Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON FEBRUARY 1ST, MRS. CHRISTMAN MAKES THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH
CORNSTARCH ON EVERY DOORWAY IN HER HOME. THIS, SHE SAID,
SYMBOLIZES THAT GOD WILL GUARD THE HOME FROM EVIL FOR THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT BELIEVED IN THIS RITUAL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DALLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 1 BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
BELIEF
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO GO SWIMMING BEFORE THE
FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WHICH IS JUNE 24.
INFORMANT STILL BELIEVES IN THIS STATEMENT. IN CHILDHOOD, I
ALWAYS HAD TO OBEY THIS BELIEF, AND COULDN'T GO SWIMMING BEFORE
JUNE 24.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
NO ONE WORKS ON AUGUST 15TH. THEY TAKE HORSES INTO THE SEA AND
SPRINKLE THEIR WAGONS WITH SEA WATER BECAUSE THIS IS A HOLY DAY.
IT BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
THIS CUSTOM WAS FOLLOWED THROUGH THE GENERATIONS IN HIS FAMILY
ON ST. LUCY'S DAY WHICH FALLS ON DECEMBER 13. WHEN COOKING
ANY MEAL THAT DAY, OR IN EATING ANY MEAL THAT DAY, NOTHING CAN BE
MADE OR EATEN OUT OF FLOWER ( FLOUR ). IF MADE OR EATEN, IT IS A
SIGN THAT YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU LIFT UP YOUR FEET FROM THE FLOOR AND TOUCH YOUR HANDS TO
THE CEILING WHILE GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK IN YOUR CAR, YOU
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RAILROAD TRACK, LUCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
BELIEF: SUPERSTITION
WHEN WALKING ALONGSIDE SOMEONE, DON'T LET ANYTHING GET BETWEEN YOU.
EVERYONE SHOULD WALK ON THE SAME SIDE WHEN AVOIDING AN OBJECT.
OTHERWISE YOU'LL GET BAD LUCK
Where learned: NOT INCLUDED ; MAINE ; SOUTH PORTLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-05-1971
AVOIDING DANGER
IF YOU GIVE A GIFT WITH A BLADE OR POINT SUCH AS SCISSORS, YOU MUST
GIVE THE PERSON A PENNY FOR EACH BLADE. THIS IS TO AVOID DANGER
FROM THE SHARP POINT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT ACTUALLY GAVE SOMEONE TWO CENTS WHEN SHE GAVE THAT
PERSON A PAIR OF SCISSORS
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
GIFT_GIVING CUSTOM
IF SOMEONE IS GIVEN A KNIFE OF SCISSORS OR OTHER SHARP IMPLEMENT
YOU MUST GIVE IT WITH A PENNY TO CUT THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
IN BUSINESS, WHEN OPENING A NEW STORE, YOU MUST SAVE THE FIRST
DOLLAR BILL AND FRAME IT. THIS IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK AND
YOUR DOLLARS WILL MULTIPLY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
MILITARY BAD LUCK
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A SOLDIER TO CARRY AN UMBRELLA.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT THE REASON FOR THIS IS TO SHOW
THE WORLD HOW RUGGED HE IS AND NEEDS NO PROTECTION. HE ALSO SAID
THAT HIS OFFICER HAD TOLD HIM NEVER TO CARRY AN UMBRELLA WHILE IN
UNIFORM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): MILITARY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
RING
I RECEIVED A GOOD LUCK CHARM FROM MY MOTHER WHO
RECEIVED IT FROM HER MOTHER. IT'S A RING.
IT HAS A GOLD COLORED BAND WITH A SORT OF TREASURE
BOX ON TOP. INSIDE THE BOX IS A RUBY.
THIS CHARM DOES NOT BRING ME LUCK IN GAMES, RAFFLES
OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT. BUT IT DOES MAKE ME HAPPY
AND LETS ME THINK OF CERTAIN THINGS. WHENEVER I WEAR
THIS RING, IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND I HAVE GAY MOODS.
