Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P660 returned 59 results.
ON THE FIRST NIGHT IN MAY, GET A PAN OF MEAL; PUT IN A SNAIL
AND LEAVE OVERNIGHT. HE WILL WRITE THE INITIAL OF YOUR WIFE;
IF MALE.
Where learned: CENTERVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-19-1968
PUT YOUR HANDKERCHIEF IN A WHEAT FIELD THE FIRST THREE NIGHTS
IN MAY AND YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND OR WIFE'S INITIALS WILL BE
IN THE CORNER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PRIMM SPRINGS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 3 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
IF YOU SAY "RABBIT" ON THE FIRST OF TH MONTH BEFORE SAYING
ANYTHING ELSE, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT MONTH.
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRMONT RD ; CHAGRIN FALLS
IT IS VERY BAD LUCK TO SAY THE WORD "WATER" NEAR AN OIL WELL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, FRIDAY THE 13TH, LADDERS, BLACK CATS AND
WITCHES WERE FEARED OMENS OR BAD LUCK BY BLACK WASH WOMEN,
WHO DID LAUNDRY FOR PEOPLE. THEY THREW BRIGHT PENNIES IN THEIR
WASH TUBS ON WASH DAYS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; HYBRID ACRES ; NORTH GARDEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck Money BELIEF -- Bad luck Friday the Thirteenth |
Date learned: 03-29-1969
WHEN I WAS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, EVERYBODY WAS GETTING AND THEN
SENDING THESE CHAIN LETTERS, WHICH OFFERED A GOOD LUCK PRAYER
IF YOU SENT THE LETTER TO FIVE OF YOUR FRIENDS. IF YOU
DIDN'T SEND IT OUT, THEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BAD LUCK.
I REMEMBER ONE IN PARTICULAR--IT SAID THAT COL. JOHNSON
RECEIVED $7000, BUT HE LOST IT LOST IT (SIC) LATER BECAUSE
HE BROKE THE CHAIN OF GOOD LUCK OFFERED IN THE PRAYER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CUT THE PEELING FROM AN APPLE IN ONE SPIRAL AND TOSS IT OVER
YOUR LEFT SHOULDER. IT WILL FALL INTO THE INITIAL OF THE
PERSON YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR INITIALS SPELL A WORD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 07-00-1972
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, TAKE NINE STEPS BACKWARD.
Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-20-1970
BAD LUCK ATTENDS THE PERSONS WHOSE INITIALS SPELL A KNOWN WORD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
IT IS GOOD LUCK IF YOUR INITIALS SPELL A WORD.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 04-02-1971
A POSTAGE STAMP PUT ON A LETTER UPSIDE DOWN MEANS THAT THE
WRITER LOVES THE PERSON TO WHOM HE IS SENDING THE LETTER. IT
IS READ AS "I LOVE YOU."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CHATTANOOGA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
DON'T EAT OYSTERS UNLESS THE MONTH HAS AN "R" IN THE SPELLING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MURFREESBORO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 06-25-1973
IF YOUR INITIALS SPELL A NAME YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
PEEL AN APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A BREAK IN THE PEELING AND
SWING THE PEEL AROUND YOUR HEAD. THROW THE PEELING OVER
YOUR SHOULDER AND IT WILL FALL IN THE SHAPE OF THE LETTER
OF YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND'S NAME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-08-1973
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
TALE OF KISSING ONES ELBOW
IF YOU KISS YOUR ELBOW, YOU'LL TURN INTO THE
OPPOSITE SEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMPOSSIBLE TASK
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Word Letter SPEECH -- Magical |
Date learned: 01-26-1972
SPIRIT TABLE
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA. WE HAVE ALSO A TABLE THAT ATTRACTS DEAD
SOULS. THERE ARE MARKINGS ON IT WHICH SPIRITS USE TO COMMUNICATE
WITH A MEDIUM. HANDS ARE USED, PLACED ON IT. IT IS NOT NECESSARY
TO HAVE A MEDIUM, I AM AFRAID MYSELF. SPIRITS ARE LIKE THE FIVE
ELEMENTS, FIRE, EARTH, AIR, WATER, LIGHT--LIKE
VARIOUS GASES ALL WANDERING
AROUND ETERNALLY, LIKE THE ELEMENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING
SOULS TO CAPTURE SOULS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; souls ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
MAGIC
IN MEXICO IT IS POSSIBLE TO TALK WITH THE DEAD IF YOU USE A
OUIJA TABLE. IT IS EASIER FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO THIS THAN OTHERS.
YOU PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE AND THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD WILL
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU, AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, AND VERY OFTEN
TELL YOU OF FUTURE EVENTS. THEY DO THIS BY MOVING
YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE ANSWER OR INFORMATION
IS SPELLED OUT FOR YOU. PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY USE THESE TABLES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Haunt ; Ouija ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 02-04-1968