Aurum Metallicum: From Darkness to Light -A Journey Through Mental and Emotional Healing

Dr Vijayareddy

ABSTRACT
Aurum Metallicum, derived from gold, is a potent homeopathic remedy for severe depression, suicidal tendencies, and profound disinterest in life. This article delves into the mental and emotional traits of Aurum Metallicum individuals, tracing their development from childhood to adulthood. It explores their intense ambition, workaholic nature, and perfectionism, shaped by conditional love and parental expectations. The article examines how these traits manifest in their roles at work, in relationships, and as parents, leading to deep depression and despair. Through case studies from various authors, we demonstrate how Aurum metallicum offers transformative healing, restoring hope and resilience.

Keywords :- Aurum Metallicum, Homeopathy, Depression, Suicidal tendencies, perfectionism , Workaholic, Gold, Syphilitic, Loathing of life

INTRODUCTION
Aurum Metallicum is a powerful remedy for secondary syphilis and problems caused by mercury. Its use for treating syphilis and scrofula is ancient but was forgotten by mainstream medicine until homeopathy revived it. It is prepared using trituration and tincture.

Hahnemann explains that ancient doctors valued gold, but later schools rejected it because it couldn’t dissolve. He used special methods to show gold’s strong effects, starting with low doses and later getting better results with higher potencies.

• Synonym: Gold.
• Chemical formula: Au
• Prover: Dr Samuel Hahnemann
• Thermals: Chilly
• Miasm : Syphilitic
• Temperament: Melancholy
• Diathesis: Scrofulous

Doctrine of signature

• Shining and bright – intelligent and hard working, usually reach very high positions.
• Most malleable – weak mentally and easily discouraged or depressed.
• Chemically least reactive and combined with selective mentals – loners. Keep in company or relation with few selected people if something happened to them or to get deceived by them or rejected, Aurum will affect very deeply.

Adaptability;-
It is adapted to sanguine, ruddy people with black hair and eyes Pining boys, low spirited, lifeless, lacking in boyish go Old people with heart disease, to person who are low spirited, lifeless and weak memory for constitutions broken down by bad effects of mercury and syphilis.

One of the nicest things about treating Aurum case is seeing some lightness entire their lives after taking the remedy. Like the gold from which the remedy is made, there is a great heaviness about Aurum, a heaviness that in most cases has been there since early childhood.

The main idea essential to Aurum is DEPRESSION AND LOATHING OF LIFE. If you run through the mental symptoms taking them all in as great whole, you will see that all the affections, natural to the healthy man are perverted…

this include a strong dislike for life and feeling tired of living. People with this condition lose interest in everything and feel hopeless. They often blame themselves, feel worthless, and experience deep sadness. This leads them to think about suicide as a way to escape their pain.

Hopelessness, despondency and sense of utter wretchedness are patient constant companion.

When patient reports that he has been depressed all of his life, think of Aurum.

He is Serious, Conscientious, Self-Respecting individual of solid values who harbours delicate scruples and a strong sense of responsibility and is a personification of trust worth.

MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

• DEPRESSION AND LOATHING OF LIFE DICTATORIAL
• SELF CONDEMNATION
• HARDWORKING
• PERFECTIONIST
• RESPONSIBILITY
• AMBITIOUS
• RELATIONSHIP
• SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM
• RELIGIOUS
• SUICIDAL TENDENCY

AURUM AS CHILD
Aurum as a child often experiences a conditional form of love from parents—love is only given when the child meets their high expectations. As a result, the child learns to give their best in everything, seeking approval and affection. However, when they fail to meet these expectations, they are punished, which creates a sense of rejection and insecurity. This leads the Aurum child to develop feelings of depression and despair even before reaching adulthood. This emotional strain is one reason why Aurum individuals become workaholic and industrious, as they constantly strive for approval. Additionally, being the eldest child, they may take on the responsibility of the family at an early age, especially after the death of the father, which adds to their sense of duty and burden.

INDUSTRIOUS
Aurum individuals have a strong inner drive to perform tasks beyond their actual capacity, making them highly industrious, responsible, and conscientious. They hold themselves to strict principles and high standards, often pushing themselves to the point of self-destruction. If they fail to meet their ambitious goals, they experience deep feelings of guilt, failure, and despair.

