Many folk traditions believe that upon a person’s physical death, the soul leaves the body through the mouth, and there are many methods employed by magickal practitioners to ensure the resurrection of the dead. Among those who practice their craft in the shadow on the Appalachian Mountains, when death is near, a cloth is tied over the individual’s mouth, and when the body draws its last breath a glass jar is used to capture the individual’s soul, which often takes the form of a fly, gnat, insect, moth, or butterfly. Before the sun rises the following morning, the individual will return for his or her soul, and it is said that only this person can open the jar containing their soul.
Should you reconsider your work, fret not…blood, water, earth…these are the barriers which prevent the dead from recapturing their soul. To prevent the person’s return, place branches of pine across the body to mimic the pine box in which the dead are buried. Surround the body with water, which the dead is said to be unable to cross. Time holds no sway for the dead, for they live in the past, therefore stop the clock and circle the date of the individual’s death in blood. Finally, bar their doorway with loose earth. Should the dead overcome the other defenses, they will be forced to count each grain of earth before crossing the threshold.
At sunrise, the jar will shatter and the soul will move across the spiritual planes to meet its final destiny. However, if the individual is able to retrieve their soul and swallow it, they will walk among the living again.
Tales from the Darkside, "The Moth"
Original Air Date: October 18th, 1987
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