I CALL IT A GOOD LUCK CHARM BECAUSE I AM LUCKY TO
HAVE IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-16-1972
TALKING OF EVIL
THIS PERSON BELIEVES THAT IF ANYONE SPEAKS OF EVIL,
ESPECIALLY OF NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE EVIL,
THEN HE OR SHE IS TEMPTING FATE TO STRIKE THIS
PERSON WITH THE EVIL THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
LUCK OF SHIPS
THERE IS A STORY OF AN UNNAMED GRAIN SHIP,
A GREAT LAKES THREE-MASTER, THAT LOST HER
LUCK ON A RUN TO BUFFALO. A MAN, NAMED BILL, HAD
FALLEN TO HIS DEATH FROM THE MASTHEAD, AND ON THE FOLLOWING
DAY ANOTHER HAD LOST HIS LIFE. ON ARRIVING AT BUFFALO
THE MEN WENT ASHORE AS SOON AS THEY WERE PAID OFF. THEY WERE
NOT RETURNING BECAUSE, THEY SAID, THE SHIP HAD LOST HER
LUCK. WHILE THE VESSEL WAS DISCHARGING HER
CARGO AT AN ELEVATOR THE STORY GOT AROUND AND THE GRAIN-TRIMMERS
REFUSED TO WORK HER. WHEN THE SHIP WAS UNLOADED SHE WAS
ORDERED TO CLEVELAND TO TAKE ON COAL BUT COULD NOT SIGN A CREW.
THEY MANAGED TO GET A NEW CREW BY GOING TO A CRIMP, WHO RAN
THEM IN FROM SALT WATER. THEY CAME ABOARD TWO-THIRDS DRUNK AND
THE MATE WAS STEERING THEM TO THE FORECASTLE, WHEN ONE
OF THEM STOPPED AND POINTED ALOFT, SAID: "WHAT HAVE YOU
GOT A FIGUREHEAD ON THE MASTHEAD FOR?" THE MATE LOOKED ALOFT
AND THEN TURNED WHITE. "IT'S BILL," HE CRIED, AND WITH THAT
THE WHOLE LOT DID A PIERHEAD JUMP, EVEN THE MATE.
THE CAPTAIN MANAGED TO SIGN ON ANOTHER CREW AND SAILED
FOR CLEVELAND, BUT HE NEVER GOT THERE; HIS VESSEL WAS SUNK
BY A STEAMER OFF DUNKIRK.
Submitter comment:
CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM
HIS FATHER WHO CLAIMED THAT HIS BEST FRIEND WAS
LOST ON THIS ILL-FATED SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAC ISLAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
SHATTERED MIRROR
A BROKEN MIRROR IS AN INDICATION OF SEVEN YEARS BAD LUCK
Submitter comment:
FIRST HEARD ABOUT 1951 WHEN I BROKE A MIRROR
AND MOTHER ISSUED THE ABOVE WARNING.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
BELIEF
WHEN AN EYELASH DROPS IT CAN BRING GOOD LUCK BY PLACING
IT ON THE BACK OF THE LEFT HAND, MAKING A WISH AND THEN
HITTING IT WITH THE BACK OF THE RIGHT HAND.
YOU GET THREE TRIES AND IF THE EYELASH HAS NOT FALLEN
OFF BY THE THIRD TRY IT MEANS YOUR WISH WILL
NOT COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: FROM MOTHER
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
BELIEF
A GIRL WITH MUCH HAIR ON HER ARMS AND LEGS WILL
BE LUCKY AND MARRY A RICH MAN.
Submitter comment: FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
TOADS
A TOAD IN THE CELLAR BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: FROM MOTHER
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
SUPERSTITION-BAD LUCK
RED-HAIRED PEOPLE ARE UNLUCKY.
Submitter comment: DOES NOT REMEMBER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-26-1967
IT'S A GOOD CANDLE THAT SMOKES STRAIGHT UP.
WHENEVER WE HAD CANDLES ON THE TABLE, FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
DINNER, FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY, OR WHENEVER, MY GRANDFATHER
USED TO LOOK VERY INTENTLY AT THE DIRECTION IN WHICH
THE SMOKE OF THE CANDLE WAS GOING
THE DIRECTION DETERMINED WHETHER GOOD OR BAD LUCK WOULD COME
TO THOSE AT THE TABLE.
Submitter comment:
IN MY CASE (AFTER A BIRTHDAY PARTY), THE SMOKE WENT
TOWARD THE NORTH-EAST. "AHA," HE SAID,
"PRYJDZIE KAWALER Z TAMTYCH STRON}" AND HE WAS RIGHT.
MY FUTURE HUSBAND DID COME FROM THAT DIRECTION. I'M SURE GLAD
GRANDPA NOTICED THAT. PERHAPS I'M BEING A BIT FACETIOUS,
BUT GRANDPA REALLY DID BELIEVE IN THIS OMEN OR SIGN.
*AFTER IT WAS BLOWN OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
BLACK CAT
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD IN DETROIT WHERE
PLAYMATES AVOIDED BLACK CATS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1949