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CUSTOM

SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS CELEBRATE FOUR SABBATHS IN THE FOUR
DIFFERENT SECTIONS OR COVENS OF THE WORLD AROUND THE SAME TIME
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES ITS SEASONAL CHANGES. HE ALSO
HAS ONE BIG CEREMONY CALLED THE BLOODY SABBATH.
ON THIS DAY ALL FOUR COVENS GET TOGETHER FOR A GOOD TIME OF
SACRIFICE (A YOUNG PERSON'S WARM BLOOD) AND PUNISHMENT FOR
ALL WHO HAVE BEEN DISOBEDIENT TO SATAN AND THE INSTALLMENT OF
NEW WITCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

Keyword(s): Coven ; DEVIL ; DEVIL WORSHIP ; holiday ; PUNISHMENT ; Sabbath ; Sacrifice ; SATAN ; WITCHES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system:
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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RIDDLE

Q: SMALLER THAN A STALLION, ANGRIER THAN THE DEVIL.
A: PEPPER.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL AND DEVIL (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; METAPHORICAL

James Callow Keyword(s): HORSE ; SEASONING

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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WORDS OF WISDOM

CONSTANT OCCUPATION PREVENTS TEMPTATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RHYME

James Callow Keyword(s): IDLE HANDS ARE THE DEVIL'S ; INTERNAL RHYME ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 01-20-1968

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WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY (IT COULD BE
ANYONE BUT BABIES ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE) AND
IF THAT BABY IS PRAISED ON HOW GOOD LOOKING
HE IS, AND THEN YOU COME HOME AND THE BABY
IS JUST SCREAMING FROM PAIN, THIS CAN
BE USED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
PLACE A FEW GRAINS OF SALT IN A CLOTH
AND PIN THIS TO THE BABY'S UNDERSHIRT
THIS WILL INSURE A HAPPY BABY.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-16-1969

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IF A PERSON THINKS THAT HE HAS BEEN STARING OR
PRAISING A CHILD TOO MUCH AND IS AFRAID OF
SOMETHING HAPPENING TO THE CHILD
BECAUSE OF THIS HE SHOULD CLENCH HIS FISTS
SO THAT HIS NAILS DIG INTO HIS FLESH AND THEN
LOOK AT HIS FISTS FOR SOME TIME
WHILE DOING THIS. THIS WILL TAKE WHATEVER EVIL
THERE IS OFF THE CHILD.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 11-16-1969

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IF A BABY IS PRAISED ON HOW GOOD
LOOKING HE IS AND THEN THE BABY, WHEN HOME
SCREAMS FROM PAIN, MY GRANDFATHER USED
THIS TO RID THE CHILD OF THE PAIN.
HE WOULD PLACE THE CHILD ON THE FLOOR AND THEN
GRANDFATHER WOULD PLACE SOME OF HIS OWN SPIT
ON THE CHILD'S FOREHEAD AND CHEST.
THEN HE WOULD JUMP OVER THE CHILD AND SPIT EACH TIME
HE JUMPED. (THERE WAS A CERTAIN PATTERN TO THIS
JUMPING BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW JUST
WHAT IT WAS). 10 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER
THIS WAS DONE THE CHILD WAS HIMSELF AGAIN.
ONLY THE FIRST BORN OF THE FAMILY COULD
PERFORM THIS ACT AND MAKE IT WORK.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-16-1969

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CARRYING SALT

CARRY SALT WITH A NEW BABY TO WARD OFF
EVIL SPIRITS WHICH MIGHT HARM HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 7792 DAYTON

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
Favorites
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 02-07-1970

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CURE FOR CORNS

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM CORNS ON THEIR FEET, WOULD SAY
BEFORE BREAKFAST, 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES, "EARTH TAKE MY PAIN" AND FOR
ANOTHER 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES WOULD SPIT ON THE GROUND.
SPITTING ON THE GROUND ALSO HAS THE VIRTUE
OF HAVING A MEDICINE TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY,
AND WAS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CURE IN ITALY

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL FORCES ; SUPERNATURAL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number P686.1.27
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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STORY ABOUT THE DEVIL,S DANCING IN THE WOODS

