Welcome back to another Wodin’s Day wisdom drop—where we explore deeper layers of practice, folklore, and magical tools with reverence, curiosity, and an open heart.

Today, we’re diving into four powerful traditional ingredients found across magical paths: graveyard dirt, brick dust, black salt, and crushed eggshells (aka cascarilla). These materials may seem simple, but they carry deep spiritual resonance and have been used by Rootworkers, Wiccans, Appalachian Granny Witches, Norse Völvas, Chaos Practitioners, and Eclectic Pagans alike.

Let’s break each one down—what it is, how to collect or make it, and how it’s used across paths:

Graveyard Dirt

Graveyard dirt, often referred to as “grave soil,” is considered a powerful ingredient in many magical practices. It is believed to hold the essence of the deceased, allowing practitioners to connect to ancestral wisdom and protective spirits. To collect it, practitioners usually approach a grave with respect, asking for permission and leaving an offering in return. This dirt is often used in spells for protection, binding, and divine connection, as it serves as a bridge between this world and the next.

Brick Dust

Brick dust, traditionally made from grinding red bricks, is revered for its protective properties. It is considered a potent tool in warding off negativity and creating boundaries. Practitioners can create their own brick dust by grinding up bricks or purchasing it from magical supply shops. It’s commonly sprinkled around homes, added to protective sachets, or used in floor washes to cleanse spaces and prevent unwanted energies from entering.

Black Salt

Black salt is a staple in many magic traditions, known for its strong protective qualities. It serves as a barrier against negative influences and is often used in spells to banish unwanted energies. To make black salt, practitioners can combine sea salt with ash from protective herbs, such as sage or black tourmaline. Once prepared, it can be used in spellwork, scattered around the home, or utilized in mojo bags for ongoing protection and empowerment.

Crushed Eggshells (Cascarilla)

Crushed eggshells, also known as cascarilla, are imbued with the cycle of life and are often used for protection and purification. Practitioners can collect eggshells, rinse and dry them, then pulverize them into a fine powder. This powder can be used to create protective barriers, draw symbols in salt for manifestation, or as a tool in divination practices. The shells carry a connection to fertility and rebirth, making them versatile for various types of rituals.

These traditional ingredients each carry their unique history and resonance, allowing practitioners to tap into the rich tapestry of magical traditions. By understanding their properties and the proper ways to collect or prepare them, one can deepen their practice and connection to the mystical world. Embrace these elements with intention, and let them guide you on your magical journey.

How These Magical Tools Are Used Across Diverse Paths

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🪦 Graveyard Dirt

What it is: Soil collected from a grave, often from a specific individual like an ancestor, a protector spirit, a soldier, or a healer.

How to Collect It:

• Always ask permission. Approach with respect. Leave offerings such as coins, water, herbs, or tobacco depending on your tradition.
• Gather near the headstone if you’re working with the spirit of the person. Some collect from the foot for walking magic or banishing.

Used In:

• Rootwork / Hoodoo: Vital in spirit work, binding, protection, and cursing.
• Appalachian Granny Magic: Collected from ancestors or family plots for protective house charms or healing.
• Norse Volva Traditions: Soil from burial mounds may be used ritually to call upon ancestors or land spirits (wights).
• Chaos & Eclectic Practices: Can be used in necromancy, shadow work, or grounding rituals.

🕯️ Note: This is sacred. Never take grave dirt lightly, as it carries with it the weight of those who have passed and the stories that remain untold. Consent and intention matter immensely in this realm. Yes, you need to get consent from the dead; it’s a fundamental respect for their space and legacy.

Do they always answer? Well, if you listen closely you will hear it or feel the answer in the subtle vibrations of the air around you. Sometimes, it may come as a whisper on the wind or a gentle rustle in the leaves. If you get a bad vibe, the answer is undoubtedly no, and it is crucial to heed that warning. Conversely, if you feel little goosebumps, an electrical hum or buzz followed by a profound sense of peace, then the answer is most likely yes, indicating a willingness to connect and share their energy with you.

Remember, this connection should be approached with reverence, understanding that each spirit has its own story and choice to communicate. Respect their boundaries and be mindful of the energy you are inviting into your space.

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🧱 Brick Dust

What it is: Powdered red brick, especially from old structures or handmade bricks.

How to Make It:

• Break the brick down using a mortar and pestle or hammer (wrap it in cloth first to avoid injury).
• Store in a jar or sprinkle bottle. Charge under the sun or on your altar.

