The Evil Eye: Superstition or Hypnotic Phenomenon?

Abstract

The “evil eye” has been reported in the literature of the world for many centuries. The consistency of these references and descriptions by peoples widely separated in language and culture suggests that the phenomenon or something quite similar to it does, in fact, exist. This article traces the history of these reports, involving both animals and humans, and attempts an analysis of them from the perspective of modern hypnotic theory and practice.