Obituary: Peter Fraser, Homeopathist

Peter Fraser (4 April 1957 -1 November 2022)¹

Homeopathic scholar and practitioner with a small, devoted following.

Peter David Fraser, a British homeopath, master prover and author of several small but potent, ground-breaking texts, transitioned to the spirit realm on November 1, 2022, at his home in Glastonbury, England. His daughter, Alexandra Fraser, confirmed his passing, commenting that the cause of death was myocardial ischemia. He was 65. Peter was born in South Africa and came to England as a child where he attended boarding school, whereupon he moved to Canada and became a bookseller²: “His love of books continued throughout his life and when he died, he was hand printing and hand binding absolutely beautiful books using traditional methods.” – Alexandra. Peter studied at a Canadian university for a time but did not graduate, as he followed his own educational path. He was essentially an autodidact. “Peter chose the Canadian system to study as he did not want to specialize early. He possessed a fantastically broad understanding of art and science and wanted to explore and learn  across all disciplines. He did not undertake to achieve through ‘qualifications’ but rather through experiential and imaginative learning. He became a respected scholar.”–Caroline Dent (Peter’s second wife).

Peter had a deep appreciation of the spirituality promulgated by Swedenborg, and his abiding love of the 18th century artist, poet and visionary, William Blake. Those persons contributed significantly to Peter’s fundamental homeopathic philosophical  approach, correspondences. It is not exactly known how he came to homeopathy, but that discovery occurred circa 1999 when  the family lived in Bristol, England: “After some years of study of alchemy and other esoteric sciences, I came to the conclusion that I needed to study some form of healing art. Simultaneously, and fortuitously, I learned of homoeopathy, which I proceeded to study, practice and write about for the next 15 years.” – Peter Fraser, unpublished document (June 23, 2014).

“Among his special gifts was an ability to see the complexity of the galactic picture bringing the absolutely unique characteristics to ground level for all to appreciate. In this way, Peter presented opportunities for each student to grasp the essential and grow one’s own individual understanding through his apparently ‘simple’ presentations. This was supported by an extraordinary breadth and depth of knowledge, sung with a mellifluous voice, directed at student and professional alike.” – Caroline Dent.

Peter and Caroline met in 2004 and married in 2010. As partners they conducted a successful local Children’s Clinic in Bristol while building their practices. Peter, alongside his practice and proving work, treated patients with AIDS at Terence Higgins Trust on a voluntary basis from 2006 to 2008. In 2011, the couple moved to Canada to run the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy and did so while employing unconventional and exploratory educational principles. Barbara von der Crone, a former student, commented, “I’ll be forever grateful for Peter’s insightful, structured teaching in classical homoeopathy…” Peter left Vancouver in July of 2013 and returned to England. Fraser, born April 14, 1957, was a good friend of the School of Homeopathy and the Norland family. Mani Norland, current Principal of The School of Homeopathy, knew the deceased for many years and, like his father, enjoyed a deep friendship and collegial relationship. That relationship was mutually satisfying as the School’s book on provings, “A Celebration of Provings” (2021), was greatly influenced by Peter³: “Peter was instrumental in assembling many of the School’s provings. Peter was blessed with fine writing skills and an extraordinary mind, which functioned outside the framework of more conventional thinking and its restrictions. He perceived connections in ideas and concepts that eluded many of us. His work helped to bring the provings into a coherent whole that could be easily understood.” – Mani Norland.

Peter did distinguish himself in the realm of provings. He proved Falcon in 1996 during his tenure as a student at Misha’s school and, alongside Misha, acted as Master Prover during the first decade of the new millenium. Latex (2001), Buckyballs (2002), Goosegrass (2003), Sparrow (2004), New water (2006), Locust (2007), Herring (2008), Badger (2009) and Orchid (2010) were some of the provings he was deeply involved with. Peter worked on the analysis and write-ups of AIDS (1994), Falcon (1996), Kauri (1993), Lava (1994), LSD (1999), Oak gall (1998) and Slate (1996). Peter wrote many books, all quite popular in England. They generally fell within two categories, maps and systems in homeopathy: “Using Mappa Mundi in Homeopathy” (2006), “Using Miasms in Homeopathy” (2008), “Using Philosophy in Homeopathy” (2008),

