Magical and Medicinal Uses of Elder

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Protection

Magical Uses and History: Elder is one of the most magical trees, especially in European folklore, where its history is long and rich. In England, Germany, Denmark, and Scandinavia, the elder tree was believed to be inhabited by the Elder Mother, also known as Lady Elder, Hyldemöer, or Mother of Elves. She was revered and feared, leading to it becoming taboo to cut from her branches, and sometimes even touch her, without permission. In Ireland and Scotland, the spirit of the elder is often unnamed or said to be a fae, but it is inhabited by a spirit nonetheless. Later, as Christianity made its way across the European continent, the spirits of the elder tree turned to witches and the devil, and thus it became unlucky, not just taboo, to cut from the tree or burn its branches, for fear of letting the devil in. Christian myths surrounding the elder are contradictory, with some believing the elder to be the tree from which Judas hung himself after betraying Jesus, while others say the cross from which Jesus was nailed was made of elder. Either way, both contribute to the negative views surrounding the elder tree.

Likely due to the spirit inhabiting the tree and even the unlucky folklore, elder is believed to be a powerful protector. Elder was often planted near houses, worn, or hung in the house above doors and windows to ward off witches, unwanted spirits, and even lightning. In some parts of Scotland, crosses were made of elder and hung in barns and over stables to protect livestock, while drivers of hearses carried whips with handles fashioned from elder to ward off evil. All of this is interesting considering the stigma around cutting branches, but it led to a variety of petitions to cut from the tree. Elder continues to be used in much the same way today, and as before, you should always ask permission before taking from the tree. Add elder branches, leaves, and berries to spells and spell bags/jar for protection, carry on your person to ward off evil, or hang in your home for similar purposes. Plant elder in your yard to protect against lightning and thieves, or use the twigs to create protective charms.

Its association with spirits also likely led to its use in spirit communication. Nicknamed the "Tree of Music" or "Pipe Tree," instruments made from elder were thought to attract the fae, especially when played on sabbats such as Midsummer Eve and Samhain. Playing a flute of elder allows the player to pierce the veil between this world and the next, allowing spirits to be called forth or used to reach an altered state of consciousness. Sitting or sleeping beneath the tree on Midsummer Eve was said to grant one access to the fairy realm, but the risk was great, as you could end up trapped. As such, elder can be used in spells and rituals to connect with the Otherworld, particularly the fae. Play as an instrument or drunk as a wine to induce an altered state of consciousness, place beneath your pillow to enhance prophetic dreaming, or place on ancestral altars during psychopomp work.

Beyond its magical protective uses, elder was also commonly used to treat a variety of ailments. The Greek physician Hoppcrates referred to the elder as a "medicine chest" as it could be used to treat just about everything. The family herbal, first published in 1754, spoke of elder bark's use as a purgative to create edema or congestive heart failure, while the flowers were used to create a cooling ointment and the berries a wine to treat colds and sore throats. In Denmark, records indicate elder was chewed and stuck to or in a wall while saying "Depart thou evil spirit!" to cure toothaches. To cure warts, the wart was either rubbed with elder and buried or was stuck with a pin that was then stuck into an elder tree. Charms of elder were carried to prevent rheumatism and fevers, while elderberries were placed under pillows to cure insomnia. Needless to say, elder has a strong association not only with protection, but also healing, and therefore can be added to spells and rituals for such purposes.

Elder can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Healing Spells

      Protection Magic
      Spirit Work & Communication

      Exorcisms

Medicinal Uses: Elder has long been revered as a cure-all, with its flowers, berries, and leaves being used to create and treat a variety of ailments. The leaves are an emollient and vulnerary and are thus most often used to treat external ailments such as sprains, bruises, and minor wounds. The flowers and berries, on the other hand, are diaphoretic and anticatarrhal, making them perfect for the treatment of colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections such as hay fever and sinusitis. The bark is a purgative, but is no longer used in modern herbal medicine because it contains cyanide-producing compounds.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine a cup of boiling water with 2 teaspoons of dried flowers and leaves. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 2-4 milliliters up to three times a day. To create a salve or ointment, combine three parts fresh elderberry leaves with 6 parts melted beeswax, Vaseline, or other carrier oil. Heat on low until leaves are crisp, about 2 hours. Strain and store. Use as needed.

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