their looks and love to observe archetype are revealed. On a purely phys- deep to the vivacious, enchanting, cap- themselves in a mirror even when hav- ical level, an ancient and remarkable intu- tivating effervescence that bubbles so ing a tantrum, which characteristically itive knowledge becomes evident. The seductively on the surface, lie energies soon passes. Like a cat, they are sensual toxicity of both Phosphorus and Mag- which pertain to its namesake – Lucifer! creatures, loving physical contact and nesium impacts especially upon the liver very responsive to caress and comfort- and Aconitum is the first remedy for hep- The perversity of white ing. They are affectionate and loving, atitis and the onset of jaundice. Phosphorus occurs in three major forms: bright and alert, curious and commu- white, red and, rarely, black. The white, nicative. They love the limelight and very The price of intellectual arrogance so unstable that it reddens in light, is the soon show aptitude for drama and art, Prometheus was a Titan and, like his entire form that glows in the dark. It is highly or music and dancing, being naturally race, imbued with the spirit of revolt and toxic and ignites spontaneously to form graceful and rhythmic. Though gifted, rebellion. Both he and Lucifer transgressed dense, white fumes. In warfare it is used their academic achievements do not against the godhead by stealing the divine in incendiary bombs and for the gener- always reflect their true potential because fire of reason and intellect from heaven ation of smoke screens. In this we see play is what they love most, often in a and giving this awareness and under- a destructive trait and sense a propen- dream-world far richer than reality. standing to humanity. In both myths, the sity for the clandestine and hidden. In With maturity, the Phosphorus feat- consciousness that is bestowed does not combination with sulphur it was used ures retain their beauty, becoming represent spiritual understanding, which to produce the first matches. Sulphur refined, sculptured and aristocratic, in employs this spark from the divine fire as provided the fuel, while phosphorus pro- keeping with their elegant deportment a torch to light the way to spiritual attain- vided the flame. These “strike any- and graceful manners. Their talents will ment; it represents the arrogance of the where” matches were aptly called Lucifers. often have blossomed, enriching society, egotistic intellect, which exults in its own Workers in the match factories, mostly possibly through one of the arts or crafts. cleverness, and uses the spark for its own women and teenage girls, were at great Each one is a Prometheus, lighting up self-gratification and exaltation. risk and many developed a condition the world with fire stolen from heaven. The light of materialistic reasoning, known as “phossy jaw”: an agonising, But there is often a dark side, and this scientific rationalism, arouses man from destructive process which ate into the we need to consider. the childlike, unconscious innocence of jaw bones producing a honeycomb effect, paradise and releases him from servitude with loosening and loss of teeth and a A leaf in the wind to the instinctive, animal will but also discharge of loathsome, putrid matter. Phosphorus has to be kept immersed in liberates him from obedience to natural Red phosphorus is the stable form water to prevent it igniting and vapor-

MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA: Phosphorus MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA

