What Do You Do If You Think You Have the Malocchio?

What Do You Do If You Think You Have the Malocchio?
Italian tradition holds that even a simple compliment—without a blessing—can bring bad luck. This belief is rooted in the fear of the malocchio, or the “evil eye.” But what should you actually do if you think you’ve been cursed?

The Oil and Water Ritual
The most traditional way to detect and cure the malocchio is with the oil and water ritual, usually performed by an elder or someone with traditional knowledge.

Step 1: Gather materials
You’ll need a bowl of water, a little olive oil, and someone to guide the ritual.

Step 2: Prayers and blessings
The practitioner makes the sign of the cross and recites traditional prayers or dialect phrases.

Step 3: Drop the oil
A few drops of olive oil are added to the bowl.

Step 4: Observe

Malocchio present: If the oil spreads, forms an “eye,” or breaks apart, the curse is believed to be present.

Malocchio absent: If the oil stays whole and floats, either you are not affected or the ritual has helped cleanse you.

Other Protection and Removal Methods
Mano Cornuto gesture: Extend your pinky and index fingers upward like horns.

Protective amulets: Wear charms like the cornicello or mano cornuto for daily protection.

Avoid bragging: Don’t flaunt wealth or success; envy is said to invite malocchio.

Carry garlic or salt: Garlic is a repellent of bad energy, while tossing salt over your left shoulder can break negativity.

Cornicello jewelry: Italian horn necklaces and bracelets remain one of the most popular ways to protect yourself stylishly.

People Also Ask

How Do You Know If You Have Malocchio?
Common signs include sudden headaches, fatigue, unexplained bad luck, or a heavy sense of unease. In Southern Italy, the most traditional way to confirm the curse is with the oil and water ritual. Drops of olive oil are placed in a bowl of water after prayers are recited.

If the oil spreads, forms an “eye,” or breaks apart, it’s believed malocchio is present.

If the drops remain whole and float, the curse is absent—or has been dispelled.

How to Get Rid of Malocchio?
The oil and water ritual isn’t just for detection, it’s also a cure. By performing it while reciting prayers, the negative energy is believed to dissolve. Other removal methods include:

Wearing a cornicello necklace or mano cornuto amulet for ongoing protection.

Carrying garlic or sprinkling salt to repel negative energy.

Avoiding bragging or boasting, which attracts envy in the first place.

What Is the Gesture to Ward Off Malocchio?
The classic hand sign is the mano cornuto (horned hand). To make it, extend your pinky and index fingers upward while keeping the others folded. This gesture is still widely recognized in Italy as a way to block bad energy.

What Is the Prayer to Remove Malocchio?
Prayers vary by region and are often passed down secretly from one generation to the next, usually from a grandmother to a chosen family member. They typically include the sign of the cross and words asking God or saints for protection. Since these prayers are often considered sacred family traditions, they’re rarely shared outside the household.

How Do You Know If You Are Affected by the Evil Eye?
Beyond the oil ritual, you may notice patterns of sudden misfortune:

A string of small accidents or bad luck.

Feeling drained or unusually anxious.

Strained relationships or financial troubles without explanation.

While skeptics see these as a coincidence, many Italians turn to protective rituals and charms as a safeguard.

The simplest way to protect yourself daily is to wear a cornicello necklace or bracelet. These Italian horns are not just stylish—they’re powerful talismans against the malocchio. Explore authentic protective amulets here: The Italian Jewelry Company.