Elder - Freyja's Tree

Important Safety Information

BERRIES MUST BE COOKED: Raw elderberries, leaves, stems, bark, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Only ripe, cooked berries and dried flowers are safe for consumption. Never eat raw elderberries.

SAFE PARTS: Dried flowers (tea), cooked ripe berries (syrup, jam, wine)

TOXIC PARTS: Raw berries, leaves, bark, roots, stems, unripe berries

Elder - The Lady's Tree

The elder tree (Sambucus nigra) holds a complex and powerful place in Norse and Germanic tradition. Sacred to Freyja, goddess of love, fertility, magic, and death, the elder embodies the paradox of life and death, blessing and banishment, healing and hexing. Known as Hylde-Moer (Elder Mother) in Danish tradition, this tree was both protected and feared, a threshold guardian between worlds and a source of profound magical and medicinal power.

Norse Name: Hyll/Hylltr (Old Norse) | Germanic Names: Holunder, Hollunder, Hylde

Botanical: Sambucus nigra (Black Elder/European Elder)

Mythological Connections

Sacred to Freyja - Goddess of Love, Magic, and Death

Freyja (Old Norse: "Lady"), most powerful of the Vanir goddesses, claimed the elder as her sacred tree. As a goddess straddling the worlds of life-giving fertility and the underworld of the dead, Freyja's essence perfectly mirrors the elder's dual nature.

  • Seiðr Connection: Freyja, teacher of seiðr magic to the Aesir, used elder in trance work
  • Death Goddess: Freyja receives half of the battle-slain in Fólkvangr (her realm)
  • Fertility Magic: Elder used in women's rituals, childbirth, and love magic
  • Shape-Shifting: Freyja's falcon-cloak echoed in elder's transformative magic
  • Tears of Gold: Elder flowers bloom golden, like Freyja's tears that became gold
  • Brisingamen: The elder's protective nature mirrors Freyja's famous necklace

→ Learn more about Freyja

The Elder Mother (Hylde-Moer) - Tree Spirit

Germanic and Scandinavian folklore tells of the Hylde-Moer or Elder Mother, a powerful feminine spirit dwelling within the elder tree.

  • Guardian Spirit: Each elder housed its own protective dryad
  • Permission Required: One must ask before cutting elder: "Lady Elder, give me some of thy wood, and I will give thee some of mine when it grows in the forest"
  • Vengeance: Cutting without permission brought illness, bad luck, or death
  • House Protection: Elder Mother protected homes where trees grew nearby
  • Hel Connection: Some scholars link Elder Mother to Hel, goddess of the underworld
  • Freyja Manifestation: Elder Mother may be localized form of Freyja herself

Elder in Norse Cosmology and Magic

Death and Underworld Associations

Folklore and Superstitions

Historical Uses in Norse/Germanic Tradition

Medicinal Uses - The "Medicine Chest of the Country People"

Elder was called a complete pharmacy in a single plant:

  • Elderflower Tea: Fever, colds, flu, respiratory infections (induces sweating)
  • Elderberry Syrup: Immune support, winter illness prevention
  • Bark Decoction: Strong laxative, diuretic (harsh - rarely used)
  • Leaf Poultice: Bruises, sprains, wounds (external only - leaves are toxic)
  • Elderflower Water: Eye wash, skin toner, sunburn relief
  • Berry Wine: Tonic, warming, circulation

Magical and Protective Uses

  • Wand Making: Elder wands for banishing, protection, commanding spirits
  • House Protection: Elder branches over door and windows
  • Hex Breaking: Elder used to break curses and ill-wishing
  • Familiar Summoning: Völvas used elder to call animal spirits
  • Dream Work: Elder leaves under pillow for prophetic dreams
  • Love Charms: Elderflower in midsummer love magic
  • Weather Magic: Elder invoked for rain or to calm storms

Ritual and Ceremonial Use

  • Freyja Altars: Elderflowers and berries as offerings
  • Seiðr Ceremonies: Elder smoke for trance induction (leaves - use with extreme caution)
  • Funeral Rites: Elder branches buried with the dead
  • Blessings: Elderflower water for blessing rituals
  • Midsummer: Elder wreaths worn or hung during summer solstice
  • Childbirth: Elder invoked for safe delivery (Freyja as birth goddess)

Practical Uses

  • Dyes: Berries produce purple/blue dye, leaves make green
  • Food: Elderflower fritters, cordial, wine; elderberry jam, wine, rob (syrup)
  • Musical Instruments: Hollow stems for flutes, pipes (also magical use)
  • Toys: Children's whistles and pop-guns (supervised - stems can be toxic)
  • Insect Repellent: Elder leaves rubbed on skin (avoid broken skin)
  • Veterinary: Elder used for livestock ailments

