Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Wit returned 74 results.
PILLOW WREATHS
WHEN THE WITCHES WEAVE A WREATH IN YOUR PILLOW (THEY ARE
ACTUALLY PERFECTLY FORMED LITTLE WREATHS. THE INFORMANT HAS
SEEN THEM) IF THE WREATH GETS COMPLETED, THE PERSON DIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT ; Legend ; OMEN ; Pillow ; WITCHES ; Wreath
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 09-21-1968
WITCH PROTECTION
SASSAFRAS TEA- MADE BY MERELY BOILING A SASSAFRAS ROOT IN SOME
WATER - IS SUPPOSED TO BE ESPECIALLY GOOD IN WARDING OFF
WITCHES.
Submitter comment:
STEVE ACTUALLY BELIEVED THIS WHEN HE WAS A KID, AND HE USED TO DRINK
IT BEFORE GOING INTO ANY KIND OF HAUNTED HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OMEN ; Protect ; SASSAFRAS ; TEA ; WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
TO CAUSE ILLNESS IN WITCHES
TO MAKE A WITCH SICK YOU NEED TO DO THESE THINGS.
GET THREE NAILS FROM A COFFIN AND STICK THEM INTO A SAUCE
OF BUTTER AND WINTERGREEN.
SAY THE WITCH'S NAME WHEN YOU PLACE
THE SAUCE IN A HIDDEN SPOT WHERE NEITHER SUNLIGHT NOR MOONLIGHT
WILL PENETRATE. YOUR WITCH WILL BE SICK FOR SIX MONTHS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Coffin ; Harm ; ILLNESS ; Nails ; RECIPE ; WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
SPIRIT
ON AN AUGUST DAY WHEN THE SUN IS HIGHEST IN THE SKY AT 12
NOON, STAND WITH THREE FRIENDS IN A WOODED, DESERTED AREA. AT
EXACTLY 12 NOON HAVE EVERYONE STARE AT EACH OTHER; THE SUN COMING
THROUGH THE TREES SHOULD FORM A HALO OVER THE PERSON OR PERSONS
WHO HAVE ANY POWERS OF WITCHCRAFT OR WIZARDRY IN THEIR BLOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEY PUNCHER
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Halo ; NATURE ; SIGN ; SPIRIT ; SYMBOL ; Witchcraft ; WIZARD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-13-1972
ECLIPSE
A WITCH MUST WAIT THREE HOURS AFTER EATING, BEFORE SHE CAN USE
ANY OF HER WITCHCRAFT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Legend ; Powers ; Rule ; Witch ; Witchcraft
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-06-1972
WITCH TEST
THE PERSON SUSPECTED OF BEING A WITCH IS TIED AND THROWN
INTO THE WATER. IF SHE ESCAPES, SHE IS A WITCH AND MUST BE
BURNED. IF SHE DROWNS THIS MEANS SHE WAS NOT A WITCH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Burn ; Drown ; Proof ; TEST ; Trial ; Witch ; Witchcraft
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF-WITCHES
IF A WOMAN ( SUPPOSEDLY) A WITCH HAS A DAUGHTER SHE WISHES
TO MARRY OFF, SHE WILL BURN A STOCKING AND THIS WILL BEWITCH
A BOY AND DRAW HIM TO THE DAUGHTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHILDREN ; DAUGHTER ; MAGIC ; Offspring ; Son ; Spell ; WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-20-1969
OMEN
QUITE OFTEN ONE SIGN OF A WITCH IS RED HAIR. THIS IS BECAUSE
JUDAS HAD RED HAIR AND DEALT WITH THE DEVIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR ; DEVIL ; HAIR ; JUDAS ; Legend ; Red ; SIGN ; Witch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-12-1968
WITCH BELIEF
TO BECOME A WITCH, TAKE ONE GOLD RING, ONE CANDLE STICK HOLDER
AND ONE SCARF; BURY THESE IN THE EARTH TILL THE NEXT FULL MOON;
AT THE NEXT FULL MOON, AT MIDNIGHT DIG UP THE RING, CANDLE-STICK
HOLDER AND SCARF AND BOIL THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE POT. THE
CANDIDATE WITCH THEN RECITES CERTAIN MAGICAL PHRASES, AND THEN
EMERGES AS A FULL FLEDGED WITCH.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEY PUNCHER
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MAGIC ; Spell ; Transform ; Witch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-13-1970
WITCHES
NEVER WALK ALONE AFTER MIDNIGHT, BECAUSE THAT IS THE TIME
WITCHES AND SPIRITS COME OUT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: KILLARNEY ; EIRE
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; Night ; SPIRITS ; WARNING ; WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
NEVER USE A TREE FOR FIRE WOOD THAT'S BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
WATER CAN BE FOUND BY "WITCHING" WITH A GREEN BRANCH FROM
CERTAIN TREES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Keyword(s): ; Aphorisms ; dowsing ; Tips ; TREES ; WATER ; Witch ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Water |
KISSING BELIEF
IN THE OLDEN TIMES, IT WAS SAID THAT IF A GIRL KISSED A BOY, SHE
WOULD HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): PREGNANCY WITHOUT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BABY DELIVERY
IN THE OLDEN DAYS IT WAS BELIEVED BY THE YOUNG THAT THE
DOCTOR BROUGHT THE BABIES IN A LITTLE BLACK BAG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; PREGNANCY WITHOUT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-12-1971
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