The Power of the “Evil Eye”. 🧿
Can a simple glance have the power to change your energy?
Have you ever been getting ready for an important meeting, feeling confident and radiant? And then you bump into your neighbor who gives you a half-smile and says, “You’ve been looking lovely lately!”
A few minutes later, your head starts pounding, your breath quickens, you feel nauseous, dizzy, and suddenly… off balance. There’s no logical explanation, and yet you feel something isn’t right.
Could it be a headache? High blood pressure? Something you ate?
When all logical causes are ruled out, many of us in Greece turn to a different kind of explanation.
One that’s deeply rooted in our culture and traditions is the evil eye, or as we call it, "to kako to mati".
What Exactly Is the Evil Eye?
In Greek culture, the evil eye is more than just a superstition.
It’s the belief that someone’s gaze — whether driven by jealousy, envy, or even admiration — can unintentionally bring harm or bad luck.
That energy, we say, “hits” the person it’s directed at. And that’s when the headaches, fatigue, or sudden dizziness begin.
It’s not always about bad intentions. Sometimes even pure admiration — when someone praises you too much, stares too long, or fixates on your success — can have the same effect. It’s as if too much energy is sent your way, and your inner balance is disturbed.
Traditionally, children and women are said to be more sensitive to the evil eye. And in many folk beliefs, people with blue eyes or elderly women are considered to “cast” it more easily, often without realizing it.
How to Protect Yourself from Negative Energy
🧿Trust your intuition.
If you sense someone drains your energy, step back. Avoid environments that feel heavy, tense, or emotionally cold. Your body often knows before your mind does.
🧿Use protective symbols.
Many Greeks carry charms for protection: a cross, the classic blue-eye bead (mati), a red-pepper pendant, or even hang garlic near the entrance of their home. Each acts as an energetic shield against envy and negativity.
🧿Keep nature close.
Plant basil or hang a sprig of bay leaves in your home. These plants are traditionally believed to absorb and transform negative vibrations.
🧿Cleanse your energy when you come home.
A quick shower, washing your face and hands — even changing clothes — can help you wash off the emotional “dust” of the day and release any energy that’s not yours.
🧿 Give a small gift to departing guests.
Offer them a sweet treat, a few lemons from your garden, or a small bunch of flowers. Symbolically, this allows them to take away whatever negativity they might have brought, leaving your space energetically clear.
🧿Be selective with your hospitality.
Your home, food, and love are sacred. Share them with people who truly care for you. Negative or toxic individuals often seek to take what they lack — your warmth, your peace, your light.
🧿Protecting Your Light
Energy is real — even if science hasn’t fully explained the ways we feel it. Protecting yourself isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness.
Be mindful of what you share, who you confide in, and how much of your private life you reveal. Not everyone who smiles at you wishes you well.
So next time you sense something “off,” don’t dismiss it. Maybe — just maybe — it’s not all in your head.
written by greek-heaven team