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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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SCHOOL BELIEF

IT IS BELIEVED THAT GETTING TOTALLY DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE A
PSYCHOLOGY TEST WILL BRING A PASSING GRADE.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT AND HIS ROOMMATE FOLLOWED THIS FOR THREE
TESTS AND RECEIVED PASSING GRADES OF B OR BETTER,
HOWEVER THE INFORMANT LATER DROPPED OUT DUE TO POOR GRADES.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School

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EVERY TIME A SCORPIO IS BORN, A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY HAS DIED THE
YEAR BEFORE, AND EVERY TIME ONE DIES, THERE WILL BE A BIRTH IN THAT
FAMILY WITHIN THE YEAR.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

James Callow Keyword(s): ASTROLOGICAL SIGN FOR PERSONS BORN 10-24--11-22

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Crucial Moment of Life Life Cycle
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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FERTILITY

SOME SYRIAN WOMEN BELIEVE THAT A MARK TATOOED IN THE GROIN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- P866

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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PREGNANCY BELIEF

A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT EAT APPLES, IT WILL CAUSE HARM TO
THE CHILD.

Submitter comment:

HER MOTHER TOLD HER, OLD CROAATION BELIEF

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): APPLE AS ORIGINAL SIN SYMBOL ; HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 10-07-1970

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CUSTOM

THERE IS A TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN THAT IF
YOU STEP ON THE M OF THE DIAGONAL EMBLAZED IN THE CROSSWALK,
YOU WILL FLUNK YOUR NEXT EXAM.

Submitter comment:

WHEN A STUDENT AT U. OF M., THE INFORMANT TRIED THIS
TO DISPROVE THE TRADITION, BY STEPPING ON THE M AFTER STUDYING
FOR AN EXAM. SHE FAILED HER EXAM.
KEYPUNCHERS COMMENT, THERE IS ANOTHER LIKE THIS IN THE ARCHIVE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; SYMBOL ; WALKING PROHIBITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School

Date learned: 12-00-1967

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BELIEF

AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE RIBBON BREAKS, IS THE
NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): UNWRAPPING GIFTS DURING BRIDAL SHOWER

Subject headings: 870
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 01-00-1971

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BIRTH BELIEF

TAKE A PENCIL WITH AN ERASER ON IT AND STICK THE POINT ON A
THREADED NEEDLE. NOW HOLD THE THREAD, SUSPENDING THE PENCIL OVER THE
PULSE POINT OF A GIRL. THE PENCIL SHOULD START MOVING IN A CIRCULAR
OR LINEAR MOTION. IF CIRCULAR, HER FIRST CHILD WILL BE A GIRL.
IN A LINEAR PATH, A BOY.
CONTINUE PERFORMING UNTIL MOTION STOPS, THIS WILL TELL YOU HOW

Submitter comment:

ANOTHER ONE ALIKE IN THE ARCHIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 04-00-1968

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WAYS TO KILL A VAMPIRE

SHOOTING A VAMPIRE WITH A SILVER BULLET OR OTHER BULLET WITH
A CROSS CARVED ON IT WILL KILL THE VAMPIRE.

Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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SPIRIT TABLE

AN INDIAN BELIEF- WE HAVE A TABLE THAT ATTRACTS DEAD SOULS, THERE ARE
MARKINGS ON IT WHICH SPIRITS USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH A MEDIUM.
HANDS ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE. A MEDIUM ISN'T NECESSARY, BUT
INFORMANT WAS AFRAID HIMSELF. SPIRITS ARE LIKE THE 5 ELEMENTS, FIRE
EARTH WATER WIND AND LIGHT-- LIKE VARIOUS GASES ALL WANDERING
AROUND ETERNALLY, LIKE THE ELEMENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING
SOULS TO CAPTURE SOULS.

Submitter comment: SKETCH ON CARD IN ARCHIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBEES

Subject headings: 686 Fifths
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Custom
BELIEF -- Word Letter
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure
BELIEF -- Use of Object
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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MAGIC

IN MEXICO IT IS POSSIBLE TO TALK WITH THE DEAD IF YOU USE A
OUIJA TABLE. IT IS EASIER FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO THIS THAN OTHERS.
YOU PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE AND THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD WILL
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU, AND VERY OFTEN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
THEY ALSO MAY TELL OF FUTURE EVENTS. THEY DO THIS BY MOVING
YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE ANSWER OR INFORMATION
IS SPELLED OUT FOR YOU. PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY USE THESE TABLES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Custom
BELIEF -- Word Letter
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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BELIEF CONCERNING DEATH

UKRANIANS BELIEVE THAT A PERSON'S SPIRIT STAYS ON EARTH FOR
9 DAYS AFTER DEATH. IT THEN TAKES THE SPIRIT 40 DAYS TO GET TO
HEAVEN. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THIS BELIEF AROSE FROM
THE 40 DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF CHRIST, BEFORE HE AROSE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40

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BOOGIEMAN BELIEF

WHEN I WAS A KID, MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.

Submitter comment: I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND OF WHAT OLD GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE, HE WAS BIG AND DUMB LIKE JETHRO- OF THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES
TELEVISION SHOW.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; THREAT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-02-1970

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BANSHE

IN IRELAND EVERYONE IS AFRQID OF THE NAMED CREATURE CALLED
THE BANSHE. THEY WERE FAIRY WOMEN AND WHEN ANY PERSON WAS NEAR DEATH
THE BANSHE CAME AROUND THE HOUSE CRYING THREE NIGHTS BEFORE THE
PERSON DIED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; NUMBER

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 11-18-1970

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SUPERSTITION

WHEN ONE HEARS NOISES THREE DAYS AFTER BURYING A LOVED ONE
IT MEANS HIS SPIRIT CAME BACK TO THANK THE FAMILY FOR ALL
THAT IT HAD DONE.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Use of Object
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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BANSHEE

IN IRELAND WHEN YOU HAVE HEARD THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE, YOU
YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE WILL DIE.
THIS WAILING PRECEDES THE COMING OF THE COACH OF DEATH
WHICH IDENTIFIES THE BANSHEE, AND IS DRAWN BY 4 BLACK HORSES.
THIS COACH CARRIES THE ONE WHO IS TO DIE TO THE UNDERWORLD.

Where learned: TRENTON

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: 686 Fourths / Quarters
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 12-00-1968

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

IF YOU SEE LIGHTS MOVING ABOUT AND THEY DISAPPEAR WHEN YOU
APPROACH, IT WAS A GHOST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

LIGHTS MOVING IN THE GRAVEYARD ARE GHOSTS FOR SURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

WHEN A LITTLE FLAME OF A CANDLE BURNS BLUE, A GHOST IS PRESENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

IF A BLACK CAT WALKS ACROSS YOUR PATH IT IS EITHER A WITCH
OR A GHOST AND CAN PUT A SPELL ON YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL SYMBOL ; COLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

IF YOU ARE WALKING ACROSS A ROAD LATE AT NIGHT AND HAPPEN TO
HEAR A STICK BREAK, IT WAS A GHOST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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