#graveyard dust

Wherever there are burials, there are cemeteries. Wherever there are cemeteries, graveyard dirt is used in magic spells. (Ashes and dirt from cremation grounds are used too.) Graveyard dirt is among the most crucial, important magical ingredients and a prime component of many, many spells.

The use of dirt dug from cemeteries or graces is fairly standard universal magical practice; where traditions differ is whether this practice is considered entirely malevolent or not. Graveyard dirt, by the very nature of where it comes from, will be used as a tool of curse and hexing spells, however, is the material inherently malicious and toxic? In general, the answer to that question depends upon what role, if any, the dead play toward the living. Cultures who perceive ancestral spirits as being positive and helpful, such as many deriving from Africa and Asia, cultures who aren’t fearful of the dead, in general (as opposed to an individual threatening ghost), often use graveyard dirt for benevolent purposes.

On the other hand, those who perceive the dead as malevolent and threatening will simultaneously perceive the cemetery as a place of toxic, perilous power. For instance, among certain Native American cosmologies, the soul is entirely transformed by the dying process. What remains accessible on Earth has no benevolent purpose and retains no specific memory of past relations with the living. In that case, any contact with a dead body or with cemeteries is potentially contaminating, both spiritually and physically. The power may be harnessed but only for evil: the sorcerer who delves into graves is contaminated and potentially contaminating as well.

What actually is graveyard dust? At its most basic, it’s dirt from a cemetery or from a specific grave. However, graveyard dirt or dust is also a nickname for various botanicals, with no actual relationship to death. Valerian, for instance a strong insomnia aid with a foul smell, is called graveyard dust because it promises that you’ll sleep like the dead. Patchouli is often called graveyard dirt, because of its unique wet earth aroma.

Some practitioners pick up a handful of surface dirt from the cemetery

Some practitioners obtain dirt by digging within a grave. An entire science exists of precisely whose grave suits which magic spells, ranging from that of your mother’s grave to that of a murderer to that of a young child

Some practitioners wouldn’t be caught dead with actual dirt: they use either one or blend of several botanicals: powdered mullein, powdered patchouli, or powdered valerian There aren’t arbitrary choices. In addition to the reasons given above for patchouli and valerian, mullein is under the dominion of both Hecate and Oya, two powerful spirits with strong associations with death and cemeteries

Some practitioners like to combine botanicals with dirt. Sometimes real cemetery dirt is used, while other practitioners feel that the addition of graveyard dirt botanicals transforms any dirt into graveyard dirt

Graveyard dirt must bee seen within the context of all kinds of dirt being used as amulets and spell ingredients. Dirt from shrines and sacred areas was painstakingly preserved and carried. People carried bits of dirt from graves of saints, holy people, and loved ones, perhaps purely as souvenirs and talismans, perhaps for other reasons. For millennia, Jews carried pouches of dirt from Jerusalem, laying it in the grave after death. Romany collected dirt from the legendary seven luck mountains. Dirt from North African shrines is brought home and sprinkled over hand-made fabrics and carpets to imbue them with the power and protection of the saint. Perhaps the most famous modern example is the Shrine of Chimayo in New Mexico, where thousands of pilgrims converge each year to receive a bit of miraculous healing dirt.

Looked at from that perspective, the use of botanicals instead of real Earth seems euphemistic. On the other hand, perhaps dirt itself is a euphemism. What exactly is being collected in the cemetery under the guise of graveyard dirt? If one digs deeply for dirt within an old grave, particularly one conforming to spiritual traditions that bury the body in nothing more than a shroud or a wooden coffin that disintegrate quickly, there is an inherent implication that one is really looking for some part of the body that has returned to Earth. People used to be far less squeamish than they are today nor were they necessarily as concerned about sanitary hygiene. Relics, purportedly pieces of a saint’s actual anatomy, were prized, collected and sold. It wasn’t even necessary to dig in graves for relics. Public executions created a whole other venue: following the execution of Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, spectators gathered up his ashes, as was done with Joan of Arc and countless others. What exactly was done with the ashes?

Methods of graveyard dirt collection vary. Some believe there’s no need to dig; dirt from the Earth’s surface, provided that it’s contained within the cemetery walls, is sufficient to constitute graveyard dirt. Some like the dust clinging to a tombstone. That’s not sufficient for everyone. Some commercial purveyors of graveyard dirt advertise different levels of dirt, taken from varying depths, depending upon the purpose of your spell. According to British magical traditions, graveyard dirt is ideally taken from the top of the coffin, just above where the heart of the deceased would be. According to Hoodoo traditions, three scoops of graveyard dirt should be taken, one from over the head, one from over the heart, and one from below the feet of the deceased.

There are discreet methods of collecting graveyard dirt in broad daylight:

If you only required a handful, gather it and carry it home in your pocket or in a talisman bag

If you need more substantial quantities, rather than cut flowers, bring potted plants to transplant onto the grave. Dig a hole for each new plant, reserving the dirt. Carry the graveyard dirt home in the plant’s emptied container, creating a dirt transfer if you will

In some traditions, gifts of coins or libations are made to appease the spirit of the dead whom you may have disturbed, particularly if one is doing some serious digging. Remember to drop the gift in the hole.

