Superstition

Belief:

A pregnant woman should avoid being scared or shocked because this will disfigure or mark the baby.

Examples:

1. During a fire, a terrified pregnant woman grabbed her face with her hands and the baby was born with a red streak on its face.

2. A pregnant woman was scared by a mouse, and her baby was born with a marking on its shoulder similar to a mouse.

Submitter comment:

The informant heard of these two instances while she as a young girl in Poland.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Reference

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5678 TARNOW ST ; Wojtowicz, Mary

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; Birthmark ; CHILD ; FEAR ; FIRE ; Mouse ; Offspring ; Old Wives Tale ; PREGNANCY ; RODENT ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): Reference

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MAGIC BELIEF

IF COWS WOULD NOT GIVE MILK IT WAS BECAUSE A WITCH HAD CAST A
SPELL. THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE THE SPELL OR BREAK IT WOULD
BE TO PUT PINS IN THE MILK STRAINER, AND THIS WOULD HURT THE
WITCH. THUS SHE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN AND RELEASE THE SPELL.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID THIS TYPE OF MAGIC WAS USUALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE
FORTUNE TELLERS IN POLAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wojtowicz, Mary ; 5678 Tarnow St.

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; Cows ; CURSE ; MAGIC ; Milk ; Pins ; POLAND ; Spell

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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MAGIC BELIEF

IF A COW DOESN'T PRODUCE MILK, IT'S BECAUSE THE WITCH
HAD CAST A SPELL, THEREFORE, BEFORE ALL HOLY DAYS, POLISH
VILLAGERS WOULD BURN BLESSED HERBS IN AN INCENSE BURNER IN THE
BARN, BELIEVING THAT THE SMOKE WOULD CHASE AWAY THE WITCH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wojtowicz, Mary ; 5678 Tarnow St.

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cow ; CURSE ; FARMING ; MAGIC ; Milk ; POLAND

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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