in the same tradition, a child who is slow to speak may be given water to drink from the altar bell, so that his voice will ring out. the wearing of amulets and the hanging of herbs and plants are also forms of simpatia.

sympathy is a fundamental part of folkloric medicine and has been since ancient times. from the greek word for 'oneness', the practice dates to egyptian times and can be best described as a decisive action taken towards the realization of a wish.