DeathWitchEnvy
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Death Witchcraft
  • My Zines
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Patreon
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Death Witchcraft
  • My Zines
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Patreon

Herbs for the Dead

12/20/2021

0 Comments

 
When I was 16, I got my first job at my hometown’s new spice and tea shop. During training, a corporate representative showed us every spice, herb, and tea, and what it is used for. Customers usually came in with cooking or health questions, and we had to know the answers. Although I was trained in magic at the time, I never imagined that this knowledge would benefit my Craft.

This is a long-winded explanation for “I used a lot of herbs in witchcraft.” However, I’m not alone; herbal grimoires and encyclopedias are prominent in the occult community. Today, I’m going to discuss how herbs can aid death witchcraft.
Picture
I keep dried herbs in these magnetic tins that I painted.

How To Use Herbs in Death Witchcraft

Herbs have been ingredients in necromancy, ancestor work, and other forms of magic for thousands of years. They have multiple uses–I’ll give you an abridged list.

  • Use as Offerings. Herbs make convenient offerings for the dead. You can sprinkle them onto graves, burn them, or place them on an altar and bury/throw them away later.
  • Burn as Incense. Not only do burnt herbs serve as offerings, but they also have magical uses. For instance, certain herbs can protect the altar, enhance divination, or put you in a trance state. Similarly, you can create herbal smoking blends.
  • Brew as a Tea. Like incense, this tea can become an offering or amplify your psychic abilities.
  • Mix into Graveyard Dirt. If you have a jar of graveyard dirt, you can mix crushed herbs into that dirt to lend that spirit certain magical properties. 
  • Magnify or Dull Spirit Communication. Many know that herbs can boost your spirit senses, but they can also dull them when necessary. For example, I once had some spirits reach out to me every time I walked by my altar. When I placed a jar of dried rose petals near the graveyard dirt, the spirits calmed down.
  • Protect Yourself from Spirits. Many herbs have protective properties that can guard you, your home, or your altar from malicious spirits. Carry them on your person when you visit a cemetery. You can even use some to divert spirits who follow you (for example, by throwing salt over your left shoulder).
  • Infuse into Oils. These magical oils can boost spirit work, protect your home, or charge your ritual tools.
  • Cook into Food. Cakes, bread, and other meals are traditional offerings for the dead, especially during certain festivals like Samhain and Dia de los Muertos. 
  • Make Magical Inks. Magical inks often appear in necromancy and folklore.
  • Sew into Poppets. Poppets are one method of creating a taglock to communicate with a specific soul.
  • ​Pour into a Ritual Bath. In death work, ritual baths can prepare people for divination or hedgecrossing.
Picture
Herbal smoking blend in a labradorite pipe.

Herbs and Correspondences

Here, I will list herbs that I frequently use in death witchcraft, along with their correspondences. Correspondences stem from a mixture of personal experience, historical use, and folklore. Note that I will not mention trees here; I have already covered trees in another post. I will not mention cooked/baked foods like bread, but I will cover naturally-grown foods like fruits and vegetables.

