The Elderflower. The elderflower is of a flowering bush that will produce berries at the end of it’s cycle as a flower. As she ages, she becomes a large bush, and eventually can become a tree.

Her flower, berries, and wood are all sacred in ancient cultures. Particularly of the Celts and Druids. While the Druids are of the celts, here's a detail for clarity. A Druid was a member of the learned class among the ancient Celts. The Druids acted as priests, teachers, and judges.

The Elder-things (flowers, berries, wood) were associated with fairies. They believed these trees to be haunted by them. Fairies are known to love music, they thought they were in particular drawn to the notes of flutes carved of Elder Wood.

The Elder-things are believed to have the properties of death, rebirth, and transformation. Tying into that, they are compared to the Crone in the life sequence of Maiden, Mother, Crone. Right on the edge of death and other worlds, about to be transformed past death and into rebirth again, the cycle of life.

The flowers are known to ward off insects, and other pesky things like evil spirits. Elder Flowers were hung above doorways to keep the two away. It was not uncommon for Elderflowers to be planted in cemeteries to keep evil spirits away from loved one’s graves. Sometimes they were even placed in the coffin at burial. I found this tradition to originate from Europe.

Medicinally, the berries are high in Vitamin C. You may have noticed on the holistic area of the store, elderberries or syrups used to treats colds and other respiratory ailments. It’s important to note they also have toxic properties! The leaves, stems, and the berries while unripe will result in a build up of cyanide levels in the body. Yikes.

There is some debate about this, a lot of people will say it was Olive wood… But there are many that believe that Christ himself was crucified on Elder Wood, and that likewise Judas hung himself on an Elder Tree.

Me? I’m making an Elderflower, Lavender, Chamomile Tisane.

Detailed Shot of the Small Individual Flowers