Elder Berries, or Sambucus nigra, are laden with numerous tales and stories throughout folklore and history, and are particularly linked to those legends and myths involving magic and spirits. Indeed, in English and Scandinavian folklore the belief was held that if you cut down the Elder tree a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released to take her revenge upon the hapless wood cutter. This could only be avoided while chanting "Old girl, give me some of thy wood and I will give thee some of mine when I grow into a tree." Otherwise, Elder Berries are also held to be a powerful aid in warding off evil influence, as well as curses and spells intended to do harm. Shakespeare even wrote of it, speaking of it as a symbol of grief, perhaps due to many Christian beliefs that Judas was hung from an Elder Tree in his grief, as well as that the Cross of Calvary was made of Elder wood.

Elder Berries 1oz.

Item# elderberries

$3.25