So I know I’m a little late to the party, but I’ve recently become hooked on Netflix series ‘Outlander’.
Set in 18th century Scotland, there is a lot happening: time travel, witches, hot men and kilts. But one storyline follows the main character, Claire Beachamp, befriending a local woman, Geillis Duncan. Geillis and Claire (a nurse in her former life) share an ability to use medicinal herbs to help with illness.
In the show, the gentry and village folk alike flock to Geilis and Claire to solve a variety of issues, both physical and spiritual; and are they are therefore referred to as ‘healers’.
That got me thinking.
This intersection between ‘health’ and ‘healing’ has fractured more and more in the centuries since the world of Claire, Geillis, and medieval Scotland. Organic methods of herbs, energy, and spirituality became the realm of alternative practitioners; whilst the traditional and scientific based ‘health’ practices became the stomping ground of qualified doctors.
And yet, in recent years, there has been a notable rise in the numbers of commercial ‘healers’.
So what IS the role of the modern healer?
There are many varying levels and abilities of modern-day healers.
Healers work in many, many different ways. Some use music, some use massage, some use crystals. They might work off information you’ve offered, whilst others might offer you their diagnosis. There are energy healers, chakra healers, acupuncture healers, pranic healers, shamanic healers, water healers, and singing healers. (And that’s the short list…)
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I went to a healer once. I was anxious, I had insomnia, I was under a lot of work & financial pressure and on top of that my husband and I were having trouble falling pregnant. One day while I was away for work I walked past a Naturopath, herbalist, Healer shop. I made an appointment and after what felt like a bit of counselling I recognised what my problems really were. She also gave me a tablet for sleeping. I told her that I could be in the very early days of pregnancy because my husband and I had been trying and she told me it would be fine to take the tablet. A few days later I found out I was around 5 weeks pregnant. We were so happy. At about 12 weeks pregnant I had a miscarriage and the scan showed that the baby never progressed past the 5 week mark. I can't help but feel that whatever was in that tablet terminated our baby. 3 years later I still feel guilty about it. We went on to have another baby who just turned 2 so everything worked out in the end. I just can't help feeling that I gave that woman too much trust. I was desperate to feel normal at the time so I trusted that what she gave me was fine and I don't think it was. Be wary of people claiming to be Healers and don't just have blind faith in them, there's a reason Dr's study for so many years to be a Dr & continue with medical training for the rest of their career. Not all Dr's are middle aged, privileged & white. If you are being prescribed sleeping tablets & you feel you don't need them then shop around for a decent GP. There are plenty of GP's out there (nine included) who have plenty of respect for complementary natural therapists.
I know it's difficult but try not to blame yourself, I doubt that one tablet would cause a miscarriage, the naturopath probably gave you a sugar tablet or something equally as harmless. It is very common to miscarry first pregnancy, especially so early at five weeks. You made some good points though.