Plutarch described it as intense envy that projects harmful rays from the eyes, that the individual is projecting those emotions onto others. You have to admit, when you have felt intense hate, you can feel it in your eyes too. And thus we consider it important to control and conquer those emotions, not only because they might cause us to harm someone else, but because it destroys our own peace, happiness and even our own health. In my view, it does not mean to have love or admiration, it means to not allow those to turn into the negative aspects, which are hate and jealousy.
Science has proven that intense emotions can indeed impact the people who are around them through a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. Neuroscientists argue that humans possess shared neural networks, linked to mirror neurons, that mirror the emotional states of those nearby. The intensity of an individual's emotional state can foster an "affective synchrony," altering the brain activity and creating psychological distress in people within their immediate social circle.
And of course, when someone has uncontrolled rage, they can physically act out against their targets, causing mental, emotional, physical or material damage to the person's life. In short, science has proven that the Greeks were right. Someone who possesses uncontrolled rage as we have discussed, can harm people even without actually touching them.
Realizing this factor also caused me to reflect on my own emotions and the energies that come from them. So how did the ancient Greeks defend themselves against the Evil Eye? The Greeks had several methods.
1. Eye Cups. They would paint huge eyes on their drinking cups, in an attempt to reflect back the rays from someone close by when they raised it to drink. I think this may have been a favorite at dinner parties or large banquets.
2. Ship Bows. Sailors would also endow the bows of their ships with giant eyes.
3. Gorgons. As I have discussed before in my writings, images of Gorgons were also used for protection, and Medusa's head was a powerful shield. Doorways, armor and even City walls were endowed with the image of the head. I also have a beautiful plaque of Medusa's head above my temple doors.
4. Neutralization of Compliments. This one may seem to us to be a little over the top, and therefore we may reject it. But historically, at least some Greeks believed that receiving intense praise from someone could cause someone else to become jealous enough to cause harm. So when someone gave them such an unusual praise, they would spit into their own clothing folds, chests or even armpits. They believed it would neutralize the envy by humiliating themselves. Today, we might simply stop the person by acknowledging our own humility.
5. Phallic Symbols. The penis was not viewed with contempt or embarrassment in public in ancient Greece like it is today in modern society. Sexuality and the human body was simply a natural part of the human and Natural World, but it would still draw attention. People would sometimes wear a phallus necklace around their necks or hang them over doors to divert people's eyes.
6. Invoking Gods who avert evil.
How has the Evil Eye evolved today in modern Hellenism, Paganism, and Spirituality in general? Hellenists today, I would say, haven't really changed the belief that the Evil Eye exists, we may just disagree on exactly what it is. But we adopt a few of the ancient methods for protection from it, such as invoking Gods, wearing Medusa or a Gorgon, and even reproduction symbols. I myself practice cleansing, prayer and offering to the Gods on a daily basis, and have images, such as Medusa which I talked about earlier, over my temple doors. Over the years, I have also liked the idea that laughing at a curse from another person is excellent for defusing it. What you do not let in, cannot harm you. We must also take note of our own emotions as well, and keep them regulated so as to not be our own worst enemies.
Modern Pagans and Spiritual individuals in general may hold a variety of views on what the Evil Eye is and how to stop it. Calling it Psychic Attacks and using methods such as creating boundary protections, wearing amulets, and internal emotional regulation for protection.
What do I think the Evil Eye is personally? I think it is exactly what the Greeks thought it was. It's pretty much been proven. While I don't believe people are literally shooting beams out of their eyes, there is no question that the energy and emotions pulsate outward and onto other people and places, and as I said earlier, when you feel enough hate, you can feel it in your eyes.
Reflecting on this, and learning more about the Evil Eye, it has caused me to not only think more about protecting myself, but equally more about how I react to the world, the people around me, and my own internal conflicts.
In the Goodness of the Gods,
I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,
Chris Aldridge.
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