In this double CD set, Frans Vermeulen turns his highly trained attention to the Orchids, which are regarded by many plant lovers as the dazzling pinnacle of the flowering plants. Orchids display an enormous variety of forms and colors, with almost 30,000 known species.

Note
There was a problem with the recording at the beginning of the talk, which meant that the first few sentences were lost. However, the vast majority of the presentation is available.

Contents
CD 1 (73:54)
1. Orchids as a family (06:11)
2. Special characteristics (07:01)
3. Dependence and Independence (02:59)
4. Mimikry (03:21)
5. False promises (02:59)
6. Pheromones (05:02)
7. Getting something for nothing (03:56)
8. A win-or-loose-strategy (04:50)
9. Orchid´s delirium (05:55)
10. Gustav Meyrink: diabolical and sensual nature (03:38)
11. Ruled by emotion (09:08)
12. Questions (03:02)
13. Black Orchid (Coelogyne Pandurata) (08:21)
14. C.P.: Proving experiences (07:24)

CD 2 (77:16)
1. Corallorhiza Odontorhiza (09:20)
2. Cypripedium Humile (06:47)
3. Cypripedium Pubescens (05:42)
4. Characteristics in children / herbalistic sources (08:08)
5. Cyrtopodium Punctatum (02:53)
6. Dipodium Punctatum (01:53)
7. Neottia Nidus-Avis (06:10)
8. Orchis Maculata (Dactylorhiza Maculata) (07:01)
9. Summary of dream proving (04:54)
10. Spiranthes Autumnalis (02:37)
11. Vanilla Planifolia (11:21)
12. Bipolarity - tides turning rapidly (05:08)
13. Questions (05:46)

Recorded at the Torgau International College of Homeopathy, May 15-18, 2008

The publisher:

English readers please notice: we regret that not all parts of the following description are yet available in English

Frans Vermeulen gehört zu den bekanntesten und geschätztesten Autoren und Lehrern der zeitgenössischen internationalen Homöopathie. Im Mai 2008 hielt er in der Hahnemann-Stadt Torgau ein Seminar zum Reich der Pilze (Fungi) sowie der botanischen Familie der Orchideen ab.

Im vorliegenden Teil widmet sich Frans Vermeulen nun den Orchideen, die für viele Pflanzenliebhaber die bezaubernden Königinnen der Blütenpflanzen darstellen. Orchideen weisen eine enorme gestalterische und farbige Vielfalt
ihrer Arten auf (ca. 30000 sind bislang bekannt). Einige Arten sind nicht nur auffallend schön und anmutig, sondern auch extrem selten und somit ausgesprochen kostbar. Nicht nur wegen dieser Seltenheit, sondern besonders auch wegen ihrer faszinierenden Formenvielfalt und verführerischen Schönheit ist bei Orchideen-Suchern und -Sammlern eine bisweilen grenzenlose Leidenschaft bis hin zur Besessenheit zu beobachten. Bei vielen Betrachtern lösen Orchideen Verzückung und Euphorie aus. Diese Themen finden sich auch in den Betrachtungen von Frans Vermeulen wieder. Sie repräsentieren Aspekte, die oft auch im Prüfungsbild in Erscheinung treten. So hat die Vanille, ebenfalls eine Orchidee, mit ihren verführerischen Geruchsstoffen ein großes spezifisches Suchtpotenzial. Bei verschiedenen Suchtformen hat sie sich homöopathisch bereits als hilfreich erwiesen. Weitere Themen der Orchideen, die sich aus ihrer Signatur und insbesondere ihrem trickreichen Bestäubungsverhalten ergeben, sind: Egoismus, perfekte Täuschung, parasitäres Verhalten, falsche Versprechungen (z.B. mittels Sexualpheromonen) oder Zocken mit hohem Risiko. Als verbindendes Thema sieht Vermeulen die Verdrehung der Wirklichkeit, wie sie beispielsweise in Zuständen von Verliebtheit mit Abhängigkeit auftritt.

In die Homöopathie haben Orchideen erst in jüngerer Zeit überhaupt Einzug gehalten. Frans Vermeulen referiert über die wenigen bislang in die Homöopathie eingeführten Arten, über erste Prüfungen (mit aufschlussreichen Trauminhalten) und botanische Erkenntnisse. Aus seinen Forschungen extrahiert er interessante Ideen zu den essenziellen Themen der gesamten Familie sowie ihren einzelnen Arten.

Frans Vermeulen is one of the most famous and esteemed authors and teachers in modern international homeopathy. In May 2008, he gave a seminar in the Hahnemann town of Torgau in Germany on the kingdom of the Fungi and the botanical family of the Orchids.

