Many people have heard the term "Evil Eye" used at least once during their spiritual journeys. Mainstream media has often depicted one broad idea of this term as symbolized solely by the "Nazar". Some call it the Turkish Evil Eye, but that blue eye can be often used in various applications and its subtle changes in appearance occurs from Greece all the way through the Middle East. They are commonly confused for being all the same thing, because social media and the collective have placed so much attention on this one iconic talisman. However, many cultures and nations have a similar, yet different concept surrounding this idea of an "evil eye". The "Malocchio" or "Il Malocchio" is the Sicilian version of the infamous "evil eye" that dates far back into Italian Folklore.
So, what exactly is the Malocchio or the Il Malocchio?
The Malocchio is directly translated into meaning "bad eyes". It often is associated with a jealous or envious look that one person can give to another, whether intentional or not, that can cause "a curse". This curse being something as simple as a string of bad luck, accidents, or something as complex as headaches or body aches/ailments. In olden times, it was thought to have negative and lasting effects on women, especially nursing and pregnant women, causing in the worst of cases, infertility and troubles during childbirth. It was sometimes thought that those with an evil or jealous heart were often under the bidding or guise of a lower being, whether that be the devil or his many names/figures throughout Sicilian and Italian Folk Culture.
This negative energy that is believed to wreak havoc can be easily sent from one to another by something as simple as a dirty glance, even a gossiping conversation, or a negative comment about another person or family. Back in old Folklore it was said making your hand in the form of a "check or gun" with your index finger and thumb and gesturing it towards another in envy or anger could send them a Malocchio.
Back in olden times, accusing another of sending the Malocchio was a serious offense and was not taken lightly. It held great consequences in smaller villages and towns. Someone found sending another serious Malocchio energy was often seen as disrespectful and often could result in shame being put on an entire family by the community in which they resided. For a culture where family is everything, this was not approved of.
How can you protect yourself from the Malocchio?
For many old school Sicilians, there is a traditional malocchio prayer that family members often women can recite to help rid and protect you from this ailment. I will save you the trouble of reading Italian and you can simply google it if you wish, although sometimes the exact procedure for reciting this prayer may be safeguarded by the sacred family holders of this ancient knowledge. Many Italian Americans have probably heard it at least once in their lifetimes. More often than not talked about or recited by grandmothers or great grandmothers.
The Second and more well known, in the states, way of protection is through the use of hand signs and jewelry. The Corno/cornetto/or Cornicello is a popular symbol that has been used for ages to ward off the "bad eyes" from others. It is often misconstrued as a chili pepper or a horn in the shape of a stretched out "S". Often it is crafted out of gold or silver and hung in vehicles, homes, or worn around the neck. The horn was said to be an old-world tradition that morphed its way into modern society. It often represented the horned moon goddess, Luna, and was considered sacred.
The other form of jewelry often seen being hung in homes, cars, or worn around the neck is the "mana cornuta". This charm often represents a person's hand gesture in which the index and little fingers are extended out, while the middle and ring fingers are curled into the palm. The reference is to the horned head of an animal, the modern-day American devil horns hand gesture.
Some generations use hand gestures to strike back at those who project their jealousy, with the use of the Mana Cornuta form. Making a devil's horn sign, like you see in typical rock concerts in America, and gesturing it at the person they suspect to be giving them the evil eye. It is used as a form of an energetic block and a redirection of that negative energy back to its sender.
How do I know if I have the Malocchio?
Keeping with traditional folk magic and what was available at that time, many often used simple ingredients such as water and oil. You would fill a bowl with water, place your finger in the bowl and swirl it around. To allow your energy to transfer to the bottle. Then drop a few drops of olive oil in the water. During this process, many things are recited, and signs and gestures are made both over the potentially infected and over the bowl of water. Then a trusted family member who is versed in this practice, inspects how the oil interacts with the water to see whether or not the person may be infected with this negative energy. Often telling how serious and if it may leave on its own or need assistance to be eradicated from their body.
It is clear that while many cultures have different names for it and techniques to deal with the evil eye, no one is denying its existence.
Have you ever experienced the Malocchio?