Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MAGIC returned 149 results.
AMONG BLACKS IT IS COMMONLY SAID THAT IF A PREGNANT MOTHER WANTS
HER UNBORN BABY TO HAVE "GOOD HAIR" MEANING STRAIGHT HAIR, SHE
SHOULD COMB OR RUB SOMEONE'S HAIR THAT IS STRAIGHT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 06-23-1972
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK TO GIVE ANYONE A SHARP OBJECT,
SUCH AS A KNIFE, A PAIR OF SCISSORS--FOR A PRESENT. IT WILL
CUT YOUR LOVE. THE PERSON RECEIVING THE OBJECT SHOULD GIVE
THE OTHER PERSON A PENNY OR SOMETHING.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 08-03-1968
AUNT ELLEN TYE LIVED OUT IN ROCKY HOLLOW. SHE TOLD ME IN
TIME OF CHILDBIRTH IT WOULD BE WELL TO PUT AN AX UNDER THE
BED. THIS WOULD CUT THE PAIN, SAID AUNT ELLEN. WELL,
SHE HAD HER CONVICTION ABOUT THIS BACKED UP BY PROVEN CASES,
SO I JUST LISTENED--GAVE HER MY RESPECTFUL ATTENTION
ON THE SUBJECT.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; WILLIAMSBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-00-1969
IN ORDER TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING IN A BOOK, SLEEP WITH IT
UNDER YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: ALABAMA, ASSUMED ; MONTGOMERY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEVER PLANT A WILLOW TREE. YOU'LL WEEP AS LONG AS IT DOES.
Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-20-1970
REPEAT THE NAME OF THE BOY YOU LOVE WHILE CUTTING OPEN AN
APPLE. IF THE APPLE CONTAINS TWELVE SEEDS, YOU WILL MARRY
HIM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-01-1973
DOG-LIKE CREATURE
WHILE GOING HOME FROM THE MILL, MY GRANDFATHER HAD TO
CROSS A BRIDGE OVER A RIVER. WHILE ON THE BRIDGE, A
DOG-LIKE CREATURE CLIMBED FROM UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE,
HIS EYES GLEAMED IN THE MOONLIGHT. THE CREATURE SLOWLY
FOLLOWED BEHIND. THE WAGON WAS SPEEDED UP BUT STILL
THE CREATURE FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND. EVERYTHING
REMAINED THE SAME THRU THE ENTIRE NIGHT. SOON MORNING
WAS COMING AND AS MY GRANDFATHER TURNED FOR THE LAST
TIME HE SAW THE CREATURE DISAPPEAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF
HIS EYES. IT WAS THEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN HAD
JUST RISEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY TOLD TO MY MOTHER (THE INFORMANT BY
HER FATHER). ACCORDING TO HER, HER FATHER SEEMED TO
BELIEVE IN WHAT HE SAID, EVEN UP TO THE POINT OF
SWEARING TO THE TRUTH OF THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): MAGIC APPEARANCE AND DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 10-03-1970
TRUE STORY
SHE ONCE PRAYED FOR A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.
IT CAME IN THE FORM OF A BLACK PIECE OF PAPER ON A
FENCE. THEY GRABBED THE SO-CALLED PAPER, WHICH
SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO A TURKEY. THEY GRABBED IT
AND KILLED IT AND COOKED IT FOR THANKSGIVING.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DOG-LIKE CREATURE
WHILE GOING HOME FROM THE MILL, MY GRANDFATHER HAD TO
CROSS A BRIDGE OVER A RIVER. WHILE ON THE BRIDGE, A
DOG-LIKE CREATURE CLIMBED FROM UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE,
HIS EYES GLEAMED IN THE MOONLIGHT. THE CREATURE SLOWLY
FOLLOWED BEHIND. THE WAGON WAS SPEEDED UP BUT STILL
THE CREATURE FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND. EVERYTHING
REMAINED THE SAME THRU THE ENTIRE NIGHT. SOON MORNING
WAS COMING AND AS MY GRANDFATHER TURNED FOR THE LAST
TIME HE SAW THE CREATURE DISAPPEAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF
HIS EYES. IT WAS THEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN HAD
JUST RISEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY TOLD TO MY MOTHER (THE INFORMANT BY
HER FATHER). ACCORDING TO HER, HER FATHER SEEMED TO
BELIEVE IN WHAT HE SAID, EVEN UP TO THE POINT OF
SWEARING TO THE TRUTH OF THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): MAGIC APPEARANCE AND DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 10-03-1970
TRUE STORY
SHE ONCE PRAYED FOR A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.
