MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA Aurum by David Lilley Argentum Phosphorus Ferrum PHOSPHORUS – THE ELEMENT OF LUCIFER Cuprum Magnesium carbonate Phosphorus Photo: Andrew Lambert Photography/Science Photo Library Thuja Lac caninum In this series of masterclasses, I will be considering eight major remedies from a symbolic, mytho- logical and homeopathic perspec- tive to better penetrate the unique genius of each substance and reveal The Spirit of Night Light which his celebrity depended, Krafft its emotional, psychological and On a historic Saturday night, the 15 declined both requests, but could not spiritual healing power. Studying September 1677, at the home of Robert resist giving a cryptic clue to his eminent homeopathic remedies in this way Boyle in England, Johann Krafft of host: “It was,” he said, “somewhat that Dresden performed a unique experiment belonged to the body of man.” For a opens the mind and heart to the before members of the Royal Society. mind like Boyle’s, this was sufficient and mysteries of life and the cosmos and He demonstrated the luminescence and in 1680 he produced a scientific paper imprints the healing images at the spontaneous combustion of a remark- on the isolation of the glowing material, deepest level. The use of the words able “new” element, which had been which he called aerial nocticula: “the he or she in these articles refers first prepared in 1669, from the residue spirit of night light”. to the male or female principles of evaporated urine, by an alchemist, Henning Brand of Hamburg. The light-bearer present in all of us and is not rel- At the time, Boyle, himself a back- It became known as Phosphorus, derived ated to gender. Certain remedies room alchemist, was already renowned from the Greek, phosphoros – the light- are more conveniently spoken of for his pioneer work in the study of gases bearer. The Latin equivalent is Lucifer. as male, for example Aurum, and (Boyle’s Law). Intrigued by the unique This extraordinary substance, which others as female, for example properties of the substance, Boyle asked glowed in the dark from a source of light Krafft to leave a sample with him for within itself and took fire spontaneously Cuprum, however, when their char- further experimentation, or at least to upon exposure to air, caught the imag- acteristics match the picture of the explain its method of preparation. Not ination of the 17th century public. It patient, they are suitable for the wishing to disclose this secret, which he seemed mysterious, magical and filled treatment of either gender. had purchased from Brand, and upon with wondrous possibilities. Some thought MASTERCLASS ARCHETYPES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA: Phosphorus 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.