  • Apples. Apples are known as “the fruit of the dead” in Ireland. As such, they are a traditional offering for the dead on Celtic holidays like Samhain. The wood from an apple tree can be carved into necromantic wands or poppets.
  • Basil. Basil has a long history in purification and cleansing rituals. The Egyptians prepared embalming salves with basil; the Gauls infused it into purification washes; and basil juice was said to “help witches fly” in the Middle Ages. In Hinduism, Basil is used in both weddings and funerals because it is said to link people in love. It was a symbol of sorrow of ancient Greece. Use basil to aid in divination, hedgecrossing, or spirit communication.
  • Bay. Bay leaves are often used in clairvoyance spells and divination. They aid communication with the dead; the ancients either chewed them or burned them as incense. I often burn bay to enhance divination and ward off evil. (Be careful–it burns fast!)
  • Beet. Beet can be used as a blood substitute and as a dye in necromantic inks.
  • Carnations. Carnations are a common funeral flower, especially in France (where purple carnations are traditional). They are common in healing spells but are also used to remember the dead. After the crucifixion of Christ, it is said that Mary’s tears grew carnations. In the Netherlands, people wore carnations to remember fallen veterans.
  • Chamomile. Chamomile is best-known for its ability to aid sleep and meditation, but its history branches far before that. The ancient Egyptians associated chamomile with the sun, specifically with the God Ra, who was said to heal malaria with it. They used it in mummification to repel flies. The Romans also dedicated chamomile to their Gods and bathed in it for its healing properties. Chamomile makes a great offering to assuage the dead.
  • Cinnamon. Ever since Moses anointed the Tabernacle with cinnamon oil, it has been associated with deity and spirit work. Cinnamon oil was common in the Egyptian mummification process. The Roman emperor Nero tossed cinnamon onto his wife’s funeral pyre. In magic, cinnamon can amplify magical workings such as divination.
  • Copal. There are many different types of copal that have unique properties. However, most of them make great offerings for the dead, especially those who remain disoriented from trauma.
  • Damiana. In my experience, damiana is one of the best herbs to use in incense and herbal smoking blends. Its smoke produces visions, increases your ability to astral project, and aids meditation.
  • Dittany of Crete. As another spirit work herb, Dittany of Crete is burned to manifest spirits. It is especially potent in summoning spirits of the dead. Since it grows near cliffs, many farmers fell to their deaths trying to harvest them, giving this plant a negative connotation. However, the ancient Greeks valued it as a symbol of love and healing.
  • Dragon’s Blood. It’s nearly impossible to research ceremonial magic without running into this resin from the palm tree. Dragon’s blood is burned to aid spirit work and protect the magician. You can also infuse it into necromantic inks.
  • Eucalyptus. According to Australian Aboriginals, eucalyptus trees divided the Earth between the Underworld and Heaven. It is commonly used in healing poppets and health spells. DO NOT burn green eucalyptus; its oils produce too much smoke.
  • Fennel. Fennel is a protective and purifying herb. In the Middle Ages, people placed fennel inside their keyholes to prevent ghosts from entering their homes.
  • Frankincense. Due to its powerful vibrations, frankincense often aids spirit work. It is a common consecration herb in Judaism and Christianity. In Hoodoo and rootwork, frankincense boosts the powers of other herbs.
  • Heather. Heather is said to conjure ghosts and open the portals between worlds. In the Scottish highlands, heather marked the resting places of faeries. It was also said to grow where no blood had been shed. As such, it can help to heal deceased warriors.
  • Holly. Holly is often planted in graveyards to protect both the dead and the mourners. It also promotes good fortune.
  • Juniper. Juniper has ancient healing associations. The Egyptians used it both medicinally and to embalm the dead. In Scotland, it was said to guard against ghosts and illness. The Key of Solomon often lists it in purification rites. I often use juniper berries as offerings. (Be careful while burning or grinding it in a mortar and pestle–it is incredibly oily!)
  • Lavender. Beyond its sleep-inducing effects, lavender is also carried to see ghosts. Dried lavender was found in Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb. During the Middle Ages, Christians made crosses out of lavender to protect themselves from evil. It was also used in healing magic, as people carried it to cure headaches in the Mediterranean. You can use it to heal the dead, aid divination and psychic dreams, and protect the home.
  • Lemon Balm. Known as one of the “witch’s plants,” it is said that Hekate gave lemon balm to Her daughters. Pliny the Elder hyped up lemon balm’s properties as a healing herb, claiming that it could stop the bleeding from a stab wound and prevent bees from swarming. In the Abuzzi region of Italy, women would pick lemon balm between their fingers so Jesus would assist them into Heaven. For death work, lemon balm is a healing herb that helps souls to pass on.
  • Lily. Lilies do not only symbolize purity and love; they are also planted in gardens to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. They are a common funeral flower, especially for women and children. It is said that Mary’s tomb was adorned with lilies. In the Anglican church, Jesus is sometimes depicted as being crucified on a lily cross. There are many types of lilies with different meanings. For instance, the Calla lily is associated with everlasting honesty and love, so it is used in both weddings and funerals.
  • Marigold. Marigolds are the most popular flower used in Dia de los Muertos, and they are also common in funerals. Along with being a protective herb, they also improve your relationships. It is said that bathing in marigolds will help you earn respect and admiration. Use it in healing and communication spells for the dead. 
