Editorial

by Richard Pitt

Challenge, Transition and Transformation.

Homeopathy has been through many changes since the time of Hahnemann and now more than ever, the potential of homeopathy needs greater recognition .

However, we have seen in the last few years, increasing attacks on homeopathy and other alternative therapies. Homeopathy has always challenged the traditional mechanistic, materialistic model to science and medicine, and today, even with so many advances in science, psychology and medicine, homeopathy is still a threat to those who feel it represents the unacceptable face of ´unscientific´ medicine.

However, the challenges homeopathy is facing, in the light of the cynical attacks on its integrity, its efficacy and the personal motives of those who practice it, are no different than for many others in history whose position has challenged the status quo and the reactionary opponents of change. In some ways, it is a complement, as those hostile to homeopathy would not spend so much time and effort dismissing it unless they felt somewhat threatened by it. After all, after 200 years, homeopathy does not look like it is going away. It is still practiced throughout the world, by doctors and non doctors and also used by millions of people in their daily life. 

So, although we should not take these attacks lightly and must do everything we can to protect homeopathy and its right to be practiced freely, we should also see this time as an opportunity to strengthen homeopathy as a legitimate, powerful and radical form of healing, one that is still way ahead of its time, even in the 21st century.

There is no doubt advances that can be made in homeopathy – from more scientific evidence of its efficacy, establishing and protecting legal rights to practice, developing training programs to train new homeopaths, and to working to bring homeopathy to the same level of recognition as any other form of medicine.  The most important thing though is to do homeopathy well, to practice the art of homeopathy to its highest level and to celebrate this within the profession.

Any system of medicine needs to have a lively, active intellectual dialog in the form of journals, magazines, books etc that can share the experiences and ideas of the profession. 

This journal is one contribution to this endeavor and this, the 7th edition of the new journal since its revival in 2006, after a break of over 100 years is committed to celebrating the work we are doing today. Originally published between 1892 and 1892, by W.A Dewey and William Boericke, the California Journal was a vehicle for the homeopathic profession in San Francisco and California. Now in 2011, we are keeping it alive and are now producing the journal online only. We want to spread the work of the journal, not only in California but in the rest of North America and beyond. There is no need now to be limited by geographical barriers. 

This journal has articles on a variety of subjects. It explores the work of homeopaths in Ghana, Africa and other parts of the globe. It is sharing the work of those using the P.C. remedies in Africa and beyond. It is also sharing the work of people working in Africa setting up health clinics in Nigeria and who although not homeopaths have been working with homeopathic groups in facing the challenges of health care in Africa. It is also sharing a report of an amazing conference in Holland two years ago in which homeopaths from all over the world shared their research and clinical work. The journal also has an article by Dana Ullman from his book The Homeopathic Revolution, exploring the fascinating history of homeopathy in the United States. It also has articles from two homeopaths down under, Peter Tumminello in Australia and Deirdre Holmes in New Zealand on some new and fascinating homeopathic remedies that reflect the ever-changing ideas and practice of homeopathy. It also has an article by local homeopath Varda Wilensky on her work volunteering in a local cancer clinic and how homeopathy is helping there. These are just some of the topics being shared and which reveal the diversity of homeopathy being practiced and the commitment of those doing this work.

If one thing is true, homeopaths are committed people. We are dedicated to our art as we know it works, and so well. It will continue to work, in spite of those prejudiced enough not to know and not to want to know, a cardinal sin of scientific objectivity. 

So, let us celebrate our work and take this challenge in the most positive way possible. We have to face these challenges with open eyes and open hearts and know that homeopathy will prevail and all our work will bear fruit and homeopathy will go from strength to strength