The Evil Eye

Aug 17, 2006 17:56

The Evil Eye in India
taken from "The Indian Luck Book" by Monisha Bharadwaj

'There are many hundreds of Indian languages and dialects, and every one of them has a word for the "evil eye". Loosely translated, this is the ill will wished upon people by detractors jealous of their good fortune. "Good fortune" can mean anything, from healthy children to a beautiful home to a foreign vacation. It is believed that a jealous curse directed at an unsuspecting person has the power to revoke that individual's good fortune. The evil eye, people believe, also casts an ominous shadow over any luck a person may have over the course of his or her life. As a precautionary measure, it is quite common for mothers to perform a ritual to cancel any negative forces that surround their children.

They hold a handful of mustard seeds over them while making a wish, then pop the seeds in a pan over high heat and throw them away. Figuratively, they have collected and blown to bits any ill luck that may have attached itself to their child. However bizarre this custom may sound, all Indians grew up with the ritual and follow it even today. Perhaps it is the belief alone that ensures that the children do not succumb to accidents or ill health after being exposed to envious neighbors or acquaintances.'

--

Personally I thought the tone of the article was a bit odd. But I guess the Indian author wrote it for an American audience and Americans, as Westerners, may indeed find these type of rituals, quote, "bizarre". I always found these things extremely interesting. Reading about folklore, cultures, customs and anything related to maps and geography just came naturally, long before it was actually encouraged. Clearly runs in the family too. The EVIL EYE I've come across in Mideast and Africa, anywhere Islam is practiced, including Turkey and South Asia... And there's Israel: I've noticed Jewish people, like Arabs, often wear the khamsa necklace. Apparently, it also has its place on the European side of the Med, in Greece, for instance. Remember Maria & her Mom from Saloniki and their 1001 rituals. =)

I WANT THIS: http://www.modajewels.com/item--Evil-Eye-Keyring-hand-with-swirl--33_805

---
Unrelated but quite right:

You Are 40% Extrovert, 60% Introvert

You're a bit outgoing, a bit reserved
Like most people, you enjoy being social
But you also value the time you have alone
You have struck a good balance!
Are You An Extrovert or An Introvert?
.

moi, middle east, asia, culture, countries, occult, anthropology

Previous post Next post
Up