Used In:

• Hoodoo & Rootwork: Sprinkled across thresholds to ward off evil or unwanted spirits.
• Appalachian Witches: Similar usage—scattering across porches and windowsills for household protection.
• Chaos Magicians: Used to ward ritual spaces, especially in urban magic.
• Eclectics & Wiccans: May blend it with salt or herbs for boundary and warding work.

🏡 Fun Fact: It’s often swept into door frames to keep hexes from entering the home.

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🖤 Black Salt

What it is: Not to be confused with culinary black salt (Kala Namak)—this is typically a blend of ashes, salt, and protective herbs.

How to Make It:

• Mix sea salt with ash from sacred fires or incense, crushed black pepper, charcoal, or iron shavings (from nails or filings).
• Optional: Add protective herbs like rosemary, rue, or garlic powder.

Used In:

• Wiccans & Eclectic Pagans: For banishing, binding, and shielding.
• Chaos Magicians: Useful in creating personal wards or energy traps.
• Granny Magic: Sprinkled along property lines for protection.
• Rootworkers: Used in hex-breaking and return-to-sender workings.

⚫ Mrs. B’s Tip: Stir counter-clockwise while setting your intention to banish or repel. [ I use black salt in my home to ward off negative energy and spirits. Typically put outside around the edges of the house, in front of the door ways outside of windows and under the door mat drawn into a rune]

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🥚 Crushed Eggshells (Cascarilla)

What it is: Finely ground eggshells, often used for protection, purification, and warding.

How to Make It:

• Wash and dry eggshells thoroughly.
• Crush into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
• You can mix it with white flour or cornstarch if you want a chalky consistency to draw symbols.

Used In:

• Santería & Afro-Caribbean Traditions: Applied to the body or thresholds for spiritual cleansing.
• Appalachian Folk Magic: Used to bless gardens, animals, and babies.
• Norse-Inspired Practices: May be added to charms or sprinkled in doorways as an offering to land spirits.
• Wiccans & Eclectics: Used for purification circles, especially when dealing with psychic or astral muck.
• Chaos Magicians: May be used in sigil reinforcement or “soft armor” layering of protection.

🥚 Sacred and sustainable—plus it keeps your coffee grounds company in the compost! – [ I personally add them into my black salt for an extra boost]

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💬 Can You Mix Traditions?

Absolutely. If you walk an eclectic or chaos-centered path, it’s valid to incorporate different practices into your own unique spiritual journey. Many individuals find the wisdom and strength to weave various traditions together, creating a rich tapestry of beliefs and rituals that resonate with them personally. As long as you’re being respectful, informed, and intentional, your craft is yours to shape and define.

Here in the Unconventional Momma community, we operate without gatekeeping. We embrace the diversity of paths—whether you’re honoring Odin or Hecate, your ancestors or your inner spirit, this community is a safe haven for exploration. We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we encourage you to find the tools and practices that empower you. It’s about cultivating a practice that feels authentic and meaningful to you—your way.

In this space, feel free to share your experiences and insights, for they can inspire others on their journeys. Let’s honor the myriad of traditions and beliefs, blending them in ways that connect us to the greater universe and to each other. Each person’s journey is valid, and together, we can support one another as we navigate our individual paths, crafting a tradition that is as eclectic and vibrant as we are.

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🕯️ Final Thoughts

Magic is layered, intricate, and rich with meaning. While some tools may look similar across various traditions, it’s important to recognize that their significance and application can shift dramatically based on cultural context, personal lineage, and spiritual philosophy. Each tradition carries its own history, rituals, and beliefs that shape the understanding of these tools. For instance, a magical item viewed as a protective charm in one culture may be seen as a symbol of prosperity in another.

Honor that depth of meaning. The more you engage with the different layers of magic, the more you will discover its nuances. Take the time to study various traditions, learning about the historical and cultural significance behind the tools and practices. This journey of exploration not only broadens your horizons but also deepens your own magical practice.

As you grow with these insights, consider how they resonate with your own experiences and beliefs. Incorporating elements from diverse practices can enrich your spiritual journey, making it uniquely yours. However, always approach this with respect and mindfulness, acknowledging the roots from which these traditions stem.

Do you use any of these in your practice? We would love to hear from you! Drop a comment, tag us in your ritual setup photos, or share your recipe tweaks and experiences with us @luna.ancestry or here at Unconventional Momma. Your stories and insights can inspire others and create a vibrant community of shared knowledge and growth.

Much love and many blessings,
Mrs. B