Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.3 returned 428 results.
METHOD OF CURE
FOR A FRIGHT OR A NIGHTMARE THAT FRIGHTENED SOMEONE - I WAS ABOUT 3
OR 4 YEARS OLD WHEN I FIRST SAW MY GRANDPARENTS DO THIS. THEY DUG A
SMALL HOLE IN THE GROUND (ABOUT 6 INCHES DEEP) TO BE FILLED WITH
FRESH WATER. THEY PUT A CROSS OF PALM LEAVES, GOTTEN ON PALM SUNDAY,
AT ONE SIDE OF THE HOLE. THE FRIGHTENED PERSON STOOD NEAR THE SIDE
OF THE HOLE (1) THEN CROSSED THE HOLE TO THE OTHER SIDE (2) AND THE
MEDICINE MAN (OR WOMAN) WHISPERS IN HIS EAR, "DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME?
WILL YOU COME?(APPROXIMATELY)". THEN THE FRIGHTENED PERSON WOULD STEP
A QUARTER OF THE WAY AROUND THE HOLE (3) AND THE MEDICINE MAN OR
WOMAN WOULD AGAIN WHISPER THAT IN HIS EAR. THE PERSON WOULD CROSS
THE HOLE TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE AGAIN (4) AND THAT WOULD BE 3 MOVES.
THE MEDICINE MAN/WOMAN WOULD REPEAT THE WHISPER. (THIRD TIME) THE
MEDICINE MAN/WOMAN WOULD CLEAR THE TOP OF THE WATER OF SCUM AND
WOULD TAKE A CUP OF CLEAR WATER FROM THE HOLE. THE FRIGHTENED PERSON
WOULD TAKE 3 SIPS OF THE WATER. THEY WOULD TAKE THE PERSON AND LAY
THEM IN BED. THEN THEY WOULD TAKE LONG BAY LEAVES (AS MANY AS THEY
COULD HOLD IN THEIR HAND-4 OR 6) AND SWEEP THEM IN A CROSS OVER THE
FRIGHTENED PERSON 3 TIMES. THE MEDICINE MAN/WOMAN WOULD PUT THE
LEAVES UNDER THE BED FOR THE NIGHT. THEN THEY'D TAKE THE LEAVES AND
SWEEP THE DIRT BACK INTO THE HOLE THEN THEY'D THROW THE LEAVES AS IF
GETTING RID OF THE EVIL OR FRIGHT THE PERSON HAD EXPERIENCED. THEY
DID THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE, SO I KNOW IT WORKS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT FROM HER
GRANDPARENTS WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL IN TEXAS. SHE BELIEVES THIS
METHOD WORKS, BECAUSE IT WAS USED ON HER. SHE GAVE IT TO ME IN MUCH
THE SAME MANNER AS A RECIPE. SHE KEPT SAYING THAT SHE KNOWS IT MIGHT
BE ALL PSYCHOLOGICAL, BUT SHE IS VERY SURE IT WORKS. SINCE THIS WAS
A RATHER LONG ITEM, SHE KEPT GOING OVER THE DETAILS TO MAKE SURE I
WAS GETTING THEM ALL. THE ITEM WAS INTERESTING IN ITSELF, BUT IT WAS
MADE EVEN MORE SO BY HER ATTITUDE OF COMPLETE TRUST IN ITS WORKING
POWERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
TWO IS ALWAYS THREE.
Submitter comment: THIS PERTAINS TO THREE DEATHS COMING AFTER ONE ANOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
FUTURE OF CHILD
WHEN A CHILD IS ONE YEAR OLD, PLACE HIM ON THE FLOOR WITH THREE
THINGS SET IN FRONT OF HIM; THE BIBLE, A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY, AND A
DOLLAR BILL. WHICHEVER ITEM HE PICKS WILL PREDICT YOUR BABYS FUTURE.
Submitter comment: AN INTERESTING THING WOULD BE TO SEE HOW THESE PREDICTIONS TURN OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
KNOCKS
IF YOU DREAM YOU HEAR THREE KNOCKS, DEATH WILL FOLLOW FOR SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC EASTER CUSTOMS
EASTER OR VELYKDEN OCCUPIES THE CENTRAL POINT IN THE LITURGICAL
YEAR. ON EASTER SUNDAY THERE IS A PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH IN
THE EARLY MORNING. IT COMMEMORATES THE PROCESSION OF THE MYRRH
BEARING WOMEN, TO THE TOMB OF JESUS. EASTER BREAD OR "PASKA"
IS BLESSED AND EATEN, IT REPRESENTS CHRIST. EASTER EGGS OR "PYSANKY"
ARE DELICATELY AND INTRICATELY HAND PAINTED. THE ORIGIN OF THE
CUSTOM TO PAGAN UKRAINE HAD PAINTED EGG REPRESENTING THE RESURRECTION
TO A NEW LIFE OF NATURE IN THE SPRING. PYSANKY ARE EXCHANGED
THROUGHOUT THE THREE DAYS OF THE EASTER HOLIDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY,
AND TUESDAY, WITH THE FAMILIAR GREETINGS "KHRYSTOS VOSKRES" TO
WHICH THE RECIPIENT REPLIES "VOISTYNU VOSKRES". THIS MEANS "CHRIST
IS RISEN" AND "HE IS RISEN INDEED". THE WHOLE WEEK AFTER EASTER IS
"ZAHALNYTSIA" OR COMPACT WEEK. MEAT WAS ORIGINALLY ALLOWED TO BE
EATEN.
