swampwitch’s elder lore
December 14th, 2007 · 1 Comment
This page on Celtic Tree Lore by Sarah the Swampwitch describes Elder Lore as a tree of Venus associated with the element of air. It also lists some herbal uses for the various parts of the plant. (Note that this page lists elder bark as a diuretic and a way to promote labor, and the leaves as being able to be made into drinks, poultices and salves - while most medical sources recommend treating the bark and leaves as poisonous. I'm not saying nothing can be done with those, but I'd recommend thorough research before trying anything with those.)
Also lists details on magical uses, rituals and associations with the month of Elder, including the rook, the color blood-red, and the gemstone dark green malachite.
Tags: folklore
1 response so far ↓
1 Tony "Saladman" Saladino // Mar 11, 2009 at 11:58 am
Peace sister Swampwitch,
Please be aware of my own maniacal lust for this bawdy plant! By all good graces, it is the repository of such a great wealth of gifts!
I’m sure you know that the anti-oxidant properties rival some of the “next best sources”, the sheer amount of food, grown out of a relatively small footprint, and the spectacular scent of the blossom! Wow!
I mean, what a brilliant plant!
I wish that I had seen your post years ago! Our local not-for-profit, ECO-Tours of Wisconsin, has planted thousands of elderberries across Northeast Wisconsin. In our first four years, we have planted about fifty five acres of denuded land to native trees. We are seeking donations to purchase a farm, so that the next fifty five acres that we plant will all be in one location!
Elderberries are the best for us because they break the winds, and quickly hold soil, allowing us to stop erosion and create habitat for climax species trees.
A fellow tree-lover, Tony
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