The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, INFORMANT HAD A NANNY NAMED AUNT JANE, AN OLD COLORED WOMAN. WHEN AUNT JANE, INFORMANT, AND HER SISTERS USED TO GO TO THE WOODS TO PICK BERRIES, AUNT JANE WOULD OFTEN HEAR A TWIG SNAP AND WOULD SAY, "THE SPIRITS IS CALLIN' ME." BY SPIRITS SHE MEANT LOVED ONES WHO WERE DEAD. SHE TOLD INFORMANT THAT THE SPIRITS COULD BE SEEN IF INFORMANT WOULD LOOK QUICKLY OVER AUNT JANE'S LEFT SHOULDER. OFTEN AUNT JANE WOULD GO OFF INTO THE WOODS BY HERSELF A SHORT DISTANCE (WHEN TWIGS SNAPPED) AND WHISPER WITH THE SPIRITS, WHO SHE SWORE SHE COULD SEE.

AUNT JANE WOULD ALSO SAY THAT THE "SPIRITS IS CALLIN' ME" WHEN SHE WAS DOING A DISAGREABLE TASK. FOR INSTANCE, SHE WOULD BE DOING DISHES, WHEN SUDDENLY THE "SPIRITS" WOULD CALL HER, AND SHE WOULD GO OUT UNDER A TREE AND TALK TO THEM.

AUNT JANE ALSO HAD A HABIT OF SPRINKLING SALT ABOUT THE HOUSE, AND ESPECIALLY AROUND THE ENTRANCE WAYS TO KEEP OUT EVIL SPIRITS.

ALSO, WHEN SHE TOOK THE CHILDREN FISHING AUNT JANE WOULD SAY, "DON'T TALK ABOUT SNAKES OR YOU'LL SEE THEM."

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; INFORMANT'S HOME

Date learned: 07-15-1970