DescriptionRitually collected from the first Edmonton Jewish Cemetery established in 1906, this historic place still serves as the community cemetery to this day. Originally located at what was a short distance from the heart of Jewish Community on 95th St. in Edmonton’s East End, it was just across the road and back up the hill to the cemetery. In the winter, the horse-drawn hearses had to use wooden logs as brakes, but in summer, the going was better. Motorized hearses started in the 1930s. The headstones located here are cut to strict standards and an interesting thing to note is that the graves do not face East, as in most Jewish Cemeteries, but North-South instead. No one seems to know why this is so, it has just always been that way. Another unique note about this cemetery is that it serves all denominations in the community: Orthodox, Conservative and Reform.The first modern organization of a burial society responsible for the entire community was formed in Prague by Rabbi Elezar Ashkenazi in 1564. Its rules and regulations were codified by the Maharal. They became the model for all other Jewish burial societies. The functions of the Burial Society or Chevra Kadisha, literally “Holy Society” arose from two Judaic principles: that reverence must be accorded to the deceased because the body once housed the soul, and secondly, that no profit should be made from the burial of the dead. Therefore the Chevra Kadisha is a charitable society, unlike most non-Jewish burial societies or funeral parlours.Jewish and pioneer cemeteries all have incredible stories to tell, their energies are very different from what you will find at large memorial parks. Some traditional graveyard spells call for a certain type of graveyard dirt. Such as for murdered person for cursing or a revenge spell, rich man for money spells, child’s grave to conceive a baby, etc. This dirt is a very protective one, I have done lots of magical work in and around this place and its energy is very maternal, protective, and caring. This dirt would be good for all types of ritual Protection work or used if one has Jewish Ancestry and needs to call upon their ancestors for help.Graveyard Dirt is used in various spiritual and magical practices, infused with symbolism and believed by many to carry the essence of the place it comes from. Commonly used across a variety of magical traditions and practices, and in a number of different ways. According to accounts found in Northern European Black Books, graveyard dust was traditionally collected directly from the grave and, very often, from specific graves. These would include both graves within the confines of the churchyard—such as the graves of young, unmarried women and the graves of soldiers—and without, with evidence of both being used in a wide array of workings. Dirt from the grave of a criminal, for example, would often be collected from outside of the church yard and would often be used in the prevention of physical harm or theft. Traditions that employ graveyard dirt in their workings include (among others) Hoodoo, Appalachian and Southern American folk magic, Traditional Witchcraft, Spirit-Based magic. In African-derived magic such as hoodoo and Obeah, graveyard dirt is an important “magical link” (in the Crowleyan sense of that term), because of the powerful cultural beliefs centered around the role of the dead in rituals of invocation.4 Dram BottleA monetary donation and offerings are made for this dirt directly to this cemetery.