Sacred Texts and Folklore Sources

Traditional Preparation Methods

CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION

  • NEVER consume raw elderberries - they contain cyanogenic glycosides causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • NEVER use leaves, bark, or roots internally - highly toxic
  • ONLY use fully ripe berries - green/unripe berries are more toxic
  • ALWAYS cook berries thoroughly - heating destroys the toxic compounds
  • Dried flowers are safe for tea
  • Remove all stems from berries - stems are toxic

Elderflower Tea (SAFE)

Traditional Use: Colds, flu, fever, allergies, respiratory issues

Method:

  1. Harvest elderflowers in late spring/early summer when fully open
  2. Shake off insects, do not wash (loses pollen and fragrance)
  3. Dry in single layer in shade, or use fresh
  4. Use 2-3 flower heads (or 2 tsp dried) per cup
  5. Pour boiling water over flowers
  6. Steep covered 10-15 minutes
  7. Strain and drink hot (promotes sweating)
  8. Dose: 3-4 cups daily during illness

Properties: Diaphoretic (induces sweating), anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory

Taste: Delicate, floral, slightly sweet

Elderberry Syrup (SAFE - if properly cooked)

Traditional Use: Immune support, winter tonic, cough remedy

Method:

  1. Harvest ripe elderberries in late summer/early autumn (deep purple/black)
  2. Remove ALL stems (use fork to strip berries)
  3. Rinse berries thoroughly
  4. Combine 1 cup berries with 2 cups water
  5. Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer 30-40 minutes
  6. Mash berries and strain through cheesecloth
  7. Measure liquid, add equal amount honey while still warm
  8. Stir until honey dissolves
  9. Bottle in sterilized jars
  10. Store in refrigerator (lasts 2-3 months)
  11. Dose: 1 tablespoon daily (adults), 1 teaspoon (children over 1 year)

Optional Additions: Cinnamon, ginger, cloves for extra immune support

Elderflower Cordial (SAFE)

Traditional Use: Summer refreshment, digestive aid

Method:

  1. Harvest 20-25 fresh elderflower heads
  2. Shake off insects, don't wash
  3. Bring 1.5 liters water to boil with 1kg sugar
  4. Add grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
  5. Pour hot syrup over elderflowers in large bowl
  6. Add 2 tablespoons citric acid (preservative)
  7. Cover and steep 24-48 hours, stirring occasionally
  8. Strain through muslin/cheesecloth
  9. Bottle in sterilized bottles
  10. Store in cool place (lasts several months)
  11. Use: Dilute 1:4 with water or sparkling water

Elderflower Skin Toner (SAFE - External)

Traditional Use: Complexion care, sunburn, eye inflammation

Method:

  1. Place 4-5 fresh elderflower heads in heat-proof bowl
  2. Pour 2 cups boiling water over flowers
  3. Cover and steep until cool
  4. Strain thoroughly
  5. Store in sterilized bottle in refrigerator
  6. Use within 3-4 days
  7. Application: Use as facial toner, or compress for eyes (be very careful)

Elder Protection Wand (Magical Use)

Spiritual Use: Banishing, protection, commanding spirits

Method:

  1. Approach elder tree at dawn or dusk
  2. State your intention clearly to the Elder Mother
  3. Ask permission: "Lady Elder, give me some of thy wood, and I will give thee some of mine when it grows in the forest"
  4. Leave offering (milk, honey, silver coin, biodegradable item)
  5. If you feel welcomed, cut a straight branch length of forearm
  6. Thank the tree
  7. Later: hollow out the pith (elder has soft center)
  8. Carve runes or symbols if desired
  9. Oil with elder oil or beeswax
  10. Consecrate to Freyja through smoke, water, earth, air

Note: Elder wands are for commanding/banishing, not gentle work

Traditional Nordic/Germanic Uses (Historical Reference)

  • Elderflower Fritters: Dip flower heads in batter, fry until golden
  • Elderberry Wine: Fermented berry wine (cooked berries only)
  • Elder Rob: Thick elderberry syrup for winter storage
  • Pontack Sauce: Spiced elderberry condiment for meat

Modern Practice and Usage

Contemporary Norse Paganism (Heathenry/Vanatru)

Modern Herbalism

Culinary Revival

Scientific Validation

Ecological and Conservation

Magical and Spiritual Modern Use

Scientific Properties

Active Compounds

Modern Clinical Research

Cross-References

Related Deities

Related Concepts

Related Norse Sacred Plants

Similar Plants in Other Traditions

Bibliography and Further Reading

Mythology and Folklore

Herbalism

Clinical Research

  • Zakay-Rones, Z., et al. "Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza Virus in Vitro and Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1995.
  • Tiralongo, E., et al. "Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers." Nutrients, 2016.
  • Kinoshita, E., et al. "Anti-influenza virus effects of elderberry juice and its fractions." Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2012.

Foraging and Cooking

  • Irving, Miles. The Forager Handbook. Ebury Press, 2009.
  • Wright, John. Hedgerow: River Cottage Handbook. Bloomsbury, 2010.

Related Content

Cross-Cultural Uses

Related Archetypes

See Also