Page 9 - Winter 24-25

(photo from Penzance council)
A sea wall is a useful analogy: this is a structure erected to keep the demons of stormy weather at bay, to protect the vulnerable hiding behind it (sycotic miasm). There are times when those on the other side of it would be totally unaware of the disturbances of the sea (of emotions) it is protecting against. Every now and again a bigger wave comes along, and the ocean spills over the defences (Weeping; spasmodic), sometimes seemingly for no reason (Weeping: causeless. Weeping: involuntary). However, when the storm really picks up, it can breach the carefully constructed barrier, and flood the vulnerable who were hiding behind its protection, occasionally with little warning (Weeping: violent. Weeping: hysterical).
Natrum muriaticum patients do not like to share their inner emotions, and delving into the core feelings can be very challenging for the practitioner. Even when someone is trying to help, they are protective of their shadow (Weeping: consolation aggravates. Weeping: comforted, no desire to be. Weeping: looked at, when. Weeping: pitied, if he believes he is. Weeping: spoken to, when. Weeping: telling; sickness, when telling of her).
Sometimes these innermost energies seem to be, or are at risk of being, exposed, and the patient can feel vulnerable
at these times; this could be why the remedy is represented in the rubrics Weeping: urination, during, and Weeping: menses, during, both of which expose the workings of the physical body to the outside world. Weeping during menses, however, could also suggest the influence of hormones, which strengthen the force of the suppressed emotions, causing a breach in the wall (also Weeping: pregnancy, during). This involuntary inflammation of the emotions buried below is also represented in Weeping: music from, and Weeping, past events – thinking about.
The potential effect of the stored memories is ever present and will emerge when the guard is down. Weeping: night. Weeping: night - sleep, in. Weeping: alone, when. Weeping: dreaming, while. Weeping: involuntary. Weeping: sleep, in. Weeping: sobbing; weeping with – sleep in. Weeping: whimpering; night. Weeping: sleep, during. When sleeping (and sometimes when daydreaming, hence Weeping: involuntary), there is no ability to reinforce the guard when the feeling of vulnerability appears, and the uncontrolled tears can then flow.
So many of our patients, particularly when they are seen following rescue and early separation from the mother and litter mates, have negative energies which impact on their health. Because they are so experienced in placing a barrier to hide these deeper feelings, this may not be recognised by the onlooker – or the clinician. The little clues, a tear appearing in the corner of the eye as the symptoms are related in humans, or a sigh or sad expression, perhaps a deep inhalation, as comfort is offered or love is shown to our animal patients, can be the clue needed to enable a release from carting this baggage around, often baggage which has been a lifetime’s burden.
Finally, a brief revision of Jan Scholten’s themes for Natrum muriaticum.
Natrum – sadness and depression; closed, alone; restriction; denial, forbidden; sensitive; holding on. Muriaticum – self-pity; care; nurturing; mother; attention; self-awareness.
It is of use in situations involving lack of nurturing; chronic grief; absence of a mother figure; being alone in the world. How frequently are we presented with such a picture in the consulting room? Rajan Sankaran says the main theme of natrum muriaticum is “that he or she will be let down or betrayed or disappointed by the person her trust depends upon, or by the one she loves.” This is very similar to Natrum arsenicosum, but there is a greater degree of fear and restlessness in this remedy. George Vithoulkas says that the primary characteristic underlying the Natrum mur. pathology is “introversion arising out of a feeling of great vulnerability to emotional injury.” These are common themes recognised by all veterinary homeopaths and are perhaps a more frequent causation of pathological states in our patients than we realise, as we are hidden from the truth by their protective wall of salt.
Sources of reference
The Soul of Remedies – Rajan Sankaran Homeopathy and Minerals – Jan Scholten
Synthesis Repertorium (edition 9.1) – edited by Dr, Frederik Schroyens
Prisma – Frans Vermeulen
The Essence of Materia Medica – George Vithoulkas
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