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EVIL EYE

ANYTHING BLUE OR WEARING THE EVIL EYE WILL KEEP PEOPLE FROM GIVING
YOU THE EVIL EYE

Submitter comment:

ALSO SOMEONE WITH BLUE EYES WILL NOT GET THE EVIL EYE

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Blue ; COLOR ; DEVIL ; EVIL EYE ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Emblem

Date learned: 10-00-1977

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EVIL EYE

40 BLACK SEEDS, 3 PINCHES OF SALT, 3 PINCHES OF SUGAR. PUT IN A POUCH
AND CARRY IT AROUND WITH YOU. PEOPLE WILL THINK YOU ARE SWEET AND
WON'T GIVE YOU THE EVIL EYE

Submitter comment: THIS IS GOOD FOR SOCIAL EVENTS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40

Date learned: 10-00-1977

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TO PREVENT ANY ONE FROM GIVING A BABY THE EVIL EYE PUT A RED
RIBBON ON THE DIAPER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW WHY THE RIBBON HAD TO BE RED AS OPPOSED
TO ANY OTHER COLOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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CURSES

WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING DICE, MAKE AN "X" ON THE TABLE SO THAT YOUR
OPPONENT DOES NOT ROLL A PAIR, OR WHATEVER YOU ARE ROLLING.

Submitter comment: THE "X" IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A CROSS, SO IT MIGHT BE A TYPE OF
BLESSING, INSTEAD OF A HEX.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 03-00-1979

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MACBETH

THERE IS A CURSE ON THIS PLAY AND I HAVE SEEN IT WORK. DURING
REHEARSALS FOR ONE PLAY, SOMEONE SAID A LINE FROM THE PLAY, AND
THE DIRECTOR STOPPED REHEARSALS AND TOLD THE GUILTY PERSON
TO GO OUT INTO THE HALL, TURN AROUND THREE TIMES, AND KNOCK
ON THE THEATER DOOR AND BE LET IN. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO LIFT
THE CURSE. ANOTHER TIME, I WAS IN ANOTHER PLAY AND THE SAME
THING HAPPENED, BUT THIS TIME, WHEN THE PERSON WAS ASKED TO
LEAVE, HE WOULDN'T GO. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE SAFETY PIN
HOLDING HIS COSTUME TOGETHER POPPED OPEN AND PIERCED HIS HAND.

Submitter comment: DURING A PLAY I WAS IN AT MARYGROVE, I SAW THIS CURSE WORK.
THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE LEAD STARTED TO
HYPERVENTILATE AND NEARLY PASSED OUT. THE SECOND THING WAS
THAT THINGS STARTED TO FALL DOWN BACKSTAGE WHEN NO ONE WAS NEAR
THEM. THE SECOND LEAD NEARLY SEVERED HIS THUMB WHILE CUTTING
BREAD, AND A LITTLE BOY WAS HURT WHEN A HEAVY MIRROR FELL AND
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD.
MARYGROVE COLLEGE IS IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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CURSED THEATER.

THE MARTIN-BECK THEATER IN NEW YORK CITY HAD A CURSE ON IT
FOR MANY YEARS. BUT THE PLAY THAT FINALLY BROKE THE CURSE
WAS THE PLAY DRACULA. SINCE IT OPENED, NOTHING BAD HAS HAPPENED.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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EVIL EYE "MALOCCHIO"

A CURSE IS PLACED ON SOMEONE. TO FIND OUT IF A PERSON HAS IT
FIRST MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD THEN DROP OIL
INTO A BOWL CONTAINING WATER. IF THE OIL DISPERSES, THE PERSON
HAS THE CURSE. IF THE OIL COMES TO THE CENTER, THERE IS NONE.
CURSES ARE REMOVED BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD
THREE TIMES AND RECITING PRAYERS WITH INTENT FOR IT TO BE REMOVED.

Submitter comment: "MALOCCHIO" MEANS TO LOOK ASKANCE AT SOMEONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Conversions

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"FATTURA"

WISHING ILLNESS BY PLACING A LETTER STATING THIS IN A FEATHER
PILLOW. SICKNESS CAUSED A PERSON TO BE TOTALLY IMMOBLIZED AND
WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN IN BED. IF A PERSON WAS KNOWN TO HAVE CURSED
SOMEONE WITH SICKNESS, THEN SALT WAS THROWN AFTER THAT PERSON BY
THE PERSON WHO WAS CURSED (WITHOUT THEM SEEING IT DONE) WHEN
THE PERSON RECOVERED FROM THE ILLNESS.

