Architecture of the Psyche
Peter Tumminello
Abstract: All minerals, organic compounds and gemstones crystallise. This crystallization essentially appears in seven distinct patterns. Through the study of many provings and successful prescriptions, these patterns have been shown to have a distinct relationship with the psyche. This article is a brief delineation of these patterns together with a focus on the characteristic expression of one particular structure: Orthorhombic. It is supported by three clinical cases: the gemstone Chiastolite immersion, the mineral Marcasite immersion and compound Zincum phosphoricum.
Keywords: Psyche; provings; homeopathic provings; crystal structure; Orthorhombic; Chiastolite immersion; Marcasite immersion; Zincum phosphoricum.
In 2007 I met a prominent mineralogist and healer, Michael Gienger who introduced me to the proposition that the structure of crystals is a key to understanding the psyche. I soon recognised that this proposition could translate into minerals, organic compounds and gemstones used in homeopathy as they all crystallise. From that time I embarked on a project of researching homeopathic provings and cases to see if the principle held true.
I soon started to see the fixed characteristics of the psyche that belong to each of the seven classic crystal structures of mineralogy, appearing in many of my own successful prescriptions as well as those of other published cases. I realized that structure was a matrix, and architecture that circumscribed and delineated the mental sphere of clients.
I was surprised and excited by what I found and soon realized that in addition to my usual methodologies using provings, the periodic table and the colour symptom, I could use the principal of structure to enhance the precision of my prescriptions of minerals and gems.
Image: Fluorite crystal with caption
Blue Fluorite, as a perfect octahedron, crystallises into the cubic structure. Fluorite is the source of Calcarea fluoratum’
The Science
Seven crystal structures appear in nature and are identified through a regularity of formation of crystals. Every specific crystal has an absolutely regular and repeatable pattern through its molecular structure, aligning the molecules so that it always forms in the same way. It confers consistent physical and optical properties. It is a blueprint that regulates the way the atoms and molecules relate to one another in a regular way.
As mentioned there are seven structures known to science. In addition to this some substances have no discernable structure and they form an eighth group, which is termed ‘Amorphous’. Two and three dimensional forms can be assigned to the structures. For the purposes of this article I will refer only to the two dimensional form (see ‘Pysche and Structure’ for further information on forms). They are the square, rectangle, hexagon, triangle, rhomb, parallelogram and trapezium. The circle is used to indicate the ‘Amorphous’ group. Their nomenclature is as follows:
Image: Eight simple images required to be produced – as below with the nomenclature alongside each one. They should be similar to the blue Rhomb in this article.
Square image: Cubic
Rectangle: Tetragonal
Hexagon: Hexagonal
Triangle: Trigonal
Rhomb: Orthorhombic
Parallelogram: Monoclinic
Trapezium: Triclinic.
Circle: Amorphous
The structures
As a consequence of the research of the crystal healers and my own work of the last 12 years we can attribute characteristics of the psyche which are instilled by each of the structures. An outline of these this is as follows.
Cubic: rigidity, willfulness, loss and letting go, effects of death; egotism and aloneness. It is typified in cubic remedies including Natrum mur, Aurum metallicum and Diamond.
Tetragonal: Covering up; suppression of instincts; perfection in the detail; ambition and achievement. Remedies such as Stannum metallicum, Magnesium fluor and Apophyllite crystallise into this structure.
Hexagonal: Goal oriented and urge for success; strength, confidence and power; the drive to do; teamwork; yin and yang – masculine and feminine in relationship. Medicines which carry this structure include Graphites, Emerald and Zincum metallicum.
Trigonal: Needing security; aspirational; stress, struggle and trials and strong family orientation. Homeopathic medicines that fall into this group are Bismuth metallicum, Tellurium metallicum and Amethyst.
Orthorhombic: Accommodating; Deep feeling; feeling divided; the instincts as the beast within and closing down from shock. Antimonium crudum, Baryta carb and Pearl all fall as Orthorhombic crystals.
Monoclinic: Off balance, off centre; change and fluctuation; passionate expression and unique creativity. Medicines which bear the monoclinic stamp include Phosphorus; Nitric acid and Nephrite Jade.
Triclinic: Disarray; trauma; misalignment of life events: work; relationships and sense of self; emotional reactivity; alienation. Triclinic medicines include the gemstones Turquoise, Rhodonite and Amazonite.