In this double CD set, Frans Vermeulen turns his highly trained attention to the Orchids, which are regarded by many plant lovers as the dazzling pinnacle of the flowering plants. Orchids display an enormous variety of forms and colors, with almost 30,000 known species.
Many of these are not only strikingly beautiful and graceful, but also extremely rare and therefore exceptionally precious. Orchid seekers and collectors are notoriously passionate and obsessive, driven by the rarity, the fascinating number of different shapes, but above all the seductive lure of the objects of their desire. Many people are moved to euphoria and enchantment by Orchids. Frans Vermeulen reflects these themes in his discussion of Orchids. They represent aspects that often appear in the proving picture. So Vanilla, also an Orchid, has a great addictive potential due to its seductive scents. It has proved useful in the homeopathic treatment of various types of addiction. Additional themes of the Orchids arising from their signature and especially from their cunning pollination behavior are: egoism, impeccable deception, parasitic behavior, false promises (for example, using sexual pheromones), or gambling for high stakes. Vermeulen summarizes the overarching theme as the distortion of reality, as seen in states of falling in love or dependence.

Orchids have only recently become known to homeopathy. Frans Vermeulen's presentation covers the small number of species that have so far been used in homeopathy, the initial provings (with revealing dreams), and botanical insights. He has distilled some highly interesting ideas on the essential themes of the entire family as well as on the individual species.

List of orchids discussed:
- Coelogyne Pandurata (black orchid)
- Corallorhiza Odontorhiza
- Cypripedium Humile (pink lady's slipper)
- Cypripedium Pubescens (yellow lady's slipper - see cover picture)
- Cyrtopodium Punctatum
- Dipodium Punctatum (christmas orchid)
- Neottia Nidus-Avis
- Orchis Maculata
- Spiranthes Autumnalis (spiral lady's tresses)
- Vanilla Planifolia (vanilla)

Some key words and topics on Orchids in general:
- upside down
- twisted
- in(dependence)
- fallen in love, love-sick
- mimikry
- perfection in pretending
- taking not giving
- false promises (prospect of sex, pseudo-copulation)
- seducing with perfume (pheromones)
- love makes blind
- faker´s fortunate fate
- orchidelirium
- symbol of love, luxury and beauty
- aristocratic elite of the botanical world
- diabolic and sensual
- femme fatale

Black Orchid (Coelogyne Pandurata)
feeling of closeness and intimacy, loss of control, erotic feelings extending to sexual excesses, exhibitionism, partner swapping, disturbed sleep, dreams of burglars and cleptomania, lovesick, loss of control, erotic dreams, bulimia

Cypripedium Pubescens
overexcited, playful, short sleep refreshes, shattered nerves, coffee and stimulants, hot weather <, Cinderella, people who have not found the "right shoe": finding one´s place in life, fetishism, toe-licking

Orchis Maculata (Dactylorhiza Maculata)
hand that gives - hand that takes, stealing, shameful, delusion being observed, Dreams of sexual indescretion, toilets, voyeurism
symptoms in pelvic region, control/loss of control

Spiranthes Autumnalis
spirally twisted, weary with everything, excessive complaining, desire for acids, likes to lie on left side, suffering parts colder, sensation of local coldness, globus hystericus

Vanilla Planifolia
Vanilla = small vagina (name)
Hungry quest for arousal, over-excitement, pleasure and reward, comforting milky warmth, calming down, reducing anxiety, cosyness and safety of home, tranquilizer, overactive children, shopping sprees, appearing and disappearing suddenly, sudden mood swings

For non-native speakers of English:
Frans Vermeulen speaks a very clear, easily understandable, and moderately paced English. His presentation is well structured and therefore easy to follow. Medium to advanced speakers of English should have no trouble following his talk. Please check the audio sample on this web page.

Contents
CD 1 (73:54)
1. Orchids as a family (06:11)
2. Special characteristics (07:01)
3. Dependence and Independence (02:59)
4. Mimikry (03:21)
5. False promises (02:59)
6. Pheromones (05:02)
7. Getting something for nothing (03:56)
8. A win-or-loose-strategy (04:50)
9. Orchid´s delirium (05:55)
10. Gustav Meyrink: diabolical and sensual nature (03:38)
11. Ruled by emotion (09:08)
12. Questions (03:02)
13. Black Orchid (Coelogyne Pandurata) (08:21)
14. C.P.: Proving experiences (07:24)

CD 2 (77:16)
1. Corallorhiza Odontorhiza (09:20)
2. Cypripedium Humile (06:47)
3. Cypripedium Pubescens (05:42)
4. Characteristics in children / herbalistic sources (08:08)
5. Cyrtopodium Punctatum (02:53)
6. Dipodium Punctatum (01:53)
7. Neottia Nidus-Avis (06:10)
8. Orchis Maculata (Dactylorhiza Maculata) (07:01)
9. Summary of dream proving (04:54)
10. Spiranthes Autumnalis (02:37)
11. Vanilla Planifolia (11:21)
12. Bipolarity - tides turning rapidly (05:08)
13. Questions (05:46)

Recorded at the Torgau International College of Homeopathy, May 15-18, 2008

Note
There was a problem with the recording at the beginning of the talk, which meant that the first few sentences were lost. However, the vast majority of the presentation is available.