Superstitions and Folk Beliefs
(From notes written by Mario Gramegna)
It is not easy to define the term superstition, because "every era and every culture has its own image of superstition, and it varies according to the contexts that use it throughout their history," according to the anthropologist Alfonso di Nola.
However, we can affirm that superstition was born with humanity, ever since people began their journey of civilization in ignorance, having to struggle against the forces of nature, evil, and diseases, to which they had to oppose empirical means, perhaps in the belief that they could combat them. And so, superstition became linked with magic.
The spread of superstitions is related to individual and collective fears and uncertainties, which have also changed over time, and human progress has not managed to eliminate them. Even today, they persist among anonymous crowds, whether they live in the city or the countryside.
Traditional magical remedies still persist today, concerning the evil eye, various magical therapies connected to beliefs about dreams, animals, spilled salt and oil, the virtues of amulets, and all those objects and ceremonies used for protection against evil humans and adverse natural phenomena.
The fear of the evil eye is undoubtedly one of the most popular forms of superstition. In fact, those who possess something valuable fear the envy of others, the same envy they would feel if their positions were reversed.
It is also based on the belief that one can lose their physical vigor and well-being, which is why there are numerous formulas to exorcize the evil eye and amulets against it.
The horn, even in Molise, is the most widespread, along with sexual symbols like the "mano in fica" and the phallus, animal teeth, lunar horns, horseshoes, etc., all considered a dark remedy against witchcraft.
According to popular belief, women born with the "veil" (the placenta) and baptized with it are particularly gifted in charming the evil eye. The incantations pronounced must be taught or renewed on Christmas night.
The evil eye is essentially based on the concept of envy, whereby a glance, whether intentional or unintentional, can strike a person: the most common diagnosis involves dropping oil droplets into a plate of water. If the drop does not remain intact but spreads out, it means that the person requesting the ritual has been struck by the evil eye: in such a case, the magical practitioner will withdraw, pronouncing invocations of the Saints, the Trinity, and the Madonna.
The "breve," also known as "abitino," is a magical sachet used to avoid malevolent influences and witchcraft; it is placed around children's necks, while adults, even those with a certain level of education, keep it in their pockets to conceal it from others' eyes.
Salt also holds great importance in the topic of "superstition and magic." It is present in European folklore in its use to thwart spells, ward off epidemics, even among animals, and repel storms; in folk medicine, it is used to disinfect wounds and boils. Additionally, it is believed that if salt is spilled on the table or falls to the ground, it is a sign of misfortune or a bad omen.
The cult of salt is still deeply rooted among the populations of Molise, where three, seven, or nine grains of salt, along with olive leaves and grains of wheat, make up the components of the "brevi."
Among farmers, there is still the custom in certain villages of throwing salt at clouds to ward off storms. The cloud melts away like salt.
Salt is an important element in Christian culture, as evidenced by the Gospel episode where Christ addresses the apostles, saying, "You are the salt of the earth," meaning those who impart wisdom. It is not by chance that in the baptismal rite, salt is used in the formula of "sal sapientiae" pronounced by the priest.
As one can deduce, it is culturally ambiguous, even considering its magical use, its ability to render land barren, as was done in ancient times to conquered cities on which salt was spread. Historically, numerous elements attest to the great importance of salt, even the name of a city, Salzburg, a Roman road, the Via Salaria; for shepherds, salt was essential in feeding sheep and cattle to improve the quality of milk and cheese.
Regarding spells against storms, we know that even today populations experience moments of genuine terror and helplessness in the face of unleashed nature; they resort to prayers, magical formulas, the ringing of bells, and once even shooting at the clouds. They had the impression that the hailstorm's fury had been reduced!
Magico-religious therapies constitute a widespread branch for understanding the cultural framework that also includes folk medicine, to increase interest in a world that still has strong roots in a tradition that could survive for a long time to come.