  • Mint. Mint used to be a popular funerary herb in Greece, as it masked the scent of corpses. It is not so popular at funerals anymore. The name stems from the myth of Pluto and Menthe, so many Pagans use mint to connect to chthonic deities. It is also a healing herb and can protect you on journeys.
  • Mugwort. Another one of my favorite spirit work herbs–mugwort is used in divination teas, smoking blends for spirit work, and washes for magical tools. Native Americans rubbed mugwort on themselves to keep ghosts away. According to a 9th-century grimoire (Bald’s Leechbook), it casts out demonic possession. Use it to amplify spirit work and induce a trance state.
  • Mulberry. Mulberries (which are technically trees, not bushes) are planted in cemeteries to heal grief and grant eternal life. They also protect against evil.
  • Mullein. Because of its nickname “Graveyard Dust,” mullein is often mistaken for a graveyard dirt substitute. To be clear: it is not a substitute. But mullein torches used to be burned during funerals, and its smoke can help people see spirits of the dead and the afterlife.
  • Myrrh. Myrrh is a common incense and oil in necromancy. The Egyptians associated myrrh with Isis’s death aspects, so they used it in magical inks and embalming. The ash from myrrh can be used to draw magic circles. Burn it to enhance meditation and increase psychic powers.
  • Olive. Olive fruits and leaves were usually used for protection, healing spells, and luck. But olive oil is common in spirit work; the Romans used it for necromantic scrying. The Greek Magical Papyri recommends pouring it into spring water to see spirits of the dead.
  • Orchid. In Greek mythology, Orchis, the son of a satyr and a nymph, became an orchid upon dying. The Greeks also used orchids in fertility spells, so it became a symbol of death and rebirth. As such, it’s a common funeral flower. It also induces trance states and develops psychic powers.
  • Oregano. The ancient Greeks believed that growing oregano on graves would ensure that the deceased was happy. This herb enhances love and is used in healing salves. Place it under your pillow to have prophetic dreams, or give it as an offering.
  • Parsley. Parsley has long had associations with death. According to Greek mythos, parsley sprang from the blood of Archemorus, whose name means “forerunner of death.” It frequently appeared in ancient funerals. During Greek funerary games, victors wore crowns of parsley to commemorate the dead. It also has protective qualities.
  • Patchouli. Because of its earthiness, patchouli is often linked with graveyard dirt. I use it as an oil to anoint candles.
  • Rose. Possibly the most commonly recognized funeral flower, roses have been associated with death for centuries. In 5th century Egyptian tombs, paintings of roses covered the walls. Its relationship to love connects the living and the deceased for eternity. It can also heal the dead.
  • Rosemary. Rosemary is the herb of remembrance. Studies have linked rosemary to a sharper memory, but the ancients learned this long before. It appeared in Egyptian, Roman, and Medieval funeral rites to commemorate the dead. The Greeks tossed sprigs of rosemary into graves to ensure that the deceased would not be forgotten. It is also burned to magnify divination and infused into ritual washes.
  • Sage. In Medieval folklore, eating sage in May was said to promote longevity. It also symbolizes immortality. The Egyptians often used sage ceremonially. Sage pollen was found in the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses II. In France, sage is said to heal grief, so it is often planted in graveyards.
  • St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort sometimes appears in spirit work and divination rituals. In the Middle Ages, people carried it in the mouth to find witches. But it is also protective. Dry it during Midsummer and hang it over a door to guard against ghosts, necromancers, and evil spirits. Do not ingest if you are on an anti-depression or mood disorder medication.
  • Sandalwood. This fragrant plant was used in Egyptians embalming rituals. Nowadays, it is often burned as incense to support spirit work, consecrate tools, and protect a space. In my opinion, it’s more effective if you burn it with frankincense.
  • Thyme. In ancient Greek funerals, thyme represented the bravery of a warrior. You can burn it to aid those suffering in death. It was also used in ancient Egyptian embalming and to induce prophetic dreams during the Victorian era. Combine it with marjoram in a bath to wash away sorrows of the past. You can also use it to communicate with the fae and the dead.
  • Tulips. Since blooming tulips signal the coming of spring, they are associated with death and rebirth. They often appear in funerals to signify perfect love. In Middle Eastern traditions, people wore tulips for protection.
  • Valerian. Like mullein, valerian root is called “graveyard dirt” when powdered. But it is not a substitute for real graveyard dirt. Instead, it is used to induce a trance state and sleep. The Greeks hung a sprig under a window to protect the home from evil.
  • Vervain. Vervain is a common herb in spirit work. In Christian mythos, it is said that Christ’s crucifixion wounds were staunched with vervain. The Romans called it a “sacrificial herb,” and it was said to be especially powerful. As a protective herb, vervain can be carried, burned, or infused into potions to drive off evil spirits. Use it in spirit work spells to enhance their powers.
  • ​Wormwood. Wormwood is often burned as an incense or smoking blend to develop psychic powers. In Slavic rituals and dances, people carried it for protection. The Greeks hung it to ward off malicious spirits. Its smoke is said to summon spirits. According to old grimoires, burning it on a grave will raise the dead. You don’t have to perform magic in a cemetery, though–wormwood will aid necromancy anywhere.
Picture

