The whole power of these little figures arose from the fact
that they aided the imagination of the spell-worker in forming a mental
image of the person sought to be influenced; and thus established a strong
en rapport condition. Added to this, you must remember that the fear and
belief of the public greatly aided the spell-worker and increased his
power and influence over these poor persons.
I will give you a typical case, taken from an old German book, which
thoroughly illustrates the principles involved in cases of this kind.
Understand this case, and you will have the secret and working principle
of them all. The story is told by an eminent German physician of the last
century. He relates that he was consulted by one of his patients, a
wealthy farmer living near by. The farmer complained that he was disturbed
every night by strange noises which sounded like someone pounding iron.
The disturbances occurred between the hours of ten o'clock and midnight,
each and every night. The physician asked him if he suspected anyone of
causing the strange trouble. The farmer answered that he suspected an old
enemy of his, an old village blacksmith living several miles away from his
farm. It appears that an old long-standing feud between them had broken
out afresh, and that the blacksmith had made threats of employing his
"hex" (witchcraft) powers on the old farmer.
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