The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF A PERSON WISHES TO HARM AN ENEMY, HE MAY GO TO A ROOT
DOCTOR OR A WITCH WHO WILL WORK A SPELL OVER A NAIL.
THE NAIL IS THEN DRIVEN INTO A TREE. THE TREE IS GIVEN
THE ENEMY'S NAME. THE AMOUNT OF PAIN CAUSED THE ENEMY
IS DETERMINED BY THE DEPTH THE NAIL IS DRIVEN INTO THE
TREE. DRIVING THE NAIL IN A LITTLE DEEPER EACH DAY CAUSES SLOW
TORTURE. THE LOCATION OF PAIN IN THE ENEMY CORRESPONDS TO THE
LOCATION OF THE NAIL IN THE TREE. TO CAUSE PAIN IN THE FOOT,
DRIVE THE NAIL IN THE ROOT, AND SO FORTH. AN ENEMY MAY BE
KILLED BY DRIVING THE NAIL DEEP INTO THE HEART OF THE TREE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): METAL IRON

Date learned: 08-03-1968

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