Ringing:
It’s an ill omen if your ears are ringing.

When you happen to get “ringing” in your ears, you have an opportunity to determine whom you will marry. Ask someone for a number when you get ringing in your ears. Count through the alphabet to the corresponding letter. Your future husband’s or wife’s name will start with this letter.

Ears and Traits:

• Small ears = mean, instinctive.
• Large ears = Generous, intellectual.
• Square-shaped = a noble heart
• Pointed = Artful, conniving.
• Flat = lack of refinement.
• Long = wise.

Italian Rituals and Superstitions
Concepts of the Evil Eye are some of the most ancient and prevalent superstitions of the entire Mediterranean.
Every culture seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye and their own ways to combat it. One thing they all have in common is that the Evil Eye is caused by jealousy and envy. By coveting somebody’s possessions or more importantly, admiring another family’s newborn baby can cause a curse, even if the envious person did not mean it. A grandmother tells the story of how her daughter was the victim of the Evil Eye as an infant and got some type of “sleeping sickness” where she could hardly stay awake.

She took her baby to a local woman who could perform a test by dropping olive oil in a plate of water. The oil formed one large drop in the middle of the plate – a sure sign of the Evil Eye, but after chanting the right prayers that only women are allowed to know, the oil broke up into tiny droplets and spread out.

This ritual broke the curse of the Evil Eye and her daughter was said to have gotten better immediately.

The Elder Tree was supposed to ward off evil influence and give protection from witches, a popular belief held in some cultures. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge. The tree could only safely be cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother.

• It’s good luck to see an elephant.
• Elephant hair bracelets are good luck.
• Ornaments or pictures of an elephant with it’s trunk raised will bring luck but only if placed to face a door to prevent damage to the house if they come to life.