Grace Thompson
The malocchio, or the evil eye, is an ancient Italian curse believed to be cast by a look of envy or ill-will. While some believe it to be superstition, others claim that it causes sickness and unluckiness. In Southern Italy, the prayer to remove the malocchio is a sacred tradition passed down through generations, taught in secrecy on Christmas Eve before midnight. The prayer is considered the ultimate cure, but there are several other rituals and objects believed to ward off the malocchio, such as wearing amulets, carrying garlic, wearing red, and hanging spiritual scissors.
How to get rid of malocchio catholic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prayer | The ultimate cure, taught in secrecy on Christmas Eve before midnight, passed down from elder to chosen family members. |
| Oil and water diagnostic test | Drops of olive oil are placed into a bowl of water. If the oil forms the shape of an eye, the presence of malocchio is confirmed. |
| The sign of the cross | May be performed while reciting the prayer. |
| Spiritual scissors | Placing a pair of scissors in the shape of a cross under your bed or a doormat is said to offer protection. |
| St. Lucy wreath | A wreath is made from red ribbon and rue, and the afflicted person spits through it three times to remove the evil eye while asking for St. Lucy's intercession. |
| Amulets | Cornuto (horn charm), mano fica (hand gesture charm), Madonna and St. Michael medals, or the cimaruta charm are believed to ward off evil. |
| Garlic | Hanging garlic at your door or wearing it around your neck is thought to repel negative energy. |
| Wearing red | Red is a protective colour in Italian folklore, often worn to keep evil at bay. |
| Hand gestures | Throwing horns with your index and pinky fingers can deflect the malocchio. |
| Benediction | Saying "God bless you" after receiving a compliment is believed to ward off the evil eye. |
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What You'll Learn
The oil and water test is a common diagnostic procedure
The oil and water test is usually just the first step in a larger ritual to remove the malocchio. If the test confirms the presence of the evil eye, the curer will then dispose of the water and oil, ensuring that no one walks over it. She will then prepare another bowl of water and recite a prayer or charm while making the sign of the cross over the affected person. This prayer is often repeated during the ritual, which may include additional actions such as dropping more olive oil into the water to confirm the removal of the malocchio.
The choice of Christmas Eve for teaching and performing the malocchio ritual is significant in Italian culture. It is seen as a sacred night of renewal and protection, when the spiritual veil between worlds is believed to be thinner. It is a time to prepare for the birth of Christ and to safeguard the family against misfortune and negativity in the coming year.
While the oil and water test is a common diagnostic procedure, it is important to note that the rituals and methods can vary by region and family traditions. Some families may have their own unique variations or additional steps to the test and the larger malocchio removal ritual.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the oil and water test is not the only method used to diagnose the malocchio. Other traditional methods include wearing amulets, carrying garlic, wearing the colour red, and performing specific hand gestures, such as forming "horns" with the index and pinky fingers. These methods are believed to ward off the evil eye and protect individuals from its negative effects.
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The prayer is taught in secret on Christmas Eve
The malocchio, or the evil eye, is an ancient Italian curse believed to be caused by a look of envy or ill-will. The curse is thought to be activated by someone's gaze, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and even a simple admiring glance can trigger it if not accompanied by goodwill. The symptoms of malocchio vary but often include headaches, fatigue, bad luck, and general unease.
In Southern Italy, the prayer to remove the malocchio is a sacred tradition that has been passed down for generations. The prayer is taught in secret on Christmas Eve before midnight, reflecting the belief that its power weakens if shared with multiple people at once. An experienced family member, often a grandmother, imparts the prayer to just one chosen relative at a time, usually at the family table in an intimate, candlelit setting. This ritual is steeped in mystery and is considered a gift and a responsibility to protect the family from the evil eye.
Christmas Eve holds special significance as a night of renewal and protection, when the spiritual veil between worlds is believed to be thinner. It is a time to prepare for the birth of Christ and safeguard the family from misfortune and negativity. The prayer to remove the malocchio is more than a superstition; it is a testament to the enduring power of faith, family, and tradition in Italian culture.
While the specific prayer may vary by region, one of the most recognized versions is: "Dio ti salvi, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore è con te." The prayer is often recited while performing a ritual that includes making the sign of the cross and dropping olive oil into a bowl of water to confirm the removal of the curse.
In addition to the prayer, Italians have several other methods to protect themselves from the evil eye, including wearing amulets, carrying garlic, wearing the color red, and forming "horns" with their fingers to deflect the malocchio. These traditions serve as daily shields, while the prayer is considered the ultimate remedy for lifting the curse.