“Using Realms in Homeopathy” (2008), “Using Correspondences in Homeopathy” (2010) and “Using Provings in Homeopathy” (2010). His other works were mainly studies in materia medica and fell within the other category, transformation between the realms: Spiders: Suspended Between Earth and Sky” (2008), “Insects: Escaping the Earth” (2008, 2010), “Snakes: Drawing Power From The Underworld” (2009), “Birds: Seeking the Freedom of thehe Sky” (2009; 210 pp) and “Drug Remedies” (2015; 210 pp). Except where indicated, most of his works were well under a hundred pages. The “Scars of Restriction: A Modern Proving of Carcinosin” (125 pp; with Emma Kamio and Teresa Geach) and “The AIDS Miasm: Contemporary Disease and the New Remedies” (2002; 336 pp) were two books which don’t necessarily fall within either of the two aforementioned categories. This  latter book is written in two parts. Part 1 deals with the chronology of the different miasms through technological evolution and Part II, delves into detail about the AIDS miasm, but “…the originality [of this book] lies in the fact that this is not an ex-cathedra expose of Peter’s understanding and knowledge of the miasm; he simply puts together the parts of provings from the AIDS group remedies related to each section. So when he writes about Isolation or Death or Debauchery. You can read in the prover’s words what the remedies have brought up in regard to those subjects. This means that while getting the detailed picture of the miasm, you also learn about each and every remedy. And that is an absolutely remarkable way of teaching!” –Joe Rozencwajg (Homoeopathic Links, 20:4, 2007, p. 227). About “Insects, Escaping the Earth,” Tina Burchill wrote: “… [it] focuses on the dynamic process that we see in the movement from the realm of the earth to the realm of the sky, and explains that the differentiation between the remedies is in the way this point of transformation is handled. Comparisons are made with other groups of remedies, including birds, and the differences, though sometimes subtle, are clearly explained.” –The Homeopath (Winter2008, 27:3, p. 105).

Fraser served as guest editor for the insects in homeopathy themed issue of Homoeopathic Links, 23:4, Winter, 2010: “We need to remember that the remedies we use correspond to the difficulties our patients are experiencing. These difficulties are usually distasteful or toxic, and the indicated remedies are more likely to come from substances that are also distasteful or toxic. Just as in the wider world we need to overcome some of our disgust and start to respect and preserve the insect world more than we have done, so in the homeopathic world we need to honor and nurture insect remedies in the way that the contributors to this issue have done.” – Peter Fraser, p. 191.4 After the publication of his book on AIDS, Fraser began to travel, presenting his ideas at seminars, some of which were held in New Zealand, Canada and San Francisco, etc. He spent six weeks in Nepal teaching and learning in a multi-cultural clinic during the first two months of 2005. He offered many seminars in the southwest of England and contributed significantly to several homeopathic schools teaching, leading and compiling provings. Janet Snowden, a colleague and mentor, had this to say about Peter: “One aspect of Peter I think not many people are aware of is his love and knowledge of the natural world. He had lived on the Somerset Levels for quite a long time and was very well versed in the flora and fauna. He created a wonderful space in his garden which backed onto the nature reserve for wildlife. His bird tables were awash with many different varieties. I have never seen so many birds at a table before. He delighted in the comings and goings of each season. There were always the murmurations of course, but I would get an email saying at other less celebrated times, ‘Come down for lunch. The bitterns are booming.’ And, of course, being Peter, he knew everything there was to know about the natural world on the Levels.“ He was a sensitive and kind man. Told me how, when his dog was going into labour, he lay on the floor next to her all night so she wouldn’t give birth alone.”⁵

Geoff Johnson remarked: “Peter quietly led the way in homeopathy for years and taught me so much. We became friends when he asked me to treat Suzi, his nutty dog, for behavioural problems. Peter possessed a mind like a mycelium that went everywhere, making connections few would perceive. Of course, Suzi’s remedy proved to be the magic mushroom Agaricus. Mate, we will miss you for all you gave, all you had to give, and those long bee- fueled conversations in your kitchen. Lots of love on your continuing journey.”

“We [Travelling Homoeopaths Collective] first met Peter in the spring of 1998 at a party he hosted after a Society of  Homoeopathy conference in Bristol. He quickly became an important and enthusiastic volunteer with the collective. “Peter’s sense of humour and sharp mind kept us going through some of the most difficult weather conditions [at festivals] and his master classes; in quiet moments in our clinic, he passed wonderful nuggets of knowledge to students and experienced homoeopaths alike. Peter wrote an in-depth report on our services at The Glastonbury Festival 2000, auditing treatments and remedies used. I will always be grateful that I was able to share these special times with such a man as Peter and will never forget the humble knowing of one of the finest homoeopathic scholars of our time.

“Peter became the face of our film we commissioned, ‘The Homoeopathic Experience.’ A few minutes prior, it was decided that we needed an interesting but easy-to-understand story line. We chose Arnica and the very next minute a client turned up in need of it, and it was Peter who took the case, not believing that such a request could be answered so quickly!“ Peter and I developed The Homoeopathic Garden which featured at Glastonbury every year. The garden contained plants with accompanying explanatory labels. It was the poisonous plants tha twe both found fascinating.” – Marcus Christo.6

“As a modest and private man, we know he wanted to quietly become part of the earth again without a fuss. However, this is difficult as we know he was so loved and respected by many who needed to say goodbye and celebrate such a unique and kind person. We buried him in the green burial ground of Glastonbury Cemetery as he requested. We had a coffin made of somerset willow, which was beautiful. We proceeded up the hill with him to the natural area at the top where we said our goodbyes as we gathered ‘round the grave, spoke a few words and had some songs. He was so humble, we wanted to keep it small and special. Everyone brought bulbs which we planted. Hopefully they will come into bloom for his April birthday.” – Alexandra