Submitter comment: THIS CELEBRATION HAS CHANGED VERY LITTLE OVER THE YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1974
FROGS
THE FIRST TIME YOU HEAR A FROG AT THE END OF WINTER, IT WILL GET
COLD AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS THREE TIMES BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT A GROUNDHOG MUST SEE HIS
SHADOW BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL AMPHIBIAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- P663 |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
GETTING CHILD TO SLEEP
IF YOUR BABY HAS BEEN LOOKED AT A LOT BY STRANGERS, TO GET IT TO
SLEEP, WIPE THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HEAD BY THE EYE THREE TIMES WITH
A RAG, THEN TO THE OTHER SIDE THREE TIMES BY THE LEFT EYE. THE
BABY WILL FALL RIGHT TO SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
WART CURE
IF YOU HAVE A WART, STEAL SOMEONE'S DISHRAG AND TAKE IT AND BURY IT.
THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR WITHIN THREE WEEKS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT OFFERED THIS ONE, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARED SHE DID NOT
BELIEVE IT, SAYING SHE HAD HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
Date learned: 01-00-1974
POINTING
YOU SHOULD NEVER POINT AN ACCUSING FINGER AT A PERSON BECAUSE IF
YOU LOOK AT YOUR HAND, THREE OF YOUR FINGERS ARE POINTING AT YOU.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO BREAK CHILDREN OUT OF HABIT OF POINTING AT PEOPLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
LIGHTING THREE CIGARETTS ON ONE MATCH IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE SUPERSTITION OF LIGHTING THREE ON A MATCH IS SAID TO HAVE STARTED
AT THE TIME OF THE CRIMEAN WAR WHEN BRITISH SOLDIERS WHO LIT A MATCH
LONG ENOUGH TO PASS IT AROUND THREE TIMES WERE GIVING THEIR ENEMY
PLENTY OF TIME TO AIM AND FIRE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: CA11001973
THREE ON A MATCH
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR THREE PEOPLE TO LIGHT THEIR CIGARETTES OFF OF THE
SAME MATCH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.5 |
Date learned: 00001960S
WEDDINGS
WHEN ONE SEES A WEDDING PARTY, IT IS GOOD LUCK TO LICK ONE'S THUMB
AND POUND ONE'S FIST THREE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Good luck P881.5 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
REMEMBERING
IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING TAKE THREE STEPS BACK TO REMEMBER.
HE WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS GRANDMOTHER WHEN HEWAS LITTLE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
"THE THIRD MARRAIGE WILL BE THE LUCKY ONE."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARRIAGE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41 |
Date learned: 11-10-1972
RAIN BUBBLES
IF THE RAIN FALLS INTO PUDDLES, MAKING BUBBLES, THAT MEANS IT'S
GOING TO RAIN FOR THREE MORE DAYS.
Where learned: OVER THE TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
EAT THREE ALMONDS A DAY AND YOU WILL NEVER GET CANCER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REPORTS THAT THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE
ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT. A SPIRITUAL STUDY GROUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
WHEN PLANTING POTATOES EACH SLICE MUST HAVE THREE EYES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: 11-02-1972
EVIL EYE
ONE CURE FOR THE EVIL EYE IS TO DROP SOME OIL WATER IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE VICTIM . IF AFTER IT SPREADS THE OIL TAKES ON THE SHAPE OF AN
EYE , THERE IS NO DOUBT THE VICTIM HAS FALLEN TO THE EVIL EYE. THE
PERSON GIVING THE CURE CAN THEN MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS THREE
TIMES ON THE VICTIM'S FOREHEAD, RESULTING IN A RAPID RECOVERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
IF YOU HAVE A BABY DON'T CROSS A RUNNING STREAM OF WATER UNTIL
YOUR BABY IS THREE WEEKS OLD. IF YOU DO DROP A STRAIGHT PIN IN
THE WATER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NEWNESS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-08-1972
BAD LUCK
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR THREE PEOPLE TO LIGHT OFF OF THE
ONE MATCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-00-1974