The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"CHILLS" FORMULA

DOT DOT (INFORMANT GOES THROUGH THESE MOTIONS ON A
SUBJECT'S BACK WHILE SAYING THE WORDS.
LINE LINE
GREAT BIG QUESTION MARK
KNIFE IN YOUR BACK (HITTING THE SPINE HARD WITH FIST)
BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN (TRACES "BLOOD" WITH FINGERS)
HE THEN BLOWS ON THE SUBJECT'S NECK AT CLOSE RANGE
AND TICKLES IT WITH HIS FINGER, AND THEN SAYS:
ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT.
THIS RITUAL IS SUPPOSED TO GIVE THE SUBJECT CHILLS,
AND IT ACTUALLY DID WHEN I WITNESSED IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS