The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MALOCCHIO CURE (EVIL EYE)

A CUP OF WATER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE AFFLICTED
PERSON. A SPOON IS LAID NEAR THE CUP WITH ITS
HANDLE ON THE EDGE OF THE CUP AND THERE IS OIL IN
THE SPOON. THEN YOU TAKE TABLE KNIFE AND A SIGN OF
THE CROSS IS MADE ON THE FOREHEAD AND THEN THE KNIFE
IS DROPPED ON THE FLOOR HANDLE DOWN. THIS IS DONE
THREE TIMES. DURING THE WHOLE CEREMONY THE PRAYERS
ARE CHANTED AUDIBLY BUT NOT UNDERSTANDABLY. THEN
THE KNIFE IS SET DOWN. THE THUMB IS DIPPED IN THE
OIL AND THE PERSON'S FOREHEAD IS ANOINTED BY
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON IT THREE TIMES.
THEN THE THUMB IS ONCE AGAIN DIPPED IN THE OIL AND
THEN HELD OVER THE DISH. ACCORDING TO WHETHER THE OIL
SINKS OR FLOATS AND HOW IT DISPERSES, ONE CAN TELL
WHETHER THE MALOCCHIO WAS PLACED ON THE PERSON BY A
MAN OR WOMAN; HOW BAD IT IS; AND WHETHER IT CAN BE
CURED.

Submitter comment: IF THE MALOCCHIO ON A PERSON IS ESPECIALLY BAD,
THEN THE CURE IS REPEATED FOR THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-03-1969