Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P860 returned 331 results.
UNWIND CLOCK
IF A PERSON LETS THEIR ALARM CLOCK COMPLETLY UNWIND AND STOP TICKING
THE OWNER OF THE CLOCK WILL DIE IN HIS SLEEP
Submitter comment: ONE MAY LOOK AT THE CLOCK'S MAIN-SPRING AS ONE'S OWN LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1932
DIVINATION OF DESTINY
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG PLACE A COIN, BEER AND A ROSARY WITHIN THE
REACH OF THE BABY. IF THE BABY FIRST REACHES FOR THE COIN, IT WILL
ALWAYS HAVE MONEY. IF IT REACHES FOR THE BEER IT WILL FAVOR THE
DRINK. IF IT FIRST REACHES FOR THE ROSARY THE BABY IS DESTINED TO
BECOME RELIGIOUS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER, WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SYMBOLS ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
APPLE DIVINATION
BEFORE EATING AN APPLE, RECITE THE ALPHABET WHILE TWISTING THE
APPLE STEM, ONE TWIST PER LETTER. WHEN THE STEM BREAKS, THE LETTER
PRONOUNCED IS THE INITIAL OF THE FIRST NAME OF THE PERSON YOU
ARE GOING TO MARRY.
Submitter comment: I PERSONALLY FIND THIS RIDICULOUS. YET THE INFORMANT IS ENGAGED--
Where learned: MISSOURI ; BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
IF A BRIDE EATS AN ORANGE ON HER WEDDING DAY, THE NUMBER OF SEEDS
INSIDE WILL BE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MONTANA ; MISSOULA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-17-1971
VALENTINE
TO LEARN WHO YOUR VALENTINE IS WRITE THE NAMES OF THREE PROSPECTIVE
PEOPLE ON SLIPS OF PAPER, ROLL THEM UP INSIDE CLAY, DROP THE CLAY
INTO WATER, THE FIRST ONE TO RISE IS YOUR VALENTINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day BELIEF -- Use of Object |
(EVE OF JUNE 24)
ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE) UKRAINIAN
VILLAGE GIRLS WEAVE WREATHS. THEY TAKE THEM DOWN TO THE RIVER,
CREEK OR LAKE CLOSE BY, PUT LIGHTED CANDLES IN THEM AND PLACE THEM
ON THE WATER. IF THE WREATH SINKS WITH THE CANDLES LIGHTED,
MISFORTUNE WILL BEFALL HER. THE BOYS FROM THE AREA GATHER ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, OR COME OUT IN BOATS TO GATHER THE WREATHS.
THE GIRL WHOSE WREATH HE PICKS UP WILL BE HIS FUTURE WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
PREDICTION
ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, PLACE AN EGG WHITE INTO A
SEE-THROUGH BOTTLE OF WATER. PUT THIS OUTSIDE OVER NIGHT. THE EGG
WHITE WILL GO INTO DIFFERENT SHAPES. THIS WILL PREDICT THE FUTURE
FOR THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN HIS GRANDFATHER WAS VISITING FROM
ITALY. HIS PARENTS TRIED THIS AND THE SHAPE RESEMBLED A BOAT.
THAT YEAR, HIS GRANDFATHER RETURNED TO ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 BELIEF -- Use of Object |
SEASONAL CUSTOM -- SUMMER
ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WHICH IS ON THE FIRST DAY OF
SUMMER, SINGLE GIRLS IN POLAND MAKE WREATHES OF THE FIRST SUMMER
FLOWERS AND THROW THEM ON THE LAKE OR POND. IF THE WREATHES FLOAT,
SHE WILL BE MARRIED THAT YEAR, IF IT SINKS, SHE WILL NOT.
Data entry tech comment: FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: JUNE 24
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA FALLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Summer BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Use of Object |
FUTURE WIFE
ON JUNE 24, THE GIRLS MAKE WREATHS OF FLOWERS AND FASTEN A CANDLE TO
THE COMPLETED WREATH. THEN THEY LIGHT THE CANDLE AND PLACE THE
WREATH WITH CANDLE ON RIVER. THE BOYS GATHER ROUND AND TRY TO
CATCH THE LIGHTED WREATHS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE OWNER OF THE
WREATH THAT A CERTAIN BOY CATCHES WILL BE THE FUTURE WIFE OF
THAT BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
CUSTOM FESTIVAL
IN UKRAINE, ON ST. JOHN'S DAY, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR YOUNG GIRLS TO
MAKE WREATHS AND FLOAT THEM DOWN A RIVER TO AWAITING BOYS
DOWNSTREAM. THEN THE BOY WHO CATCHES A CERTAIN GIRL'S WREATH WILL
EVENTUALLY MARRY THAT GIRL.
