This book review is reprinted from Volume 10, 2004 Edition of The American Homeopath with permission from The American Homeopath.
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Dreams Symbols and Homeopathy: Archetypal Dimensions of Healing
By Jane Cicchetti, RSHom (NA), CCH

North Atlantic Books, 2003. 259 pages including endnotes, glossary and index
ISBN 1-55643-436-7

Reviewed by Melanie Grimes, RSHom (NA), CCH

Jane Cicchetti is a homeopath and educator, as well as a student of Zen and Jungian psychology. This book combines all of those talents.

Starting from an alchemical perspective, Cicchetti entwines homeopathy with dreams and archetypes, as she describes the mind/body connection in healing. With a goal to healing the totality of the person, from the inner psyche out, she discusses casetaking, communicating with the psyche, and symbolism in the materia medica. Alchemical and mythological roots of remedies are also discussed.

Cicchetti goes into depth discussing materia medica of vines, trees and milk remedies, both in their symbolism and doctrine of signatures, as well as history of the remedy, and its chief physical complaints. The book also contains endnotes, glossary, bibliography and index.

The theoretical information in the book was well developed, well laid out and easy to understand. I would have liked more materia medica, more specific remedies, and perhaps Cicchetti will provide that in a later book.

Cicchetti's book provides an in-depth look at the connection between the world of psychoanalysis and homeopathy. It is an informative guide for anyone wanting more information about dreams, alchemy and homeopathy, or for anyone seeking the deepest levels of healing for their patients.

This book would also appeal to those in the world of psychotherapy, and provide them with an introduction to homeopathy in a language of the subconscious that they would understand. Students of Jung, or those following where the studies of Whitmont left off, would be well advised to study this book.