Keynote : delicate and determined

Silica is a relatively uncommon constitutional type. Like all highly refined types,it is seen in only a small proportion of
the population, probably one to two precent, and because of its rarity,it is easily missed, and also over-prescribed.
Silica has some characteristics in common with Pulsatilla,Calcarea,Nux Vomica,Graphites and Arsenicum, and may
be confused with any of these, but the totality of the Silica personality is quite distinct and unique (as is the physical
appearance). All the Silicas I have seen were female.
Intellectual Refinement and Depth
Silica is probably the most refined of all the constitutional types. Almost everything about her is refined ,including
her intellect, her aesthetic appreciation, her moral sensitivity, and her appearance. Only Ignatia and Arsenicum
come close to the refinement of Silica ,and all three are quite distinct and different types.
Silica is an intellectual in most cases. This alone is enough to differentiate her from Pulsatilla ,who is sometimes
confused with her on account of her timidity. Silicas intellect is refined and subtle, like that of Sepia ans Arsenicum,
but more so. Providing she has a clear head, silica can descrimined very acutely, whether she be considering a
mathematical problem, the personality of a new acquaintance, or a complex moral or philosophical issue. Unlike
Arsenicum,who is often orientated primarly towards material concerns, Silica is usually a deep thinker, like many
Sepias and Ignatias. She is liable to be attracted to metaphysical poetry for example, and to spiritual or religious
issues ,as well as to matters of social justice. Kent recognises this depth when he says os Silica it is a deeper ,more
profund remedy. This is true not only of its physical actions ,but also of the corresponding personality of the Silicas
individual. Silica tends to take life fairly seriously, not because she is a depressive , but rather because she wants to
plumb its depths ,especially intellectually. Far from being frivolous, shetend to be quiet ,thoughtful and discerning,
and this often puts her in the role of an observer. She will stand back from the hustle and bustle of life and watch
with an eye that sees far more than she lets on. She stands back partly out of fear that she is not rugged enough to
take the rough blows that life may deal her, and partly because she wants nothing to do with vulgarity. Her delicate
sensitivities are appalled by the brutality,unconsciousness and dishonesty she sees in the world, and as a result ,she
keeps herself somewhat separate from all but the most gentle and genuine of people (rather like China).
All the Silica people I have known have be the been intelligent ,discriminating individuals who were more interested
in the subtleties of the life sciences, such as psychology, medicine and in one case podiatry, and in the arts, than in
the cut and thrust of commercial business. Kent notes that Silica is not suitable for the treatment of business brainfog, but rather , for the mental exhaustion ofprofessional men,students, lawyers and clergymen. In other words,
she has a subtle and profound mind that tends not to be interested in business purely for the sake of making
money , but rather in the pursuit of knowledge ,and its application for the betterment of both the Silica individual

and society. Silica is not only too principled, and too interested in more cerebral and more spiritual aspects of life. All
the Silica individuals I have treated or known personally, have been idealistic people,but like many Sepia women
,they are usually practical as well, rather than being dreamers like many Sulphur and Phosphorus individuals, and
some Natrums. Silica tends to focus upon one or two skills which are either artistic or which serve humanity in some
way, and to then pursue these skills diligently, rather than getting caught up in the enthusiasm of different idealistic
movements. She is basically cautious by nature, and though she is excitable,and may be swept off her feet initially
by a pleasant surprise,or a new idea, she soon simmers down and looks at the practical realities.
Silicas mind is highly precise,like that of Arsenicum. She will usually dot all the is ,and cross all the ts , and in
general do her work and her research with precision. She tends to be painstaking (Kent: Conscientious about trifles),
and thorough, but has less of the obsessive orderliness that is so common in Arsenicum, and does not impose her
standards upon others to the same degree as the latter. This is because she is usually more interested in the content
than the form of knowledge. For example, a Silica music teacher is likely to have a highly sophisticated
understanding of music, buit she is more concerned with teaching the spirit of music and its appreciation, and also
how to play an instrument, rather than ensuring that each pupil can read music , and correctly identify every chord,
which may be the principle focus of an Arsenicum music teacher. Silicas knowledge is often underestimated, sice
she is seldom didactic like Kali,Arsenicum,Sulphur,and Lycopodium. She tends to keep her light under a bushel, and
avoids showing off. She will reveal whatever is appropriate, and retain the rest of her knowledge until she finds
those who can appreciate it.