Elder Moon
25th November - 23rd December

The Elder Moon is the last month in the cycle of the 13 Celtic Moon Months, and it indicates the renewal of energy and the continuous journey of the soul toward greater happiness and understanding. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night, occurs during the Elder Moon, and offers the change to focus on your heart's desire.

Elder trees grow in many parts of the world including Europe, West Asia and all across North America. They grow mostly in moist shady places, growing into a shrub or small tree from about 10 to 30 feet high. They can also be cultivated if required. Elders are classified as woodland trees; their bark varying in colour, the bottom of the stem being brown and then a greyish white near the top. The bark is thick, with irregular ridges or scales, bumps that resemble warts and dark brown to reddish brown.

The Elder is a member of the Honeysuckle family, and frequently displays a sprawling habit and grows in damp clearings or along the edge of woods. Elder trees are woody plants with large, opposite leaves, which may be evergreen or deciduous and are pinnately compound. In June and July the trees produce small white to pink fragrant blossoms, in flat-topped clusters which later develop into berry-like fruits, that start off green and then turn into a reddish-brown colour to shiny black.

Country people have used berries for centuries in jams, jellies, medicinal syrups and wine. They can also be mixed with other seasonal fruits and used for pies, jams, vinegar, ketchup and chutney. The elderberries are used for rheumatism and are a fine preventative against colds, 'flu and sore throats, as well as being used to cool any swellings, such as piles. The Romans apparently used the elderberry juice to dye their hair black. It is suggested that you boil them in wine first. The bark of the older branches was used in the making of black dye and also the root. The leaves yield, with alum, a green dye and the berries dye blue and purple (with alum) and violet (with alum and salt).

It is important to remember that only the flower part of the plant can be used; the bark, leaves and branches are poisonous. Equally important is the fact that the flowers should not be eaten raw as they contain an alkaloid which is mildly poisonous. The poisonous element is destroyed during the cooking process.

In Ireland Elder was a sacred tree, and it was forbidden to break even one twig. The elder tree's ability to recover when damaged has made it a symbol of regeneration since ancient times and for this reason it was used in burial rites in British longbarrows (an ancient style of grave). Due to its white flowers (life) and black berries (death) the tree is also sacred to the Mother Goddess who governs birth and death. Because of this the Elder is sometimes called the "death tree"

Funerary flints found in megalithic long barrows were elder leaf shaped, suggesting this association goes back a long way. It is also called the "witch's tree" and certainly the village hedge-witch would have used the elder extensively, as herbally it is wonderfully rich and potent in all its parts, leaves, flowers, berries and bark. The presence of the Old Mother energy of the tree probably also accounts for this name. In Irish folklore it is the elder stick which is used by witches for their magic horses, so perhaps the bark was used for inducing trance. Certainly it is a purgative and will induce vomiting and perspiration. The use of the bark as a strong purgative dates back to Hippocrates, but is rarely used nowadays. Flutes made of elder were used to summon spirits, and elder was also a common wood of wands. Justice was often dispensed under an alder, so the hilt of a coven sword was often made of elder wood.

The wood of Elder is believed to have protective properties because of the powerful Dryad spirit that lives within it. When planted near a home, the tree will ward off intruders. A rowan's place was traditionally at the front of the house, the elder's was at the back door, to keep evil spirits and other negative influences from entering the home. The healing powers of the elder are also thought to cure insomnia, by placing elderberries in a spell bag under a pillow, and when pregnant women kiss its bark, it ensures the health of unborn babies. The much maligned tree became synonymous with the Devil himself. Many feared to burn elder-logs for fear they would "bring the Devil into the house" . Its twigs were said to enable the wearer to see spirits and experience visions.

There are very strong superstitions about not cutting down the elder. Maybe a fear of releasing that malevolent spirit or maybe a deep respect for this tree, which gives so much by way of medicines, food and drink. Early European folk tales tell of a dryad, Hylde-moer, The Elder Tree Mother, who lives in the elder tree and watches over it. Should the tree be chopped down and furniture made of the wood, Hylde-moer would follow her property and haunt the owners. Similar tales tell that if a child's cradle were to be made of elder, Hylde-moer would pinch the child black and blue and give it no peace or rest. Thus it is considered unlucky to make a cradle out of elder wood - birch being the property wood for a cradle, signifying a new start or inception.

A tea made of the fresh flowers makes an excellent spring/summer tonic, take fresh each morning to purify the blood. This herb is rich in vitamin C and is drunk for chest colds and stomach cramps and that causes beneficial sweating. They can also be added to salads, cakes and made into wonderful summer drinks such as elderflower cordial and elderflower champagne. Dried elder flowers are soaked in boiling hot water for an hour, and the resulting liquid is dabbed on the temples for headache. These dried petals are a gold color and have that vaguely summery scent that all dried flowers seem to have. This tree is also known as Alhuren, Battree, Devil's Eye, Eldrum, Ellhorn, Fau Holle, Hollunder, Hylantree, Hylder, Lady Ellhorn, Old Gal, Old Lady, Pipe Tree, Sweet Elder, and Tree of Doom.

The Elder individual commands respect and possesses a great deal of patience. However, Elders can sometimes be heartless and cruel, being impetuous and outspoken and prone to speak without first thinking. They have a tendency to lack good judgment in their choice of friends. Ambitious, with a driving force to win at all costs. Elder people are self sufficient, lively, and are frequently drawn to careers in the military or journalism. The true strength of Elders lie in the instinctive knowledge of when they are right and others are wrong, coupled with their inherent inclination toward self-discipline. They dislike routine and refuse to be pressured by others. The Elder individual is open in his or her relationships, but tends not to fall in love very deeply, seemingly able to remove their emotions from most situations. Restless and highly energetic, they thrive on change and need constant mental and physical challenge. While finding it difficult to tame their restless natures enough to take on parenthood, Elders do make wonderful uncles and aunts. It is important that Elder individuals learn to use change as a positive force in their lives in order to avoid becoming reckless and confused.

Elder Tree Facts

Scientific Name: Sambucas nigra, the common elder belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family.
Height: Approximately 30ft
Wood: The bark of the elder is used for many medical purposes, such as using it to make laxatives.
Leaves: The leaves and shoots also have diuretic properties.
Flowers: Small, white, elder flowers can be used to make teas.
Fruit: Elderberries turn from green to red, to purple as they mature and can be used to make elderberry jam.

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