Ruesi

Ruesi (Sanskrit: ṛṣi, Thai: ฤๅษี) is a hermit sage known as Rishi in India. He is a figure of many legends and stories of the Lao and Thai folklore.

The Ruesi are Hermit sages who spend their time meditating and developing psychic powers and collecting magical herbs, minerals, rarities and other substances. They use the magical ingredients to make special love charms, spells and protective amulets. They wish to help other beings to be happier in life, and do this by telling fortunes, making rituals and spells to reduce bad karma, chase evil influences and spirits away, protect from ones enemies, or even increase one’s luck and wealth with a spell for wealth and good fortune. Some Rishi wear a reddish brown robe, whereas some even wear white like the Prahm. Some wear white and devote themselves exclusively to healing medical ailments. This kind of Ruesi is known as Chiwok, named after the Rishi Chivaka who was the official doctor of the Lord Buddha. A Chiwok Ruesi would collect herbs minerals and healing substances for making his healing potions. This kind of Ruesi can perhaps be compared to the druid bards who were also healers, using herbal potions and ointments. A Chiwok Ruesi will also be expert in orthopedic massage, and other matters, such as Horoscope.