FUNERAL HERBS
 
- By: Selena Fox

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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.