Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels at the junction of the rectum and the anus — varicose veins at the very place where your body lets go. They can itch, burn, bleed, hurt. Medically they arise from increased pressure in the veins. From a psychosomatic perspective, that same pressure is visible on the emotional level as well: pressure and counterpressure. Something wants to come out — and at the same time you are holding it in.

Hemorrhoids are the physical image of an inner tug-of-war: you want to free yourself, but you cannot let go. You want to move on, but you cling to what was. And at the crossroads of holding on and releasing, the pressure builds — until the vessels give way.