The Evil Eye - Devin Dean

    Sometimes everything in life can just go wrong.  People may claim that bad luck follows them everywhere, which could be criticized as others as just an excuse.  But, one superstition may support their claims.  The evil eye is an idea that is not characterized in one religion, society, or tradition.  It is a concept that stems from ancient Greece and Rome, and has spread throughout the world today.  The belief is that whomever the evil eye falls upon will experience bad luck.  Whether this bad luck is losing a job, an argument, injury, or something as severe as death, depends on the intensity of the eye, and how susceptible a person is.

    The evil eye isn't just some random occurrence.  It is believed to be cast, like a spell, by someone onto you.  This can be voluntary and intentional, or a complete accident.  In certain interpretations of this superstition, it is thought that an individual is born with the evil eye, or the power to inflict harm upon anyone they glance at.  In many of these tales, the holder of the evil eye will blind themselves in order to protect their loved ones.

  

    In the other interpretations, everyone has the power to use the evil eye, if they wish to do so.  A simple glare at the person they wish to inflict bad luck or harm upon does the trick.  It is said that those with blue eyes are most capable of casting an evil eye.  Sometimes though, the evil eye is used unintentionally.  When someone is successful, and others begin to become envious of them, and this combined jealously can manifest into an evil eye that follows the successful person around, turning their life upside down.  But, having the ability to use this curse is a curse within itself.  This power is considered to be extremely threatening, so when one person has a unique ability to use it, they may also attract hate and bitterness from those around them, and become a victim of the evil eye themselves.

    There are multiple ways to protect yourself from the evil eye.  In some cultures, the eyes of children are blackened near the eyes, which is believed to make them less susceptible to the evil eye.  Another way is to avoid eating and drinking with other people, because in some Asian and African beliefs, eating and drinking in groups is when you are most likely to have your soul stolen, or harm inflicted upon you by the evil eye.

A very common course of protection is consuming foods that are believed to protect you from the curse.  Today though, the most highly regarded, and easily accessible protection is wearing an amulet believed to counter the curse.  These talismans are in the shape of an eye, usually blue, and can be worn on bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings.

  

    The "bad luck" that appears to be following someone around could really be an evil eye.  If this eye was cast intentionally or unintentionally depends on each situation, but it could be a possible cause of a seemingly endless strain of misfortune.  Protecting yourself from the evil eye may seem ridiculous, especially if you don't believe in it in the first place.  But, even if you don't believe in it, taking preventative measures could save you ten years from now.  The evil eye is technically a superstition, but the influence it has had over centuries, and the impact it has across the world may lead you to believe that it could be something a little more than just a folk tale.