Submitter comment: "FATTURA" MEANS CHARM OR SPELL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Word Letter
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 02-26-1979

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TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY

WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW BORN BABY THEY MUST HAVE A
LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON
THE BABY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Curse
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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SUPERSTITION

A LEFT HANDED PERSON IS THE CHILD OF THE DEVIL AND HAS THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER USE TO ALWAYS TELL ME THIS AND TRY TO GET MY
MOTHER TO FORCE ME TO USE MY RIGHT HAND.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LEFTHANDEDNESS ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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EVIL EYE SYNDROME

IN GREECE, TO WARD OFF THE EFFECTS OF THE EVIL EYE, SMALL BLUE
PLASTIC EYEBALLS ARE SOLD EVERYWHERE.

Where learned: GREECE ; ATHENS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 12-00-1979

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EVIL EYE SYNDROME

THE ANAHUATL INDIAN MAKES A NECKLACE OF BEADS, A B1LL OF YARN, AND
A RELIGIOUS (CATHOLIC) MEDAL TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE EVIL EYE

Where learned: MEXICO ; COXCATLAN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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"MAL OJO"- EVIL EYE.
LEGEND HAS IT THAT ANYONE CAN CAUSE THE EVIL EYE BY DESIRING OR
WISHING SOMTHING ON A PERSON. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS STARE AT THE
PERSON AND THE PERSON BECOMES ILL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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Entry filtered.