Amorphous: Change; transformation; destruction; dissolution; disconnection and disorientation. Medicines which are included in this category: Alumina, Mercurius vivus, Obsidian and Opal.
Orthorhombic
As mentioned in the previous article the Orthorhombic crystal system is based on the shape of the rhombus. This ‘diamond’ shape directs our attention to the centre, indicating life force, instinct and felt sense.
Simple rhombus ( see attached) should be adjacent to this paragraph. Caption: ‘the Rhomb, a 2D figure that is inherently aligned to the Orthorhombic crystal structure’
The soft angle of rhomb infers a sense of feeling, internality and the yin principle. This directs us to understand that Orthorhombs have a strong identification with the feeling world, a visceral experience of the feeling nature that precedes and governs outer contacts and expressions. Their feelings seem disproportionate to those of others and are often accompanied by a propensity to close in on themselves or close down from others.
This may be compared to the mental and behavioural inferred by the sharp angles of the vertex and base of the rhomb respectively. They are sharp and limited, uncomfortable and contrastingly infer a knife like danger. In orthorhombic medicines we find intense instinctual portrayal of feelings (eg the tantrums of Antimonium crudum) and sharpness of mind (eg the conscientiousness of Baryta carbonicum)
Orthorhombic Axis Vectors
Axis vectors indicate the three lines of force that construct the crystal. They indicate the fundamental nature various drives, needs and desires built into life: sense of self; relationships and work.
Image: Axis vectors image which is sent with this article should be adjacent to these paragraphs. Caption – ‘the axes or vectors which inherent in Orthorhombic crystals’
These three axes of unequal and varying length signify its disposition to adapt, to accommodate. This disposition is along fixed planes (orderly trajectories) as all the axes are at 90 degrees to one another. This indicates that even though Orthorhombic people may have adapted to or accommodated the culture and people around them, they are still aware of their authentic self in a substantial way. At heart they maintain their own ethical foundations or hold onto cherished ideals, even though they may regularly act to the contrary.
The unequal lengths may also relate to feeling overextended or underdeveloped in one or other aspect of their life e.g. too much time spent on family matters doesn’t allow them to care for themselves or proceed in their career. While this is usually in relation to over accommodation of others, it may also relate to oversensitivity, over-responsibility or a closed-down emotional expression.
Key features
Deep feeling: The Orthorhombic structure is pre-eminent in its relationship world of feeling. Their motto is “I feel’. The visceral depth of the feeling itself, the emotive connectedness, vulnerability and dominance of the watery element themes (see Psyche and Structure) all unmistakably point to this concept. It could be said that their fundamental mission is to feel, to perceive the world around them with sensitivity and compassion, without compromising their values, self-care and authentic way in life.
Accommodation and suppression: There is strong tendency is to adapt to the requirements of those around them, to adjust to their environment and this is rooted in the sensitivity of their own feelings and sympathetic awareness of the other. They are both empathic and longing for acceptance.
Internalised, closed down, numb: their tendency to suppression and internalisation of feelings and experiences often leads them to close down. This is most evident after a trauma. Eventually they may feel dead inside, depressed or suffer from deep alienation.
Divided feeling and the Beast within: there is great incongruence of feeling and thought – a schism within; they often act from the gut living out emotions such as anger or remorse and this causes anguish. Untamed instincts of rage or sexuality may cause great difficulty for them. It is often due to intense or suppressed feelings.
Responsibility, guilt and worry: Their sensitive feeling nature will empathise deeply, and take on the problems of others as if their own. They are reliable and need to keep promises or they feel very guilty.
Diseases: There is a tendency to eating disorders and panic disorders. Depression figures prominently and post-traumatic stress may be evident.
Body and facial typology: Full sensuous lips, deep-set eyes and fleshy bodies have been observed clinically. It is often indicated for those who have a wide girth with narrowing towards the head and feet, hence resembling the shape of the Rhomb itself.
Bibliography
Gienger, M. (1998). Crystal Power, Crystal Healing. Heron Quays, London: Octopus Publishing Group.
Scholten, J. (1996). Homeopathy and the elements. Utrecht: Stichting Alonissos.
Tumminello, P. (2017). Psyche and Structure, gems and minerals in homeopathy, Narayana Verlag.
Welte, U. (2016). Colors in homeopathy. Chart and text book. Narayana Verlag.