A Folk Cure for the Evil Eye

by Jim Weaver

In the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, the belief in the evil eye has been a part of daily life for centuries.

In this region of the world, when someone has a run of bad luck or comes down with a sudden illness, the evil eye is frequently suspected as the cause.

Although the evil eye is one of the world's oldest magical beliefs, no one knows for sure how the evil is "put on" someone. It is believed to be caused by a jealous stare or envious look. Most persons who have the ability to cast the evil eye don't even know that they possess the unfortunate power.

The people of the Mediterranean have always relied on many folk magic cures, spells, charms, and remedies to break the power of the evil eye. Many of these cures are family secrets, passed down from generarion to generation.

If you feel someone has put the evil eye on you, due to their feelings of envy or jealousy toward you, the following folk cure from the eastern Mediterranean may help destroy the negative energy directed at you. This particular remedy originated on a remote Greek island over a century ago. It is easy for anyone to perform, regardless of the spiritual path of the person performing it.

The two desired goals of this ritual are to find out how many people may be working against you, and to destroy the negative forces aimed at you. This ritual is not intended to direct negative magic toward someone or to get even with anyone. The basic purpose of this cure is to protect you and cleanse away any negativity that might be hanging around. Here are the materials you'll need:

1 new white candle

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1 small bowl

9 whole cloves

The white candle represents healing and protection. Water and olive oil have been associated with cleansing and blessing since ancient times; they appear in many cures used to break the spell of the evil eye. The number nine, long associated with magic, here also represents the seeking of knowledge or answers. The cloves symbolize healing, protection, and help to purify.

The procedure for this cure is simple. Select a time when you won't be disturbed. Assemble all the materials listed above on a table, altar, or even on a kitchen counter.

Combine the water and olive oil in a small bowl; set aside. Next, light the candle and gaze into the flame as you say a prayer or affirmation for protection. Visualize yourself surrounded by a circle of protective energy.

Pick up one of the cloves and ask aloud or silently, "Has anyone put the evil eye on me?" Then, holding up the first clove by the stem end (or use a pair of tweezers if that's easier), raise the clove so the bud end is barely above the tip of the candle's flame. Be careful - it will ignite instantly. Immediately drop the burning clove into the water/oil mixture to extinguish it. Repeat this procedure with each of the remaining cloves - this will only take a minute or two.

Pay attention as each clove is ignited. If a clove makes a popping or cracking sound as it bursts into flame or when it touches the oil and water, that means one person has put the evil eye on you. The popping noise you hear symbolizes the negative power of the evil eye being destroyed. Also, the smoke and scent released by the smoldering cloves has a purifying effect, which increases the power of this cure. If none of the cloves "pops" when burning, that's good; it means any evil directed at you has passed you by, and you've weathered the storm.

To finish the ritual, first snuff out the candle. Then you must conclude the cure by disposing of the water, oil, and cloves in a respectful manner.

Take the bowl containing the water, oil and cloves, and with your fingers, lightly sprinkle the mixture around the room, or your entire home. Sprinkle in the corners, and in front of windows, doors, fireplaces - any opening where negativity might enter. Again, this is a good time to say a prayer of thanks for having your home free of hostile energy.

If you have any of the mixture left, you may take it outside and pour it onto the ground around your home. Visualize the negative power draining back into the Earth, where it will be purified. For apartment dwellers, use the same visualization while pouring it down the drain.

I like to put the candle and bowl away in a safe place so I can use them again, just for this ritual.

Now relax. You have just used a bit of old folk magic in a positive way: to remove the curse of the evil eye from your life and your home.