Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RELIGIOUS GESTURE
BEFORE RIDING IN A CAR SPRINKLE THE CAR WITH HOLY WATER.
Where learned: IRELAND ; DUBLIN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
CORNICIO-SEA HORN
AN ITALIAN GOOD LUCK CHARM, USUALLY RED, BUT
GOLD WILL SUBSTITUTE. GENERALLY WORN AROUND NECK,
ON WATCHBAND, IN CAR, OR ATTACHED TO THE REARVIEW MIRROR.
MUCH ATTENTION IS PLACED ON THIS CHARM AND IT IS OF NO USE
IF IT IS JUST LAYING DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
CONJURATION
I WAS TOLD SOME YEARS AGO THAT WHEN
I WAS AROUND A YEAR OLD. I GOT TO CRYING AND
WOULD NOT STOP. I WOULD NOT STOP FOR ANYONE OR
ANYTHING.
MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD MY MOTHER THAT SOMEONE HAD GIVEN ME
THE EVIL EYE AND THAT WAS WHY I CRIED SO. SHE WANTED TO
TRY SOME "ITALIAN WITCHCRAFT" ON ME TO REMOVE THE EVIL EYE.
AT FIRST MY MOTHER WOULD NOT LET HER, BUT GRANDMA KEPT ASKING
UNTIL SHE DID. GRANDMA TOOK A BOWL OF WATER AND DROPPED
SOME WHEAT IN IT, SHE WATCHED THE GRAIN SINK AND COME
BACK TO THE SURFACE WITH SOME AIR BUBBLES. THE BUBBLES MEANT THAT
INDEED, SOMEONE HAD GIVEN ME THE EVIL EYE. TO REMOVE IT SHE
WENT THROUGH A RITUAL WHICH COMBINED
WITCHCRAFT AND CHRISTIANITY. FIRST,
MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS TO HERSELF AND TO ME. THEN SHE
BROKE THE BUBBLES, DIPPED HER FINGER IN THE WATER, MADE A
SIGN OF THE CROSS ON MY FOREHEAD AND SAID THE FOLLOWING VERSES;
OCCHI E MALOCCHI
CORNICELLI A L'OCCHI
SQUATA LE INVIDIA
E CREPA IL MALOCCHIA.
WHICH IN ENGLISH IS:
EYE OF EVIL
GIVEN TO THEE
SQUASH THE ENVY
AND BURST THE EVIL.
AS SOON AS SHE FINISHED ALL THIS , I STOPPED CRYING, TO THE
JOY OF ALL WHO HAD PUT UP WITH MY WAILING FOR A WEEK STRAIGHT.
MY MOTHER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON WHY I WAS CRYING.
THE DOCTOR COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH ME. AS I HAVE SAID,
I CRIED FOR A WEEK STRAIGHT AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IMMEDIATELY
AFTER GRANDMA HAD FINISHED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOOD LUCK CHARM
AN EYE TOOTH IS A GOOD LUCK CHARM AND PEOPLE
WEAR IT AROUND THEIR NECK FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
WHILE TRAVELING AND LIVING IN LATIN AMERICA,
MR. MARCHETT HEARD THIS AND HE IN TURN TOLD
MY FREIND WHILE THEY WERE WORKING TOGETHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS CREAMERY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
GOOD LUCK CHARM
A PIECE OF LION'S HAIR IS GOOD LUCK
AND IT STANDS FOR A BRAVE PERSON. THEREFORE
PEOPLE GET LION'S HAIR AND USE IT FOR GOOD LUCK
AND TO SHOW OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE BRAVE.
Submitter comment: MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS WHILE HE LIVED IN LATIN AMERICA.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS CREAMERY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
BELIEF
IF YOU HOLD A BIBLE, WHILE TAKING A TRIP BY AIRPLANE,
IT WILL KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL YOU LAND.
Submitter comment:
SINCE MY GRANDMOTHER IS AFRAID OF AIR TRAVEL HERSELF
AND SEES MANY OF HER FAMILY DEPART ON AIRPLANE TRIPS.
SHE ALWAYS TELLS US THIS AND USUALLY BRINGS A BIBLE FOR US.
Where learned: HOME ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
CONJURING UP THE DEAD
IF YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH A DEAD RELATIVE
FOR SOME GOOD FORTUNE OR PROFITABLE ADVICE
SIT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED AND WRITE A LETTER
STATING WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE RETIRING.
THE SPIRIT WILL COME TO YOU WITH THE INFORMATION
IN YOUR DREAM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE TRUE BY THE INFORMANT.
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-09-1968
CHARM
THE ACORN MADE OF TIN OR COPPER.
IT HAD ONCE BEEN THE CUSTOM FOR PEOPLE TO CARRY A DRIED
ACORN FOR SUSTAINING YOUTHFULNESS AND VIGOR.
NOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A WAYWARD LOVER RETURN
TO HIS OR HER COMPANION.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
BELIEF
IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO AN OLD RELATIVE (DECEASED)
GO INTO A DARK CLOSET AND CLOSE THE DOOR.
