di Andrea Romanazzi

Sicily is a land steeped in magic, where archaic beliefs and Greek, Roman, Arab, and Norman influences have intertwined to create a unique esoteric heritage. Sicilian magic manifests in popular practices, healing rites, protective formulas, and invocations to spirits.

One of its most characteristic elements is the figure of the maga or fattucchiera, often a woman skilled in the use of herbs, card reading, and secret prayers passed down orally. These women were the guardians of ancient knowledge, blending botanical wisdom with sacred and profane rituals. Their magic was used to cure the malocchio (evil eye), break love spells, and ward off misfortune.

Another widespread tradition is that of the “ciatu”, the magical breath used for healing, often accompanied by whispered formulas and the sign of the cross. Similar were the “prucissioni”, purification rituals that included prayers and symbolic gestures to drive away negativity.

Equally important is the figure of the “magaru”, a man who practiced operative magic, often linked to divination and talismans. His knowledge came from ancient texts, such as the “Book of Saint Cyprian”, considered a grimoire of immense power.

This is blessed water collected from the holy springs of seven different parishes, then mixed and stored in crystal bottles. The person who takes this water recites the following formula:

Acqua biniditta pigghiu,
Acqua biniditta vogghiu pigghiari.
Stu spicchiu, stu stinnicchiu,
Stu malocchiu e magaria avi a cissari.

“Blessed water I take, blessed water I want to take. This torment, this anxiety must end; the evil eye and the spell must cease.”

Once the clients receive the water, the witch enchants it by speaking nonsensical words over it. Then she returns it to the client, who must sprinkle it in front of the door or in the four corners of the house. If it is thrown at the entrance, it is said:

Acqua biniditta jettu,
Acqua biniditta vogghiu jttari,
A cu mi voli mali vogghiu ligàri.

“I sprinkle blessed water, blessed water I want to sprinkle, I want to bind whoever wishes me harm.”

If it is sprinkled in the four corners of the house, the formula is repeated four times:

Jettu st’acqua a sti quattru cantuna,
Pri fari onuri a sti quattru signuri,
Stasira ca sunnu di nisciuta,
La me casa un si l’hannu a scurdari,
Pruvvidenza m’hannu a dari.

“I sprinkle this water in these four corners to honor these four ladies. This evening, as they go out, they must not forget my house, and they must grant me providence.”

The “ladies” refer to the “women from outside.” We already know that the most common herbs used by witches are savine and marjoram. These ingredients, cooked in wine with a little rye, are used to prevent baptism, sending some unfortunate soul, conceived in a moment of love or unconsciousness, into nonexistence.