Articles - The Evil Eye
The belief in the ‘Evil Eye' is an ancient superstition that exists in many cultures.
It is believed that the Evil Eye is a kind of negative power which is carried within almost all of us.
If we stare too long at a person, animal or object we may inflict damage through this power. It is often totally unconsciously but the staring in itself often comes from admiration or envy, which are perfect channels for the Evil Eye. The victim may suddenly get a headache, a dizzy spell, faint, fall ill or in extreme cases die, depending on the strength of the Evil Eye and the susceptibility of the victim.
To get rid of the spell, you will have to find a person that can break it. Usually it is a woman, since the ability is traditionally passed on from mother to daughter.
To check if you have been cursed by the Evil Eye a few drops of olive oil are put in a glass of holy water, if the oil floats you are considered okay but if the oil dissolves you have been EVIL EYED (yes, it is actually a verb in Greek!)
To break the spell, the person says some prayers, makes the sign of the cross several times on your forehead and hands with the oil and water and sometimes she can meditate and stand quietly over you for a few seconds. Then supposedly the spell has been broken and you should feel fine again.
If you do believe and wish to take measures to protect yourself from being inflicted, many Greeks believe in the power of hanging little blue eyes around their necks and wrists (these can be found in most Greek souvenir shops).
When a Greek spits three times on a new born child this is actually done as a form of protection as this is believed to protect the child from anyone wishing to put the Evil Eye on the child. So strange as it may seem it is not done as an insult but rather as a compliment and to bring good luck to the child.
Whether the Evil Eye actually exists is entirely a matter of belief and what culture you are from but many Greeks are convinced of its existence!
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