How to Remove the Evil Eye (Italian Style)
Gentle reader, the fact that you are here suggests that you may be in spiritual distress — or maybe you’re just curious about the malocchio?
First, know that you are not alone. This page is the most popular content on The House of Good Fortune — by far.
Second, don’t be afraid. Whatever is causing you discomfort can be overcome.
***Keep in mind that the remedies described below reflect only one spiritual tradition.*** There are many other ways to remove the evil eye. For example, a limpia is a Latin American spiritual cleansing that can remove the mal de ojo. While there are numerous varieties of limpias, the most familiar is one that uses an egg as the cleansing implement. In India, various substances such as camphor, lemon, salt, mustard seeds and chili peppers are used to cast off the evil eye. The House makes no judgments on the efficacy of these remedies. All are equally valid.
Soap like this is available in many botanicas and spiritual supply stores.
Grab a bar, throw some salt in your tub, and take a nice purifying bath.
***
Now, let’s dive into the Italian (or Italian-American) spiritual traditions of how to get rid of the malocchio. But be sure you have completed the correct diagnostic procedure first.
The quoted text below is from: Italian-American Folklore by Frances M. Malpezzi and William M. Clements.
“Italian Americans have utilized a wide variety of cures, most said to have been discovered by Saint Lucy. They have generally held that a healer must be a woman and she can only learn the procedures for curing on Christmas Eve from a family member. She must also accept no money for performing these procedures. Perhaps the most common cure is an extension of the oil and water diagnostic test. After confirming that malocchio is present, the curer disposes of the water where no one is likely to walk over it. Then she prepares another dish of water. The simplest procedure requires that she recite a prayer or charm while making the sign of the cross over the victim. Her words may be a familiar religious invocation such as the Hail Mary or the Our Father, or she may recite special often esoteric healing formulas.”
[formulas omitted]
“Then the olive oil drop test is repeated. If the drop still disperses, the curer goes through the procedure again, repeating it up to a dozen times or until the drops retain their shape. Variations on this ritual suggest that the oil will form ‘eyes’ when poured into the water. These should be cut with scissors. Others believe that the saucer filled with oil and water must be held over the victim’s head while the charms are recited, that the oil and water should be poured onto the victim’s head, or that the curing procedure must always involve three iron tools (usually scissors, screwdriver and knife)….”
“Other ways of curing malocchio involve cutting through the oil slick on the surface of the diagnostic water with a knife or key three times. The knife or key may also be used to make the sign of the cross over the victim and to drop the olive oil into the water, or one can fashion a cross by inserting a needle through the eye of another needle. Then that should be floated in a saucer of water.”
Mrs. Melba DeCristofaro demonstrates an alternate method of divining the existence of and removing "mal occhio" (evil eye). Rhode Island Folklife Project collection (AFC 1991/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
The sign of the cross is made over the forehead of the person suffering. Rhode Island Folklife Project collection (AFC 1991/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
If the performer yawns or sheds a tear while saying silent prayer and making signs of cross, the subject has "mal occhio" and the ritual will remove it. Rhode Island Folklife Project collection (AFC 1991/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
“Another set of beliefs recognizes gradations of severity in the illness caused by overlooking. For easy cases, the curer would simply dip her thumb in olive oil and make the sign of the cross on the victim’s forehead; more serious cases require that the victim’s entire body be anointed with olive oil; the most extreme cases call for the application of a mustard plaster to the afflicted person’s chest. Or evil eye sickness may be combatted by dropping a pair of scissors near the victim, hanging a packet of garlic around his or her neck, and then touching olive oil to his or her forehead. A related practice recommends rubbing olive oil on the victim’s head to drive malocchio from the mind and on his or her chest to banish it from the soul. One may burn or boil the victim’s pillow, pray over the victim’s clothes, or fry a beef heart while continually pricking it with a fork.”
Spiritual Scissors, House of Good Fortune Collection. It’s not unusual to see a special pair of “spiritual scissors” hanging on the wall in homes where the malocchio ritual is practiced.
Placing a pair of scissors in the shape of the cross under your bed or under a doormat is said to offer protection against the malocchio.
***
For Those Who Want Help
Readers in need of assistance often contact The House for help removing the malocchio. While The House’s connection to this work is more academic than practical, there are many excellent spiritual practitioners who perform this kind of work and will gladly assist. Make sure you find someone you can trust.
Finally, remember that the best way to deal with the malocchio is never to fall victim to it. Protect yourself from envy — the root cause of the evil eye — by wearing an amulet; saying your prayers and practicing humility in all that you do.
Recommended Reading:
"Italian Folk Magic,” by Mary-Grace Fahrun
“American Brujeria: Modern Mexican American Folk Magic, by J. Allen Cross.
“May Every Evil Eye in Your Life Go Blind,” Bonheur Blog, The House of Good Fortune
“Amulets of Protection Against the Evil Eye, Bonheur Blog, The House of Good Fortune.