IT WAS HARVEST TIME AND ALL THE YOUNG FOLK WERE THRASHING THE GRAINS
THAT HAD JUST BEEN HARVESTED.
ONE AUTUMN NIGHT ABOUT 11 O,CLOCK WHILE THEY WERE THRASHING THE GRAIN
THEY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE RAFTERS, THEY LOOKED UP AND SAW
SOME DEVILS DANCING UP IN THE LOFT. THESE DEVILS WERE ALL BLACK AND
ALL THEIR CLOTHING WERE BLACK. THEY DANCED ON ONE LEG AND ONLY HAD
ONE EYE AND ONE NOSTRIL. THE MUSIC WAS PLAYED ON A SMALL ACCORDION
AND FIDDLE.
THE YOUTHS WERE TYPICALLY BRAVE AND BOISTERIOUS AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE INSTRUMENTS AWAY. THE DEVILS LEFT AT THE FIRST COCKS CROW
(ONE O,CLOCK) WITH A WHISTLE AND A BANG. SO THE NEXT NIGHT THE
YOUTHS , AS THE DEVILS WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE AT THE COCK,S CROW,
KNOCKED ONE INSTRUMENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DEVILS.
BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE INSTRUMENT IT WAS JUST A LARGE CHARRED
PIECE OF WOOD. THE NEXT NIGHT THE DEVILS CAME BACK AND BEGGED
CKRYVEL, KRYVEL GIVE US BACK OUR FIDDLE" BUT THE YOUTHS DID NOT
RETURN IT. THE TWO YOUTHS WHO HAD TAKEN IT HAD TO PREPARE THE
STOVE FOR DRYING OUT THE GRAINS BEFORE THE THRASHING. THEY THREW THE
CHARRED WOOD INTO THE STOVE BUT IT WOULDN,T BURN. SO THEY WENT TO
BED AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE FOUND STRANGLED.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BT HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD. THE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHEN THE
STORY WAS TOLD. THE STORY TOOK PLACE AROUND 1850.
SHE TOLD MY GRANDMOTHER THAT SHE ACTUALLY SAW THESE DEVILS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 12111 SORRENTO

Keyword(s): DO NOT TAKE THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG TO YOU -PAYMENT CAN BE COSTLY ; THEFT FORM DEVIL

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

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THE COTTAGE CHEESE

A MAN AND HIS WIFE ONCE DID THE DEVIL A FAVOR. IN REPAYMENT FOR THIS
FAVOR, THE DEVIL TOLD THE COUPLE THAT WHEN HE COMES TO THEM AT NIGHT,
THEY MAY ASK HIM TO BRING ANYTHING THEY WANT. LATE ONE NIGHT, THE
DEVIL APPEARED IN THE COUPLE,S ROOM. THE DEVIL ASKED THE MAN WHAT HE
WANTED. THE MAN TOLD THE DEVIL HE WANTED COTTAGE CHEESE. A SHORT TIME
LATER THE DEVIL APPERAED. HE ASKED THE MAN, WHO WAS VERY DROWSY,
WHERE HE WANTED THE COTTAGE CHEESE. THE MAN SAID TO PUT IT ALL OVER
THE WALLS. HE DID NOT CARE WHERE IT WAS PUT. IN THE MORNING, WHEN THE
COUPLE AWOKE, THE WALLS, FLOOR, AND CEILING WERE PLASTERED WITH
COTTAGE CHEESE. THE COUPLE LEARNED NOT TO ASK FOR ANYTHING THEY DID
NOT NEED.

Submitter comment: TOLD AT MY HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 13511 MEYERS RD ; 48227

Keyword(s): GIFT FROM DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 03-15-1970