IT CAME IN THE FORM OF A BLACK PIECE OF PAPER ON A
FENCE. THEY GRABBED THE SO-CALLED PAPER, WHICH
SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO A TURKEY. THEY GRABBED IT
AND KILLED IT AND COOKED IT FOR THANKSGIVING.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Superstition: Pregnancy
IF A HARE PASSES IN FRONT OF A PREGNANT WOMAN, HER CHILD WILL BE BORN
WITH A HARELIP UNLESS SHE MAKES A TEAR IN HER SLIP.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added and information updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; informant's home
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CURSE ; Deformity ; Hare ; Offspring ; PREGNANCY ; Rabbit ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
Belief: Animal
IF YOU TAKE A HAIR OUT OF A HORSE'S TAIL AND PUT IT IN A
GLASS OF WATER, IT WILL TURN INTO A WORM.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; HAIR ; HORSE ; MAGIC ; SUPERSTITION ; TRANSFORMATION ; WATER ; Worm
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Animal Life BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
Belief: Animal
Belief in Magic:
If you place a horsehair in vinegar it will turn into a worm.
Submitter comment:
This was told to the informant by her grandmother many years ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P600] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classifications.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WORK ; CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; HAIR ; HORSE ; MAGIC ; SUPERSTITION ; TRANSFORMATION ; VINEGAR ; Worm
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Animal Life BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Belief: Animal
The Pig's Look:
In Haiti, if walking down the street at midnight, one spy's a pig; he looks and runs the other way, for if the eyes of the pig meet yours simultaneously, you will immediately be transformed into a pig.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; ETHNIC ; Haiti ; Haitian ; MAGIC ; Pig ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Superstition: Animals
If you have a snake in a can with you while a magician is doing his tricks, none of his tricks will work since the snake breaks the magician's spell.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; CAN ; Expose ; MAGIC ; Magician ; Serpent ; Snake ; Tricks
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
Curing a Spell:
To cure a spell, especially the evil eye, cast on a small child, you remove all the clothes, and dress the baby again with all the clothes inside out. This is a Polish belief.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CLOTHING ; CURE ; CURSE ; ETHNIC ; EVIL EYE ; Fashion ; MAGIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; REMEDY ; Removal
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Superstition
The fisherman have two kinds of folk belief: magic and empirical. Magic have no rational explanation-porpoises bring good luck. Empirical can be explained or have a rational line of thought - Circle around moon means bad weather. There is a rational connection between moon, ring, and bad weather.
Beneath the instrumental function of beliefs (to explain something) there is a phycological [sic] function (to ease the dangers of their hazardous occupation.)
Black suitcase is a very bad taboo object. Going out (in boat) on Friday - bad luck. The word alligator - bad luck. Throw change overboard - good luck.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: The Function of Magic Among Texas Coastal Fisherman ; Journal of American Folklore
Keyword(s): Alligator ; BELIEF ; Boat ; Change ; Empirical ; Fisherman ; Friday ; LUCK ; MAGIC ; MONEY ; MOON ; Ocean ; Porpoise ; Sail ; Sailor ; SEA ; Ship ; Suitcase ; SUPERSTITION ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Bad luck |
A BABY'S HAIR TEXTURE CAN BE MADE DIFFERENT FROM ITS
MOTHER'S OR FATHER'S HAIR BY THE PREGNANT MOTHER
RUBBING HER HAND OVER THE HEAD OF A PERSON HAVING
THE DESIRED COLOR AND TEXTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; COLOR ; Father ; HAIR ; MOTHER ; PREDICTION ; PREGNANCY ; Texture
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
MAGIC RING
THERE IS A RING--SET ON A TABLE-- THAT ATTRACTS SOULS.
IT IS LIKE WHAT
YOU CALL AN ANTENNA. THE SOULS THAT IT ATTRACTS POSSESS THE BODY
OF A LIVING PERSON. THIS IS VERY
DANGEROUS IF NOT USED PROPERLY, AND IF
USED BY A WEAK MEDIUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; MAGIC ; RING ; Soul ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
MAGIC BELIEF
IF COWS WOULD NOT GIVE MILK IT WAS BECAUSE A WITCH HAD CAST A
SPELL. THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE THE SPELL OR BREAK IT WOULD
BE TO PUT PINS IN THE MILK STRAINER, AND THIS WOULD HURT THE
WITCH. THUS SHE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN AND RELEASE THE SPELL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS TYPE OF MAGIC WAS USUALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE
FORTUNE TELLERS IN POLAND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; Cows ; CURSE ; MAGIC ; Milk ; Pins ; POLAND ; Spell
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-07-1971