Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for NATURAL returned 138 results.
PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES
TORCHES WAVED WILDLY IS A PROTECTIVE DEVICE AGAINST VAMPIRES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Torches ; Vampires
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
WEREWOLVES KILLED BY MAGICAL MEANS WILL IN 5 DAYS RETURN AS A VAMPIRE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
DEAD PEOPLE NOT BURIED WITHIN 5 DAYS WILL BECOME A VAMPIRE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
GHOST PROVERB
EVEN THE GHOST WILL LISTEN IF YOU BEG.
Submitter comment:
HERE THE GHOST REPRESENTS THE KING OF HADES, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO
SIT ON HIS THRONE OF JUDGMENT WITH A STERN FACE. WHEN THE DEAD ARE
BROUGHT INTO HIS PRESENCE ONE BY ONE, HE WEIGHS THE LOAD OF THEIR
SINS ON A BALANCE AND LOOKS AT THE SCENE OF THEIR DEEDS REFLECTED
IN A MIRROR, AND THEN HE SENDS THEM TO HELL OR HEAVEN, TO PURGATORY
OR BACK TO LIFE. IF THE SINNER IN TEARS OF REPENTANCE BEGS FOR
PARDON, HE WILL BE LENIENT. A MAN IS MORE LIKELY TO FORGIVE IF YOU
BEG HIS PARDON FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WRONG.
Data entry tech comment: ETHNIC ORIGIN
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL
James Callow Keyword(s): REPENTANCE ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
INDIAN LEGEND
FROM CODY, WYOMING: ONCE THERE WAS A MEDICINE MAN WHO WAS REALLY
A GOOD GUY. THIS WHOLE TRIBE WAS IN A STATE OF MORAL DECAY,
THEY GAVE HIM A BAD TIME AND MOCKED HIM WHEN HE TRIED TO CLEAN
THINGS UP.
FINALLY HE DECIDED TO GIVE THE PEOPLE ONE LAST CHANCE. HE CALLED
ALL THE DEPRAVED INDIANS TOGETHER AND MADE A SPEECH, ASKING THEM
TO REFORM. THEY HAD ALL COME DECKED OUT IN THEIR CEREMONIAL ROBES
RED, YELLOW AND GREEN, ALL STANDING ON THE CLIFFS AROUND THE
MEDICINE MAN AS HE MADE HIS SPEECH. THEY PLANNED TO KILL HIM AS
SOON AS HE WAS FINISHED. BUT HE PULLED A FAST ONE AND TURNED ALL
OF THEM INTO ROCKS. THIS IS HOW THE PAINTED DESERT WAS FORMED.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SOME WORDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Myth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
LEGEND
LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
LEGEND OF THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST
THERE ONCE WERE THREE DRAGONS THAT LIVED UNDERNEATH NIAGRA FALLS. AT
THE TIME THE TUSCARERIES, A TRIBE OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST NEW YORK
LIVED IN THE VICINITY. THE DRAGONS WOULD GET HUNGRY AND COME UP AT
NIGHT AND ATTACK AND EAT SOME OF THE BRAVES OF THE TRIBE. THE
TUSCARERIES, SEEING THEIR TRIBE DWINDLING, WANTED TO APPEASE THE
DRAGONS. SO TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS ( DRAGONS' ) APPETITE THEY WOULD
LOAD UP A CANOE OF GOOD FOODS AND SEND IT DOWN THE NIAGRA RIVER
TOWARD THE FALLS. THIS TOO FAILED TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS AND AGAIN
THEY ATTACKED THE TRIBE TO EAT BRAVES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
KEEP THE DRAGONS HAPPY, THE CHIEF AND THE MEDICINE MAN DECIDED TO
SACRIFICE A MAIDEN TO THE DRAGONS IN HOPES OF STOPPING THESE ATTACKS.
SO THE INDIANS FORMED ALL THE MAIDENS OF THE TRIBE IN ONE CIRCLE AND
SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CIRCLE. WHOEVER
THE ARROW LANDED CLOSEST TO WOULD BE THE SACRIFICE. IT HAPPENED THAT
THE SACRIFICE TURNED OUT TO BE LELAWELLA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. THE
INDIANS SENT THE GIRL, STARK NAKED, WITH A BIG SUPPLY OF GOOD FOOD IN
A CANOE TOWARDS THE FALLS. (IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SOURCE COULD
NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE DETAILS AND FINISHED WITH GENERALITIES) OVER
THE FALLS SHE WENT BUT SOME BRAVES RESCUED HER AND IN DOING SO SLEW
THE DRAGON. THEY WENT BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
THAT TODAY IS CELEBRATED IN NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, AS THE FEAST OF
THE "MAIDEN OF THE MIST."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; NIAGARA FALLS ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-05-1968
THUMP-DRAG
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN WHAT IS NOW CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS IN
CARSONVILLE WAS JUST STARTED, IT WAS A BOYS CAMP. MANY OF THE
BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE NOW WEREN'T EVEN BUILT YET. WHAT IS NOW THE
NATURE NOOK WAS IN THE STOREROOM. A YOUNG CHEMISTRY STUDENT WAS IN
CHARGE OF NATURE. ONCE HE WAS REACHING UP TO A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOME
CHEMICALS FOR AN EXPERIMENT. THE SHELF COLLAPSED AND A BOTTLE OF ACID
SPILLED ALL OVER HIM. HE JUMPED BACK SO QUICKLY THAT HE FELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG. HE LAY ON THE FLOOR WRITHING AND SCREAMING AS THE ACID
BURNED HIS FACE. SOMEONE HEARD HIM AND RAN FOR HELP. SOON A WHOLE
GROUP OF COUNSELORS CAME. WHEN THEY SAW THE ACID BURNING THEY
GRABBED HIM AND DRAGGED HIM TO THE LAKE. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE
TO STOP THE BURNING BUT BY THIS TIME MOST OF HIS FACE HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY THE ACID, HIS BROKEN LEG WAS HOPELESSLY MANGLED AND THE
UNBEARABLE PAIN HAD MADE HIS MIND SNAP. HE WAS COMMITTED TO A MENTAL
INSTITUTION BUT HE ESCAPED SOON AFTER. PEOPLE IN THE CARSONVILLE
AREA REPORTED SEEING HIM, HIS FACE A REPULSIVE BLOB, LIMPING AROUND.
