Italian Magic and Superstition: What Lurks Beyond the Evil Eye
November's edition coming a little early for a tad of Italian lore for Halloween.
Well, I have decided to send November’s note out just a tad early, but it’s because I really wanted to hit you with some Italian Magic just in time for Halloween.
How many have you have traveled down into Lucania? Or read Christ Stopped At Eboli? If you did you may have noticed there’s an alluring pull of Magic in those Southern Valleys. One that was studied especially by Ernesto de Martino and published in his book Magic: A Theory from the South.
For centuries, people have relied on rituals, symbols, and stories to make sense of the world around them—especially the parts that defy explanation. De Martino offers insight into the cultural and historical significance of magic in southern Italy. But if you think Italian superstition ends with the infamous malocchio, think again. There's much more lurking in the shadows of Italy’s magical past.
1. The Malocchio
Ah, the malocchio—the Evil Eye. If you’ve spent any time in Italy, you’ve likely heard whispers of this curse. Well, even outside of Italy, it’s pretty much found anywhere in the Mediterranean. It’s the idea that someone can cast ill fortune upon you with nothing more than an envious gaze. Whether it’s your new job, a happy relationship, or even a beautiful child, the belief that jealousy can manifest as harm has been around in Italian culture for centuries. And it’s not without remedies.
In southern Italy, you’ll see people making a curious hand gesture—le corna—a sign that resembles the horns of a bull, which is meant to ward off the malocchio’s effects. Then there are amulets, like the little red corno (horn), that act as portable protection. Ernesto de Martino’s own studies highlights how such superstitions aren’t just cultural quirks; they reveal a deeper fear of envy and imbalance in social relations. To the modern eye, it might seem old-fashioned, but to those who grew up under the watchful gaze of these beliefs, the malocchio is very real.
One interesting tale he tells is mothers using envious gazes to steal breast milk. In an area where starvation was very real, mothers struggled to produce enough milk to feed their children, they would often believe another mother “stole their milk”.
2. The Idea of Binding Magic
De Martino didn’t just focus on the Evil Eye; his work goes into something even more profound—binding magic. A study that even inspired a great Italian horror film - The Binding.
This type of magic is believed to have the power to restrict or control people, often to ensure loyalty, love, or obedience. Throughout southern Italy, stories of people using spells or curses to "bind" someone to them for love or to control their actions are common. These rituals, often performed in secret by practitioners of folk magic, could include everything from knotting strings to burying personal items.
In some rural areas, binding spells are cast to protect property or ensure a bountiful harvest. De Martino saw these practices as more than simple superstition; they were ways for people to assert control in uncertain and precarious environments. In his eyes, magic was a response to fear, anxiety, and powerlessness, and binding magic was a direct attempt to impose order on chaos.
3. The Monaciello
This tiny, mischievous, monk-like figure haunts homes, particularly in Naples, and he’s as unpredictable as they come. Some say he is a benevolent spirit, revealing hidden treasures to those lucky enough to earn his favor. But if you happen to anger him? Well, expect chaos—broken items, missing valuables, and a general air of unrest.
The monaciello is often described as a small man dressed in a monk’s robe, though stories about his origins vary. Some say he’s the ghost of a wronged monk seeking revenge, while others claim he’s simply a protective household spirit with a mischievous streak.
4. The Benandanti
While southern Italy is often the focus of magical traditions, northern Italy has its own rich lore—particularly the Benandanti, or "good witches." These were people, typically peasants, who claimed to leave their bodies at night to engage in spiritual battles with malevolent witches who threatened the fertility of crops. The Benandanti were seen as protectors, ensuring that the earth remained fruitful and the community safe from harm.
Interestingly, the Benandanti were eventually persecuted by the Inquisition, as their practices didn’t align with the Church’s views on witchcraft (figures).
5. Restless Spirits in Italian Lore
Italy has no shortage of ghost stories, particularly when it comes to revenants—spirits that return to the land of the living. These restless souls, often the victims of violence or injustice, wander the earth, seeking closure or revenge. In southern Italy, many believe that spirits of the dead can visit on All Souls’ Day, when families leave food and drink out for them in the hopes of appeasing their hunger and ensuring they move on peacefully.
One particularly chilling tale comes from the island of Sardinia, where it’s believed that the souls of the unbaptized roam as shadows. These spirits, known as su mortu mortu, are said to drift through villages, silently begging for prayers to release them from their liminal existence.
Then there’s the story of Azzurrina, a little girl who disappeared in the 14th century in Montebello Castle and is said to haunt the castle still, her cries echoing through its halls on the solstice.
These tales are more than just a little Halloween fun. They share a lot about they how Italians have dealt with the uncertainties of (often peasant) life for centuries. Magic: A Theory from the South is well worth a read, but if you have any other recommendations I would love to hear them!
News From Italy
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Long read, but an interesting one. Looking at Italy’s “angel of death” Daniela Poggiali (and Lucy Letby at the same time).
Ascolta, Legge, Guarda
📼The Binding, this was available on Netflix and is a good one for Halloween. The story takes a lot of inspiration from De Martino’s work and magic of the South.
📼 Suspiria. If you are into those weird ‘70s supernatural thrillers that to me make no sense. Here you go. A new version was released in 2018 as well. Essentially, dancers + witches + a tad of Soviets. This one is on Prime.
🎧The Horror Podcast by Chora Media. A short fiction, but just a fun one for Halloween to practice that Italian.
📖 The Twenty Days of Turin. About to be my next read. Written during the 1970’s streak of terror in Italy. After sharing personal diaries and stories in “The Library” some form of unknown terror grips the city and massacres hundreds of citizens.Decades later, a man uncovers the dark history buried in Turin's occult past, revealing that what’s shared can never be unshared, in a chillingly prophetic take on privacy, fear, and societal paranoia. An English translation is available or you can try in Italian!