Graveyard dirt is used for both benevolent and malevolent purposes. Some examples are offered here in order to give a sense of nature, power, and scope of the material, however graveyard dirt spells will be found amongst ever possible magical category.

Many malevolent uses of graveyard dirt may be observed among this book’s Hexing Spells. Perhaps the simplest hex involves throwing a handful of graveyard dirt at someone’s back as they walk away from you. How does this differ from the benevolent Romany spell where dirt is tossed over your beloved child? Your intent. Your desire, energy, and personal power are the unnamed component of every spell you cast. Your personal energy transformed a loving spell into a spell of hatred. Merely tossing the dirt isn’t enough to hex anyone: what turns the trick is the suppressed rage and anger that precipitates the action.

In Java, graveyard dirt is used in spells to induce deep sleep, where for the purposes of robbery or for a romantic rendezvous---where it’s used to prevent parents or spouses from awakening.

Frequently graveyard dirt is transformed into a destructive force by the addition of other ingredients, as in Goofer Dust.

A popularly recorded spell, although not necessarily popularly performed (if only because of the time and expense demanded), the following was no doubt invented by the owner of a spiritual supply store wishing to drum up business quickly. Deriving from New Orleans, this spell has now passed into general Western magical lexicon.

Graveyard dirt is combined with a host of standard formulas: Asafetida powder, Babel powder, Black Cat Oil, Damnation Water, Four Thieves Vinegar, Goofer Dust, Jezebel Root Powder, Lost and Away Powder, Mummy Oil.

This blend is mixed with some item belonging to the spell’s target, as intimate as possible.

Placed in a small bag, it’s buried or hidden near the target’s home. The goal of this hex is to cause the victim to gradually waste away, becoming listless, passive, and losing vitality and life force.

Romany spiritual traditions combine a dislike of disturbing the dead with a desire for the protective capacity cemetery dirt offers. Although one might not want to disturb one’s own ancestors or someone one knows, there’s no actual fear of the cemetery, thus an anonymous, unknown grave is chosen. This spell harnesses abstract, protective qualities inherent in graveyard dirt to protect a child embarking on a long journey.

The parent takes a little dirt from any grave, balancing it on the back of the left hand.

When the departing child isn’t looking, the dirt is tossed over his or her head to provide protection.

[Sometimes the problem is not the presence of authority but its absence. Perhaps someone close to you is engaged in activities that are dangerous and should be stopped. Perhaps it would be better for call concerned if someone’s activities were brought to the attention of the authorities. Although the obvious response is to call the police or inform the appropriate authorities, if only anonymously, magic spells acknowledge the complexities of human situations. Perhaps it’s not as simple or safe as just making a phone call. This following spell purports to draw legal attention toward your target without, providing your spell casting isn’t witnessed, drawing attention toward you.]

A handful of dirt from the actual area that the police need to investigate is required, whether this is the target of your spell’s residence or place of business or other.

In addition, you’ll need a handful of graveyard dirt and a handful of dirt from each of the following places: a crossroads, a prison, a courthouse, and four different police stations. If the Graveyard Dust does not actually contain dirt, obtain a handful of dirt from a cemetery as well.

Blend all the dirt together in a bowl.

Use a black seven-day candle or burn each of seven individual black candles daily.

Carve and dress the candle with a Commanding Oil and San Cipriano Oil.

Stand the candle within the bowl of dirt and burn it.

On the eighth day, when the candle(s) have completely burnt down, sprinkle the remnants of the wax, together with the dirt, onto the targeted individual’s property.

(Valeriana officinalis) Safe to interact with. We must urge against driving while under the effects of Valerian taken internally.

Folk Names: All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capons Trailer, Cat's Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George's Herb, Sete Wale, Set Well, Vandal Root. Gender: Feminine. Planet: Venus. Element: Water. Powers: Love, Sleep, Purification, Protection.

Magical Uses: The rather ill-smelling root, powdered, is used in protective sachets, hung in the home to guard it against lightning, and placed in pillows to aid in falling asleep. A sprig of the plant pinned to a woman's clothing will cause men to "follow her like children." Valerian root is also added to love sachets. If a couple is quarreling introduce some of this herb into the area and all will soon be calm. The Greeks hung a sprig of valerian under a window to charm away evil. Valerian root, powdered, is sometimes used as "graveyard dust."

This time consuming a labor-intensive spell is more suitable for banishing a dangerous, troublesome person from one’s vicinity than for banishing houseguests who’ve outstayed their welcome.

Burn Lost and Away Powder, creating lampblack ink as it burns.

Use the ink to write a note detailing who must be banished.

Make a magic lamp from a hollowed-out pumpkin.

Place the note face up inside the pumpkin.

Cover the note with more banishing powder (any one you choose), Grains of Paradise, cayenne pepper, graveyard dust, and soot.

Half fill the pumpkin with blended castor and olive oil.

Create a wick from cotton and burn this pumpkin outside on seven consecutive Fridays.

When the spell is complete, bring the pumpkin to a river or sea and let the water carry it away.

Most magical anti-gossip spells take an indirect approach. This doorstep spell brings the point home. Combine stinging nettles and graveyard dust or Goofer Dust, depending on how angry and violated you feel. Add a freely shed feather of a noisy bird (a crow or a rooster) and leave it on your target’s doorstep.