"The Evil Eye"

My mother was delighted to see me last night as she had been unable to remove her Christmas Wreath from its high perch on the front door. Sounding flustered, she told me that if you leave Christmas decorations up past Twelfth Night you invite the attentions of "The Evil Eye".

I suppose it's conceivable she was joking.

The Christmas Wreath - after its timely removal

In another encounter with mythology here's a picture of my mother embracing her cushion-present. Tolkien has passed her by but she is convinced that the picture could well be of one of her grandsons ..

Beryl Seel with Bilbo Baggins

But enough of this superstition! Clare came back from Mass yesterday with a special flyer for the Chalk Blessing .. plus some blessed chalk. Parishioners are meant to follow these instructions.

After the prayers of the blessing, the initial of the Magi and the number of the current year are inscribed with the blessed chalk above or beside the main entrance on the outside for visitors to see it. (The initials C, M, B can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" which means "Christ bless this house".)

Christus mansionem benedicat

Clare has duly executed at our front door. No chance of The Evil Eye paying us a visit then.