Anger suppressed is like the black outer surface of the mussel - dark, ominous, foreboding. Anger unleashed is equally black and threatening.

The energy of anger transformed allows the inner radiance of being to shine forth. It is like the inner surface of the Mussel shell - pink, blue, violet, soft, opalescent.

This is the remedy par excellence for victim consciousness which prevents us from being aligned with our inner power, strength and creativity. When anger is stored up, tension in the physical body results, especially in the neck and shoulders. Restriction in this area creates an energy blockage between heart and mind.

In Chinese medicine, Gall Bladder is responsible for making decisions and wise judgements. Unhealthy Gall Bladder energy is tight and controlling and never satisfied with the way things are - always judging, in a self-destructive way.

Mussel impacts on the second chakra, the centre of creativity and sexual expression. Anger often results when we are not expressing our creativity or when there is some experience of sexual frustration.

Physically it relaxes tense neck and shoulder muscles and affects headaches and dizziness resulting from this kind of tension. It is helpful for injuries like whiplash. It promotes the flow of bile and aids digestion.

Emotionally, Mussel resolves feelings of irritability, frustration and anger.

This essence often comes up for someone who has been diagnosed as having a life threatening illness like AIDS, and where there is a feeling of frustration and hopelessness.