Visiting Emily’s grave was such a moving experience. I love that we both left objects that had been dear to us since we were teenagers. I know she knows, and appreciates the offerings.
On a trip to the Northern Plains, I left a sage bundle at the Crazy Horse Memorial at Ft. Robinson, Nebraska, and a medicine bag with a sacred object at the Wounded Knee Memorial in South Dakota. I was drawn to the history of the Native Americans since I was a teen, particularly those tribes of the Plains. I left these offerings to honor their journey from this world to the Spirit World and in remembrance of the adversity faced on their earthly path.
I can see this as both, by leaving something behind we think they will enjoy is a way of honoring them. In Salem I’ve left pennies, come to think of it I’ve only left pennies at gravesides.
I hope her grave is better kept than when we were there. But nevertheless, it was really something to stand there and acknowledge what she meant to us.
I’ve left pennies and dimes, flowers, wine, and water. I loved reading about your visit to Emily Dickinson’s grave and other well known American writers and innovators. Seeing the offerings in the pictures you’ve included reminds me of offerings some leave at holy wells and holy trees in the uk honoring land spirits and ancestral protectors. The parallel in practice is striking, though not one I’d previously seen as closely connected as your post incidentally brought home.
Very interesting. I have not left anything at a gravesite other than flowers for someone I knew was departed. I grieve when I see headstones of young children who have passed. I always thought about leaving a little toy for their spirits to play with.
Visiting Emily’s grave was such a moving experience. I love that we both left objects that had been dear to us since we were teenagers. I know she knows, and appreciates the offerings.
So very true. ❤️
On a trip to the Northern Plains, I left a sage bundle at the Crazy Horse Memorial at Ft. Robinson, Nebraska, and a medicine bag with a sacred object at the Wounded Knee Memorial in South Dakota. I was drawn to the history of the Native Americans since I was a teen, particularly those tribes of the Plains. I left these offerings to honor their journey from this world to the Spirit World and in remembrance of the adversity faced on their earthly path.
Thank you for this. I know how emotional those sites are.❤️
I can see this as both, by leaving something behind we think they will enjoy is a way of honoring them. In Salem I’ve left pennies, come to think of it I’ve only left pennies at gravesides.
I think leaving pennies is something I often see.
This is so beautiful, Nancy. Emily is one of my favorite poets. I'm adding her gravesite to my list of places to visit next time I'm up that way.
I hope her grave is better kept than when we were there. But nevertheless, it was really something to stand there and acknowledge what she meant to us.
I’ve left pennies and dimes, flowers, wine, and water. I loved reading about your visit to Emily Dickinson’s grave and other well known American writers and innovators. Seeing the offerings in the pictures you’ve included reminds me of offerings some leave at holy wells and holy trees in the uk honoring land spirits and ancestral protectors. The parallel in practice is striking, though not one I’d previously seen as closely connected as your post incidentally brought home.
Very interesting. I have not left anything at a gravesite other than flowers for someone I knew was departed. I grieve when I see headstones of young children who have passed. I always thought about leaving a little toy for their spirits to play with.
I always hate seeing those tombstones with the little lamb on top.