These individuals are often attracted to wealth, not just for material comfort but for the influence, respect, and sense of self-worth it brings. However, if they lose their wealth, they may feel as if they have lost their self-respect entirely, leading to profound depression. Philip M. Bailey gives a powerful example of this, mentioning the stockbrokers who jumped from skyscrapers during the Wall Street crash of the 1930s—he suggests that many of these desperate individuals could have been Aurum types.

Interestingly, homeopathic remedies prepared from potentized gold (Aurum Metallicum) have been found to bring relief to those who suffer from extreme depression, especially when their sense of self-worth is tied to their wealth and achievements.

AURUM METALLICUM AT THE WORK PLACE
An Aurum individual is a perfectionist at work, meticulous even about the smallest details. He is highly diligent, ensuring that every task is completed with utmost precision. He will work late, double-check every file, and account for every last penny—demonstrating a deep sense of duty and conscientiousness.

Known for being extremely hardworking, responsible, and honest, he is trusted and valued by his employers and colleagues. He possesses a strong sense of right and wrong, and any wrongdoing by others can provoke his anger. Aurum is committed to their principles, adhering to a strict value system and expecting the same from those around him.

He does not seek fame, power, or wealth; instead, he finds satisfaction in simply fulfilling his duties. Aurum individuals rarely take holidays and often end up working even during their time off. While they appreciate recognition, it is not their primary motivation—completing their responsibilities is what truly drives them.

AURUM AS A PATIENT
An Aurum patient is typically neat in appearance, often dressed conservatively in an old-fashioned style, sometimes with religious marks on the forehead. They are punctual for their appointments and come well-prepared, bringing neatly organized medical reports and investigation results in proper sequence. These patients are diligent in following medical advice, taking their prescribed medicines without missing even a single dose. When describing their ailments, they provide accurate and precise information, neither too much nor too little—just enough for the doctor to understand their condition clearly.

ISOLATION AND RELATIONSHIP
An Aurum child, from a young age, often receives love from their parents only conditionally or sometimes not at all. This lack of unconditional love causes deep emotional pain, leading them to build a protective barrier around their heart to avoid getting hurt. As a result, they learn to be independent, relying only on themselves, and never showing any signs of weakness.

In Relationships,  Aurum individuals find it hard to open up because they are still affected by their past painful experiences. They may form strong attachments to others but then expect those people to follow their wishes. If the other person resists, Aurum feels heartbroken, which can trigger depression. This heartbreak can feel similar to the pain of losing someone they love.

Aurum is one of the loneliest types. They are highly sensitive and have a deep fear of rejection. They often feel “abandoned” due to their emotionally distant parents, which leaves them with a constant feeling of being completely alone in the world.

AURUM AS A FATHER
There are two possibilities for Aurum as a father:

1. Devoted Father: He may become a very devoted father who tries hard to avoid repeating the mistakes his parents made. However, even if he finds a reasonably happy relationship, he may still take out his hidden anger on his children. This anger often stems from the neglect he experienced as a child. Despite having a loving family, he may have sudden bursts of explosive temper. Since he is sensitive and feels deep emotional pain, he often feels very guilty after these outbursts (as Kent describes it—remorse).
2. Repeating the Past: The other possibility is that he may fall into the same patterns of behavior as his own parents (especially if his father was also an Aurum type). Aurum men usually grow up feeling the need to prove themselves and may end up pushing their children just as hard as they push themselves. It’s a case where the struggles of one generation often affect the next, as the “sins of the father” can impact the sons.

AMBITIOUS
Aurum is Second most ambitious type after Nux Vomica. reason for ambitious nature in aurum is parental pressure and to compensate for inner lack of self-worth.

• Extreme dedication to work leads to rapid career advancement, often reaching executive positions
• Nux Vomica is naturally ambitious, confident, optimistic, and a born leader. Ambition in Nux Vomica comes from self-confidence, not external pressure.
• Natrum Muriaticum becomes a workaholic and perfectionist due to similar reasons as Aurum (lack of self-worth).
• However, Natrum Muriaticum is generally less ambitious than Aurum.
• Aurum’s characteristics are more extreme: greater self-worth issues, stronger isolation, and deeper depression.

SENSITIVE TOWARDS CRITICISM
Aurum and Natrum Muriaticum both take others’ comments seriously and are highly sensitive. Children of both types respond by withdrawing and hiding their feelings. They share similar emotional traits, but the difference lies in the intensity. Aurum experiences deeper emotions, keeps depression hidden, internalizes self-loathing, and may turn to religious devotion for comfort.

