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IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE, YOU WILL WET YOUR PANTS.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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IF, DURING MASS A CANDLE GOES OUT, SOMEONE YOU KNOW
WILL DUE DURING THE WEEK.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Church
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 02-15-1970

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THEY SAY IF YOU THROW BLESSED SALT ON A FIRE, IT WILL NOT SPREAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 11-00-1972

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LEGEND

THE MESA VERDE INDIANS WHO LIKE (LIVE IN?) THE AREA KNOWN
TODAY AS MESA VERDE
NATIONAL PARK, BELIEVED IN THE RITUAL OF THE SIPAPU--A SMALL HOLE
IN THE EARTH. CREATION ITSELF BEGAN FROM THIS SMALL HOLE WHERE
MAN PASSED FROM A NONDISTINCT FORM INTO THE SHAPE OF A HUMAN
AS HE EMERGED FROM THE SIPAPU. THE INDIANS WOULD CARRY OUT A RITUAL
THE MAIN EPISODE BEING THROWING SOME SORT OF INCENSE INTO THE
CREVICE, AND BURNING IT. THIS WOULD CHASE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS COMING
TO EARTH. THE STORY OR BELIEF IS REPEATED TODAY BY MANY INDIANS
OF THE AREA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Formation

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE DEAD RETURN

YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLE.D ON A MOTORCYCLE
TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN
SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE
LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALNG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A
RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CANNOT BE
EXPLAINED.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OR ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW
SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO. THE EXPLANATION BEING
THAT SMOKE FOLLOWS AN UGLY PERSON.
EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OF ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW
SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO. 'BEAUTY DRAWS SMOKE.'

Submitter comment:

THERE IS NO INFORMANT CARD FOR THIS INFORMANT.
BUT I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CONTRAST BETWEEN THIS ITEM
AND ANOTHER ONE I AM SUBMITTING BECAUSE THEY ARE EXACT OPPOSITES
SEE MARSHAL, MABLE FOR THE OTHER ONE.

Where learned: GEORGIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

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EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER SUNDAY, POLISH VILLAGERS WOULD SPRINKLE EVERY ROOM IN THEIR
HOUSE WITH HOLY WATER--INCLUDING THE STABLE AND BARN--AS PROTECTION
FROM FIRE, LIGHTENING, OR OTHER MISFORTUNE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT STILL PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM IN HER HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5678 TARNOW ST ; 48210

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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FIRE PREVENTION- ALLGAU, BAVARIA, GERMANY

IN ORDER TO PREVENT HOUSE FIRES, ALWAYS KEEP A PICTURE
OF ST. FLORIAN IN THE HOME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Eberspacher, Alois

Keyword(s): Bavaria ; FIRE ; GERMAN ; Germany ; Patron ; Picture ; PRAYER ; PREVENTION ; Saint ; Saint Florian

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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THE DEAD RETURN

YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLED ON A MOTORCYCLE. TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALONG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CAN'T BE EXPLAINED.

Data entry tech comment:

MONROE IS IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; MONROE ; North Quad 408

James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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Smoke follows an ugly person.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OR ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO.

THERE IS NO INFORMANT CARD FOR THIS INFORMANT,  BUT I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CONTRAST BETWEEN THIS ITEM AND ANOTHER ONE I'M SUBMITTING BECAUSE THEY'RE EXACT OPPOSITES. SEE MARSHAL, MABLE FOR THE OTHER ONE.

Data entry tech comment:

Collector notes that informant is an elderly African American woman from Georgia who learned this around 1920 or earlier.


 

Where learned: GEORGIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 00001920S OR EARLIER

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FLORIDA SUPERSTITION

"!OU SHOULD NEVER USE THE LAST MATCH IN A BOX, OR YOUR HOUSE
WILL CATCH FIRE"

Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S

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FLYING SAUCER BELIEF

"DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 20 NORTHWEST OF FREMONT, OHIO FOR ABOUT EIGHT
MILES UNTIL YOU COME TO COUNTY ROAD 19. PROCEED FIVE MILES ON
THIS ROAD UNTIL YOU CROSS A TWO LANE BRIDGE. GO A QUARTER MILE
BEYOND THE BRIDGE AND TURN RIGHT INTO A
FARMER'S FIELD.
IN THE FIELD FACING EAST, DRIVE IN A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE,
THERE IS A CREEK WITH A BRIDGE OVER IT. CROSS THE CREEK AND END UP
PARK, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND TURN OFF EVERYTHING. BLINK THE LIGHTS
ON AND OFF THREE TIMES. A LIGHT APPEARS FROM THE EAST AND FLIES
DIRECTLY AT YOU AND THEN OVER YOU AND HEADS TOWARDS THE WEST. THIS
LIGHT IS IN THE FORM OF A BALL AND NEVER FAILS TO APPEAR AS LONG AS
THE LIGHTS ARE BLINKED ON AND OFF THREE TIMES."
THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MANY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR'S FRIENDS BUT THE
CONTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER SEEN IT AND ADMITS HE HASN'T
"... THE GUTS TO GO OUT
AND SEE IT." HE DOES, HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY BELIEVE IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SUPERNATURAL LIGHT

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 10-12-1967

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"LUKE THE SPOOK"

THE STORY GOES THAT THERE IS A MENTAL INSTITUTION AROUND THE
GENERAL VICINITY OF 37 MILE ROAD AND ROMEO PLANK ROAD. IN
THE OLD DAYS, BACK IN THE EARLY 1900'S, COACHES USED TO PASS
BY, AND THEY ALWAYS HAD A LAMP SWINGING FROM THE BACK OF THE
CARRIAGE. ONE NIGHT A MAN ESCAPED FROM THE INSTITUTION. AS HE FLED,
A COACH CAME BY, KNOCKED HIM DOWN, AND AS IT ROLLED OVER HIM, THE
HORSES' HOOVES CUT OFF HIS HEAD, WHICH ROLLED UNDER A BRIDGE. HIS
BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. THE WEIRD PART IS IF YOU PARK BY THIS BRIDGE
(YOU WILL SEE A STRANGE)
LIGHT MOVING TOWARDS YOU. YOU'LL TRY TO START YOUR CAR, BUT IT
WON'T START, BUT YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO LIKE CRAZY.
AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CAR WILL START, AND THE LIGHT WILL
FOLLOW YOU AS YOU GO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT NOT ONLY HEARD OF THIS STORY, BUT ACTUALLY VISITED
THIS SPOT AND SHE CLAIMS THAT THE STORY OF THE LIGHT IS REALLY
TRUE, IT HAPPENED TO HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 05-14-1965

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SPIRIT OF THE WHEAT

NEAR HEMLOCK, MICHIGAN THEY TELL THE STORY ABOUT THE "SPIRIT OF THE
WHEAT". THEY GROW A LOT OF WHEAT AROUND THERE. EVERY SUMMER AT
HARVEST TIME, THE FARMERS WOULD GO OUT INTO THE WHEAT FIELDS AND SEE
WHAT THEY CALLED SPIRITS COMING OUT OF THE WHEAT FIELDS, IF THEY SAW
THE SPIRIT, THEY KNEW IT WAS TIME FOR THE HARVEST. IT TURNS OUT
THAT THERE ARE LARGE DEPOSITS OF NATURAL GAS IN THAT AREA AND ALL
THE FARMERS WERE REALLY SEEING WAS THE GAS SEEPING OUT OF THE GROUND

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S UNCLE TOLD HIM THIS STORY. THE UNCLE, ALEC
MANZONNI, IS A RESIDENT OF HEMLOCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 02-28-1965

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A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD DOWN INDICATES
DEATH, A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD UP INDICATES FIRE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Angel
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-00-1984

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IF THE SMOKE FROM A FIRE STAYS NEAR THE GROUND IT WILL RAIN. IF IT
GOES UP IT WILL BE FAIR WEATHER.

Submitter comment: SIGN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 10-00-1987 ; 00001930S CA.

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Chinese custom

When a family member dies, that same night two white candles
are to be lit and placed outside the front door to signal to
the deceased where to come home to.

Where learned: CHINA

Keyword(s): Deceased

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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If you play with fire, you will wet the bed.

Submitter comment: My parents stressed this to us when we were young.
I believed it then, but now I believe it was merely
told to us to deter us from playing with fire.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION

Subject headings: Observation
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance Verse
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 00001970S

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A pregnant woman should never look at a fire
burning.

Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 00001940S

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Mt. Lemon in Tucson, Arizona is said to have the Red God of
Fire. This is a creature which walks the mountain whenever
heat lightning strikes the mountain in the form of red
lightning.

Submitter comment: A silly myth, of course everybody knows that light cannot
walk. The short story was still imaginative and somewhat
interesting.

Where learned: Arizona ; Tucson

Keyword(s): Tall, Weather

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Gods
BELIEF -- P428
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Formation

Date learned: 00-00-1991

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