The Doctrine of Signatures says that we can tell what a food is good for by looking at its color, shape, or some characteristic that reminds us of a healthy organ.
Merriam Webster’s carries a reference to this doctrine in the definition of signature, (with an obvious slam): “a feature in the appearance or qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate its utility in medicine.” [My emphasis.]
Except for the gratuitous, skeptical dismissal of the concept, that’s a good definition of what is a signature.
My skepticism [caution, sarcasm ahead] is that the Intelligent Designer of the cosmos would make it so easy to find good foods to strengthen a weakness. Come on, now. Life should be a struggle and a challenge. Only expert, licensed health care practitioners should know anything about healing.
I’ve watched many Dr. House episodes. It’s possible that you, just like me, have had the urge to call someone a moron. Maybe you, too, hesitate because you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Dr. House doesn’t pause for a moment. Go House!
Dr. House would be the avatar of invalidation when it comes to the Doctrine of Signatures, or any other subtle energy concept.
It’s the materialistic assumption at work.
The last year I was in grad school I saw this so much. It was as though the materialistic, mechanistic nature of reality was so obvious, no one could even doubt it.
Whereas, I left this behind with my atheism forty years ago. We’uns not on the same page.
The item that prompted these musings on the Doctrine of Signatures was an innocent comment in Twitter by a person I follow.
“Walnuts look like mini brains,” tweeted @efacc. I replied with a reference to doc of sig, [for short.]
Got me to thinkin’. Here’s a little more of the story.
Signature comes from a fine old Latin root. It’s the sign of your nature. The way you write your name shows you in graphic format. Your autograph shows your self in a few lines.
In email your signature conveys the essential message you wish to publish.
The Doctrine of Signatures holds that the essential being of plants is represented by some appearance or quality that indicates the place of that plant in Divine Order.
Kidney beans and cashews are good for your kidneys. Men should eat grapes and women do well with pomegranate.
Just saying.
The primary proponent of this idea is Don Tolman in his The Look Doctrine.
The classic exposition in this area is by Paracelsus, The Doctrine of Signatures.
[Don't order this. See my update.]
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