Masonic & Occult Symbols Illustrate

“Many customs and terms continue to reflect the importance that horns once held in local folklore. The word scorn comes from the Italian word that means ‘without horns,’ for to be without horns was a sign of disgrace, shame, or contempt. Holding up the index and little fingers in the form of horns was a gesture to ward off the evil eye.... And since it was the male animal that had horns, the horn easily became a phallic symbol.” [Italics in the original; Boldface added] In fact, Shiva (a synonym for Satan) can sometimes be seen making this gesture. “In India, where the occult sciences are still followed, figures of Shiva, the Destroyer...is not only placing his right hand over his solar plexus, but has folded his fingers so as to form the sign of the horns, thereby combining the sign which drives away the evil eye with that of Destruction, of which he himself is the embodiment....although he is the Lord of Death and Destruction, he is also Lord of Birth, through whose hands the dead man’s soul passes once more into reincarnation.” We must remember that the devil salute (which is covered in the chapter entitled “Hand Signals”) “is a Sicilian sign of the Devil used to cast spells....” This certainly is not any sign that a Christian would want to make. When one makes this gesture, one is actually calling on the devil to “protect” him from evil. Satan must laugh when someone “innocently” uses this signal to ward off the evil eye. Hex signs are also used to fend off the evil eye. To hex means to place a curse on someone or something to bring bad luck. A witch remarks: “Many people say that the Hex signs were painted on barns to protect livestock from harmful spells, negative influences, and the Evil Eye, and to bring luck and prosperity." She then gives extensive instructions on how to make your own hex sign talisman. She starts by saying: “On the night of a Full Moon, cast a Magic Circle in your customary manner and consecrate your Hex sign with tools of the Elements. Sprinkle salt on the Hex sign for Earth," etc. Again, many people are attracted to the Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs not knowing the occult connection behind them. J. Gordon Melton asserts: “Among the Pennsylvania Dutch there is the survival of what seems to be genuine ‘witchcraft-life’ practice, locally termed powwowing. One must call it