Graveyard dirt is essential to many spells and concoctions. However, you can’t just go grab some. At best, it won’t work, and at worst, you’ll have to deal with the ire of the spirits you stole from.

You may wish to choose your grave beforehand, or you can let the spirits guide you to the correct grave. 

If you choose your grave beforehand, do your research on the person who died and make sure that their life and death has something to do with your purpose. You aren’t just collecting dirt; you are offering to employ a spirit for your purposes.

You may wish to find the grave of a heroic soldier, police officer, or judge when you desire true justice, or your object is protection. If you desire terrible revenge, those who died violent deaths are usually the best to choose. If you are using your graveyard dirt for love (or protection), you can gather dirt from the grave of someone who loved you, or from an ancestor. And so on.

Before you enter the graveyard, pause and declare your intention to the spirits there, and tell them that you wish to treat them with honor and respect. Enter.

Find the grave of your choice. If it is dark, use a natural source of light.

Show your offerings to the intended spirit. Traditional offerings include silver-colored coins, tobacco, and liquor. If you knew the person and know specifically what they like, bring that. If you wish to be especially discreet, bring flowers to plant or bring a potted plant to place on the grave, and no one will think twice about you digging.

Tell the spirit what you need and why. Be brief, but don’t exclude important information that may convince the spirit to help you. Tell the spirit you will pay for the dirt and their help, and present the offerings. Ask them if they agree. Sit silently and wait for their permission.

When you have permission, thank them, and use a ritual knife to dig some dirt from their grave and put it in a bag. (if this is too difficult, you CAN consecrate a trowel, or use one you use in magical gardening.)

Don’t take sod. Once you’ve dug a small hole and emptied it, put your offerings into the hole as payment. If there was sod, replace it. If you were going to plant something here, plant it over the offerings.

Thank the spirit again and take your leave. Before leaving the graveyard, address the spirits again, thank them for letting you do your work, and ask that no one follow you. Spin around three times to confuse any spirits attempting to follow. Once you exit the graveyard, spin around three more times. Before entering your home, spin around three times again.

You now have an extremely powerful ingredient.