Faith, Folklore, and Friends

We found it in some woods near the river, this old abandoned cemetery that doesn't have a name. The owner of the property where it is located told us about it.  He said he bought the land without knowing the cemetery was there.  He just happened upon it one day while he was hunting. The owner gave us permission to visit, as long as we promised not to be digging for treasure. I'm thinking this ivy was planted to decorate the grave of a loved one.  Now it covers a large area, having had almost two hundred years to spread. The people buried here never saw the Civil War, never had electric lights, or never owned a car.   Obviously, they were loved.  Some graves have tombstones that must have been elaborate and expensive during the 1820s.  All that remains of some other graves is a sunken, rectangular depression. Some cedar trees that were planted have fallen and decomposed, leaving only...

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier  in Europe.  Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life.  Some  Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars.  My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and wil...