Believe it or not, the belief in the Evil Eye dates back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia! Many people believe that somebody can voluntarily or involuntarily bring disease and disgrace to another person just by looking at them.
Now, it’s also considered that this belief is focused on children, where someone can give a child the ‘evil eye’ simply by appreciating or complimenting them, as it draws in negative energy.
That is why today, you’ll see many children, teenagers, and adults wearing an evil eye talisman to protect themselves. Let’s dive deep into it.
According to Psychic Medium Witch, Leigh Ann Romano Rogers, M.A., “Belief in the evil eye is a cross-cultural phenomenon found throughout Europe, ancient Egypt, North and East Africa, the Middle East, The Philippines, and Latin America, among other cultures.”
In ancient Egypt, this concept has now merged with that of the eye of Horus. But, if we go back a couple of years, the conventional expression for ‘Evil eye’ first appears in a fragment from the 5th Century BC.
Accident or On Purpose
There are some cultures that believe that the Evil eye can be cast accidentally and sometimes even by dead animals. Some of the oldest beliefs may contribute to another ancient practice still followed by millions of people around the world of closing the eyes of the dead.
When it is intentional, it is often because of envious emotions from a hostile person or god. It is considered one of the most common themes in Greek and Roman mythology and hence the saying “may no envious glance cast me down from afar.“
Diagnosing The Evil Eye
Recognizing the symptoms – First things first, negative energy of an envious person can cause physical ailments which may not be related to any disease but surface out of nowhere! A list of such symptoms may include eye infections, upset stomach, fever, and nausea.
The Coal Method – This tried and tested method is practised in Eastern Europe. To use this method, simply drop a piece of charcoal into a pan of water. Then also, you can use the head of a match that has burned. Sinking is a good sign, while floating means that the person or child may have been attacked by black magic.
In most cases, it is a healer or a parent that performs these rituals if the sufferer is a child or a teenager.
The Wax Method – There is another method! In this, all you have to do is drip hot wax into holy water. Then watch how the wax reacts. If it splatters, this may mean that your child has the evil eye. In case it sticks to the side, then also your child has the evil eye. This method is among the people in Ukraine.
The Oil Method – Another method that you can deploy includes the use of condition drops oil into water. If it forms an eye, then you might consider the child to have an evil eye. Next, you can pour oil over a lock of the affected person’s hair into a glass of holy water. In case the oil or water sinks, then the person is considered to have an evil eye.
How to remove an ‘Evil Eye’?
While there’s no scientifically proven cure for the evil eye, there are many traditional practices that are believed to offer protection or alleviate its effects. Also, these practices vary greatly depending on culture and belief system. Here are some of the common approaches to consider, remembering these are faith-based.
Religious Practices – Some cultures utilise the verses and prayers from sacred texts like the Bible to remove or ward off the evil eye’s influence.
As for religious leaders or healers, they may perform specific rituals believed to cleanse or protect individuals.
Protective Charms – Wearing amulets and sometimes even displaying symbols like the evil eye itself, or a Hamsa hand, or eye of Horus are believed to deflect negativity.
Cleansing rituals – Practices like smudging with smoke, burning herbs, or using specific water-based rites might be used to cleanse a person or space believed to be affected by an evil eye.
Positive Affirmations – Lastly, focusing on positive thoughts and creating positive intentions can be seen as a way to counter negativity associated with the evil eye.
Conclusion
Though the evil eye plays an important role in many cultures, evil eye talismans have been worn by people around the world – as well as used in meditation and intention-setting practices – for protection against negative energies.
Important Note: In case you or someone you know is going through a similar experience or health problems, it’s crucial to seek medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional. These traditional practices should not be considered an absolute cure or replacement for medical treatment.