I was taking a break in a cafe situated in the roundabout outside the train station. On the way to return my silverware, I heard a conversation from the seats nearby.
“I’ve heard that people who think they’ve had enough to drink, but have a little left over, are possessed by spirits and are unconsciously making offerings.” The return area was filled with trays and plates, cups and glasses, liquids of various concentrations in the glassware squeezed together. At that moment I ended up oddly convinced that the return area resembled an altar. The people who leave a bit of their drink behind and leave their seats may be unknowingly taking care of spirits. I’ve heard of the belief that “people who close their eyes when they roll dice are deep believers,” and thought this could be similar.
According to remaining Ancient Greek records, there was a category of illness called phrenitis. The term phrenitis means “inflammation of the spirit” and the medical profession defined an infected area as a seat occupied by something. If you think about it from that point, we can say that a symptom of a disorder is a manifestation of a seat occupied by something. We can see this occupation of seats by something in everyday gestures. Even if it’s discarded as mere superstition, in the past and now, simply put illness and healing want to occupy the same seat.