In the End is the Beginning: Elder

 

The ancient Celts used the first alphabet in Europe which is called the Ogham script.  Each letter is associated with a tree or an important plant.  The alphabet was used as a mnemonic device to encode knowledge, the Celtic song of the universe, Ceolta na Cruinne (Diana Beresford-Kroeger).  The thirteen months of the year (pre-Gregorian calendar) were each represented by a particular tree.  The new year began on Nov. 1^st with Birch, followed by Rowan in December, Alder in January, Willow in February, Ash in March, Hawthorn in April, Oak in May, Holly in June, Hazel in July, the Blackberry (Bramble) or Vine for August and September is represented by Ivy.  The month of October is represented by Ngetal for the first 28 days and Elder or Ruis for the last 3 days which make up the 13^th month of the calendar.

The 13^th month is a short ‘make-up’ month ending in Samhain, the last night of the year or Hallowe’en.  It is represented by Ruis, the letter R and Elder which is a tree of regeneration.  It regrows damaged branches easily and it will root and grow from any part.  Ruis represents the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end and is therefore a transition tree from one year to the next.

Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a tall bush that grows at the edges of rivers and streams.  It is connected by underground suckers.  Elder leaves consist of five leaflets attached to a centre stalk, set opposite each other.  Each tiny Elder flower has five creamy petals and five green sepals behind them that look like stars. The flowers grow in clusters that resemble many-spoked umbrellas.  In the fall, these flowers have turned into dark purple elderberries that weigh the branches down.   Birds feast on the berries and distribute the seeds. There are about 20 species worldwide.

Elder flowers have been used as a face wash that strengthens and protects the fine capillary network just under the skin. It is said that this will reduce crow’s feet.  Cooked elderberries carry a complex sugar sambucin which helps the eyes to adjust to darkness.  It is still in use for the treatment of night blindness. Apart from the fresh or dried flowers and cooked berries, Elder is poisonous.    Dried Elder flowers and peppermint are were used in a tea to treat the common cold.  Other parts of the tree were used as medicine but this knowledge has been lost. Both the flowers and fruit make excellent jams, wines and teas.  The berries were used to darken hair.  Natural dyes can be made from Elder; black from the bark, green from the leaves and blue from the berries.  The wood is pithy and was used to make whistles and the chanters for Welsh bagpipes.  Elder’s hard, close-grained wood was used for fishing rods, shoemaker’s pegs, instruments for mathematicians, and combs.   The leaves were used for insect control.  The berries are high in Vitamin C and can be made into cordials to help with winter colds.  According to Elen Sentier, Elder can be used to treat over 70 conditions. 

Elder grows in Britain, Europe, Asia and North America.  Elder has been special to humans for millennia, in particular by the Norse, Celts and Saxons.  Because of its powers of regeneration, it is connected to the goddess, magic and female energy.  The Elder Mother or Hylde-moer in Danish, is the mother of the elves and she lives in the elder’s roots.  However, Christianity painted her as a wicked witch.  Legend held that sleeping under an elder would grant access to the otherworld, sometimes through magical dreams or being carried away by the faeries.  Elder provides contact with ancestors as well.

Elder, the Elder Mother, has wise old woman energy.  She guards the entrance to the underworld and death and the threshold of consciousness.  Elder provides the wisdom to deal with changes.  This will bring about great inner strength and wisdom. Danu Forest writes, “Becoming an elder includes sacrifice and restoration, working hard for the betterment of others and leaving a positive effect or contribution to the world, family, or community.” (Danu Forest, p171)  “By sacrificing the past, new energy is released, benefitting from the nourishment produced from the healthy decay of things that have passed their time.” (Danu Forest, p172)

The name Elder comes rom the Anglo-Saxon word aeld and the tree was called eldrun.  In Low-Saxon the name is ellhorn.  Ald  meant “fire” since the hollow stems were used as blow-pokers for the fire.  As a guardian and protector of house and farm, she was offered cakes and milk in Scotland, milk in Sweden and bread and beer in Germany.  People used to say “Lady Ellhorn, give me some of thy wood and I will give thee some of mine when it grows in the forest,”  before cutting any elder wood.

So, as the Celtic year ends, take this opportunity to clear out things, ideas and attachments that have passed their time so that new energy will be released that will take you into the new year and the new beginning represented by Birch.

 

This is a compilation of information taken from the following sources:

Diana Beresford-Kroeger (2019) To Speak for the Trees. Random House: Canada.

Danu Forest (2014) Celtic Tree Magic: Ogham Lore and Druid Mysteries. Llewellyn Worldwide: Woodbury, Minnesota.

Glennie Kindred, (1997) The Tree Ogham. Glennie Kindred: UK.

Liz and Colin Murray (1988) The Celtic Tree Oracle. Connections Book Publishing: London, UK.

Jacqueline Memory Peterson (1996) Tree Wisdom: The definitive guidebook to the myth, folklore and healing power of Trees. Thorsons: London.

Elen Sentier (2014) Trees of the Goddess. Moon Books: Winchester, UK.