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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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POLISH FOLK BELIEF

LIPOWY MIOD JEST NAJLEPSYM Z MIODOW.
NIBY DOJZALY BURGUND ZACHOWIYE W SOBIE
ENERGIE STONECZNA. OKRESLENCE 'STARY LEPIES' BRZMCATO JAKO
NAJIOYNSZN POCHWATADLA TRUNKU.
THE HONEY OF JULY IS THE BEST OF ALL HONEYS. IT RETAINS
WITHIN ITSELF THE ENERGY OF THE SUN. THE PHRASE, 'OLD JULY'
RINGS AS THE GREATEST PRAISE OF ITS DRINKS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Botany ; FOOD ; HONEY ; July ; Lore ; Moth ; Old July ; POLISH ; PRAISE ; Saying ; Sun

James Callow Keyword(s): MIDDLE-AGE? ; SYMBOL ; TRANSLATION

Subject headings: Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Sun
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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BELIEF

A WAD OF COTTON ON THE FRONT DOOR WILL KEEP FLIES AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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GOOD FRIDAY

ON GOOD FRIDAY, SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WOULD BRING HOLY WATER AND A
PIECE OF THORN BRANCH FROM CHURCH AND OPEN THE DOOR TO THE HOUSE AND
THEN TURN AROUND 3 TIMES AND SAY, "HOLY WATER AND THORNS COME INTO
THE HOUSE; BUGS GO OUT OF THE HOUSE."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD AT HER FATHER'S REQUEST.
( THE PURPOSE ) CHANGES, DEPENDING ON CURRENT NEEDS. ONE TIME IT
MAY BE TO TAKE OUT EVIL, ANOTHER TIME DUST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EXTERMINATION CHARM

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
663 Good Friday
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 03-10-1970

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WAR

WHEN YOU FIND A LOCUST WITH A MARK LIKE A "W" ON IT, IT IS A SIGN
OF WAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT REMEMBERS HEARING THIS SAID WHEN A YOUNG MAN DURING THE
1920'S. HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH HE HEARD
IT SAID, AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE SAYING.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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NEGRO SUPERSTITION

IF YOU KILL A SPIDER, IT WILL RAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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BUG

IF A LIGHTING BUG ENTERS YOUR HOME. THAT IS A SIGN, THAT A STRANGER
IS COMING TO YOUR HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANTS LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIGHTNING BUG FIREFLY INSECT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 01-26-1971

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THE WORMS CRAWL IN

YOU SHOULD NEVER LAUGH AS THE HEARSE GOES BY
'CAUSE YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
THEY'LL PUT YOU IN A WOODEN BOX
AND COVER YOU UP WITH DIRT AND ROCKS.

ALL GOES FINE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK
AND THEN THE COFFIN BEGINS TO LEAK.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
YOUR INSIDES TURN A SLIMY GREEN
AND PUSS FLOWS OUT JUST LIKE WHIPPED CREAM.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRADE SCHOOL ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): DECAY OF BODY AFTER DEATH ; GORE, GOTHIC HORROR ; PINOCHLE, A CARD GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Death
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 00-00-1958

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IF YOU SPILL ASHES ON THE CARPET, RUB IT IN
AND IT WILL KEEP THE MOTHS AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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DEATH

IF A PERSON KILLS A FLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH,
HE WILL DIE A VIOLENT DEATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Favorites
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 10-10-1969

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MAGIC

TELLING THE TEMPERTATURE BY COUNTING CRICKET CHIRPS. IF YOU COUNT
THE CHIRPS FOR A MINUTE, MULTIPLY BY THE SQUARE ROOT OF A COW'S HORN,
SUBTRACT YOUR AGE AND TOSS IN THE PRICE OF A HAM SANDWICH,
YOU COME UP WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN DEGREES OF FARENHEIT.

Submitter comment: HUMOR

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE ; NEWSPAPER ; THE DETROIT NEWS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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LEGENDS OF THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS

OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF EASTER EGGS OF THE UKRAINE, THE PYSANKA AND
THE KRASHANKA ARE THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN. KRASHANKA IS FROM THE WORD
KRASKA WHICH MEANS COLOR. THE KRASHANKA IS A HARD-BOILED EGG WHICH
IS DYED A SOLID COLOR, AND MAY BE EATEN. THE PYSANKA STEMS FROM
THE VERB PYSATY, WHICH MEANS TO WRITE, AS THE DESIGNS ARE ACTUALLY
WRITTEN ON THE EGG, WHICH IS DYED IN SEVERAL COLORS. BUT UNLIKE
THE KRASHANKA THE PYSANKY ARE RAW AND NOT EATEN. IF A WOMAN IS
CHILDLESS AND DESIRES A CHILD. SHE WOULD BE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED
WITH A CHICKEN, THE SIGN OF A FERTILE CREATURE, AND HOPEFULLY HER
FAMILY WOULD GROW. IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE MAN'S FAULT AFTER
THAT. TO HELP THE MAN HE WAS GIVEN AN EGG WITH A PATTERN OF
ROOSTERS. TO HELP OLDER MEN, WHO WERE GOING DOWN HILL WHEN IT
CAME TO THEIR VIGOR, THEY
WERE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED WITH OAK LEAVES.
AS CHRISTIANITY CAME TO THE UKRAINE SO DID SOME MORE LEGENDS.
THE HUTZELS FROM WESTERN UKRAINE TELL A STORY THAT THE VIRGIN
MARY FILLED HER APRON WITH EGGS, AND WHEN SHE APPEARED BEFORE
PONTIUS PILATE TO PLEAD FOR HER SON, SHE DROPPED TO HER KNEES AND
THE EGGS ROLLED OUT OVER THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD UNTIL THEY WERE
DISTRIBUTED AMONG ALL NATIONS. IN ANOTHER STORY, MARY IS SAID TO
HAVE FILLED A BASKET WITH EGGS WHICH SHE CARRIED TO THE SOLDIERS
SITTING AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. THERE SHE LEFT IT. AFTER A
TIME, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FLOWED DOWN, STAINING THE EGGS WITH
THEIR CHARACTERISTIC COLOR. THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS ALSO
ANSWER THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD. AS LONG AS THE PYSANKY TRADITION
REMAINS, AND EGGS CONTINUE TO BE DECORATED, THE WORLD WILL EXIST.
SHOULD THE CUSTOM CEASE, EVIL WILL ENCOMPASS AND DESTROY THE WORLD.
THIS IS BECAUSE AN ANCIENT, VICIOUS CREATURE IS HEAVILY CHAINED
AGAINST A HUGE CLIFF AND EACH YEAR SERVANTS OF THE CREATURE GO OUT
ABOUT THE WORLD AND TAKE COUNT HOW MANY PYSANKY ARE DECORATED IN
THE WORLD. WHEN THERE ARE FEW PYSANKY THE CREATURE'S CHAINS LOOSEN
AND EVIL BEGINS TO FLOW THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SHOULD THE SERVANTS
FIND THE CUSTOM OF DECORATING EGGS BEING PRACTICED WIDELY THEN THE
CHAINS OF THE MONSTER TIGHTEN, ALLOWING LOVE TO CONQUER EVIL.
PEASANTS PLACED KRASHANKA SHELLS IN THE THATCHED ROOFS OF THEIR
HOMES AND UNDER HAY MOUNDS TO TURN AWAY HIGH WINDS. BEEKEEPERS
PUT THEM UNDER HIVES FOR A GOOD SUPPLY OF HONEY. A KRASHANKA,
BLESSED ON EASTER EVE, WAS SUSPENDED ON A STRING FROM THE NECK
OF AN ILL PERSON, OR TOUCHED TO INFECTED AREAS ON PERSONS SUFFERING
FROM BLOOD POISONING TO EFFECT A CURE.

Submitter comment: FERTILITY SYMBOLS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
Food Drink -- Animal product Egg
BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Animal

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LUCK

WHEN A LADYBUG LANDS ON YOU, IT BRINGS GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.33

Date learned: 11-00-1977

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LUCK

SEEING A SPIDER ON THE WALL SIGNALS GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck

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BELIEF

DO NOT DISTURB A DRAGON FLY OR ELSE HE WILL SEW UP YOUR
MOUTH WITH HIS STINGER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: CA06151975

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ANIMAL

IF YOU EAT A HOG'S EYE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE COLOR
OF THE WIND.
THE WIND IS SAID TO BE RED.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER STATED THAT MY GRANDFATHER ATE A HOG'S EYE AND
SAW THE RED WIND. SHE SAID IT SCARED HIM TO DEATH.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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JUMP ROPE RHYME

LADYBUG, LADYBUG, TURN AROUND, LADYBUG, LADYBUG, TOUCH THE GROUND,
LADYBUG, LADYBUG, SHINE YOUR SHOES, LADYBUG LADYBUG, READ THE NEWS,
LADYBUG, LADYBUG, HOW OLD ARE YOU? ONE, TWO, THREE...

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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IF A LADYBUG FLIES INTO YOUR HOME, THAT IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK.
IF YOU KILL THE LADYBUG, YOU HAVE CHASED THE GOOD LUCK AWAY.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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PUTTING AN ONION SLICE ON A BEE STING WILL TAKE THE PAIN AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY

MIX SPIDER WEBS WITH SOFT BREAD AND PUT IT ON A SORE TO HELP IT
HEAL FASTER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. SCIENCE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS, SUGGESTING
THAT IT WILL SURVIVE LONGER. THE COLLECTOR CAN FIND NO REASON WHY
A SPIDER WEB WOULD PROMOTE HEALING OTHER THAN THE ASSOCIATION THAT
SPIDERS KILL UNWANTED THINGS (FLIES AND BUGS, ETC.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910

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PROVERB

IF A LADYBUG FLIES INTO YOUR HOME, THAT IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK.
IF YOU KILL THE LADYBUG, YOU HAVE CHASED THE GOOD LUCK AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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