Graveyard Dirt

When my father passed away, my mother wanted to go back to Long Island NY to visit her mother’s grave site. It was her wish to gather some of the dirt from her resting place and have it buried with her when she passed as well. We had always talked about it, but my mother had become fearful of driving, and of long drives. It was hard to get her to go out as the years went on. When we did go out, she could barely get around. When she passed away in January of this year, I decided that I would take the long trip to Long Island and get the graveyard dirt she so wanted. The drive took 3 hours, and it was a lovely ride. I could see why she loved it so much, and I realize now how very much she missed it. I took my boys with me, and they enjoyed the ride as much as I did! 

So, when I went to the graveyard where my grandmother, my mother’s mother lay, there was no intent other than to fulfill my mother’s wish. As I began my research for this topic, I did not realize that if I wanted to use this for spells and such that I needed to ask the spirit for permission and leave gifts after I was finished. When I was there, I noticed that the other gravesites were decorated with wreaths. My grandmother’s was not. I was saddened by this. As I knelt at her headstone, I brushed the dead leaves away and just looked at it. I listened to the wind blowing through the trees. I felt as if it was all right for me to be there. I told my grandmother that I was there because of mom’s wish. I didn’t feel anything malevolent or oppressive; I just felt a sense of peace. I then took the small paper bag out of my jacket pocket and took a couple of handfuls. I had read somewhere that it was best when collecting anything, whether it is specifically for spell work or just to have, always use paper, glass, or natural fibers. Anyway, after I completed this task that I set for myself, I sat back and just took in the peacefulness of the graveyard. We then began the long drive back to home. After we got home, I placed the bag on my stove so that the dirt would dry overnight. When it was dry, I took some of it and put it into an empty glass spice jar, unfortunately it had a plastic lid, but the spice jar symbolizes the love of cooking and creativity that my mother and I shared. Added to the soil was a leaf from the last flowers I got her while she was in the hospital. I always bought her a rose on my birthday thanking her for my safe delivery and raising me. I also included a note on the card from the flowers and sealed the jar. It will be included when my mother is finally laid to rest next to my father. My next goal is to find the grave sites of my two sisters who passed before me as babies, as well as my great-grandmother. I think that my mother would be happy having her family close to her.

My grandmother Dolumba.

On the ride home, I stopped to view the Bayside Marina. I wondered if my mother ever went there.

Another view of the Marina. Beautiful.

The seagulls were very obliging.

So, graveyard dirt can be used in spells, either malevolent or for benevolent uses. It can be used for very powerful protection spells. Some like to gather the dirt from the head, heart and feet of the grave site. Some like to gather the dirt deeper from the surface. For protection spells, it is said that the best is from your ancestors, from those who loved you in life, and love you still even after they have passed. For the darker spells it is said that one must gather the dirt from those that did harm in life. Personally, I would not want to do that. Everyone’s path is different, and one must choose what is right for them. If I wanted to use the dirt in spells at all, I would use my ancestors. They protected and loved us in life, so it stands to reason that they would aid us even in the beyond. What do you think?

Elements

I am intentionally late for this particular post, with good reason. I had been planning a day trip to Hampton Beach in New Hampshire all week, as I had been keeping an eye on the weather reports. It was supposed to be a fantastic day today, with temperatures in the 50’s, and it was gorgeous! The reason for the trip was threefold. 1: I have been extremely unsettled for several weeks now, and just walking with the boys on the mountain wasn’t cutting it for me. 2: I needed to gather materials that I could only get from the beach. 3: I have always felt better when I reconnected with the ocean.

I know that several others have written about the Elements, (and beautifully written, I might add.) but, this is my interpretation of the Elements.

I needed to connect with ALL of the Elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. At the beach, I can do all of that. I feel the wind blowing, the sand beneath my bare feet, the warmth of the Sun, and the rushing waves crashing against me. All of the Elements are working together harmoniously. 

Today, I gathered only what I needed. I stood in front of the ocean, just breathing and feeling. I really had no conscious thoughts; I just tried to clear my mind. Then I turned around and set my backpack down, and took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pant legs. I then took out a canning jar and removed the lid and began to wade out into the ocean. I stood for a few moments and waited.  A seagull flew over me. I felt that I was receiving permission to gather some of the sea water, which I did. I walked back to my pack, sealed the jar and placed it in my pack. I then sat down on the sand and just absorbed the sights and sounds. People were walking their dogs, riding their horses, or just holding each other. It was very peaceful. I then took out another jar, and gathered some beach sand. I need that to line my cauldron so I can safely utilize it when I perform rituals that involve fire. I then got up, still bare foot, and started to walk down the beach. I felt a real connection then, and every once in a while, I would find a stone or a shell that would call to me and I would gather those too. But, what I was really looking for was a seagull feather, for that to me symbolizes Air, and it would be the final Element that I was looking for. As I was walking along, I said to myself out loud “What would make this perfect is if I could find a feather from a seagull, if it is allowed.” About five minutes later, I found two small feathers, one white, the other a gray one. The gray feather was over a small stone, also gray in color which I picked up as well. I will be using these items to finally complete my altar, which is residing in my bedroom. 

I am feeling much better now that I have made the trip, and I will be making it a little more often now.

Fire

Earth

Water

Air

Dravite

My second D post has been very difficult. I wanted to do it on several topics, but none have really spoken to me. So, I decided to research gemstones that began with the letter D instead. I chose Dravite, as it seems that it aids in grounding, it calms, soothes and stabilizes. It is a brown variety of tourmaline, and not very pretty, but then, appearances are always deceiving, aren’t they? Since I have been feeling very unsettled lately, I felt that this was an appropriate subject to research.

Dravite is associated with the Heart and Root Chakra; its elements are Earth and Storm. Its zodiac is Aries, but according to one website, it is also helpful for Pisces and Cancer. Its energies are power and love. The stone is protective as well, promotes stability and practicality. I will definitely have to look for this gemstone.

The sites I went to for information:

http://crystal-cure.com/dravite.html

http://www.gemstones-info.org/gems-c-d/dravite/

http://crystalsandjewelry.com/metaphysicalproperties_d.html

Disclaimer: The websites I have used provide information only. Do not use this information in place of a doctor’s care.