The Evil Eye (El Mal de Ojo)

As a child I grew up around many fertile women and was always around newborns for most of my childhood. One of the main things the grandmother, aunt or even the father himself would always mention and have, would be “el azabache”, an amulet believed to protect the new born against the evil eye and negative energy. The azabache is usually a little fist made out of pure black jet in necklace or bracelet form, usually in gold, with black and red beads. True, real jet is basically fossilized wood from millions of years ago and has many protective and healing qualities helping treat depression, fear and absorbs negativity of all kinds.

Azabache

The belief in the Evil Eye is basically universal. Many cultures from around the world were and still are familiar with the the evil eye. It is believed that someone’s envious and negative stare (and of course feelings) can cause harm, illness and bad luck unto the person who is being admired or looked at with such low vibrational intentions. The belief in the evil eye spans many cultures and languages, each one uniquely and similarly providing a remedy against it.

A red string would also be tied somewhere around the new born’s crib or stroller to ward off negative energy and the evil eye as well. In fact those who practice Kabbalah, the “magical” aspect of Judaism, use red wool strings to ward off the effects of the evil eye. This is one of the reasons why you see many celebrities wear red strings to ward off negative energy associated with the evil eye in which Madonna suddenly made chic.

Mirrors are also known to ward off the evil eye as it was used in ancient mirrored armour to not only physically protect warriors but also to deflect negative energy from the evil eye as well. In India the yoni symbol (vagina) as well as cowry shells were believed to also protect against the evil eye. In Egypt the eye of Horus was used as an amulet against the evil eye while the Hamsa hand is very popular throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa. Eyes and horseshoes are common amulets against the evil eye in Turkey, as well as the Nazar Boncugu an eye made out of blue colored glass. In Mexico ojo de venado, a seed similar to a deer’s eye is used as an amulet. While in Italy la Mano Cornuto (the horned hand) and The Fig hand were widely recognized symbols against the evil eye and negativity.

Hamsa Hand

Recently in NYC I have noticed many street vendors sell Nazar Boncugu very common throughout Greece and Turkey.

Envy is a very powerful feeling and it can either make or break a person. A little envy can be the driving force for someone to be greater than the person they admire or it can turn into a very malicious force, intent on causing harm and misfortune, not only to the person being hated, but ultimately your own self. Not allowing yourself to become open to such negativity and low vibrations, in my opinion, is the best remedy against the evil eye.

One of my favorite personal amulets against the evil eye are cowry shells. I made a pair of earrings for myself a few months ago and would love to share a pair with my fabulous lovely readers. So if you feel you can use a little boost in keeping the haters at bay this amazing pair of evil eye earrings could be yours!

I will call this my Evil Eye giveaway and one lucky winner will win one pair of my most complimented and favorite hand made earrings. You can also find these earrings and many more of my creations on Etsy (opening soon).