Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MAGIC returned 149 results.
BELIEF-MEDICINE
IF A LEAF IS HEART-SHAPED, IT WILL MAKE A GOOD TEA FOR THE HEART.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN YOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEART ; HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
REMEDY FOR MALARIA
WHOEVER WISHED TO GET RID OF MALARIA WOULD SCRAPE HIS FINGERNAILS
MAKING A BALL OUT OF THE SCRAPINGS
AND WITH THE BALL THEY WOULD HANG IT TO THE DOOR
OF A NEIGHBOR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS STILL PRACTICED BY SOME PEOPLE IN ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
PLANT CURE FOR RHEUMATISM
IN ORDER TO CURE RHEUMATISM, SOME PEOPLE
WILL CARRY A HALF OF A POTATO AROUND IN THEIR POCKET.
WHEN THE POTATO TURNS BLACK, IT'S A SIGN
THAT IT HAS DRAWN OUT ALL THE POISON.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS TOLD OF THIS CURE BY A FRIEND
IN HAMTRAMCK WHO ABSOLUTELY SWEARS BY IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
CURING RHEUMATISM
A SWISS METHOD OF CURING RHEUMATISM IS TO TAKE THE FUR
OF A MARMOT AND PLACE IT OVER THE AREA IN PAIN.
THIS WILL CAUSE THE PAIN TO GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
CARE OF SLEEPLESS CHILD
FOR THE BABY WHO HAS "NIGHT TURNED INTO DAY" (STAYS AWAKE ALL NIGHT
AND SLEEPS ALL DAY) - TURN THE BABY END OVER END (SOMERSAULT STYLE)
SEVEN TIMES. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO END THEIR CONFUSION.
Submitter comment: ORIGIN: MRS. MARY JANE SMELSER, MOTHER-IN-LAW, LONDON, ENGLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; INSOMNIA
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 07-27-1964
SUPERSTIYIOUS BELIEF
I HAVE A BIRTHMARK ON MY CHEEK.
WHICH MY MOTHER ATTRIBUTED TO HAVING EATEN STRAWBERRIES
BEFORE SHE KNEW SHE WAS PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): BIRTHMARKS ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; FOOD ; PREGNANCY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
NEW MOON BELIEF
GRANDMOTHER AND HER SISTERS HAD THEIR HAIR TRIMMED AT THE NEW MOON.
IN THIS WAS IT WOULD GROW WITH THE NEW MOON
AND WOULD GROW FASTER TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HAIR CUTTING ; HAIR GROWTH ; IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
HAIR
TAKE A LOCK OF SOMEONE'S HAIR FROM THEIR COMB OR BRUSH,
STICK IT BETWEEN TWO PICTURES OF YOURSELF FOLDED OVER,
PUT IT BETWEEN THE PAGES IN A BOOK.
THE RESULTS ARE THE PERSON WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ALONE EVER.
20 YEARS LATER THEY WILL STILL BE IN LOVE WITH YOU.
Submitter comment: NOTE; THIS WAS THE WAY MR. BROWN GOT HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; LOVE ; MARRIAGE ; ROMANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
MAGIC MOUSTACHE FORMULA
IF YOU WANT YOUR MOUSTACHE TO GROW
SPRINKLE SALT ON YOUR UPPER LIP
AND SET A GLASS OF WATER NEXT TO THE BED
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
THE SALT WILL REACH OUT FOR THE WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
NEW YEARS SUPERSTITION
HAVING ANY FORM OF FOWLIN THE HOUSE ON NEW YEARS DAY WILL CAUSE ALL
LUCK FOR THE YEAR TO FLY OUT THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 09-23-1969
SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF YOU EAT TWIN BANANAS YOU WILL HAVE TWIN BABIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN THAILAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; informant's dorm
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1.2 Favorites BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
PREGNANCY BELIEF
THE PEOPLE IN INDIA ADVISE THE WOMAN WHO IS PREGNANT NOT TO
LOOK AT AN UGLY PICTURE FOR FEAR OF THE CHILD BEING BORN UGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; EAST QUAD
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 840 BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
WOMAN
IN INDIA, IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT, SHE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO ANY
DESTRUCTIVE WORK, BECAUSE IT WILL DESTROY THE BABY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; BRIGGS BUILDING
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 840 BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, THIS WOMAN SHOULD NOT WEAR A NECKLACE
OR SHE WILL BE CHOKING THE BABY BY WEARING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 840 BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-07-1971
PREGNANCY SUPERSTITION
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND SEES SOMETHING HORRIBLE SHE SLAPS
HER HAND ON ANY PART OF THE BODY AND IT WILL LEAVE A BIRTHMARK
OF THE THING SHE SAW.
Data entry tech comment:
There are three others similar to this in archive.
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-22-1969
MOON BELIEF
IN INDIA IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT SHE SHOULD NOT CUT ANYTHING
SUCH AS MATERIAL FOR SEWING.
IF SHE DOES CUT DURING AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON HER CHILD WILL BE BORN
WITH A HARELIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.6 |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
BIRTH BELIEF
AFTER A BABY IS BORN THERE IS A PIECE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD
WHICH IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CHILD!S NAVEL. THIS PIECE WILL
EVENTUALLY FALL OFF. IF YOU THROW THIS PIECE AWAY, THE CHILD
WILL BE A RUN AROUND. IF YOU IMPLANT IT SOMEWHERE IN THE
HOME, THE CHILD WILL GROW UP AND NEVER LEAVE HOME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS TO HER SON, HE IS 40 AND STILL LIVING
AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
BREAD BELIEF
IN CUTTING A LOAF OF BREAD.
NEVER LEAVE A KNIFE IN THE BREAD, IT IS LIKE CUTTING THE
HEART OF JESUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Custom |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
DANDELION BELIEF
AS CHILDREN IN MAMARONECK, NEW YORK, WE BELIEVED THAT IF YOU PICKED A DANDELION, YOU'D HAVE TO URINATE.
Submitter comment:
Learned in late 1940s.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector appear to be the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; MAMARONECK
Keyword(s): COLOR ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT WEED ; YELLOW COLOR ASSOCIATES WITH URINATION?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
BLACK TABOO
IF YOU EAT BLACK GRAPES OR BLACK FIGS THEN SOME SORT OF BAD LUCK WILL FOLLOW, SUCH AS BAD NEWS, OR YOU'LL DO SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL FEEL SORRY ABOUT LATER. HOWEVER, RED, WHITE, GREEN, AND BLUE GRAPES/FIGS ARE OK TO EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME ; 5583 South 4th St.
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC, COLOR
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-18-1971