Today, I’m diving into a fascinating topic that resonates with so many of us—especially moms: Bad Juju! Is there any truth to the idea of ‘bad juju’ (or what some call the Evil Eye or Bad Nazar)?

“Bad juju” refers to bad luck, negative vibes, or misfortune believed to be caused by curses, jealousy, or supernatural influences. Across cultures—South Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Latin American—the concept is similar: that someone’s envy, whether intentional or not, can bring harm to others.

I’ll never forget when my Albanian and Greek friends told me about tucking a clove of garlic in their sons’ pockets to ward off the evil eye, or when a mother dabbed a little “kala tikka” behind the ear of her beautiful daughter on her wedding day. In moments like these, it hardly seems worth arguing about science—there’s no evidence that bad juju, the evil eye, or bad nazar truly cause sickness or bring misfortune.

Most of what gets blamed on bad juju—like sudden illness, accidents, or setbacks—can usually be chalked up to biology, pure chance, or psychology. Viruses, genetics, and random accidents are part of life!

Still, these beliefs run deep. They’ve been handed down for generations; my own Naani believed in them, and so does my mom. There’s comfort in finding a “reason” for sudden hardship, a way to feel some control when life gets unpredictable.

Let’s be honest: humans are wired to search for meaning and patterns, even when things are just coincidences. Whenever I get sick, my mom likes to chalk it up to something that went really well in my life—I always tease her that only she thinks I’m so exceptional at what I do! 

I do think that those who grow up in households steeped in these beliefs are more likely to attribute negative events to bad juju. They may even feel real physical symptoms—like headaches or nausea—when stressed. But these reactions are psychological, not supernatural.

My advice? If a ritual or charm brings comfort when you’re worried about your loved ones, go for it—whatever helps you find peace of mind! But if anyone gets seriously ill, please seek professional medical help rather than relying solely on rituals or old beliefs.

(I still fall ill even after my mother’s “nazar utarne wale totke,” but I appreciate the care behind them—and find myself doing the same little rituals for my daughter too)

(This article first appeared on the WiP page on 26th October 2025. I am the founder of WiP which is a cohort of like minded talented women who help each other grow in a fun filled, judgement free manner!)