CIRCUMCISION

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

CIRCUMCISION IS THE REMOVAL OF THE FORESKIN COVERING THE
PENIS. FOR THE FEMALES, THE CLITORIS IS USUALLY CUT
OFF SO THAT THE WOMAN CAN IN NO WAY BE ABLE TO
FEEL OR EXPERIENCE SEXUAL SENSATION DURING INTERCOURSE.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT HER SEX ORGANS WILL BE SOLELY USED FOR
CONCEPTION. MALE CIRCUMCISION IN LIBERIA IS ATTENDED
BY MALES AND FEMALES AND WHEN A FEMALE IS BEING
CIRCUMCISED, SHE HAS THE CHOICE OF WHOEVER SHE WOULD LIKE
TO BE IN ATTENDANCE. CIRCUMCISION IS BELIEVED ORIGINATED
DURING OR ABOUT 10,000 B. C. THE FORESKIN IS USUALLY
TIED AND REMOVED AND SHOULD BE DONE WITHOUT TEARS OR
SCREAMING FROM THE YOUNG MALE. THIS IS A SIGN OF MANHOOD.
IF HE SHOULD CRY OR SCREAM, THAT GESTURE REPRESENTS
COWARDICE. IT IS ALSO SYMBOLIC OF THE CULTURE FOR A
YOUNG MAN TO WITHSTAND PAIN. NO TEARS OR SCREAMS SHOWS
A BIG SACRIFICE FOR THE YOUNG MALE AND HIS PARENTS. IF THE
YOUNG MALE DOESN'T CRY, HE IS USUALLY REWARDED WITH MANY
MATERIAL THINGS SUCH AS MONEY, CLOTHES, AND FOOD. IF HE
CRIES, HIS RELATIVES WILL FEAR FOR MANY YEARS THAT
UNTIL PROVEN WRONG, HE MIGHT EXHIBIT CHARACTERISTICS
OF A LAZY OR WEAK INDIVIDUAL.
CIRCUMCISION OCCURS EVERY FOUR YEARS. INCIDENTALLY,
THIS NOVEMBER, MANY CIRCUMCISION WILL TAKE PLACE. MANY
VILLAGES IN LIBERIA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF CIRCUMCISION
RITES. IT IS A FORM OF INITIATION INTO THE AFRICAN
SOCIETY AND MANHOOD. IT OCCURS WHEN A MALE REACHES THE AGE
OF TWELVE. CIRCUMCISION ALSO IN MANY TRIBAL VILLAGES
SUCCEEDS MARRIAGE. IT IS ALSO BELIEVED THAT CIRCUMCISION
SEPARATES THE YOUNG MALE WHO HAS BEEN CIRCUMCISED FROM
THE ONES WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN CIRCUMCISED. A INITIATION MARK
CAN ALSO BE SHOWN ON A MALE'S BACK. UNCIRCUMCISED MEN
USUALLY HAVE VERY LARGE PENIS. IT PENETRATES THE FEMALE'S
WOMB SHARPLY WHEN IT ENTERS IT. IT IS ALSO BELIEVED
THAT UNCIRCUMCISED MEN ARE FEAR AMONG WOMEN. THEY ARE
FEAR SEXUALLY. MANY PARENTS AND RELATIVES FEAR FOR THEIR
FEMALE'S HEALTH IF MARRIAGE WAS TO COME ABOUT FROM ONE OF
THESE MEN. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY MEN. THERE, TO GET AWAY FROM
THE MISERY, A VISIT TO A JUJUMAN OFTEN TIMES HELP OUT.
THE JUJUMAN CAN BE HELPFUL BY ATTACHING THE PREPUCE WITH A
RING. THIS RING HELPS THE UNCIRCUMCISED MAN NOT TO PENETRATE
THE FEMALE'S WOMB DEEPLY.HIS CHANCES OF FERTILITY CAN
ALSO BE HELPED. IT MIGHT ALSO INCREASE HIS SPERM. HIS
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE CAN ALSO BECOME SATISFYING INSTEAD
OF PAINFUL FOR HIS PARTNER. THE WORD UNCIRCUMCISED IS
A CURSE WORD. IT IS ALSO A DEGRADING WORD FOR THE MALES.
UNCIRCUMCISED IS NOT A CURSE WORD FOR FEMALES. SHE SIMPLY
ACCEPTS HER CONDITION. SHE LEARNS TO LIVE WITH IT.
THE FEMALE'S CLITORIS SIMPLY CAN'T BE REPLACED. SHE DOESN'T
DARE DO ANY THING ABOUT IT ALSO. A YOUNG MAN WHO IS
TO BE CIRCUMCISED DAY BEGINS AT DAWN. HE EATS GARI
WHICH IS HIS BREAKFAST. WHEN HE FINISHES, HE IS UNDRESS
BY HIS MATERNAL UNCLE WITH BEADS. THE BEADS ARE PLACED
AROUND HIS WAIST AND HIS HANDS. HIS NECK IS ALSO DECORATED WITH
COW ORNAMENTS. A GOAT IS SACRIFICED IN HONOR OF THE YOUNG MAN.
THIS IS DONE AROUND 12 NOON. AT ABOUT TWO O'CLOCK, THE
YOUNG MAN TO BE CIRCUMCISED IS THEN THROWN INTO A COLD
STEAM. WHEN HE GETS OUT OF THE STEAM, CIRCUMCISION BEGINS.
CIRCUMCISION FOR THE FEMALES IS NOT DISCUSSED OFTEN AS
IT IS DISCUSSED OF THE MALE. WHEN A FEMALE REACHES PUBERTY,
HER CLITORIS IS CUT. SHE THEN GETS MARRIED SHORTLY AFTER.
NOTHING MORE IS DISCUSSED BECAUSE SHE IS SUPPOSE TO BE
HER HUSBAND'S PROPERTY. THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED A LOT
IN MANY VILLAGES IN LIBERIA. HOWEVER, IN THE CITY OR
WITH THE CHILDREN OF EDUCATED PARENTS. CIRCUMCISION
OF THE CLITORIS IS NOT PRACTICED. IT IS NOT PRACTICED
BECAUSE OF COLONIZATION. FOR THE MALES, CIRCUMCISION IS
PRACTICED BY THE REMOVAL OF THE PREPUCE COVERING THE
PENIS.

Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA ; SINKOR

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Morning mealsBreakfast
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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TIE A RED RIBBON AROUND A BABY'S NECK TO PREVENT ANYONE
FROM PUTTING A CURSE ON IT.
PUT A SILVER DOLLAR IN A BABY'S CLOTHING TO PREVENT
ANYONE FROM PUTTING A CURSE ON IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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CREOLE BELIEF

WALK BACKWARDS IF YOU CURSE YOUR MOTHER OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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EVIL EYE

