Page:Love Philtre (Giles, 1938).pdf/3

PT. I] obtaining his desire. It sometimes happens that, when the spirit resists and it is necessary to expose the whole corpse, the spirit will drag the grave digger into the grave and hold him by the head. When the spirit behaves in this manner, the doctor takes a cane and beats the corpse until the spirit releases its hold on the digger, and he is able to escape from the grave. Sometimes the spirit is so determined to prevent the doctor carrying out the operation, that when the grave is uncovered, no corpse is found. It has disappeared. The doctor has then to compel the spirit to return by using certain necromantic incantations, and at the same time to sprinkle the area marked off by the consecrated thread and talismans with holy water and charmed grains of rice.

It is not necessary to boil or do anything with the fluid matter obtained from a corpse. The vessel into which the fluid is drained is closed and sealed with a piece of cloth on which talismanic signs have been inscribed. This vessel is then placed in a new earthen pot which is again scaled in the same manner.

The pot holding the spirit oil is kept in the house placed on an alter high above the heads of those living in the house. Food, that is a little rice and fish or meat, must be presented to the spirit twice day. Should the doctor neglect to make these offerings of food, then he is asking for trouble, for the spirit which has become hungry will enter the body of the doctor and begin to eat his entrails. The hunger of a spirit must be satisfied like that of a mortal. It is for this reason that the ancients say: "หมอผีตายเพราะผี หมองูตายเพราะงู", that is "The spirit doctor dies by the hand of a spirit, the snake charmer by the poison of a snake."

This spirit fluid is of great potency and can be used for many purposes, that is, to create a feeling of love in the heart of one who is touched therewith, or to cause pains in the stomach, headache, or any other ills. The fluid can be mixed with food or water, and taken by the person treated, or it can be rubbed on the body or flicked by the finger on to the body, whichever is the easier to do, according to the circumstances in each particular case. Whatever the purpose of the user of this potion may be, there is a specific incantation. Should the love of any woman be obtained by using this philtre, trouble always follows, for the woman becomes ill, her arms and legs are affected, and before long she dies. Should this love philtre be taken from a male corpse and applied to any one to attain any object what-