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A GRANDFATHER AND HIS GRANDSON WERE PLAYING CARDS LATE ONE NIGHT
WITH TWO OLD FRIENDS. BOTH THE GRANDFATHER AND THE GRANDSON SWEAR
THE STORY IS TRUE. THE GRANDFATHER KNOW HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE
OUT LATE AT NIGHT BECAUSE HIS WIFE WAS AT HOME WORRYING ABOUT HIM.
THEN THERE WAS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND A STRANGER TO ALL ENTERED AND
A STRANGER TO ALL ENTERED AND SPOKE TO THE OLD MAN, " YOU BETTER
GET HOME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE" AS THE STRANGER LEFT THEY ALL
NOTICED THAT HE HAD NO SHOES AND HOOFS FOR FEET.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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THERE ONCE LIVED A YOUNG CATHOLIC GIRL WHO INSISTED ON DATING A
YOUNG MAN OF WHOM HER PARENTS DID NOT APPROVE. ONE NIGHT HER FATHER
FORBADE HER TO DATE HIM BUT SHE WENT OUT WITH HIM ANYWAY, AFTER A
BITTER ARGUMENT, AS A DELIBERATE ACT OF DISRESPECT. AS SHE DROVE
ALONG WITH HER DATE, SHE HAPPENED TO GLANCE DOWN AT THE ACCELARATOR.
INSTEAD OF A PAIR OF SHOES, HOWEVER, HER "YOUNG MAN" POSSESSED A
PAIR OF HOOFS. THE GIRL WAS LED ASTRAY BY THE DEVIL AND NEVER SEEN
AGAIN.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD BY A NUN TO INSTILL IN US THE NEED FOR OBEDIENCE AND
RESPECT TO PARENTS.

Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED

Keyword(s): DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 00-00-1962

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THE GIRL WHO HAD A DATE WITH THE DEVIL

EARLY IN THE 1800'S A GIRL ABOUT THE AGE OF 20 WENT TO A DANCE WITH
HER BOYFRIEND. HE WAS HONEST AND FRIENDLY, BUT NOT HANDSOME. WHILE
AT THE DANCED, SHE MET A VERY HANDSOME FELLOW. SHE DANCED AND
DANCED WITH THIS HANDSOME FELLOW, COMPLETELY IGNORING HER BOYFRIEND.
AT MIDNIGHT HER HANDSOME PARTNER CHANGED INTO THE DEVIL. HE DANCED
WITH HER TO HELL AND SHE WAS NWVER SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 03-24-1970

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DEVILS SKATING

IN THE WINTERTIME ALL THE CHILDREN WOULD GO SKATING IN THE EVENING
ON A FROZEN LAKE NEARBY. AROUND TEN OR ELEVEN O'CLOCK ON SOME NIGHTS
DEVILS WOULD COME TO SKATE. THESE DEVIL'S WERE SMALL LIKE THE
CHILDREN AND ALL BLACK WITH BLACK CLOTHES. THEY HAD ONE EYE AND ONE
NOSTRIL AND ALWAYS SKATED ON ONE OF THEIR LEGS. THEY (THE ) DEVILS
WOULD PLAY A GAME WITH THE CHILDREN. THE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE SOME
WOODEN STICKS AND THE DEVILS HAD IRON ONE AND EACH TEAM WOULD TRY TO
HIT A WOODEN PUCK PAST EACH OTHER. AT THE FIRST COCK'S CROW THE
DEVILS WOULD LEAVE WITH A WHISTLE AND A GANG.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BY HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD, THE STORY TAKES PLACE ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE NINETEENTH
CENTURY.

Where learned: TANJANSKIENE, KAROLINA

Keyword(s): DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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IF YOU SAY THE " OUR FATHER " BACKWARDS YOUR CALLING ON THE DEVIL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEVIL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 11-02-1971

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CHRISTMAS IN GREECE

AT CHRISTMAS, THE MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY ALL GATHER AT ONE HOUSE AND
ALL BRING A PIECE OF FRUIT. THEN ALL PUT THEIR FRUIT ON ONE TREE.
AT MIDNIGHT, THE BELLS OF THE CITY ARE RUNG IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE
EVIL SPIRITS INTO THE LAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DRIVING OUT EVIL SPIRITS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

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THE DEVIL'S HOLE ROAD LEGEND.

" THE AREA IN WHICH I LIVE USED TO BE ALL SWAMPY. THE INDIANS
BELIEVED THAT WHEN AN INDIAN OR WHITE MAN WENT INTO THE AREA AND DID
NOT RETURN THAT THE DEVIL HAD CAPTURED HIM. SO THAT IS HOW DEVIL'S
HOLE ROAD GOT ITS NAME. "

Where learned: OHIO ; 7187 DEVILS HOLE RD ; PEMBERVILLE

Keyword(s): CAPTURED BY DEVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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YELLOW MIKE

