Magic practices of Sicilian folk involve a blend of ancient traditions and superstitions that are deeply ingrained in their culture. These practices are passed down from generation to generation and are often used to address various aspects of daily life, such as health, relationships, and protection. **One prominent aspect of Sicilian magic is the belief in the evil eye, also known as "jettatura".** It is thought that certain individuals possess the ability to curse or bring bad luck upon others through their envious gaze. To ward off the evil eye, Sicilians employ various protective measures such as displaying horns or amulets, or using rituals involving garlic, olive oil, and red ribbons. **Another prevalent form of magic in Sicily involves the use of herbs and plants for healing purposes.
"Acknowledging the dark african mother who preceded patriarchal world religions does not, to this sicilian/american woman, seem all that iconoclastic. It may be a matter of how we think. Erik Hronung, egyptologist of the University at Basel, refers to the complementarity of egyptian logic, which resembles complementarity in physics. 'For the Egyptians two times two is always four, never anything else. But the sky is a number of things--cow, baldachin, water, woman--it is the goddess Nut and the goddes Hathor, and in syncretism a deity a is at the same time another, not-a.' For Hornung, 'the nature of a god becomes accessible through a "multiplicity of approaches," [and] only when these are taken together can the whole be comprehended.' Sicilians, as Justin Vitiello reminds us, know this intuitively. So do artists, craftsmen, poets, and peasants of the world. In the 1970's, when I began to research my italian godmothers/grandmothers, I came across a tile with a blue-black star with thrity-two points in a blue green sea. The tile was named Iside, italian for Isis."
Isis is often depicted with a laurel wreath and two prominant ears, symbolizing that she listened with both ears to the prayers of all those who came to her, an image that can be found to this day in italian folklore. I can only speculate on why sweetness is so important to Italian and Sicilian celebrations of the dead it could be because children play a prominent role in this feast, being seen as gifts from or perhaps emanations of the ancestors.
**Another prevalent form of magic in Sicily involves the use of herbs and plants for healing purposes.** The island is rich in botanical diversity, which has contributed to the tradition of herbal medicine. Sicilian folk healers, known as "streghe" or "stregone", use a combination of prayers, incantations, and herbal remedies to cure ailments and protect against evil spirits.
Saint John
Happy Saint John’s Day! In Italy as in other parts of Europe, the feast of Saint John the Baptist (or San Giovanni Battista) is inextricably tied to magic, witches, and divination. Celebrated starting the night of June 23 into the day of June 24, the feast was popularized as a Christian alternative to (or innovation on?) the celebration of the summer solstice. Carol Field writes in Celebrating Italy (p. 92):
Christianity simply grafted the pagan fires to the celebration of the Feast of San Giovanni. The prophet was born precisely at midsummer, just as Jesus was born six months later at the turning point of winter, two moments in the calendar that mark passage across a critical threshold. Bearded and dressed in animal skins, subsisting on honey and locusts, San Giovanni also resembles an ancient god of the fields, or the mythical King of the Wood who married the Great Goddess in dark midwinter. Six months later, the King of the Wood was put to death beneath a great sacred oak by his successor. So this sacrificial death, with its intimations of rebirth and renewal, was meant to encourage the fertility of the fields.
**Mandrake, rue, and St. John's wort are among the most commonly used herbs in these practices.** **Sicilian folk magic also includes rituals related to love and relationships.** Couples seeking to strengthen their bond or find their soulmate often turn to the traditional practice of "Fattura d’Amore". This involves the creation of a love spell or charm, usually made with specific ingredients like rose petals, honey, and personal objects, to attract or maintain love. **Furthermore, Sicilian magic places great emphasis on home protection through the use of talismans and rituals.** A particularly well-known example is the "corno", a horn-shaped amulet believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the household. Similarly, the **"mmani", or hand-shaped amulet, is widely used to protect against the evil eye** and ensure the well-being of the family. **Overall, the magic practices of Sicilian folk are deeply rooted in their cultural identity and offer a means of addressing everyday concerns and challenges. From protecting against the evil eye to harnessing the healing properties of herbs, these practices continue to be an integral part of Sicilian tradition and belief system.**.
Reviews for "Sicilian folk magic and the worship of saints"
1. Lisa Johnson - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Practices of Sicilian Folk". I was expecting a fascinating and in-depth exploration of Sicilian folklore and magic, but instead, I found the book to be poorly researched and lacking in substance. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and superficial explanations, rather than providing any real analysis or understanding of the topic. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a genuine understanding of Sicilian folk magic.
2. Mark Thompson - 1 star - I found "Magic Practices of Sicilian Folk" to be a complete waste of time and money. The book was filled with vague and confusing explanations, making it nearly impossible to understand anything about Sicilian folk magic. It seemed like the author was more interested in impressing the reader with their own knowledge than actually providing useful information. Save yourself the trouble and find a different book on the subject.
3. Emily Nelson - 2 stars - As an enthusiast of magic and folklore, I was excited to delve into "Magic Practices of Sicilian Folk", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Additionally, the book lacked depth and failed to explore the intricacies and nuances of Sicilian folk magic. Overall, I found it to be a rather lackluster read and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an insightful exploration of this topic.