Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BELIEF IN LEBANON
A SMALL BLUE SPECIAL STONE WORN ON THE PERSON
WILL KEEP BAD LUCK AND EVIL AWAY.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
JAPANESE CHARM
WE GET CARDS FROM A SHRINE THAT ARE GOOD
FOR TRAFFIC IN A CAR. THEY PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
HERE IS MINE. THEY ARE WRAPPED IN RED CLOTH
BECAUSE RED IS THE COLOR FOR HAPPINESS AND
GOOD OMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE GREEN WEENIE
PITTSBURGH SPORT FANS TRUSTED IN THE GREEN WEENIE
TO PUT A HEX ON THE OPPOSING BASEBALL TEAM.
THIS ORIGINATED WHEN BOB PRINCE, LOCAL SPORTSCASTER
JOKINGLY SUGGESTED THAT HE WOULD APPLY THE GREEN WEENIE
TO THE GIANTS AFTER THEY HAD A 9 RUN LEAD
IN THE LAST INNING. THE PIRATES WON THAT GAME AND A SURPRISING
NUMBER MORE WHEN THE WEENIE WAS MENTIONED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
CHARM
SALT IS A GOOD GENERAL DEFENSE AGAINST WITCH CRAFT
AND SORCERY. PUTTING A FEW GRAINS IN YOUR
FOOD WILL PREVENT IT FROM BEING USED AS A MEDIUM
FOR BEWITCHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
BELIEF
IF YOU LOOK IN A MIRROR ON RAINY NIGHTS AND STARE
INTO THE MIRROR WHILE SAYING "I BELIEVE IN ROSEMARY'S BABY"
AND CONCENTRATE HARD, IT IS BELIEVED THAT YOU CAN
SEE ROSEMARY KILLING HER BABY.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
CONJURATION
IF A BABY HAS BEEN FRIGHTENED BY SOMEONE OR
SOMETHING AND IT CRIES OUT DURING IT'S SLEEP,
YOU TAKE TWO STRAWS FROM A BROOM AND FORM THEM INTO
A CROSS. THEN YOU TAKE AND MELT WAX FROM A BLESSED CANDLE,
NEXT YOU MAKE SURE THE BABY IS COVERED, HOLD A PAN
OR CONTAINER OVER THE BABY'S HEAD WITH THE
CROSS OVER IT AND THEN POUR THE HOT WAX OVER THE CROSS.
A FIGURE OF WHATEVER FRIGHTENED THE BABY WILL FORM
ON THE CROSS FROM THE WAX. AFTER THIS IS DONE THE BABY
WILL NO LONGER BE FRIGHTENED. THE ABOVE IS REFERRED
TO AS OKADZICH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
CONTACT WITH THE DEAD
IF ONE HAS A DECEASED RELATIVE, AND WOULD LIKE
ANY INFORMATION FROM THESE PEOPLE, SUCH AS IN REGARDS
TO NUMBERS, HORSES, ETC.
WRITE A LETTER, DON'T DOT ANY "I"S
AND DON'T CROSS ANY "T"S.
AND THIS PERSON WILL APPEAR TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
HOLY WATER
A RELIGIOUS BELIEF IS TO SPRINKLE HOLY
WATER ON YOUR PILLOW BEFORE YOU GO TO BED,
IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-16-1968
KEEP AWAY GHOSTS
IN ORDER TO KEEP AWAY GHOSTS, YOU SHOULD HANG
A HORSESHOE ABOVE YOUR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
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
GIVING SOMETHING SHARP
IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE SOMETHING SHARP LIKE A KNIFE
OR SCISSORS FOR A GIFT, THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU BACK A PENNY
SO THAT IT DOES NOT SEVER THE FRIENDSHIP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; DAYTON ; MM I
Keyword(s): MONEY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD TO STOP YOUR WORDS FROM
COMING BACK TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-07-1970
CURSE
PUT YOUR THUMBS UP WHEN YOU COME ACROSS A CURSE,(BLACK CAT,
LADDER, ETC.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-07-1970
CARRYING SALT
CARRY SALT WITH A NEW BABY TO WARD OFF
EVIL SPIRITS WHICH MIGHT HARM HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL EYE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-07-1970
PUTTING MONEY IN A NEW PURSE
IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE A PURSE OR WALLET,
YOU SHOULD PUT SOME MONEY IN IT SO THAT
THEY'LL NEVER BE BROKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
A LEBANESE BELIEF
THE LEBANESE BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WHO
CARRIES EVEN THE SMALLEST PORTION OF THE TRUE
CROSS WITH THEM IS COMPLETELY IMMUNE FROM
ALL HARM, NO MATTER WHAT.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
IF BUTTER WILL NOT CHURN IT IS BEWITCHED; TO CURE
BEWITCHED MILK, THRUST A RED HOT IRON INTO IT.
Submitter comment:
HER MOTHER FERVENTLY BELIEVED THIS BUT SHE CAN'T REMEMBER
ANY TIME WHEN SHE RESORTED TO THE RED HOT IRON.
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
MEDICAL
IF YOU HAVE A WART AND YOU ARE ITALIAN YOU SHOULD
TIE A STRING AROUND THE WART AND WRITE AN INCANTATION
DURING THE FULL MOON.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME THIS A LONG TIME AGO.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): CURE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL
TO GET RID OF BEING POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL
BURY A POTATO IN THE GROUND FOR SEVEN DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-29-1968
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 |