BLACKNESS
Aurum’s depression is often diagnosed as endogenous or organic, reflecting a constitutional tendency toward severe depression.

• Symptoms include despair, self-loathing (Kent: reproaches self), self-recrimination, isolation, and increasing mental paralysis.
• Depression is usually silent; Aurum patients function efficiently until they reach a breaking point.
• Aurum is prone to violent methods of suicide (Kent: jumping from a window), such as jumping off bridges or crashing a car.
• May engage in dangerous activities like rock climbing or motor racing as a way of courting death.
• Suicidal thoughts are comforting for Aurum, seeing death as an escape from pain.
• Feels like the shadow of death has been a lifelong companion
• During depressive episodes, Aurum may overwork or push themselves physically to cope.

Case from Philip M. Bailey: One Aurum patient tried to “shock” himself out of depression by taking icy cold swims in the early morning, followed by intense gym workouts. Due to an inability to eat, he became emaciated and grey. Treatment with Aurum 10M helped him recover from his depression and end his extreme behaviours.

Night time and winter intensify Aurum’s depression, with the descending darkness amplifying their despair. Those with seasonal depressive disorders may benefit greatly from Aurum as a remedy.

SELF CONDAMINATION
Aurum, being a syphilitic type, often becomes mentally obsessive, repeatedly dwelling on past traumas, especially when blaming himself.

Frequently tortures himself with thoughts of regret and remorse when things go wrong.

CASE EXAMPLE FROM CATHERINE COTLER:
A man felt he would be offered a promotion and confidently told his family and colleagues. However, he was called into his superior’s office only to be fired.

This Mis judgment led to severe self-condemnation: “I am entirely to blame; I don’t do anything right. It’s not surprising I was fired; I deserve it. I’ve let my family down.”

Losing his job and salary left him feeling worthless. He became apathetic, unable to sleep, eat, or look for another job.

Treatment: Daily doses of Aurum Met 30C for a week, then less frequently, improved his sleep and appetite, reducing his obsessive self-reproach.

RELIGIOUS DESPAIR
Aurum’s remorse can manifest as religious despair, believing they are unworthy of salvation (Kent: “he imagines he is only evil”).

Some Aurum individuals turn to prayer from an early age as a way to escape their inner mental turmoil, becoming obsessive about it.

They may spend hours praying daily, often with tears, which provides some relief.

Instead of becoming suicidal, religious Aurum types may pray obsessively for salvation, especially during deep depression.

Their religious behaviour is driven by a sense of moral obligation and fear of damnation.

Case Example from George Vithoulkas (Essence of Materia Medica):
A schoolmate in India had severe testicular pain. Despite being a friendly and seemingly well-adjusted person, he was treated with remedies like Clematis and Rhododendron, but they had no effect. During a consultation, he revealed that he was a Christian and felt compelled to pray for 1-2 hours each night before sleep, despite not having suicidal thoughts.  Upon deeper inquiry, it was clear he was depressed. Aurum was prescribed, and after a brief aggravation, his pain was completely relieved within 3 days.

AURUM IN FAMILY
Aurum individuals have strict ideas of duty, often shaped by parental teachings. Their sense of responsibility is strong, following what they believe they must do.

After fulfilling family duties (like educating and marrying off children), they often turn to religious or social service. This shift is driven more by a sense of duty than by genuine sympathy or concern for others.

REFERENCES

1. Vithoulkas, G. (2009). The Essence of Materia Medica. India: B. Jain Publishers (P) Limited.
2. Kent, J. T. (1905). Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica. United States: Boericke & Tafel.
3. Sankaran, R. (1997). The Soul of Remedies. India: Homoeopathic Medical Publishers
4. Bailey, P. M. (1995). Homeopathic Psychology: Personality Profiles of the Major Constitutional Remedies. United States: North Atlantic Books.
5. Coulter, C. R. (2002). Portraits of Homoeopathic Medicines. United States: Ninth House Pub…
6. Patil JD. Group Study in Homoeopathic Materia Medica. B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd., D-157, Sector. 2018;63:387-94.

Dr Vijayareddy
PG Scholar, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka.
Email id –vijayparivan888@gmail.com
Guide;- Dr. Amitha P Baliga
HOD, Professor, Department Of Homoeopathic Materia Medica