Submitter comment: INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM RELATIVES AND ACQUAINTANCES IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
CUSTOM
DURING THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE SINGLE GIRLS MELT METAL AND DROP
IT IN WATER. WHEN IT HARDENS, IF THE METAL COMES OUT SHINY, THE
GIRL WILL MARRY A HANDSOME MAN AND BE HAPPY, BUT IF IT COMES OUT
BLACK AND DULL, SHE WILL MARRY AN UGLY MAN AND BE UNHAPPY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
ON HALLOWEEN, HANG AN APPLE ON A STRING ATTACHED TO A RAIL. THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE PASSING UNDER IT WILL INDICATE THE NUMBER OF
MONTHS THAT WILL ELAPSE BEFORE YOU ARE MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 03-14-1968
ON HALLOWEEN, WALK BACKWARDS INTO A GARDEN AND PULL UP A CABBAGE,
WHICH WILL INDICATE THE CONDITION OF YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND:
LARGE NICE CABBAGE = HANDSOME MAN; MUCH DIRT = WEALTHY MAN;
LEAN, UNDERDEVELOPED CABBAGE = POOR MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 03-14-1968
IF YOU GO INTO A DARK ROOM WITH A MIRROR ON HALLOWEEN, AND IF YOU
LOOK HARD ENOUGH INTO THE MIRROR AND LONG ENOUGH, YOU WILL SEE THE
ONE YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
LEARNING THE BAD NEWS
AT HALLOWEEN, THROW AN APPLE CORE OVER YOUR SHOULDER; WHEN IT FALLS I
WILL FORM THE INITIAL OF THE ONE YOU'LL MARRY.
Submitter comment: NO LONGER BELIEVED.
Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
A MARRIAGE YARN
"IN SCOTLAND ON HALLOWEEN THE BOYS AND GIRLS GO DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD.
THE GIRLS THROW A BALL OF YARN, AND THE BOY WHO FINDS AN END OF THE
YARN WINDS IT UP. HE WILL MARRY THE GIRL ON THE END OF THAT STRING."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-10-1964
VIGIL OF ST. ANDREW, MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE VIGIL OF SAINT ANDREW, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 29, ALL THE GIRLS
WRITE DOWN THE NAMES OF ALL THE BOYS THEY KNOW ON SMALL SLIPS OF
PAPER. THESE SLIPS ARE THEN FOLDED AND PLACED UNDER THE GIRLS'
PILLOW. IN THE MORNING WHEN THE GIRL WAKES UP, THE FIRST THING SHE
SHOULD DO IS TO PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW AND PULL OUT ONE
PIECE OF PAPER. THE NAME THAT APPEARS ON THE PAPER IS THE NAME OF
THE PERSON SHE WILL MARRY.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN POLAND ONLY. MY MOTHER
KNEW IT SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. WHEN SHE WAS IN HER TWENTIES
SHE DID THIS AND ONE OF THE NAMES SHE WROTE ON ONE OF THE SLIPS OF
PAPER WAS MY FATHER'S. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE NAME SHE
PULLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF HER PILLOW AT THIS TIME WAS MY FATHER'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F112 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE EVE OF SAINT ANDREW'S FEAST DAY; NOVEMBER 29, ALL THE GIRLS
LIVING IN A CERTAIN AREA WOULD GET TOGETHER AT ONE OF THE GIRLS'
HOMES AND EACH GIRL WOULD BAKE ROLLS. WHEN THE ROLLS WOULD BE DONE
THEY WOULD PUT THEM ON A BENCH AND CALL THE FAMILY DOG. THE GIRL
THAT GETS HER ROLL EATEN FIRST BY THE DOG WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE
MARRIED THAT YEAR.
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. MY MOTHER SAID THAT THE GIRLS REALLY
LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS EVENT. THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED IT TO OCCUR
OFTENER THOUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F112 BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
CUSTOM ON ST. ANDREW'S
IN POLAND, ON ST. ANDREW'S DAY, NOVEMBER 30, THE GIRLS WOULD POUR
HOT WAX ON TO WATER. WHEN THE PIECES OF WAX WERE REMOVED FROM THE
WATER, THEY WERE TO INDICATE THE GIRLS' FUTURE. THE SHAPE OF THE
WAX WOULD SUGGEST COMING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND HER FUTURE HUSBAND
PERHAPS.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F113 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
CUSTOM FESTIVAL
IN UKRAINE, ON ST. ANDREW'S DAY (NOV. 30), GIRLS MELT WAX AND SPILL
IT INTO WATER. THEN THEY FORETELL THEIR FUTURES FROM THE VARIOUS
ODD FORMS THE WAX CREATES ON THE WATER AS IT HARDENS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS RELATIVES AND
ACQUAINTANCES IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F113 BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-07-1967