The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EVIL EYE (ITALIAN)

IF AN ITALIAN FEARS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE "BAD EYE"
(USUALLY A HEADACHE IS INVOLVED).
YOU TAKE THREE SEPARATE DISHES OF COOL
WATER, EACH MUST BE GOTTEN IN THREE SEPARATE
TRIPS. THROW SALT IN EACH DISH IN THE
FORM OF A CROSS. TAKE A SMALL SPOON
WITH OIL AND DIP YOUR FINGERS IN THE OIL AND
DROP THREE SEPARATE DROPS IN EACH DISH,
WHILE THE DISH IS ON TOP OF THE EFFECTED PERSON'S HEAD.
WHILE DROPPING THE OIL THE PERSON EACH TIME
MAKES THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND RECITES
THE CREED. IF THE OIL SPREADS THIS MEANS
THE PERSON DID HAVE THE "EVIL EYE" AND
IT HAS BEEN COUNTERACTED, IF THE OIL
STAYS LUMPED HE NEVER HAD THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: SHE IS VERY DEFINITE THAT THIS REALLY WORKS
AND WAS ABLE TO RELATE INCIDENTS WHERE IT
HAS WORKED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 12-00-1969