How Do You Use Magic Herbs?

Have you ever used herbs in death work? Did I miss any noteworthy herbs or plants? Let me know in the comments below!

Related Posts:

  • Trees in Cemeteries: Part 1 (including tree correspondences)
  • Magical Uses for Cemetery Water and Snow
  • Making Magical Inks
  • Magical Uses for Graveyard Dirt
  • Three Death Witchcraft Spells to Heal the Deceased
0 Comments

Is Meditation Necessary in Witchcraft?

12/17/2021

0 Comments

 
Meditation: It’s one of the oldest debates in the metaphysical community. Even when I was practicing magic in my hometown–where you only shared your Craft with the five other people who practiced–people argued over whether meditation is necessary. Hell, even chat rooms on Usenet blew up over the meditation debate.
Picture
Conscious Design/Unsplash
Proponents argue that meditation has upgraded their Craft or that they cannot imagine magic without it. Opposers claim that meditation doesn’t work for them, and they practice fine without it.

​Both sides make valid points. For beginners, this debate is especially confusing, so they often ask content creators for their opinions. I’ve received dozens of messages asking about meditation.


Here’s what I think:

People Are Hyper-Focusing on One Specific Practice Instead of Observing the Bigger Picture.

What do I mean by that?

Meditation is one example of the broader magical practice that I will call trance work. Trance work is intentionally entering a trance to calm the mind and emotions. 

Meditation is one method of trance work, and it does not work for everyone. To put this into perspective, imagine if someone argued that every magician must use tarot cards. In doing so, this hypothetical person is ignoring all other methods of divination: scrying, runes, pendulums, osteomancy, etc.

As a community, we would benefit more from discussing trance work instead of arguing about meditation specifically.
Picture

What’s the Point of Trance Work?

Trance work intentionally dulls the mind. Emotions will relax and stabilize; intrusive thoughts will occur less frequently. While in a trance, the magician is more susceptible to receiving messages from spirits and deities. Trances are especially important in spirit work. Witches use trances to communicate with spirits, receive visions, and hedgecross (travel to another spiritual domain).

If you’re familiar with psychology, this might remind you of mindfulness. I would say that mindfulness is the halfway point of trance work. Mindfulness practices (including meditation) assuage the body to calm a person’s emotions. Trance work doesn’t just calm people down–it also slows your thoughts.

To be clear, you can still think during a trance. And this state is temporary. But if you’ve ever performed magic and wondered, “Is that my thought, or a message from something?” then you might benefit from trance work.

Magicians use a trance to prevent themselves from interrupting their own experiences. It decelerates anxious thoughts and doubts and allows them to just experience the moment. After the spell/divination/hedgecrossing finishes, they can interpret what happens.

What Methods Can You Use Besides Meditation?

​If meditation doesn’t work for you, you’re not alone. Magicians have been practicing other methods of trance work for centuries. 

In many historical records–from ancient Greek writings to ceremonial grimoires of the Middle Ages–writers mention the use of hallucinogens. Practitioners would often burn certain plants and experience visions. DO NOT copy these grimoires without proper research. Some of the plants are poisonous, and I do not recommend substances like datura.
Picture
That being said, there are some mild hallucinogens and herbs that can contribute to a trance state. And smoke was not the only method. Let’s explore a few others: 

