The Evil Eye, Malocchio, also spelled Mal Occhio in Italian, is an ancient and nearly universal belief. The Italian Strega (Pagans or Witches) have a way to cure this.
History of the Evil Eye
The existence of Malocchio, the Evil Eye, is ancient and there are references to it in records written by the Babylonians, Sumerians and Assyrians dating to approximately 3000 BCE, according to Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft (Checkmark Books, 1999). Ancient Egyptians used eye make up and lipstick as protection against it. The Bible references it in both Testaments. Ancient Hindus believed in it. The belief among people of Mediterranean and Central American countries still remains strong.
It is believed that there are two types of Malocchio, malevolent and involuntary. Most of the cases are believed to be the latter. The intentional type is called overlooking and is witchcraft meant to harm and cause misfortune. In the Middle Ages, people believed witches did this to bewitch judges into not convicting them and to curse people whom they were angry with.
The involuntary type is when a person may admire or be envious of another’s children, livestock or property. It could also result from gazing at another too long. Something has to be done to prevent or cure this. Usually, an older wise woman knows what must be done.
Two Popes were believed to have possessed the ability to cast Malocchio involuntarily. Pope Pius IX was thought to have this after he glanced at a nurse holding a child in an open window. Moments later, the child fell to its death. After this, it appeared that all he blessed ended in misfortune. Pope Leo XIII was believed to have suffered from the same affliction.
Protection Against Malocchio
Amulets, generally in the shape of a frog or a horn, were used as protection against Malocchio. Other protective amulets included bells, red ribbons, and plants such as garlic, jack beans, barley and the shamrock.
If a person did not have an amulet, gestures of the hand were employed. One, the fig, is holding the thumb between the index and middle finger while they are clenched like a fist. The other, the horns, is having the middle and ring finger bent behind the thumb and the index and little finger held straight up.
Strega Spell to Cure the Evil Eye
According to Raven Grimassi, expert on Stregheria (Italian witchcraft) and author of Ways of the Strega (Llewellyn Publications, 1997), a person may suddenly feel sick or exhausted because of receiving Malocchio.
To test whether or not this is the case, put three drops of olive oil, one on top of the other in a bowl of water. If they stay together, it is not Malocchio. If they separate or become smeared, it is.
To break the spell, insert the tip of a needle into the eye of another needle while chanting, “Occhi e contro e perticelli agli occhi, crepa la invida e schiattono gli occhi,” which means “Eyes against eyes and the holes of the eyes, envy cracks and eyes burst.” Drop the needles on top of the oil and sprinkle three pinches of salt into the water. Jab scissors into the water through the oil three times. Cut the air above the bowl thrice. The spell is broken.
