Therapeutic Practices and Spiritual Healing in Lakonia, Greece: The Interplay of Religion and Magic

This study investigates therapeutic practices in Lakonia, Greece, emphasizing the concepts of the evil eye and healing rituals associated with possession by malevolent spirits. It explores the intricate relationship between Greek Orthodox Christian beliefs, magic, spirituality, and healing within this local context, where such practices provide vital therapeutic responses to distress and suffering. By moving beyond dominant biomedical frameworks, this research highlights the enduring significance of local folk medicine in managing health and well-being, particularly through religious and magico-religious rituals that intertwine with state-sanctioned Orthodox Christianity.

The study focuses on the experiences of "magisses" (female magicians) who assist the community by lifting curses and warding off evil through plant-based remedies, while navigating the complexities of possession by malevolent spirits. In these situations, locals often seek the help of both magicians and Orthodox priests to combat evil and expel spirits. My field research, conducted as part of a PhD thesis, elucidates the pervasive presence of magic in everyday life, illustrating how local beliefs regarding the evil eye and spirit possession shape understandings of health, culture, and spirituality in both rural and urban contexts. This work identifies interstices where health, religion, and spirituality overlap, contributing to a broader discourse on legitimization strategies in health practices, particularly in the context of the marginalization of traditional knowledge through modernization.