keep your keyring close and your enemies far..
Many Southern Italians are serious about
their superstitions.
The
Malocchio Curse (as it is known in
Italy), dates back centuries across Europe and can be placed upon anyone. The Malocchio (or evil eye) is generally
placed when someone is jealous or envious of another persons good luck. The Malocchio reveals itself as sickness, pain,
discomfort or misfortune.
Often the curse is involuntarily placed with
an envious gaze or receiving a comment construed as envious or jealous.
Generally, to test for the affliction you put
three drops of olive oil, one on top of the other in a bowl of water. If they separate
then you have the Malocchio.If you are afflicted, then you will need to find yourself an Italian strega (witch) to perform a prayer ritual (sometimes wise old nonnas or aunts can perform this as well).
To ensure that our Italian Cousins are well
protected from the Malocchio, we have given you a ‘Corno’ keyring in your package. The Corno was traditionally made from red
coral and is a horn shaped protective charm.
For those of you who believe you are quite likely to be cursed then you
might also like to learn the hand gesture ‘Mano Cornuto’ (shown). The Mano Cornuto returns the malocchio curse
to giver and is also available as a charm.Since the Malocchio can be everywhere it is best to take a number of precautions.
· Spread salt around your new house
· Give a baby a goldCorno to wear as a necklace.
· Wear a Corno at all times and keep one in your car.
· Wear a Mano Cornuto or just use the hand gesture. (In 1973 the president of Italy shocked the nation by being caught shaking hands with Cholera infected patients and doing the Mano Cornuto behind his back with the other hand)
· Follow a compliment to your beautiful child with ‘God bless him/her’
· Hang a bunch of dried red peppers over your stove. They look like red horns and keep your kitchen safe