  • Music. Music noticeably impacts our emotions; it can excite us, anger us, or relax us. Certain music can assuage your emotions and mind. I often listen to music along with meditation; you can find plenty of free meditation music on YouTube.
  • Chants. A chant is a rhythmic phrase that you repeat over and over. Those who have used a Catholic rosary know what I’m talking about. While a chant can be a prayer, it doesn’t have to be. It can be an affirmation, quote, or song lyrics, as long as it is rhythmic and appropriate for the situation.
    • A lot of Pagan and witchy music includes chants (i.e. repeatable lyrics) for the purpose of rituals.
  • Dance. The stereotype of naked women dancing around a bonfire has some historical precedence. Dancing can give you a break from your thoughts, especially in a group. For rituals, most people perform repetitive dance moves that do not require too much energy.
  • Breathing Exercises. Have you ever noticed that your breath hastens when you’re nervous or stressed? This is because breath impacts the mind and vice-versa. Specific breathing exercises can prepare you for a spell. I will provide two examples.
    • Slow Breath - This method slows down your breathing to relax your body and mind. Breathe in and count to a certain number; when you breathe out, increase that number by 1. For example, you can breathe in for 4 seconds, and then breathe out for 5 seconds. By focusing on your breath, your heart rate will slow and anxious thoughts should calm down.
    • Fire Breath - Unlike Slow Breath, Fire Breath speeds up your breathing. This method can make people dizzy or lightheaded, so proceed with caution. Breathe rapidly for a few seconds, and then take one deep, long inhale and exhale. I usually make noise during this. Repeat until entering a trance state.​
  • Incense. Witches don’t just light incense because it smells good. The incense serves a magical purpose (such as spiritual protection) and mesmerizes us with its smoke.
  • Ritual Baths. Many writers recommend ritual baths for cleansing, but it can also mentally prepare you for a large ritual or spell. It will relax and refresh you. Many witches make and sell bath bombs, salts, and herb mixtures for these baths. 
Picture
​Be VERY careful with essential oils; I’ve heard horror stories of people feeling delusional from soaking in wormwood oil or something similar. Always do your research beforehand.
  • Magical Teas. People have created magical tea recipes for divination, meditation, spirit work, inducing visions, and more. These teas usually contain relaxing herbs that open your psychic senses, such as lavender, mugwort, and yarrow. Here's a full list of tea correspondences.
  • Herbal Smoking Blends. I will cover this topic in a later post, but for now, know that magical smoking blends don’t necessarily involve weed or tobacco. Generally speaking, herbs that you can drink as a tea can also be smoked. But some might harm people who are pregnant, nursing, or have allergies. ALWAYS RESEARCH BEFORE PRACTICING.

Returning from a Trance

​As long as you’re not using hard drugs, everyone’s trance goes away eventually. But it might take a little bit. Personally, I have found that deep trances for hedgecrossing take longer to end, and I might spend a while “coming back to the room.” 

If you want to speed up this process, use a grounding technique. Any method of grounding will work, but here are some ideas.

  • Focus on a textured object such as a crystal, plush doll, or fidget toy.
  • Play upbeat music.
  • Have a snack or drink.
  • Describe objects in the room, either out loud or in your head. For example, you might think, “There’s a shelf right there. Those are my books. Those are my essential oils,” etc.
  • Perform a “body scan.” Focus on the feeling of the top of your head, and migrate down to your toes.
  • Give yourself time. You don’t have to feel 100% grounded right away. Returning from a trance is like waking up from a deep sleep; you won’t feel awake right away, but you’ll get there.
Picture

What Did I Miss?

What do you think about meditation in magic? Is it necessary? Are there other methods of trance work that I forgot about? Please let me know in the comments below!

Related Blog Posts:

  • Why "Types of Witches" Lists Are Always Incomplete
  • Scrying: How to Perceive Visions in Crystals, Water, and More
  • Real-Life Locations That Connect to the Underworld
  • Why Color Magic Correspondence Lists Only Scratch the Surface
  • Osteomancy: Divination through Throwing Bones
0 Comments

Ancient Greek Funerals and What Death Workers Can Learn from Them

12/4/2021

0 Comments

 
When most people discuss ancient Greek funeral rites, they often talk about Charon, the river Styx, Hades and Elysium. Many remember that people would put coins in the deceased’s mouth for Charon. But ancient Greek burial was much more complex than that.

For instance, Charon did not appear as a major Greek figure until around 500 BC. Before then, Hermes brought the dead to Hades. The earliest mention of placing coins in the deceased’s mouth was Aristophanes’ The Frog (450 BC). On top of that, Elysium (Paradise) did not rise in popularity until the 5th and 4th centuries BC, and it was only in certain religious groups.

