Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MAGIC returned 149 results.
SUPERSTITION
IT'S A GRAVE SIN TO POUND NAILS ON GOOD FRIDAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER ALWAYS SAID THIS TO INFORMANT AROUND EASTER TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS APPEARS TO RELATE TO THE SCOTTISH SUPERSTITION REGARDING THE
USE OF IRON ON GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; IRON ; WORK TABOO
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
GOOD FRIDAY
IN ITALY, ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE
NOISEMAKERS TO CHURCH. AT A PRESCRIBED TIME DURING THE SERVICES,
EVERYONE WOULD BEGIN MAKING NOISES. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD BE A PIECE
OF WOOD AND A HAMMER AND NAILS--ANYTHING THAT WOULD MAKE NOISE.
ALSO IF SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU HAD A COAT ON AND LAID IT ON
THE PEW, YOU MIGHT NAIL THE COAT TO THE PEW AS A TYPE OF PRANK.
Submitter comment: AS RECOUNTED FROM MRS. BENESTELLI, A NEIGHBOR, ON TAPE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PRANKS
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
CUSTOM
ON EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING, THE MOTHERS BATHE
THEIR BABIES SO IF THEY ARE FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, THE FRIGHT WILL
BE WASHED AWAY.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): bathing ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; WASHING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
INDEX OF TAPE 750002 SIDE B
BROOM
LUCK
THE NUMBER 9 AND 3
OMEN
DREAMS
THROWING TEETH AND BURYING TEETH TO MAKE THEM GROW
LEFT AND RIGHT
LENGTH OF TOES AS OMENS OF PARENTS' DEATH
FINGERS THAT RINGS ARE WORN ON
WIZARDS
BLACK CAT
ONOMATOPOETIC
FLOATING THE WATER LILY FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 22 OF EVERY YEAR
Where learned: THAILAND
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC FOR TEETH AND TOES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 22 ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
ST. AGNES EVE, JAN. 20
ON THE EVE OF ST. AGNES' DAY, A GIRL SHOULD GET A HANDKERCHIEF FROM
HER BOYFRIEND. SHE SHOULD PUT IT UNDER HER PILLOW AND SHE WILL DREAM
IF SHE WILL MARRY HIM OR NOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 20 BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
BELIEF
HER GRANDMOTHER WOULD PLANT A RELIGIOUS STATUE IN THE GROUND OF (SIC)
WHICH SHE WAS PLANNING TO PURCHASE SO THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD
GO THROUGH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): MAGICAL USE OF STATUE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
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
BABY'S RASH
IF YOU PLACE A RED RIBBON UNDER A BABY'S PILLOW
THE BABY WILL NEVER BE BOTHERED WITH A RASH OR SKIN DISEASE.
Submitter comment:
PAT HEARD THIS SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS MARRIED(APPR. 1954) FROM
A WOMAN WHOSE NAME SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-09-1964
FOR IMPURITY OF THE BLOOD OR ANEMIA, EAT RED BEETS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD
ANEMIA (SHE ALSO MADE ME EAT THE RED BEETS.).
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
PUT A SHARP OBJECT (KNIFE OR SCISSORS) UNDER YOUR BED TO CURE
ARTHRITIS.
Where learned: LETTER
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-20-1969
WHEN SHE WOULD GET A SEVERE BACKACHE, SHE WOULD SEND HER SON OUT TO
THE RAINBARREL TO GET A FROG. THEN HER SON WOULD PUT THE FROG IN
HER GIRDLE (SHE WAS TINY AND WORE A GIRDLE FOR BACK SUPPORT.).
WHEREVER THE PAIN WAS THE FROG WOULD GO AND IT WOULD SET RIGHT
WHERE THE PAIN WAS. WHEN THE FROG DIED THE PAIN WAS GONE.
IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR THE FROG TO DIE.
Data entry tech comment: ONE PARENTHESIS ADDED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 02-22-1967
BLEED
IF YOU PULL YOUR TEETH ON THE WASTE OF THE MOON
YOU'LL BLEED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER BELIEVED IN THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
TO BUILD UP YOUR BLOOD THIS MIXTURE SHOULD BE TAKEN DAILY:
A RAW EGG YOLK MIXED WITH A SHOT OF WINE.
THIS WILL INSURE GOOD HEALTH.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-16-1969
REMEDY
PUT A SILVER KNIFE OVER A BUMP ON THE HEAD
TO TAKE AWAY THE PAIN.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE CONTAINS A SIMILAR CURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
MY FRIEND AS A CHILD, BIT HER NAILS
UNTIL HER FATHER TOLD HER THAT THE NAILS
WOULD MAKE BUMPS ON HER STOMACH THAT WOULD SHOW
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; NAILBITING ; STOMACH AILMENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
CHILL REMEDY
TO CURE ONE FROM CHILLS:
TAKE A STRING AND TIE AS MANY KNOTS IN THE STRING AS YOU HAVE CHILLS.
THEN SOAK STRING IN TURPENTINE AND WEAR STRING AROUND YOUR WAIST.
WHEN YOU LOSE THE STRING THE CHILLS WILL HAVE LONG AGO STOPPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
CORNS
IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF A CORN- CUT IT OFF
AND BURY IT SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NEVER GO AGAIN AND IT WILL GO AWAY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
CURE FOR CORNS
FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM CORNS ON THEIR FEET, WOULD SAY
BEFORE BREAKFAST, 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES, "EARTH TAKE MY PAIN" AND FOR
ANOTHER 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES WOULD SPIT ON THE GROUND.
SPITTING ON THE GROUND ALSO HAS THE VIRTUE
OF HAVING A MEDICINE TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY,
AND WAS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CURE IN ITALY
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL FORCES ; SUPERNATURAL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number P686.1.27 BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
FIRST AID FOR DOG-BITES
"WHEN I WAS YOUNG, BACK IN IRELAND,
WE HAD A LOT OF STRANGE REMEDIES FOR AILMENTS.
IF YOU EVER GOT BITTEN BY A DOG
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PULL A HAIR OFF ITS BACK
AND PLACE IT OVER THE WOUND IN YOUR SKIN.
THIS WOULD KEEP IT FROM BECOMING INFECTED."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE
TO ANYONE WHO WAS BROUGHT UP IN IRELAND,
AND THAT IS WHERE SHE LEARNED IT.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
METHOD OF CURING
THE BEST AND QUICKEST WAY TO CURE A SWOLLEN GOITER
IS TO WRAP A GREEN SNAKE (CAN BE A GARDEN SNAKE) AROUND YOUR NECK
AND KEEP IT THERE FOR 1 OR 2 HOURS UNTIL THE SWELLING GOES AWAY.
Submitter comment:
ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN (AMERICAN) GIRL THAT GAVE ME THIS,
IT HAS CURED MANY GOITERS FOR HER BROTHER-IN-LAW.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC ; TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-25-1969