Dust/Dirt around Jacob's House?

[InLikeFlynn]

My first thought was that it was obviously placed around the area. Especially when Locke noticed it and picked some up to smell it, then Ben quickly told him to keep moving. It made me think of some of other movies where to protect themselves from evil one places some form of dust around themselves. Maybe this is being used to keep Jacob in the house. Just thought

[Dzbabykel]

Good point!! I forgot Locke had picked some up to smell it, I'm going to go back and watch that episode now...I think thats a good idea.

[heavensprincess]

I thought it was volcanic ash.

[aZiXx]

I thought it was volcanic ash.

It was mentioned in Bens flashback while at school, there was an active volcano in the islands past. But that was the past. For the ash to remain on the top soil without anything covering over a given amount of time, would seem unlikely.

I do believe the idea of a protective or prison barrier is something. Either to keep Jacob in, or keep things out that aren't welcome. Hurley could have seen a manifestation of the cabin, as there are manifestations of Walt and others. Especially since that cabin had the ability to move about... and disappear.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

Interesting theory about the ashes. I think they are ashes from palm tree leaves. You guys probably know about palm sunday and Ash wednesday, anyway, this year Ash Wednesday is tomorrow the 6th so I think if that has anything to do with LOST it may appear in this thursdays episode. I don't think those ashes would keep him prisoner there though. Catholics and Jews do not fear any type of ash as far as I know, I'm catholic.

[InLikeFlynn]

The ashes were different than the surrounding soil and looked poured in a part of a large circle. I just re-watched and its diferent in color than in a line.

[jmarcroyal]

seems like some kind of magical or mystical prison of sorts, that seems like something a witch would do, who knows...

[Archangel-Player]

Iv always thought it to be Valcanic ash from hearing Ben's Flash back and what he learned in school. I while back i did some research on Valcanic ash and discoverd that it has the ability to create it's own electrical current. Lots of times when you see Valcanic ash it has a errer glow of electrical current when it falls and this made me think back to what Jacob dislike sth emost modern technology . Why would he hate this so much. Doese it effect him in some way? It wasn't untill the flash light was shown on him did he react. So maybe Electrical current doese soemthing to him as it did Smokey. even though Smokey was shocke dby a high doesage. Perhaps just the smallest amout effects Jacob in some way. Perhaps threw Dharma's testings and what not the ash was discoverd to keep it's electromagtism traits long after the erruption due to the island's heavey electromagnetic traits.. So the ash kinda serves as a natural Sonic fence for Jacob's prison.Any natural person can walk thre wit un touched . But someone like Jacob cannot. Jacob can perform his powers within the circle. But cannot leave this circle much less get any where near it.

[aZiXx]

Great analysis of the ash theory. I don't it was naturally put there, but someone could definitely have made the circle with it, and the whole electric things plays a part in the prison. But you don't think Jacob can use his powers outside? Like making apparitions like the cabin to Hurley, or Walt and the other things... maybe that is the island's power, and not Jacob then?

[Archangel-Player]

No. I don't think it was put there natural either. I said the circle would create a natural sonic fence. The ash seems put there by some other artfical means.

Yeah I do take back my previous statement about Jacob no being able to use his powers outside the circle. Because it seems he did some how create illussions of Jack's father on the island and it seems he was able to create the cabin in many directs to Hurly. So I don't know why I said that. I guess I got caught up talking. Ben meantioned before that Jacob can heal as he said to Juliet's sister "Jacob will cure her" As far as the island's power. I want to say it is Jacob who has been doing it. But then again Smokie has displaye it has special powers as well. Such as Morphing and mind reading. So it's a tie there as far as facts go. But im leaning more on it's Jacob's doing personaly.

[megaloman]

initially i thought it was gunpowder. but later i thought ash, and i cant remember if that was confirmed or not, but on the recap on jan 30 they said what it was