REMEDY FOR A SEVERE MIGRAINE HEADACHE. TAKE A BOWL OF WATER, MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS OVER THE BOWL THREE TIMES. THEN, TAKE A TINY
BIT OF OIL ON A TEASPOON AND DIP FINGER TIP IN OIL. HOLD OVER BOWL
UNTIL THREE DROPLETS OF OIL DROP INTO THE WATER. IF THE DROPLETS OF
OIL SPREAD SOMEONE HAS GIVEN YOU THE "EVIL EYE". CHANGE WATER AND
REPEAT PROCESS UNTIL DROPLETS DO NOT OPEN UP OR SPREAD, AT THIS
POINT HEADACHE WILL GO AWAY. IF IT DOES NOT SPREAD OPEN NO ONE HAS
GIVEN YOU THE "EVIL EYE".
CUSTOM WITHIN SICILIAN NATIONALITY MAY BE CONSIDERED A SUPERSTITION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-00-1982

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EVIL EYE

WHEN MY BROTHER WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD, OUR FAMILY WENT TO VISIT
SOME RELATIVES IN CANADA. WE STOPPED AT A SMALL GROCERY STORE
IN CANADA. THE OLD MAN IN THE STORE KEPT SAYING WHAT A
BEAUTIFUL BABY MY BROTHER WAS. MY FATHER HURRIED US ALONG.
WHEN WE GOT IN THE CAR, HE SAID HE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY THE
MAN LOOKED AT MY BROTHER AND WAS WORRIED THAT THE MAN HAD
AN "EVIL EYE."
AFTER WE CAME HOME THAT NIGHT, BY BROTHER BECAME VERY ILL WITH
DIARRHEA. BY THE NEXT DAY, HE WAS DEHYDRATING AND HAD TO BE
HOSPITALIZED. HE ALMOST DIED. HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR
ALMOST A MONTH. MM
A FEW MONTHS LATER HE PICKED UP A BOTTLE OF LIQUID FURNITURE
POLISH WHILE MY SISTER WAS CLEANING HOUSE AND DRANK IT. HE
HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED AND HAVE HIS STOMACH PUMPED. MM
A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY BROTHER CAME DOWN WITH TONSILLITIS AND
WAS GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION FOR PENICILLIN. HE TURNED OUT TO BE
ALLERGIC TO THE PENICILLIN AND ENDED UP BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL
AGAIN. MM
THROUGHOUT THIS TIME, MY FATHER SWORE THAT THE MAN IN THAT STORE
HAD GIVEN MY BROTHER THE "EVIL EYE" AND THAT THE ONLY THING THAT HAD
SAVED HIS LIFE WAS MY FATHER'S CONSTANT PRAYING. I DON'T BUY
THE EVIL-EYE THEORY, BUT I DID AT THE TIME.

Submitter comment: MY FATHER WAS BORN IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA IN 1909 WHILE HIS
PARENTS WERE VISITING THE UNITED STATES. THEY ALL WENT BACK TO
LEBANON A YEAR LATER. HIS MOTHER AND THREE BROTHERS DIED IN AN
EPIDEMIC WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD, AND HE WAS RAISED BY HIS
GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS VERY SUPERSTITIOUS.
MY FATHER'S NAME WAS SHERIFF MAHSSNEY. HE DIED IN 1980.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 00-00-1954

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IF PEOPLE PRAISE YOU TOO MUCH THEY ARE REALLY JEALOUS OF YOU.
THEY ARE ACTUALLY WISHING YOU HARM SO THEY ARE GIVING YOU THE EVIL
EYE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 11-00-1982

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SUPERSTITIONS AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

A PACKET CONTAINING NAIL PARINGS, A LOCK OF HAIR AND
THREE DROPS OF BODY FLUID, USUALLY BLOOD, PLACED UNDER THE
BOTTOM STEP OF A LOVE OBJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THE LOVED (ONE)
WILL LOVE NO OTHER. MM
A MIXTURE OF ROOSTER BLOOD, CORN WHISKEY, AND A SMALL
AMOUNT OF DRIED BULL DUNG WILL ENSURE POTENNENCE AND MALE
OFFSPRING. CC POTENCY MM
A WOMAN WHO HANDLES ANY ANIMALS DURING HER PREGNANCY
"MARK" HER BABY WITH EITHER ANIMALISTIC FEATURES OR
BEHAVIOR. CC MARKS? MM
IF YOU ALLOW AN ALBINO PERSON TO TOUCH YOU YOU WILL BE
BLINDED OR ONE LEG WILL BECOME SHORTER THAN THE OTHER
BY THE NEXT FULL MOON FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; COLUMBUS

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body)
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 00-00-1918

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