As the season of light approaches, every home begins to shimmer. Diyas glow in corners, homes smell of freshly made sweets, and laughter echoes across verandas. Diwali isn’t just a festival; it’s an emotion — a reminder that light always triumphs over darkness.
But amidst this brightness and celebration, I’ve often noticed something subtle yet powerful. People start saying things like, “Nazar lag gayi,” or “Everything was going well, and suddenly something went wrong.” During this festive time, when our energy is at its peak and our aura shines brighter, we also attract more attention — sometimes loving, sometimes envious, and sometimes unknowingly heavy.
Every year, around the time between Dussehra and Diwali, I see people becoming more cautious — tying black threads, hanging lemon and chillies at their doors, lighting camphor, and keeping protective crystals nearby. The intention is clear — to guard one’s energy, family, and peace from what we often call the evil eye.
But what exactly is the evil eye? Is it a superstition born out of fear, or an energetic truth understood by ancient wisdom? Let’s explore this — from ancient beliefs to modern science — and learn how to protect our light with awareness and grace.
What Exactly Is the Evil Eye?
A Belief That Transcends Borders
The concept of the evil eye isn’t limited to India — it’s a belief as old as civilization itself. In ancient Greece, it was known as “mati.” and the Middle East, it’s called “ayin harsha.” In Latin America, people fear “mal de ojo.” The Turks wear the famous blue-and-white nazar boncuğu charms. Across Africa, the Middle East, and even Europe, people have rituals to ward off negative eyes and jealousy.
In every culture, the underlying essence remains the same — the evil eye is believed to be a transfer of negative energy caused by envy, excessive admiration, or ill intention. Sometimes, the person doesn’t even realize they’re sending that energy — a compliment given with subtle jealousy or admiration without grounding can unconsciously disturb another’s energetic balance.
The Indian Perspective – Nazar Lagna
In India, the evil eye or nazar is woven into daily life. From newborn babies to new homes, from success in business to good health — everything “good” is often protected from “nazar.”
The belief isn’t about fear — it’s about acknowledging energy exchange. Every emotion, every thought, and every word carries vibration. When someone looks at you with envy or heavy emotion, their energy field momentarily interacts with yours. If your aura isn’t grounded or protected, it may get imbalanced — leading to fatigue, irritability, or blockages.
You’ll find this belief across all faiths in India:
- Hindus hang nimbu-mirchi (lemon-chilli) at doors.
- Muslims recite protective duas for their loved ones.
- Sikhs and Buddhists chant to cleanse energy fields.
- Even modern families light camphor daily to purify their homes.
And of course, we’ve all heard that playful yet powerful phrase — “Buri Nazar Wale Tera Muh Kala.”It’s not about cursing anyone; it’s our way of declaring that no evil intention can touch us, that darkness itself turns back when faced with light. It’s a reminder that when our energy is pure, every negative gaze loses its power.
Types of Evil Eye
While every tradition describes it differently, I believe there are three major kinds of evil eye energy that we commonly experience:
1. The Intentional Evil Eye
This is when someone consciously sends negative energy toward another — through envy, anger, or resentment. For instance, someone may not want you to succeed or may feel threatened by your growth. The thought, “Why her? Why not me?” carries vibration, and that vibration affects.
2. The Unintentional or Passive Evil Eye
Most of the time, nazar isn’t deliberate. It can happen through admiration that isn’t energetically neutral. Someone praises you — “You’re glowing!” or “You’re doing so well!” — but subconsciously feels a pinch of comparison. That emotional frequency, however tiny, travels toward you. Babies, sensitive people, and empaths feel this more easily.
3. The Self-Imposed Evil Eye
Surprisingly, sometimes we become our own source of energetic imbalance. Overexposure, constant comparison, and self-criticism can lower our frequency. Boasting excessively or sharing too much of your blessings on social media without energetic grounding can attract both admiration and energy drain.