CHILDREN HEARD HIM WALKING--A THUMP FOLLOWED BY THE DRAG OF HIS
USELESS LEG. ONE NIGHT HE RETURNED TO THE CAMP. HE MET UP WITH A
CAMPER AT THE BIFFY. HE LUNGED TO GRAB THE CHILD BUT TRIPPED AND
FELL, KNOCKING THE CAMPER UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER THAT THE POLICE SET OUT
DRAGNETS TO TRY AND CATCH HIM. THE CAMP REQUIRED THAT ALL CAMPERS
TAKE A BUDDY WHEREVER THEY GO. STILL THUMP-DRAG GOES TO A DIFFERENT
CAVELL, YMCA AND YWCA. EVERY SEVENTH YEAR HE RETURNS TO THIS CAMP,
THE SCENE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEEKS REVENGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
FLYING SAUCER BELIEF
"DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 20 NORTHWEST OF FREMONT, OHIO FOR ABOUT EIGHT
MILES UNTIL YOU COME TO COUNTY ROAD 19. PROCEED FIVE MILES ON
THIS ROAD UNTIL YOU CROSS A TWO LANE BRIDGE. GO A QUARTER MILE
BEYOND THE BRIDGE AND TURN RIGHT INTO A
FARMER'S FIELD.
IN THE FIELD FACING EAST, DRIVE IN A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE,
THERE IS A CREEK WITH A BRIDGE OVER IT. CROSS THE CREEK AND END UP
PARK, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND TURN OFF EVERYTHING. BLINK THE LIGHTS
ON AND OFF THREE TIMES. A LIGHT APPEARS FROM THE EAST AND FLIES
DIRECTLY AT YOU AND THEN OVER YOU AND HEADS TOWARDS THE WEST. THIS
LIGHT IS IN THE FORM OF A BALL AND NEVER FAILS TO APPEAR AS LONG AS
THE LIGHTS ARE BLINKED ON AND OFF THREE TIMES."
THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MANY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR'S FRIENDS BUT THE
CONTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER SEEN IT AND ADMITS HE HASN'T
"... THE GUTS TO GO OUT
AND SEE IT." HE DOES, HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY BELIEVE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SUPERNATURAL LIGHT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
LUCK
IF YOU HAVE A HORSESHOE ON THE WALL MAKE SURE THE OPEN END IS AT
THE TOP SO THAT ALL YOUR LUCK WILL STAY AND NOT LEAVE.
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL: HORSESHOE AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.12 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR GOOD LUCK
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM TO PUT SALT IN A HOUSE A FEW DAYS
BEFORE MOVING IN AND THIS WILL BRING THE OCCUPANT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17 |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
BASKETBALL SUPERSTITION
IF A BASKETBALL TEAM HAS A VERY GOOD SEASON THE CAPTAIN'S SHOES ARE
HUNG PERMANENTLY IN THE LOCKER ROOM. THIS IS SAID TO BRING THE TEAM
GOOD LUCK IN FOLLOWING YEARS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): SOCIAL RELATIONS ; SPORTS ; SUPERNATURAL: CAPTAIN'S SHOES AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck P881.19 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COUNT TO TEN
IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING WHEN LEAVING YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE
TO GO BACK FOR IT, BE SURE TO SIT DOWN AND COUNT TO TEN BEFORE
YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE AGAIN, OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; NUMBERS: TEN ; SUPERNATURAL: COUNTING TO TEN ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT
Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER
KNOCK ON WOOD
YOU SAY SOMETHING THEN KNOCK 3 TIMES SO THAT NO BAD LUCK
WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
BELIEF
IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A PERSON SPEAKS OF HIS OWN GOOD
FORTUNE, HE SHOULD AFTERWARDS KNOCK THREE TIMES ON SOME RAW,
UNFINISHED WOOD SO HIS LUCK WON'T CHANGE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT COLLECTED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY GRANDPARENTS IN UKRAINE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD ; UKRAINIAN BELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
BELIEF
MANY SPANISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT AFTER SEEING A PRIEST CLOTHED IN
BLACK, THEY SHOULD TOUCH SOMETHING MADE OF WOOD TO AVOID BAD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SPANISH BELIEF ; SUPERNATURAL: TOUCHING WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
Entry filtered.
SOME FOLKS USED TO PULL GRASS FROM THE EDGE OF THEIR
YARD AND CALL THIS "FEVER GRASS." THEY'D BOIL THE ROOTS
AND SERVE THEM AS TEA; THE TEA ACTED AS A LAXATIVE.
Submitter comment:
THE LAXATIVE ONLY WORKED IF THE ROOTS THAT WERE USED
TO MAKE IT WERE FROM THE CORNER OF THE YARD.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; PICKENS
Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-14-1984