Protection & Renewal
Welcoming Spring, Holding Meaning
When I launched Alex Panagotacos Consulting, I knew I wanted a logo that held meaning—not just for me personally, but for the kind of work I do. That’s why I chose the Mati, or Evil Eye. My version is abstract, modern, and intentional. It connects me to my Greek roots and to a tradition that is both protective and transformational.
My business card, surrounded by objects that inspired the logo design.
Mati (Μάτι)🧿
In modern Greek, μάτι (Mati) simply means “eye.” But when used culturally, especially in the phrase το κακό μάτι (the evil eye), it refers to an ancient belief: that an envious or hostile gaze—or even unintentional attention—can cause real harm. The harm might be emotional, physical, or spiritual. But it’s more than just someone’s bad vibes. The Mati also protects against evil spirits, bad energy, and unseen forces that can attach themselves to people, especially those who shine brightly, succeed, or are vulnerable.
The Mati holds deep meaning. It was never meant to be mass-produced, commodified, or stripped of its context. Like so many sacred traditions, it has been misused and diluted by capitalism—often reduced to a trendy symbol on keychains and t-shirts, rather than honored as a spiritual tool rooted in protection, care, and community wisdom. When I incorporate the Mati into my work and branding, I do so with reverence, not fashion.
This belief goes back thousands of years and appears in many cultures—Greek, Middle Eastern, North African, Central and South American. Across these traditions, the eye becomes a shield, often blue and glass-like, deflecting bad energy, protecting against malevolent forces, and watching over us with quiet strength.
There’s something powerful in the collective consciousness of the Mati—how the same symbol has emerged independently across continents and generations. From talismans worn by babies in Central America to eye-shaped amulets in North Africa, to woven bracelets in Greece, the Mati reveals a shared, intuitive understanding: that protection, energy, and intention matter. That we are spiritual beings in a connected world. And that we can design tools to help us hold that truth with care.
Alex wearing Martis bracelets.
Martis (Μάρτης)
Μάρτης (Martis) is the Greek word for the month of March. Every year, many Greeks wear a red-and-white bracelet called a Martis (or Martakia) to welcome the spring and protect against the sun’s strength and lingering negativity. The red symbolizes protection, the white represents light.
What I love most is how this ritual connects us to the Earth’s rhythms. Some wear the bracelet until it falls off naturally, believing it has absorbed all the harm it was meant to. Others remove it at the end of March and tie it to a tree, as an offering to the returning swallows—a poetic gesture of renewal, gratitude, and the letting go of what no longer serves.
This tradition can be traced back to ancient religious rites held in honor of Demeter and Persephone. These ceremonies were about death, rebirth, and the promise of return—mirroring Persephone’s descent to the underworld and her springtime return to the Earth.
These rituals honored transformation, fertility, and connection to nature’s cycles—and in that way, the Martis bracelet is more than a seasonal charm. It’s a link to thousands of years of honoring the Earth, the feminine, and the sacred transitions of life.
The Mati and Martis together offer a beautifully layered connection:
Vision and vigilance (Mati)
Seasonal renewal and ritual (Martis)
They both carry protective energy, reminding us of the power in transitions—whether personal, spiritual, or systemic.
Why It Matters in My Work
In my consulting, I support nonprofits, community-based organizations, and agencies working for systems change. I build coalitions, design engagement strategies, evaluate impact, and help turn policy into action. But beneath all of that is something more human: the desire to protect what matters, to reflect what needs to be seen, and to co-create spaces where people can thrive.
Just like the Mati, my work is about keeping watch—not from fear, but from care. I want the communities I work with to feel grounded, seen, and safeguarded—so they can move forward boldly, creatively, and sustainably.
As spring arrives and the swallows return, I ask:
🌿 What are you releasing?
🌿 What are you calling in?
🌿 And how will you protect the joy you’re ready to grow?