Environmentals:

The 19th Century is a time of contradiction. The superstitions that had ruled for millenia were falling in the shadow of the Industrial Revolution and Modernity.

For the most part, anyway.

A fad for occultism and psychic phenomenon exploded in the latter part of the century. Mediums sell out dance halls and lecture halls, and social luminaries such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were enthusiastic supporters of the Spiritualist movement.

I picked up the sprig of pine at a local 19th Century cemetery. I figured it was good luck.