I don’t believe in the power of the evil eye. The logical part of my brain refuses to accept that someone else’s malice can influence our lives. It seems frivolous — an excuse to relinquish our power and place it in someone else’s hands.
Because then the question remains, why shouldn’t our good intentions — kindness and good deeds — take over? Are they not strong enough to prevail against the evil eye?
I believe that the Universe always has our back. I find it impossible to think that the Universe could be indifferent to us. Goodness and kindness must prevail over evil, don’t they? Do you see my confusion about the evil eye and its hold on us?
Anyway…
My grandmother used to perform a ritual to ward off the evil eye from us. At the time, I didn’t understand the effectiveness or significance of such a practice. Can putting some salt and pepper on fire really ward off the evil eye?
But now, looking back, it symbolizes love and care to me.
It was a simple way of shielding us from the glare of the evil eye and returning the power to us. Perhaps doing so reassured my grandmother that negative energy couldn’t make its way into our lives.
Although I never performed this ritual myself, remembering those moments from my childhood makes me feel loved and cared for. It forces me to believe that there are unknown positive energies surrounding us.
It’s remarkable how simple gestures can touch you across time, making you feel safe and loved.
It makes me wonder what my kids will carry with them from their childhood — and what they will, hopefully, remember fondly.
This piece is written in response to the two hundredth and twelfth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – EVILhosted by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.
Check out my YouTube Channel here.
Void Thoughts 
I know how you feel. Everytime I visited home, my mother would grab a fistful of mustard seeds, do round and round over my head and throw them in the fire. I don’t believe in those practices, but imagine to be loved and cared like that. ☺️
LikeLike
Despite the fact that many Goans are Christians ‘taking out disht’ was a regular thing in Goa, I hear.
Whenever we fell ill at my grandparents place, the maids (from Telangana) would make sure they performed the chilli burning ritual. I do agree with you that it made one feel special.
I don’t believe in the rituals, but I do believe that negative energies and powers do exist. It’s for us to be mindful and firm in our beliefs to do good, as you say.
LikeLike
I never thought about the evil eye for half my life. Then when the kids came along, I lost some part of my rational brain. Each time one of them would fall or cry for no apparent reason, our house help would do things like – the black teeka or burning chillies or putting salt in fire and I’d put up with it, not believing it yet ready to try everything. You’re right though, it does express some kind of love and caring, that’s a good way to look at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person