In simpler words — when your light shines too brightly without boundaries, it may attract both warmth and shadow.
Even in families, this form of nazar can appear subtly. For instance, a mother may lovingly admire her child — constantly praising how beautiful, intelligent, or talented they are — yet unintentionally, that intense energy and focus can affect the child’s delicate aura. That’s why elders often advise applying a small kajal ka tika behind the child’s ear or on the sole of their foot — not out of superstition, but as a gentle way to neutralize the energy of excessive affection and protect the child from even their own mother’s loving nazar.
Signs You Might Be Affected by the Evil Eye
You may not always be able to “see” it, but your energy body feels it. Common signs include:
- Sudden tiredness, heaviness, or mood swings without reason.
- Feeling drained after social interactions or gatherings.
- Repeated small accidents, obstacles, or sudden losses.
- Disturbed sleep or unexplained anxiety.
- Children crying incessantly, pets becoming restless.
- Plants in your home drying or wilting suddenly.
- A sense of being “watched” or uncomfortable in your own space.
If these symptoms appear right after receiving intense attention — especially around festive times when people are visiting, complimenting, and observing you — it could be a sign that your energy needs cleansing.
How the World Protects Itself from the Evil Eye
Across continents, humans have always found creative ways to protect their energy.
Mediterranean & Middle East
People wear blue glass eye charms (Nazar Boncuğu) to reflect envy. The color blue is believed to repel negativity. The Hamsa hand — a palm-shaped amulet — is also used widely to invite blessings and block harm.
Italy & Latin America
In Italy, people wear red horns called corno as a protective charm. In Latin America, mothers tie red bracelets on babies’ wrists to prevent mal de ojo.
Africa
Some tribes hang mirrors outside their homes to bounce back negative energy — quite similar to what we do in India!
Indian Practices for Protection
India’s relationship with nazar is deep and symbolic. Each practice is both cultural and energetic in meaning:
- Nimbu Mirchi (Lemon & Chillies): Hung at entrances to absorb and neutralize negativity. Lemon’s acid and chilli’s fire represent purification and protection.
- Black Dot or Kajal Mark: Applied behind a child’s ear or neck to divert attention.
- Black Thread: Tied around the ankle or wrist for grounding.
- Burning Camphor: Symbolizes burning away ego and negativity.
- Rock Salt Cleansing: Sprinkled or placed in corners to absorb heavy energy.
- Black Mask Faces on Buildings: Used to divert jealous eyes away from newly built homes.
- Coconut Rituals: Rotating a coconut around a person to absorb negativity, then discarding it.
Even our festive rituals are protection rituals — lighting diyas at dusk, ringing bells, chanting prayers — all raise the vibration of the space, dispelling lower frequencies.
The Science and Psychology Behind the Evil Eye
From a scientific lens, the evil eye represents a psychosomatic and energetic phenomenon.
1. Energy Exchange
Every human emits electromagnetic energy. Our thoughts and emotions carry frequencies measurable through brain waves and heart coherence. When someone focuses intensely on another — with admiration or envy — that attention creates an energetic impact.
2. Mirror Neurons
Neuroscience tells us that we subconsciously mimic emotions and energies around us through mirror neurons. If someone projects jealousy, your subconscious picks up their emotional frequency, causing unease or exhaustion.
3. The Power of Attention
Modern psychology agrees: energy flows where attention goes. When others focus on you excessively — even through social media — it influences your energetic field. Protection rituals work not because of superstition but because they help you mentally and emotionally re-center, restoring your frequency.
In simpler words, these rituals serve as a mind-body reset, grounding your energy and calming your subconscious.
How to Protect Yourself from the Evil Eye
Here’s how you can consciously shield your energy this Diwali — spiritually, psychologically, and energetically.
1. Keep Your Energy Grounded
- Spend time in nature — walk barefoot on grass or soil.
- Limit overexposure on social media; share consciously.