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Amulets, garlic, and the colour red are protective
Amulets, garlic, and the colour red are all considered protective against the malocchio, or the evil eye, in Italian Catholic culture. The malocchio is a curse believed to be cast by someone's gaze, whether intentionally or unintentionally, out of envy or jealousy. It is thought to cause misfortune, illness, or general bad luck.
Amulets are a popular form of protection against the malocchio. The cornuto (horn charm), mano fica (hand gesture charm), Madonna and St. Michael medals, and the cimaruta charm are believed to ward off evil. Italians also wear religious medals and protective jewellery, such as bracelets featuring evil eye motifs or cornicello charms, which blend cultural heritage with protection. The cornicello, or "little horn," is one of the most famous Italian evil eye symbols. Red is also a common colour for amulets, as it is considered a protective colour in Italian folklore.
Garlic is another traditional form of protection against the malocchio. Hanging garlic at your door or wearing it around your neck is thought to repel negative energy.
The colour red is also considered protective in Italian folklore. Red ribbons or strings are often tied to babies' cribs or worn for protection. Additionally, red "cornetti," which are amulets shaped like horns, can be found hanging in many places, such as on keychains, in cars, and on windows, to protect against the evil eye.
While the prayer is considered the ultimate cure for the malocchio, these traditional protective measures serve as daily shields against the curse.
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The sign of the cross and olive oil confirm removal
The sign of the cross and olive oil are integral to the removal of the Malocchio, the Italian word for the Evil Eye. The Evil Eye is a curse believed to be cast by a look of envy or ill-will, bringing harm or misfortune.
The olive oil drop test is a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of the Malocchio. A few drops of olive oil are placed into a bowl of water. If the oil forms the shape of an eye, it is believed that the person has the Malocchio. The oil and water test is repeated after the curse is removed to confirm its absence.
To remove the Malocchio, a prayer is recited while making the sign of the cross over the afflicted person. The prayer may be a familiar religious invocation such as the Hail Mary or the Our Father, or a special esoteric healing formula. The sign of the cross can be made using olive oil, by dipping the thumb in olive oil and marking the victim's forehead, or by dropping olive oil into the water. The olive oil drop test is repeated three times to remove the curse.
In more serious cases, the victim's entire body is anointed with olive oil. In extreme cases, a mustard plaster is applied to the afflicted person's chest.
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St. Lucy is the patron saint of eyes
St Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye illnesses or eye trouble. She is also the patron saint of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, and the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is named after her.
The Latin name for St Lucy is Lucia, which shares a root with the Latin word for light, lux. Symbolic images of St Lucy include a lamp, dagger, sword, or two oxen. In paintings, she is often depicted holding a dish with two eyes on it.
According to one story, St Lucy was admired by a suitor for her beautiful eyes. To discourage him, she plucked out her own eyes. As a reward for her sacrifice, God gave her a pair of even more beautiful eyes. Another version of the story says that her eyes were removed by her persecutors as a form of torture.
In Sicily, St Lucy's feast day is celebrated on 13 December with a parade of a silver statue of the saint through the streets of Syracuse. Traditionally, a wreath of candles is worn by a young girl dressed in white with a red sash, symbolising martyrdom.
St Lucy is also associated with the removal of the malocchio or evil eye in Italian folk traditions. The malocchio is believed to be caused by envy or jealousy, brought about by someone's gaze or a compliment that is not followed by "God bless you". It is considered a type of illness, with symptoms including headaches, fatigue, and unexplained bad luck. To remove the malocchio, a healer (traditionally a woman) will recite a prayer while performing rituals such as making the sign of the cross and dropping olive oil into a bowl of water.
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Frequently asked questions
Malocchio, or the evil eye, is a deep-rooted Italian curse believed to be cast by a look of envy or ill-will. Symptoms of malocchio vary but can include headaches, fatigue, bad luck, and general unease.
If someone has given you excessive compliments or has been staring at you, they may have given you the evil eye. In Southern Italy, a traditional method to diagnose the malocchio involves placing a few drops of olive oil in a bowl of water. If the oil forms the shape of an eye, the presence of malocchio is confirmed.
The ultimate cure for the malocchio is a prayer that is passed down from elder to chosen family members on Christmas Eve before midnight. The prayer is taught in secrecy and is considered a gift to the chosen person. While the specific prayer may differ depending on the region, one of the most recognized versions is: "Dio ti salvi, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore è con te." Other ways to protect yourself include wearing amulets, carrying garlic, wearing red, and throwing horns with your hands.
Amulets that are believed to ward off the evil eye include the cornuto (horn charm), mano fica (hand gesture charm), Madonna and St. Michael medals, and the cimaruta charm.
A limpia is a Latin American spiritual cleansing ritual that uses an egg as a cleansing implement. In India, various substances such as camphor, lemon, salt, mustard seeds, and chili peppers are used to cast off the evil eye.
