Elder

Origin: Europe and Western Asia

Family: Adoxaceae
Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra

Folk Names: Alhuren, battree, black elder, blood (sap), bore tree, bour tree, common elder, devil’s eye, eldrum, ellhorn, Frau Holle, hylder, hylantree (Low Saxon), Lady Ellhorn, old gal, old lady, pipe tree, Rob Elder, sweet elder, tree of doom

Magical

Element: Water
Day: Friday
Planet: Venus
Zodiac: Libra
Associated Celebrations: SumSol
Deities: Dyrads, Ellewoman, Holda, Freya, Hylde-Moer, Venus, and all mother goddess figures

Parts used: Flowers, berries

Magical Properties: Love, money, purification, healing, prosperity, protection, hex-breaking, protection from lightning, faeries

Substitutions: Chamomile

Lore

• Nicholas Culpeper notes that elder is under the dominion of Venus. He lists a variety of uses for all parts of the tree.
• Elder trees are associated with communicating with Elementals. It is rumoured that if you sit under an elder tree and quietly ask a question, the plant sprite will give you the answer.
• It was believed that witches and spirits live within elder trees, which is why they ‘bleed’ red when cut. Before felling an elder tree, in order to give them time to vacate, the following chant was recited:
  • “Lady Ellhorn, give me of thy wood,
    And I will give thee of mine,
    When I become a tree.”

Magical Uses

• Wear elder to protect yourself from attackers.
• Elderflowers are a traditional offering to the dead.
• Carry elderberries to protect against evil and negativity.
• Elder is a traditional wood to use for wands and dowsing rods.
• Grow elder to protect the household from baneful magic and lightning, and to bring prosperity.
• Place elderberries under your pillow if you have difficulty sleeping to promote a peaceful slumber.
• Hang elder over doorways and windows to protect against evil and baneful magic, as well as robbers and snakes.