Elderberries 25g

These herbs are sold for magickal purposes and not for human consumption. All herbs purchased are cleansed and magically charged on my altar prior to dispatch.

The well-known Elder tree, common to every hedge in England, is one of the most magical plants in the hedge-witches repertoire. Old names like Holler, Hylder, Hyllantree, and the German word Holunder or Hylde Moer, as she was known in Denmark, all refer to an ancient vegetation Goddess to whom the Elder-tree was sacred, in times gone by. Elder was thought to be inhabited by a tree-dryad, which embodied its soul. The dryad could be kind or fierce, depending on how it was treated. Those who respected the Elder tree and never cut its branches were protected and blessed, but woe to those who dared to lay an axe on the sacred wood. The only good reason to pick at any part of the Elder tree was for medicine, if one solemnly explained one's purpose and asked permission from the tree. Elder indeed has truly amazing medicinal powers, so much so that some people have termed them 'a poor person's medicine chest', as a little book published in 1644 testifies, which was entirely dedicated to the virtues of Elder. The author praises the Elder-tree in no less than 230 pages. The booklet became so popular that it ran through several editions in both, the English and the Latin version. Every single part of the plant was mentioned as medicinally useful. Reference is even made to an edible fungus known as 'Judas Ear', which often appears on Elders that grow in damp and shady places. Accordingly, its medicinal powers were deemed effective for treating quinsy, sore throats and strangulation. (Judas was thought to have hanged himself from an Elder tree, which is why Elder never since could grow into a tall, upright tree.) The various parts of the Elder tree itself were deemed effective for practically any ailment, 'from toothache to the plague'.

The magical Elder tree is sacred to the Great Goddess, who presides over the mysteries of life, death and rebirth and as such, the Elder tree symbolises fertility and rejuvenation as well as the realm of magic and healing. The Elder is often planted as a tree of protection, and twigs of it were often pinned over the doors to ward off evil spirits. It was grown near the house to benefit from its healing and protective powers and to protect the farm against lightening flashes. Elder trees are linked to the realm of the fairies.

DISCLAIMER this products carries no guarantees of magical results. It is important that the necessary mundane work is done alongside the magical work. This is sold to be used magickally and not to be consumed.