Fraser Notes

1. See his websites: www.homoeopathist.info, www.hominf.org, www.instituteofhomoeopathy.com. At the time of his death he was working on a book about trees. Many of his books have been translated into French, German, Czech and Polish. Most, if not all of his works, are still available from the European homeopathic booksellers.
2. Boarding or preparatory school (‘prep school’) is generally a tuitionbased private school with high educational standards. Peter’s father worked for a Canadian mining company and with that connection, Peter worked during holidays and summers garnering a deep appreciation of the natural world.
3. This remarkable collection of provings was reviewed by Annette Kampen of the New Zealand Society of Homeopaths: “The bonus feature I particularly liked was the 58 pages of cases at the back of the book. These bridge the gap between the theoretical construct of a new remedy and its real life clinical application. Nothing beats a real case example to fix a remedy in your mind.” The 27 remedies proven in this book include: AIDS, Antimatter, Arizona basaltic lava, Atlantic herring, Badger (European), Buckminsterfullerene, Desert locust, European mole, Goosegrass, Holly, House sparrow, Indian pipe, Kauri, Labradorite (Finnish), Latex (condom), Lightning, LSD, Meadowsweet, New water, Oak gall, Peregrine falcon, Red campion, Reindeer moss, Serotonin, Slate, Sloth and Southern marsh orchid.
4. For your interest, this issue contained the following articles relating to insects: ‘Insect Groups in Homeopathy Archetypal Imagery & Provings’ (Jörg Wichmann (ibid, pp. 209-211); ‘Owning the Earth’ (Jenni Tree, ibid, pp. 212-217); ‘Insecta: A Group Analysis of Endopterygota’ (Alta Vogel, ibid,pp. 218-223); ‘A Proving of Schistocerca americana – American Desert Locust,’ (Todd Rowe, ibid, pp.224-228); ‘Schistocerca gregaria – desert locust’ (Peter Fraser, ibid, p. 229); ‘Calopteryx splendens – Damselfly’ (Jeremy Sherr, ibid, pp. 230-233); ‘Shining More Light on the Beetles’ (Marty Begin, ibid, pp. 234-238); ‘Blatta, the Cockroach’ (Savitri Clarke, ibid, pp. 239-240); ‘A Case of Blowfly’ (Geoff Johnson, ibid, pp. 241- 243) and ‘Bombyx processionaria – proving and case’ (Patricia Le Roux, ibid,pp. 244-246).
5. The Somerset Levels refers to that low-lying area of about 650sq km some 250km east of London. It is a coastal plain and wetland area of Somerset County in SE England, bordered on the west by the Bristol Channel. This stretch of flat land, “levels,” consists of marine clay along the coast and inland by peat moors. Peat consists principally of bog plants (mosses, sedges, shrubs, etc). Once harvested and dried, it is used for fuel. Agriculturally, nearly three-quarters of the “levels” is used for grassland while the other quarter is arable. Willow trees and teazel are the principal commercially grown items. Murmurations are the low continuous sounds or noises made by flocking birds. This phenomenon is most often exhibited by starlings or warblers. Bird tables are small to medium sized platforms onto which seed is placed in order to attract and then view the feeding birds. Bitterns are birds belonging to the same family as the Heron, though they tend to be shorter-necked and more shy or retiring than other members of the family.
6. Travelling Homeopaths Collective (THC): “We volunteer at various U.K. festivals helping members of the public suffering with acute conditions. We were founded in 1997. All our volunteers are trained and insured. They help festival visitors with common (and not so common) physical, emotional or mental issues so they can enjoy their festival.” [https://thc.org.uk/sample-page/ (accessed November 22, 2022)]. The THC was founded by Marcus Christo. I would like to express my appreciation to those who helped me compile this obituary: Geoff Johnson, Mani Norland, Janet Snowden, Marcus Christo, Caroline Dent and Alexandra Fraser. Photos are the courtesy of Ms. Fraser and Mr. Christo.

About the Author: Jay Yasgur, RPh, MSc, is a pharmacist, author and homeopathic consultant who has written many book reviews, articles and his “Yasgur’s Homeopathic Dictionary and Holistic Health Reference” is a popular (on Amazon; 5th edition available now). He has produced and edited several other works, e.g., :Some Clinical Experiences of E. E. Case,” “111 Great Homeopaths,” “The Dunham Lectures of Kent,” “Homoeopathic Materia Medica for Nurses” (B. C. Woodbury, Jr.), Glen Dupree’s “Homeopathic Thesaurus, etc.” Mr. Yasgur was the first to offer an accredited homeopathy continuing education program for pharmacists in the US. He may be contacted at jay@yasgur.net.