BACK IN 1940 THERE WAS A TRAIN WHICH WAS PASSING THROUGH HASTINGS,
MICHIGAN DURING THE NIGHT. A LARGE CRATE WHICH WAS ON THIS TRAIN
FELL OUT OF THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE BOX CARS. A MAN WHO WAS KNOWN AS
MIKE WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THE BOX. AS HE LIT A MATCH AND LOOKED
INSIDE THE BOX, HE SAW A CREATURE WHICH LOOKED LIKE A MAN BUT IT WAS
TOTALLY COVERED WITH LONG YELLOW HAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS IT WAS NAMED
YELLOW MIKE. THE NEXT DAY YELLOW MIKE WAS PUT IN THE HASTINGS'
INSANE ASYLUM. TWO DAYS LATER THE ASYLUM CAUGHT FIRE. SOME OF THE
PATIENTS WERE SAVED AND MANY WERE BURNED TO DEATH. NOBODY SAW
YELLOW MIKE COME OUT, SO THEY FIGURED THAT HE HAD BEEN BURNED TO
DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING FARMERS IN THE AREA REPORTED FINDING
THEIR CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK LITERALLY TORN APART AND THAT
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND. ALSO A LADY SAID THAT HER SON
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD NOT YET RETURNED FROM THEIR DATE. THE TWO
WERE LATER FOUND IN AN AREA BY GUN LAKE WHICH IS CALLED DEVILS' SOUP
BOWL.(IT IS A WELL VISITED SPOT BY PARKERS). THEIR BODIES WERE
TORN APART AS IF SOME ANIMAL HAS GOTTEN AHOLD OF THEM. THERE WAS
ONLY YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND AND UNDER THE BOY'S FINGERNAILS
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR. IMMEDIATELY TWENTY MEN WERE STATIONED AT
DEVILS' SOUP BOWL. EIGHTEEN MEN WERE STATIONED AT THE LOW GRADED
SIDE AND THE OTHER TWO AT THE STEEP GRADED SIDE BECAUSE THEY
FIGURED IF YELLOW MIKE WAS IN THERE HE WOULD COME OUT ON THE LOW
GRADED SIDE. THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT TO KILL AND NOT WOUND
HIM. IF HE WERE TO BE WOUNDED HE WOULD BECOME WORSE THAN HE ALREADY
WAS. ONE OF THE EIGHTEEN SAW YELLOW MIKE AND FIRED BUT HE ONLY
WOUNDED HIM. ONE OF THE TWO FROM THE OTHER SIDE RAN OVER TO SEE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN HE DIDN'T RETURN THE OTHER GUY WENT OVER
TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE FOUND NINETEEN
MUTILATED BODIES. HIS FRIEND WAS JUST BARELY ALIVE AND THE LAST
THING HE SAID WAS THAT IT WAS YELLOW MIKE AND HE'S WOUNDED. ALL
NINETEEN WERE BURIED ON A HILL NEAR BY NOW CALLED GRAVES' HILL
AND THERE IS A BOULDER OVER EACH GRAVE. WELL THEY FIGURED YELLOW
MIKE WOULD DIE AS A WOUNDED SO THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TRACK HIM
DOWN. HASTING LATER ON STARTED GETTING REPORTS FROM JACKSON,
MICHIGAN AND EVEN FARTHER SOUTH OF ANIMALS BEING KILLED AND
FINDING YELLOW HAIR BY THEM. IT SEEMS EVEN UP TO THIS DAY THAT
YELLOW MIKE COMES NORTH FOR THE SUMMER AND GOES SOUTH DURING
MICHIGAN'S COLD SEASON. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE YOU
CAN GO TO HASTING'S CITY LIBRARY AND UNDER THE HISTORY OF THE
CITY OF HASTING YOU WILL FIND THIS TALE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES, MURDER ; VIOLENT DEATHS

James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL'S SOUP BOWL, MICHIGAN

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS

LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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RELIGIOUS BELIEF

THE WEARING, OR THE PLACING OF RELIGIOUS MEDALS TO WARD OFF DIRE
HAPPENINGS.

Submitter comment: PREDOMINANT IN THE CATHOLIC AND JEWISH RELIGIONS. ONE GOOD EXAMPLE
IS THE ST. CHRISTOPHER MEDAL.

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR OBSERVED THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): CHARM EVIL

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 10-15-1968

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