Also known as ellhorn, elderberry and lady
elder, this is a tree the Druids used to regulate
their communities and to bless. Elder wands
can be used to drive out evil spirits or thought
forms. Music played on panpipes or flutes of
elder has the same power as the wand. As a
protection against evil (and later against
witchcraft), its twigs were carried, while its
branches were hung in the doorways of houses
and cowsheds and buried in graves. Ancient
folklore states that you put your baby at risk if
its crib is made from elder wood; you run the
risk of the fairies coming to take your baby
away. In German-Scandinavian folklore the
Hydermolder is a particularly malign nature
spirit associated with elder.
Elderflowers have many magical uses. You
can keep some on your altar to use with any
spell which calls on the energy of the fairies or
nature spirits. They are particularly useful
when performing rituals for prosperity,
healing, binding, banishing and protection.
Elder is sacred to the White Lady and
midsummer solstice, and it is said that standing
under an elder tree at midsummer will help
you see the fairies. The elder is also the Old
Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and her
protection and blessing is powerful.
