Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.12 returned 33 results.
ON DECEMBER 31 TAKE A BATH (NAKED) IN THE SEA AT MIDNIGHT. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK. ALSO, SOME OTHER DAYS THAT ARE GOOD TO TAKE
THOSE KIND OF BATH ARE THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AND OF COURSE
FRIDAY THE 13. THE BEST TIMES ARE MIDNIGHT AND 3 P.M.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Date learned: 00001970S
The number thirteen is important to witches because at one
time it was felt that this was the maximum number that could
meet at the time that witches were being persecuted. It also
means twelve people and the priest or leader.
Submitter comment: Brian learned this from a lecture at Oakland University.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UTICA
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 00001980S
Never let young girls wear make-up before age 13 for she may
become a mother before her custom allows.
Submitter comment:
My mother explain to me at 12 that I could not wear makeup
until I was 13 years of age because I cannot become a grown lady
before my time.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
My sister and I went to a youth rally when we were in high
school. At the rally we were taught that to grow psychologically
a person needs eight hugs a day plus many other facts that I now
cannot recall. When we came home our parents asked us at the
dinner table what we had learned; we told them about the eight hugs
needed to grow. My dad told us that he could do better than that,
so he has given us twelve hugs plus three for good luck. My
parents live up north and we often communicate by phone or by
letter; on the phone we count to twelve, then to three to give our
hugs to each other. In written communication, we write 12+3 to
give our hugs. This is a tradition that our whole family now
practices to give each other hugs and emotional support.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Family folklore
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Twelve Angels (English Title)
This song was sung in Polish, called Twelve Angels (Anoiw). As
the Mother of the Bride is taking off the veil to give to the Maid
of Honor, it is sung. The Twelve Angels are going with the Bride
for protection because she is leaving her mother and father's house
to go live with her husband.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 00001920S
Willia (Veeleea) (unsure of spelling)
This is a Polish custom that was brought over from Poland, near
Krakow. On Christmas Eve, we would eat a supper of 12 items,
including fish, pierogi, sour mushroom soup (made with dried
mushrooms), bread, butter, prunes and barley. I can't remember
what else-- except no meat. We did not get presents because we
really did not have money, so there was usually a long table set up
that had straw on it, covered by a white table cloth. Under the
straw, there were pennies, and when it was time, the children put
their hands under the straw and found as many pennies as they
could. We would then go to Christmas Eve Mass, and then go
caroling from house to house. This was the big thing years ago.
We were gone half the night, usually in a horse and buggy. We
would then go back to the house we started at, and eat the ham
which we were now allowed to eat because it was after midnight.
The money that we had gotten from under the straw we used to buy
candy. There was a candy store at the corner of 23 Mile Road, and
when we went back to school we would stop there to buy the candy.
Submitter comment:
Because of this "penny tradition," I remember that whenever my
Great Uncle Al came to Grandma's house when we were there, he
always passed out silver dollars to the children. He also did this
when my mom was a little girl. We liked it when he came over
because he gave us the silver dollars, but we could have done
without his cigars.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 00001920'S
Washing of the Feet
On Holy Thursday, at our Catholic Church, we reenact the Last
Supper. The priest then washes the feet of 12 people up on the
altar, to repeat what Jesus did on that same night.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Holy Thursday |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOU STAND IN FRONT OF A MIRROR AT 12 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT
WITH IT COMPLETELY DARK AND REPEAT TWELVE TIMES, "I DON'T
BELIEVE IN THE BELL WITCH," SHE WILL SCRATCH YOU ON THE
FACE.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, WE USED TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR SINS UNTIL YOU REACHED YOUR
TWELFTH BIRTHDAY.
WE USED TO SAY, "AS SOON AS I'M TWELVE, I'M GOING TO THE
ALTAR TO GET SAVED."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE OF REASON
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FIRST TWELVE DAYS OF JANUARY RULE THE TWELVE MONTHS. IF
YOU WILL NOTICE, THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH DAYS OF JANUARY ARE
USUALLY FAIRLY WARM.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
Date learned: 07-20-1968
THE FIRST TWELVE DAYS OF THE YEAR TELL DAY FOR MONTH WHAT THE
YEAR WILL BE LIKE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT RAINS THE 2ND OF JANUARY,
THEN FEBRUARY WILL BE A RAINY MONTH, IF THE 3RD OF JANUARY IS
SUNNY, THEN MARCH WILL BE SUNNY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Date learned: 08-00-1968
TO CURE A BOIL OR "RISEN":
YOU JUST RUN YOUR FINGER AROUND THE EDGE OF THE "RISEN"
AND THEN MAKE A CROSS WITH YOUR FINGER RIGHT IN THE
MIDDLE OF IT. THEN PUT YOUR FINGER IN THE DUST ON THE
GROUND AND TOUCH THE CENTER OF YOUR CROSS WITH THE END
OF YOUR DUSTY FINGER. IF THE "RISEN" AIN'T TOO FAR GONE
IT WILL GO AWAY INSIDE OF TWELVE HOURS. AND IFFIN' IT IS
TOO FAR GONE IT'LL COME TO A HEAD RIGHT AWAY. THE CORE
WILL COME OUT PLUM EASY. YOU'VE GOT TO BELIEVE IT
THOUGH OR IT WON'T WORK.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 07-10-1973
REPEAT THE NAME OF THE BOY YOU LOVE WHILE CUTTING OPEN AN
APPLE. IF THE APPLE CONTAINS TWELVE SEEDS, YOU WILL MARRY
HIM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-01-1973