If you pull from ancient Greek sources to work with the dead like I do, you’ll want accurate information. I have spent a long time researching ancient Greek burial rites. To save you some time, I’ve written an abridged version of what their funerals might have looked like. I’ll include sources at the end, too.
Picture
"Goethe's Ankunft im Elysium" by Franz Nadorp. Franz Nadorp/Wikipedia

Views of the Afterlife That Many Don’t Discuss

Before I jump into ancient Greek funerals, I want to include certain perceptions of the afterlife that many other authors gloss over. According to Robert Garland, a historian and professor of Classics at Colgate University, the Greek view of death was much less uniform than we believe. Ideas of the afterlife varied by culture and city-state, especially during the Classical Era (500 - 323 BC). 

According to most sources, when a person died, their spirit (psyche) left the body. Unlike other cultures, the body was no longer important to the spirit. The psyche either left through the mouth or through an open wound, if applicable. Homer mentioned a spirit from the heart (thumos) and viral spirit (aion), but these had no further role and were hardly ever mentioned.

As many know, the Underworld (often just called Hades) was surrounded by rivers. Although the most famous river is Styx, the Underworld actually had five rivers, as per The Odyssey and Aeneid: Acheron (the river of woe), Cocytus (the river of lamentation), Phlegethon (the river of fire), Lethe (the river of forgetfulness), and of course, Styx (river of unbreakable oath by which the Gods took vows.

However, a river was not the only way to get to the Underworld. Other sources mentioned souls going over the edge of Okeanos, the Western Sea. In many myths, people entered Hades through a cave. Oracles governed specific areas that connected to the Underworld. If a soul’s body was not buried, it could not enter Underworld, so the Greeks would even bury their war enemies.

Before Charon came onto the scene, Hermes escorted souls from Thanatos (the God of death) into Hades. Later, some believed that Hermes brought the souls to Charon, who guided them from there.

Souls had a neutral, calm existence in the Underworld. Many believed that they were happy with rites and funerals, but other than that, they had no contact with the living. However, during certain feasts and festivals, the dead were said to join the living and eat designated meals, similar to many modern-day feasts of the dead. When they did speak to the living (such as through necromancy or oracles), they conveyed wisdom relating to the future, past, or present. 

With these facts in mind, let’s move onto ancient Greek funerals.

Burial or Cremation?

During Greece’s early history, most corpses were cremated. By 1100 BC, however, most Greeks switched to burial. Athens was the exception.

If corpses were cremated, they were still buried in simple, rectangular pits or placed in urns.
Picture
"Presentation of the Wreaths" (150 BC). Marie-Lee Nguyen/Wikipedia

The Funeral

Historians received most information on Greek funerals from Attica, between the 8th and 4th centuries BC. These were rather lavish, and some families could not afford all of these steps. Even so, the ancient Greek funeral was divided into three stages.

Prothesis - The Laying of the Body

  • The prothesis involved caring for the corpse and paying respects, usually performed by older women. 
  • The corpse was washed and anointed with a fragrant oil, usually olive oil.
  • Women dressed the corpse in white or red garments.
  • Sometimes, the corpse was also adorned with wreaths of flowers and ribbons. Jewels were rarely used.
  • The corpse was placed on a high bed with the feet facing the door. Mourners would visit and pay respects, usually through lamentations.

Side note: the Greeks considered anything that was in contact with a corpse to be “tainted.” That included the house and its water. A fresh bucket of water was placed outside the door for visitors to “cleanse themselves” after paying respects. I'll expand upon this later.

  • Lamentations were sung along with music, often from flutes, lyres, and harps.
  • The corpse stayed there for two days in case they actually weren’t dead.

Ekphora - The Funeral Procession

  • The corpse was carried by friends and family, with men in the front and older women in the back (younger women usually didn’t join).
  • Sometimes, a mule-pulled cart hauled the corpse.
  • The procession avoided main roads to prevent “contamination.” Many cemeteries and tombs were outside of cities.
  • The corpse was covered with a white cloth, except for the head, as per the law.

The Burial

  • Like today, corpses were buried in a coffin or similar container. 
  • Mourners tossed grains over the grave plot after it was filled in, according to Cicero.
  • Sometimes, animal sacrifices were made for the Gods.
  • Gravesites were usually bordered by piles of rocks, which protected the dead from grave robbing. A headstone was also erected which included the name.
  • If mourners could afford it, urns and vases of Gods, symbols, and myths also decorated the grave.

Afterwards, on the second and third days, the mourners had a feast of the dead called perideipnon. They would return to the house with drinking, merriment, and libations to the Gods.
Picture
Prothesis, 6th century BC. Gela Painter/Walters Art Museum/Wikipedia

After the Burial

  • Few offerings were left at the gravesite. The ancient Greeks did not usually leave flowers on the grave unless it was during a rite or festival of the dead like Anthesteria.
  • Most offerings were libations of milk and honey. Other libations included wine, water, and olive oil. Sometimes, people would mix these liquids (such as combining wine with water during daily libations).
  • Libations were poured into the earth for the dead and chthonic deities.
  • Mourners would also deliver small cakes to the graveside.
  • Food offerings were believed to “feed” the dead. Unlike other traditions, this was not necessary for a restful afterlife, but it pleased the soul all the same.

Cleansing ​

Because deaths (and births) were considered “polluted,” the ancient Greeks would cleanse themselves after these events. This act of purification was called lustration.

Since the prothesis occurred in the home, all areas of the home--including the water--were considered polluted. A “clean” bucket of water remained outside for visitors to wash their hands. After the funeral, the home was washed with “new water,” usually from an ocean or spring. In Argos, mourners even put a “new fire” into the hearth.

Other lustrations included: fumigation (often with sulphur or incense), rubbing oneself with clay, or “washing off” with animal blood. These were not exclusive to funerals, however.

Cemeteries were said to be slightly polluted. Ghosts were said to hover near the burial site. If one wanted to communicate with the dead, they would go one of the Underworld entrances mentioned above, or to the ghost's burial site.
Picture
Kerameikos cemetery at Athens. Χρήστης Templar52/Wikipedia

What Can Practitioners Take Away from This?

After years of digging into ancient Greek funerals, I’ve pulled together correspondence lists that relate to that culture. If your Craft or faith pulls from ancient Greece, these might be useful to you. 

Offerings for the Dead
  • Flowers 
  • Music
  • Lamentations, including poetry, prayers, and songs
  • Olive oil
  • Milk
  • Honey
  • Water
  • Wine
  • Stones
  • Cakes, breads, and other grains

Libations are usually poured downward into the earth or another container.
​
Keep in mind that these are not the
only offerings for the deceased. They are just options that I took away from the sources in "Recommended Reading."

​
To Honor or Heal the Dead
  • Hold a feast and include a dish for them
  • Give offerings
  • Sing or play music
  • Give them art, such as pottery, paintings, writings, or drawings
  • If applicable, ask deities to guide or aid them
    • It does not need to be a chthonic deity; Demeter and Hestia can help loved ones, too

For Spiritual Protection
  • Enchant a stone to protect spirit vessels (such as graveyard dirt)
  • Cleanse tools with natural water, such as moon water, rain, river or spring water, etc.
  • Burn protective incense including myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood, or dragon’s blood. I do not recommend burning sulphur.
  • If applicable, call upon the Gods. Prayers to the Gods were a big part of protection spells in ancient Greece.
Picture

Recommended Reading

  • “Burial Customs, the Afterlife and the Pollution of Death in Ancient Greece” in the journal Acta Theologica (2010). This study summarizes many first-hand and second-hand accounts of Greek funerals. It is a great first stop.
  • The Greek Way of Death by Robert Garland (1985). Garland pulls together first-hand accounts from the ancient Greeks, and many other authors reference him.
  • Greek and Roman Necromancy by Daniel Ogden (2001), a must-have for death workers in this field.
  • Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in Greek and Roman Worlds by Daniel Ogden (2002) covers much broader topics but is still a noteworthy read.
Did I miss anything? Can you recommend other sources to people? If so, let me know in the comments below.
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Answering Asks
    Death Witchcraft
    Folk Magic
    Herbs
    History
    Necromancy
    Paganism
    Sabbats
    Spirit Work
    Witchcraft

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe for Weekly Updates!

I Wanna Learn More Death Witchcraft!

Connect with Me!