- Begin your day with grounding affirmations:
“I am safe, I am protected, I am surrounded by divine light.”
2. Cleanse Your Aura Regularly
- Salt Water Bath: Add a pinch of rock salt or sea salt to your bath. It neutralizes heavy energy.
- Camphor or Sage Cleansing: Burn camphor, sage, palo santo, or Suddhika around your home, especially after gatherings.
- Selenite Wand Cleansing: Gently wave it around your aura to purify your energy.
3. Protect with Crystals
Crystals act as nature’s guardians, amplifying and stabilizing your energy field. My personal recommendations:
🔸 Black Tourmaline
A powerful grounding stone that absorbs negative energies. Keep one near your home entrance or wear it as a bracelet.
🔸 Sulemani Hakik (Black Agate)
Known as the “Shield Stone” in ancient texts, it protects from psychic attacks and black magic. It’s excellent for those in public spaces or leadership roles.
🔸 Black Obsidian
This volcanic glass is known to cut energetic cords and dissolve psychic fog. It’s a must for empaths and healers.
🔸 Selenite
Unlike others, selenite doesn’t absorb negativity — it transmutes it. Place a selenite tower in your meditation corner or keep your other crystals on a selenite plate to recharge them.
(Always remember to cleanse and charge your crystals under full moon light or with palo santo smoke.)
🔸 Triple Protection Bracelet
A powerful blend of Tiger’s Eye, Black Obsidian, and Hematite, this bracelet offers unmatched protection and balance.
Tiger’s Eye boosts confidence, Obsidian blocks negativity, and Hematite grounds your energy — together forming a strong energetic shield. Perfect for daily wear, especially during festive times or when energy exchange is high.
4. Shield Through Rituals
- Light a diya with ghee every evening — its golden flame purifies and uplifts energy.
- Ring a bell, blow a shankh or clap three times in each corner of your home to break stagnant energy.
- Chant mantras like “Om Namah Shivaya” or “Gayatri Mantra” daily to strengthen your aura.
- Mop the floor with salt water once a week — add a handful of rock or sea salt to your bucket of water. Salt is a natural energy cleanser that absorbs negativity and purifies the home environment.
5. Affirm and Visualize Protection
Each morning, visualize yourself surrounded by a radiant sphere of golden or white light. Repeat:
“No energy that is not of love and light can enter my space. I am divinely protected.”
Affirmations are not just words — they are frequency codes that train your subconscious to align with protection and peace.
From Fear to Faith – A Perspective Shift
Remember, the evil eye doesn’t hold power over you unless you let it. Fear weakens the aura; faith strengthens it. Protection rituals are meant to empower, not frighten.
When your mind is centered, your heart is grateful, and your energy is aligned — no outside vibration can disturb your peace.
As someone who has witnessed countless people suffer energetically without understanding why, I can say this with conviction — once you start practicing daily energy hygiene, you feel lighter, more balanced, and in control of your own vibration.
Dr. Neeti’s Closing Reflection
Every Diwali, as I light the first diya in my home, I whisper a small prayer:
“May this light dissolve every shadow within and around me.”
The evil eye may be an ancient belief, but its essence is timeless — it reminds us to stay humble in success, compassionate in admiration, and conscious in energy.
Let your light shine — not in fear of being seen, but with faith that the Universe always protects those who radiate love. Protect your energy, yes, but more importantly — purify your thoughts, for the purest mind creates the strongest aura.
This Diwali, let’s not only decorate our homes but also cleanse our hearts. Let’s not just ward off the evil eye but awaken the divine sight within — the one that sees goodness, gratitude, and grace in all.
May your light always be stronger than any shadow. 🌺
Stay protected. Stay blessed. Stay luminous.
✨ Written with love and light,
Dr. Neeti Kaushik
Dr. Anju P Naik
My gratitude for such wonderful artical and remedies. A well written document. You are down to earth with so much of knowledge.