The translation of Mal Occhio from Italian to English is: mal means bad and occhio, eye. The term, Evil Eye is more widely known and often misunderstood. It is a curse but one that can be removed by anyone with knowledge of the ritual to be performed
"In Rome the "evil eye" was so well recognized that Pliny states that special laws were enacted against injury to crops by incantation, excantation or fascination." Quoted from: 1911 Encyclopedia
Corno (The Horn)
Golden amulets/charms such as an open scissors, a hand, the Corno, which means Horn, are placed on newborn babies' diapers. This is done to ward off the Mal Occhio more commonly known in English as, The Eyes.
Gold and silver twisted horns of all sizes are worn around the neck to ward off mal occhio by Italians and Italian Americans. Large red horns can be seen suspended from car mirrors. Red is a lucky color.
Throughout the old world, fear and belief in the Evil Eye still exists today. Different cultures wear their own type of protection. Another easily recognizable is the Greek Eye. It is also worn around the neck. It is blue with a black dot inside, encircled with gold or silver trim. The Greek words for Evil Eye are, Baskania or Matiasma.
Envy
Mal Occhio can arise without a person having any special powers such as the "overlook" which is a curse/evil eye. The Eyes are caused more times without the offenders’ knowledge. This is one of the reasons that babies and young children are often spit upon three times by their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Fortunately most recipients do not actually get sprayed with spittle. It is more or less a, too- too sound. Nonetheless, it wards off the effects of the Evil Eye and is coupled with the term, God Bless Him/Her.
Non-Intentional Mal Occhio
This is a headache that does not seem to quit. Aspirin, Tylenol, or any other brand name pain relief will not ever work on The Eyes.
"Sleeping on The Eyes," is a term used by those who perform the prayers to dispel them. It means exactly what it implies. Going to sleep with a whopper of a headache serves to make the headache even worse upon awakening. The eyes tear accompanied by exhaustion and a general feeling of malaise with some depression or anxiety.
When someone has a severe affliction the person who can remove The Eyes will actually become nauseous. There are instances when the prayers must be recited several times.
Intentional Mal Occhio
This is not propitious. Women have had miscarriages, accidents or whatever else the person inflicting the Fatture (curse) projects.
Fortunately, even a deliberate infliction of Mal Occhio can be removed. However, it is much more difficult for the party who is performing the removal of Fatture. Animals, crops, automobiles, homes, etc. are not exempt from The Eyes.
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