The Pulsatilla constitutional type: sweetness and love

 

Pulsatilla is known as the weathercock of remedies because its key features are changeability and the need or desire to be outdoors. The changeability is as unpredictable as the wind itself. The circulation is unstable, with a complexion that, like Phosphorus', flushes up or blushes easily, and the energy is variable, so that in a few minutes the individual can alter from bright and lively to tired and droopy. Also, like gusts of wind, the pains come on suddenly, then either let up abruptly on first motion or subside gradually.

Pulsatilla is predominantly a female remedy. It is classically thought to suit women of a mild, shy and good-natured disposition. “Pulsatilla is the most feminine of types because she lives almost entirely through her emotions, and does not suppress them. She has an intellect, but it is used exclusively in the service of her emotional needs and desires. This is why her ideas can appear so changeable. Emotions are very changeable things, especially when they are given free rein and not suppressed, and since Pulsatilla’s thoughts are generally concerned with emotional satisfaction, they tend to be flighty and unpredictable.” Philip Bailey in Homeopathic Psychology 

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Pulsatilla is very sensitive. On the one hand they tend to bottle things up and hold onto emotions. They will hide their indignation about some slight they may have received. They hold onto negative emotions, hold grudges, feel peeved and can become quite jealous, quite sorrowful, depressed and very anxious. 

 

On the other hand they are particularly weepy. They are moved to tears when listening to music, watching a romantic film or even seeing distressing news on the television. They can be hopeless romantics and will probably be moved to weep when shown kindness or given a present. They can also hold firmly to their views, in that they can be deeply religious, or dogmatic about things that they hold dear.

 

Sympathy always helps them. A cuddle or a hug may make them weep, but it will usually help. It is that touch, that comfort that is important.

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“Pulsatilla will do anything to avoid moving away from his mother.” Didier Grandgeorge - Homeopathic Remedies for the Stages of Life

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Philip Bailey observed that young children of both sexes are often Pulsatilla constitutionally, but as they grow up, most of them change into other constitutional types, leaving surprisingly few adult Pulsatillas.  

Another prominent Pulsatilla characteristic is dependence. Just as the flower grows in clusters, so must the human Pulsatilla have people around her.

 

“Between the ages of two and five children are functioning primarily from their emotions. (Before this their focus is principally physical, and after this the intellect becomes increasingly dominant.) It is precisely this age-group of children which contains a large proportion of Pulsatillas. Once the intellect begins to take over and ‘edit’ the child’s emotional life, the Pulsatilla state has gone. In this guided meditation we are going to re-enter that emotional age from two to five and experience its pure innocence and love.