WRITE DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER, IN THE DARK,
WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK,
AND YOU WILL BE ANSWERED BY THE DECEASED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER (WHO IS A) FULL-BLOODED CHIPPEWA INDIAN
SAID THIS WAS AN OLD BELIEF ON THE RESERVATION
SHE WAS BORN ON IN WISCONSON.
Where learned: TOLD AT A FRIENDS HOUSE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
WARDING OFF DEVIL
IF YOU THROW SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER
YOU'LL WARD OFF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
THE ROSARY
MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD GIVE EACH GRANDCHILD A ROSARY
SOME TIME DURING THE VERY EARLY PART OF THEIR LIFE.
THIS ROSARY IS TO BE HUNG FROM THE BED.
IN THIS WAY, THE ROSARY WILL GIVE PROTECTION
AGAINST THE DEVIL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HER HOME
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-22-1970
BURNING PALM
WHENEVER A BAD STORM OCCURED, PIECES OF
PALMS RECEIVED ON PALM SUNDAY WERE BURNED
TO INSURE PROTECTION FOR THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
LOVE CHARM
IF A PAIR OF LOVERS PLUCK A LAUREL TWIG
AND BREAK IT IN HALF, EACH KEEPING A PIECE
THEY WILL REMAIN LOVERS. ON ST. VALENTINES DAY,
PLACE TWO LEAVES ON YOUR PILLOW AND YOU
WILL DREAM OF LOVE.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER SOME OF THE GIRLS TALKING LIKE
THIS AT SCHOOL ONE DAY.
Where learned: BROUGHT UP SOMETIME AT SCHOOL.
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RED RIBBON
A RED RIBBON PLACED ON THE BOTTOM OF A BABY
MATTRESS WILL WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE
OF A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER HAD CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
BELIEF
SAY THE LORD'S PRAYER BACKWARDS AND YOU
WILL SEE THE DEVIL.
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
GOOD LUCK
ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT RED PEPPER IS A GOOD LUCK CHARM
JUST LIKE SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IN RABBIT'S FEET.
THEY HANG THEM IN THEIR HOMES AND IN CARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-04-1969
WE HATE YOU MARY WORTH
I FIRST HEARD OF THIS BELIEF IN CLEVELAND.
IT WAS TOLD TO ME BY A COUPLE OF GIRLS WHOSE NAMES
I HAVE LONG FORGOTTEN. THESE GIRLS ACTUALLY BELIEVED
THIS: THE LEGEND IS THAT MARY WORTH WAS
A WITCH WHO LIVED IN THE 18 TH CENTURY,
AND SHE HAS NOT YET FOUND AN ETERNAL RESTING PLACE.
SHE IS ABLE TO BE CONJURED UP BY LOOKING IN A MIRROR
IN ALMOST COMPLETE DARKNESS AND BY REPEATING OVER
AND OVER, "I HATE YOU MARY WORTH,I HATE YOU MARY WORTH...."
ONE MUST REALLY CONCENTRATE ON THE EMOTION
OF HATE AND ONE MUST REALLY MEAN IT WHEN ONE SAYS,
" I HATE YOU MARY WORTH ". IF THISIS DONE CONVINCINGLY
ENOUGH, THINGS WILL START TO HAPPEN:
A GLOW WILL START TO DISFUSE THE ROOM FROM ABOVE YOUR HEAD
THE ROOM WILL GET COLD, ETC.
THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE WOULD HAPPEN AND THEY
WERE GETTING TOO SCARED TO TALK ABOUT IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MAGIC TO DRIVE AWAY GHOSTS
IF A GHOST OR A DEVIL IS BOTHERING YOU, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE
CROSS OR SAY THE NAME JESUS AND THEY WILL BE FRIGHTENED AWAY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MUSIC
MUSIC CHARMS MICE.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS HEARD BY THE PERSON IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN TALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-01-1968
NO CAN DO} VOODOO
A FRIEND OF MY FAMILY (NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST)
IS A HOMICIDE DETECTIVE FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT.
FOR ONE OF HIS ARRESTS HE HAD TO TRAVEL TO A
PREDOMINANTLY NEGRO SECTION OF THE CITY.
WHEN HE GOT TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE IN QUESTION
THE MAN TO BE ARRESTED ANSWERED. AFTER LEARNING
HE WAS TO BE ARRESTED THE MAN AGREED TO GO,
BUT EXPLAINED THAT HE COULD NOT WALK PAST THE DOOR
NOW BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD PUT A CURSE ON HIM AND HE
COULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE VOODOO DUST WAS SPRINKLED THERE.
OUR FRIEND LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THERE CERTAINLY
WAS SOME DUST LIKE MATERIAL SPRINKLED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR.
HE BENT DOWN AND BRUSHED THE DUST AWAY AND SAID TO THE
WAITING MAN, "OKAY, YOU CAN COME OUT NOW, THE CURSE IS BROKEN".
AT THAT THE MAN AGREED AND WALKED OUT ON THE PORCH
TO BE ARRESTED. BUT HE WOULD NOT CROSS THE LINE OF DUST
BEFORE THIS, EVEN TO BE ARRESTED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN