Lo, there do I see my mother,
and my sisters, and my brothers.
Lo, there do I see the line of my people,
Back to the beginning!
Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place among them,
In the halls of Valhalla!
Where the brave may live Forever!"
Selena Fox
Since ancient times herbs have played a part in funerals. They've been used to scent graves and cremation fires, to fill amulet bags and in making wreaths to decorate burial places.
BASIL: Protection, Love
BAY LAUREL: - Communication with the dead, protection, triumph, used in funeral wreaths.
BIRCH: Rebirth.
CEDAR: Prosperity, Purification.
COMFREY: Healing.
CYPRESS: Endings.
ELDER: Transformation
FRANKINCENSE: Purification, Spiritual Transformation.
GARLIC: Protection.
HOLLY: Renewal, Resurrection.
IVY: Rebirth, Celebration.
LAVENDER: Memories, Peace.
LEMON BALM: - Immortality, happiness; used in a tea for emotional cleansing and uplifting.
LILY: Resurrection.
MINT: Joy, a stewing herb.
MISTLETOE: Protection.
MUGWORT: Inner Sight
MULLEN: Cleansing.
MYRRH: Healing, Purification, Protection, Used in Mummifying.
OAK: Strength.
PARSLEY: - Good luck in here after; decorating tombs.
PERIWINKLE: Immortality, " Flower of the Dead, " Placed on graves.
POMEGRANATE: Rebirth.
POPPY: Restfulness.
ROSEMARY: - Friendship, purification, happiness; thrown into graves " for remembrance, " burned as incense, sprigs carried in funeral processions.
ROSES: Love Purification.
ROWAN WOOD AND BERRIES: Protection.
RUE: Karmic Completion.
SAGE: Wisdom, Purification.
SANDALWOOD: Purification.
THYME: Purification.
WILLOW: Releases, Cleansing.
WORMWOOD: Transformation.
YARROW: Protection, Healing.
YEW: Immortality, endings; once planted in graveyards to protect bodies of the departed.
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