Unfortunately, deep and sustained hide, who is special, stronger and more empathy is not intrinsic to the Phos- noble than those who torment her. phorus nature. A sense of superiority When she is older this “superior per- and entitlement develops, shaped and sonality” may seek and express power fostered by flattery, overindulgence and through sexuality. She will manipulate favouritism. They are dependent on the others sexually and pursue revenge constant flow of indiscriminate love, through sexual dominance. By flaunt- praise and even worship and therefore ing her beauty and sensuality she will become demanding, envious and jeal- ensnare an entranced male, use him and ous, capable of resentment and even vin- then callously cast him aside. In others, dictive hatred when they are not the a terrible rage and hatred is leashed focus of attention. She can be the little within, which years later may explode ballerina who must always have the lead through inexplicable acts of physical or Photo: Roberto De Gugliemo/Science Photo Library role; he can be the young pianist who sexual violence and murderous impulses must hold centre stage. Often looming and deeds. It is the victim who often Emerald – the lost gem of universal love behind them is a pushy, ambitious and becomes the perpetrator. Phosphorus exacting Arsenicum mother. can be both predator and prey. ising into a nebulous, imponderable Such children and teenagers develop state. Its tendency is towards levitation the unrealistic and arrogant expectation The spider and the fly and expansion, dissipating its energy that there will always be others to pro- “Come into my parlour,” said the Spider with unrestrained abandon until wasted vide for their emotional and physical (Lucifer/Phosphorus) to the Fly (Pandora/ and spent. Its passion and intensity are wants. They have an exalted opinion of Phosphorus). Nursery rhymes, like transient and easily lapse into indiffer- themselves and are self-absorbed, self- dreams and myths, often have hidden, ence, ennui and apathy. indulgent and insensitive to the needs sometimes disturbing meanings. These The first researchers were not mis- and plights of others. When their sense beautiful children may attract the atten- taken in linking Phosphorus to the tuber- of entitlement is not rewarded, contempt tion of sexually predatory adults. Phos- cular constitution. The consciousness of and rage will follow. [“When annoyed, phorus appears in one of the most the tubercular subject reaches out into fall into furious anger and malignancy” sinister and ominous of all rubrics in the the rarefied realms of imagination, fan- – Hering]. Always anticipating and need- materia medica: “lewdness, obscene; tasy and psychic perception. Phosphorus ing praise, they develop a vulnerability man searching for little girls (or boys)”. lacks boundaries; its identity is poorly to criticism, to being ignored, rejected, Even at a young age, the perverted mind formed: a wafting leaf helplessly at the or in any way ridiculed. perceives in them a provocative, sexual mercy of every gust from outer influ- allure, which invites abuse. In addition ences or inner emotions. It is impres- Dire imprinting to their looks there is often a precocious sionable, inquisitive, ingenuous, gullible Lack of parental nurturing and espe- sensuality, a lack of inhibition and and easily persuaded. cially emotional deprivation by an indif- absence of tactile defensiveness, which Therefore, imprinting and condi- ferent and spiteful mother figure are are interpreted by the depraved adult as tioning from environment, situations critical during the formative years. Para- a tacit overture. and significant role models have a power- doxically, many a Phosphorus survives The Phosphorus child is capable of ful and often disastrous effect. For good, by a remarkable, compensatory strategy: sexual response at a relatively tender age bad or indifferent, their identity may be by experiencing themselves as different and may be groomed to be a willing fashioned by the beliefs, opinions and and special. The real self splits off from partner in the abuse. Anger, rage and actions of others. their consciousness and shelters behind hatred will only come later. a delusion of superiority and entitlement. The budding narcissist Within the real self, unconscious feel- Revealing the lost gem Generally, Phosphorus children are ings of abandonment, neglect, fear, In Phosphorus we possess a remedy, above average in intelligence, looks and hatred and rage are harboured. which, when indicated, can create talents. Their gifts may develop preco- When both parents are implicated boundaries, protecting the over-impres- ciously, and are proudly paraded by dot- and the child is also abused, the worst sionable, innocent and perilously vul- ing parents, grandparents and teachers. emotional disturbances may emerge. nerable child and adolescent against Their environment may be dominated This is especially so when the abuse is perverse influences. It can heal the most by indiscriminate love and adoration. sexual and the child is forced into per- terrible emotional wounds and their The child is pampered and made to feel verse, degrading and humiliating acts. dread consequences. It can convert cold- unique and exceptional. If an only child The child is powerless to escape the light into the warmest and kindest light this special treatment may be even more clutches of those who torment her: trag- of all – “the light that shineth in the intensely focused. Some, while certainly ically, so often those who should be pro- darkness; and the darkness compre- given to high drama and temperamen- tecting her. The child’s feelings and hended it not” (St John 1:5): a sublime tal outbursts, appear relatively unspoilt identity are utterly crushed and in order light illuminating the deepest recesses of by this excessive adulation and remain to survive she splits herself off from the the abyss, revealing the lost gem of uni- essentially, though often ephemerally, humiliating experience and creates a versal love that it may be restored to the grateful, loving and sympathetic. superior being behind which she can brow of the fallen angel.

David Lilley MBChB FFHom is an internationally renowned teacher of the materia medica who has developed his practice in South Africa over the last 40 years after training at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital.

MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA: Phosphorus