If you want to work directly with a goddess of nature, then the elder tree is your Huckleberry….er… your elderberry…
This Th-HERBS-day we honor the elder species (Sambucus spp.).
Elder was once part of the honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family which contains 860 species.
Recently, it has been re-categorized in the moschatel (Adoxaceae) family because of further testing of its biochemical makeup.
Elder is an old medicinal herb whose versatile use and legend is scattered throughout history.
The elder species continues to hold medicinal relevance today and is generally known for its immune-boosting berries, aka elderberries.
But, many parts of this plant have concentrations of poison in its roots, stems, and seeds.
It contains cyanide and has caused illness to children using its shrubs as whistles and blowguns.
In spell crafting and ritual, elder is used to bless items, people, and places.
It can be placed in front of doorways and windows to ward off negative entities and shield the aura from psychic attacks.
The elder species is regarded as one of the most respected plant spirits in the history of druidic shamanism.
This classic herb’s spirit aligns directly with divine feminine energy and is an herb that demands respect and clarity.
She is sort of a curator of energetic sources and can open positive, neutral, or negative portals in the liminal halls of realms.
Elder Uses and History
The generic name Sambucus is believed to be derived from the Greek word sambuke.
Sambuke is a word for a musical instrument made from elder wood and is believed to be elder’s earliest use.
The lore around elder spans across countries and religious beliefs.
Some Christians believe the cross of Christ was made of elder wood, while Norse Pagans believed the elder was Freya’s home.
Wiccan redes state: “Elder be the Lady’s Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be,” referring to the Elder Queen, or Hyldemoer.
Superstitions around the elder tree believe that you must ask for permission from the tree before cutting her down.
People did this by kneeling and saying: “Elder mother, give me some of thy wood and I will give thee some of mine when I grow into a tree.”
If the tree grew still for a moment, and no rustling leaves or branches were heard, then the permission was granted.
In medicine, elderberries are commonly used for their antiviral, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and diaphoretic properties.
Adding elderberries into your daily supplementation can assist in boosting your immunity.
Supplementation before and during cross-country travels and flu seasons is said to help prevent viral illnesses.
The flowers can be used in teas and the berries are commonly made into syrups or jams.
Elderberry was also used as a black hair dye and as a brewing agent for cheap port around the 1600’s.
The Spirit Of Elder
Elder’s spirit is a wise crone of the green realms who easily targets what needs to be worked on in the souls of the living.
The spirit of elder is direct, clear in her thinking, and expects those who summon her to be like-minded.
This spirit is temperamental, as she is inclined to heal, but she has a dark side.
She provides food, medicine, a protective shield to auras, ignites creativity, and reveals your inner and outer beauty.
Healing the sick and easing the transition of newly deceased souls, her spirit is similar to the role of the goddess Hecate.
As a busy spirit of the underworld and a gatekeeper to various realms, her time is sparse.
She spares little patience to those with shallow earthly requests.
If you’re not clear in your intentions, she will open the doors that she sees fit to assist in your soul’s growth.
Sounds subtle, but in spiritual development, soul growth is known to cause turbulent times.
If she views you as disrespectful, she may force you to face murky aspects of yourself, out of spite.
Dealing with your own shadowy traits, helps you grow wiser, but the elder spirit can lay it on pretty thick if she’s annoyed.
The spirit of elder is powerful and a good rule of thumb is to be prepared to pay her merciless healing price if you intend to work with her.
Sometimes she is easy, but she will not allow any pertinent blockages of the soul go unnoticed.
Elder’s Energetic Properties
This list of energetic herbal properties is a helpful guide to assist you in spell crafting and rituals.
The energy of the herb is heightened when planned carefully with corresponding days, seasons, zodiacs, etc.
Here are 18 energetic properties associated with elder:
1. Planet: Venus
2. Zodiac Sign: Taurus and Libra
3. House: 2nd and 7th
4. Element: Water and Air
5. Gender Energy: Feminine
6. Chakra: Heart (Green)
7. Archangel: Anael
8. Deity: Aphrodite (Greek), Frigg, Tyr, Forseti, Freya (Norse), Turan (Etruscan)
9. Sabbat: Beltane and Mabon
10. Season: Late Spring, Early Fall
11. Day: Friday
12. Body: Skin, Throat, Veins, and Ovaries
13. Rune: Thurisaz, Ansuz, Eihwaz, Perthro
14. Numerology: 6
15. Fae: Sprite and Fairy
16. Major Arcana: The Empress, The Hierophant, Justice
17. Minor Arcana: Cups and Swords
18. Cartomancy: Hearts and Spades
Cultivating Elder
Elder can usually be easy to find in the wild on just about every continent.
If you plan to grow it, you can easily propagate it from runners.
Growing them as an ornamental is fairly popular because of their pretty white flowers.
However, elder contains toxicity in the leaves, seeds, bark, and roots of some species and shouldn’t be handled carelessly.
If you’re a seasoned witch, then the lore of asking permission to cut down the elder from the tree itself is likely a familiar ritual.
Legend states that if the wind grows still and silent, not rustling the tree’s leaves or branches, then your permission is granted.
The spirit of the elder is very giving, however, she can be merciless to those who show disrespect to her and mother nature in general.
Happy Th-HERBS-day!
