The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FOLK CURE- HEADACHE

IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, TAKE THREE MATCHES AND LIGHT THEM.
TAKE A GLASS HALF FILLED WITH WATER AND LET THE MATCHES BURN
ALMOST TO THE END. THEN LET THE MATCHES DROP INTO THE WATER,
AND IF THE HEADS OF THE MATCHES DROP STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF
THE GLASS, SOMEONE GAVE YOU THE EVIL EYE.
THEN YOU TAKE YOUR THUMB, FOREFINGER, AND INDEX FINGER, AND YOU
DIP THEM IN THE GLASS OF WATER. NEXT, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
ON YOUR FOREHEAD AND TAKE SOME MORE WATER AND PUT IT ON THE BACKS
OF BOTH HANDS. THEN YOU TAKE THE INSIDE HEM OF YOUR DRESS AND
YOU WIPE THE BACKS OF YOUR HANDS AND YOUR FOREHEAD ON THE HEM.
PUT A LITTLE BIT OF WATER ON THE HINGE IN THE CORNER OF A DOOR
SO THE HEADACHE WILL GO OUT THE DOOR AND POUR THE REMAINDER
OF THE WATER DOWN THE SINK AND TURN THE GLASS BOTTOMS-UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT