More Elder Wisdom (and of course, More Wine!)

ELDER Sambucus nigra

As we were saying last week, the association with death and dying led to a variety of superstitions surrounding the Elder tree. Here's more on the Historical Folklore, as promised:

• At one time, Elder Trees were held to protect one from witches and ward off evil. In Cole's Art of Simpling from 1656, it says, "[I]n order to prevent witches from entering their houses, the common people used to gather Elder leaves on the last day of April and affix them to their doors and windows," as some Elder was grown near the cottage specifically for such purpose.

• One reference states that 'The Russians believe that Elder-trees drive away evil spirits, and the Bohemians go to it with a spell to take away fever.'

• In some parts of Italy, it was believed that sticks of Elder would kill serpents and protect from thieves.

• In Serbia, a stick of Elder was a part of the marriage ceremony to bring good luck. Elsewhere, pregnant woman would kiss an Elder tree to ensure good fortune for the baby.

• Early English believed that the Elder was never struck by lightning, and carrying a twig of Elder tied into knots would bring an easing of rheumatism. Often, crosses were made of Elder and fastened to stables to protect the animals. It was believed bad luck, however, to bring Elder indoors.

• One bit of folklore states that an Elder should be planted on the grave, and if it flowers, the soul of the deceased is peaceful and happy. Green Elder branches were also buried in a grave to protect the dead from witches and evil spirits, and it was even customary for the driver of the hearse to carry a whip made of Elder wood.

• Some areas of rural England believed that if a child was whipped with an Elder 'switch', the child would cease to grow.

• In Denmark was the old belief that anyone who would stand under an Elder tree on Midsummer's Eve would see the King of the Fairies and his court ride by.

• For those who were really nervous about their neighbors in earlier times, Folkard tells us in Plant-Lore, Legends and Lyrics, that "The pith of the branches...lighted, and then put to float in a glass of water...on Christmas Eve is thought to reveal...all the witches and sorcerers in the neighbourhood".
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