Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 646 returned 230 results.
WITCH BELIEF
TO BECOME A WITCH, TAKE ONE GOLD RING, ONE CANDLE STICK HOLDER
AND ONE SCARF; BURY THESE IN THE EARTH TILL THE NEXT FULL MOON;
AT THE NEXT FULL MOON, AT MIDNIGHT, DIG UP THE RING, CANDLE-STICK
HOLDER AND SCARF AND BOIL THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE POT THE
CANDIDATE WITCH THEN RECITES CERTAIN MAGICAL PHRASES AND
BECOMES A FULL-FLEDGED WITCH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
BUILDING A FIRE
WITCHES BUILD A FIRE IN THE OPEN AND DRAW A MAGIC
CIRCLE ABOUT IT WITH A SWORD. MEN AND WOMEN ALTERNATELY JOIN
HANDS AND QUICKEN THEIR PACE, FROM A WALK
TO A RUN, CHANTING ANCIENT RITES.
Submitter comment:
Taken from 1967 "Life" magazine.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MOUNT PLEASANT
| Subject headings: | 646 BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
SPELL
IF SOMEONE CASTS A SPELL ON YOU THAT YOU WISH TO BREAK
URINATE IN A GUN BARREL AND CORK IT SAYING,
"I'VE GOT YOU."
THE PERSON WHO CAST THE SPELL WILL COME TO YOU BECAUSE HE
CANNOT URINATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOCKING THE KIDNEYS
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGION
| Subject headings: | 646 BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
MAGIC
IN CHINA, A WOMAN CALLED 'OOPOH' IS CONSIDERED A "MAGICAL WOMAN."
SHE CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE, WORK SPELLS, PERFORM MAGIC.
IF A MAN DIES AWAY FROM HOME, HIS SPIRIT CAN BE BROUGHT HOME BY THE
WIZARD (OOPOH), AND HIS FAMILY CAN SEE THAT IT IS INTERRED.
THE BODY IS NOT TRANSFERRED--JUST THE SPIRIT. AND ONLY
THE SPIRIT OF A GOOD MAN CAN BE BROUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 646 800 820 840 BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
JAMAICAN METHOD FOR EXORCISING SPIRITS
IF THERE IS A BAD SPIRIT OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE AND YOU WANT TO GET RID
OF IT, BURN A CAR TIRE. THEN YOU, BUT ONLY YOU, WILL HEAR IT SCREAM
AND KNOW IT IS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF MODERN FOLKLORE.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE TIRE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
JAMAICAN SPIRIT BELIEF
PUT A PAIR OF OPEN SCISSORS UNDER YOUR BED TO DRIVE AWAY EVIL
SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
JAMAICAN SPIRIT BELIEF
WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING OR MOVING INTO A HOUSE, KILL ANY ANIMAL AND
SPRINKLE ITS BLOOD AROUND THE HOUSE TO MAKE A DEAL WITH THE
SPIRITS TO LEAVE IT ALONE. OFTEN MEN WON'T WORK ON HOUSES BEFORE
THIS IS DONE.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
GOOD FRIDAY
ON GOOD FRIDAY, SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WOULD BRING HOLY WATER AND A
PIECE OF THORN BRANCH FROM CHURCH AND OPEN THE DOOR TO THE HOUSE AND
THEN TURN AROUND 3 TIMES AND SAY, "HOLY WATER AND THORNS COME INTO
THE HOUSE; BUGS GO OUT OF THE HOUSE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD AT HER FATHER'S REQUEST.
( THE PURPOSE ) CHANGES, DEPENDING ON CURRENT NEEDS. ONE TIME IT
MAY BE TO TAKE OUT EVIL, ANOTHER TIME DUST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EXTERMINATION CHARM
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 663 Good Friday 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
POINT AT COWS WHEN YOU CALL THEM. IF YOU DONT, THE DEVIL WILL
COME TO CARRY BOTH YOU AND THE COW AWAY.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mammal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001967
TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
GHOATS, MONETARY SYSTEM,(NIARA & KOBO) DISEASES, WALKING BAREFOOTED,
CARRYING THINGS ON YOUR HEAD, GHOSTS OF CHILDREN, SUPERSTITIONS:
NIGERIAN SUPERSTITION, THEIR ORIGIN, JUJU, MAKING MONEY
USING HEAD OF CHILD, BANSHEE IN IRELAND, NIGERIAN LIGHTENING,
OMENS, CHARMS, GAMES, (MOTHER MAY I?)
WATER DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMING, AMDG FOR LUCK, FESTIVALS
Where learned: NIGERIA ; SOME FROM IRELAND
Date learned: OOOOI96OS
BUTTER MAKING CHARM
COME, BUTTER, COME
COME, BUTTER, COME
PETER STANDS AT THE GATE
WAITING FOR A BUTTERED CAKE,
COME, BUTTER, COME
IF WHILE CHURNING THE BUTTER, IT DOES NOT
COME, THIS VERSE SHOULD BE SAID THREE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HAUNTED HOUR
AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT IF YOU LOCK YOURSELF
IN A PITCH DARK ROOM CONTAINING ONLY
ONE MIRROR AND SAY TWENTY FIVE TIMES,
"I BELIEVE IN MARY FULTON," AND REALLY DO,
QUICKLY TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND YOU WILL SEE SCRATCHES
ON YOUR FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Number P686.1.25 |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
EVIL EYE OR BREAKING SPELLS
WHEN A PERSON IS SICK IT IS BECAUSE
THEY ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE EVIL EYE
OR UNDER A SPELL. TO RID A PERSON
OF THEIR SICKNESS TAKE A BOWL HALF FULL
OF VINEGAR, PUT TWO DROPS OF OLIVE OIL IN IT
ONE ON EITHER SIDE. WHEN THE DROPS OF
OIL COME TOGETHER THE PATIENT WILL BE HEALED,
THE SPELL BROKEN AND THE EVIL EYE CAST OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
VOODOO
HIT A STICK OF WOOD THREE TIMES,
CALL A PERSON EACH TIME YOU HIT IT,
BY NAME, WILL CAUSE HIM TO JUMP OUT OF BED
IF HE WAS ASLEEP .
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
GOOD LUCK CHARM
BEFORE SURGERY, A PATIENT, (AN OLD LADY),
PINNED A ONE DOLLAR BILL TO HER UNDERWEAR FOR GOOD
LUCK AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
GOOD LUCK CHARM
MY GRANDFATHER HAD A LITTLE HEART
MADE OUT OF CLOTH. IT WAS FILLED WITH A
WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF HERBS.
HE USED TO PIN THIS CLOTH HEART TO HIS UNDER-SHIRT
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD
Keyword(s): SCAPULAR ; UNDERWEAR
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
THE SILVER KNIFE
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALWAYS AFRAID THAT
EVIL PEOPLE WOULD ENTER THE HOUSE
SO SHE KEPT A SILVER KNIFE OVER THE ENTRANCES
TO THE HOUSE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
BELIEF IN GODS
NEVER SAY ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THE THINGS
THAT YOU OWN AS THIS WILL INCUR THE
WRATH OF THE GODS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-05-1970
CURSE
INFORMANT WAS TOLD IN THE SECOND GRADE THAT
IF YOU RECEIVED HOLY COMMUNION WITH A MORTAL SIN
ON YOUR SOUL, YOUR FACE WOULD TURN BLACK AND YOUR
TONGUE WOULD TURN TO STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
CBJECT
CARRYING A RABBIT'S FOOT WITH YOU INSURES GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-02-1971