!flux11 Elder Tree myths ?

Elder trees have a rich history of myths and folklore associated with them, particularly in European cultures. Here are some of the myths related to Elder Trees:

1. **Protection from Witches:** In some folklore, especially in the British Isles, Elder trees were thought to protect against witchcraft. Witches were believed to avoid Elder wood, so it was often planted near homes or barns. There's an old saying, "Culatd, Wullan, an' Wyche - the hait of a mon, the Hyve of a bitch, an' the Eldern-tree," referring to charms against evil forces, which includes the Elder tree.

2. **Fairy Trees:** The Elder was sometimes considered a fairy tree. There are tales suggesting that cutting down or damaging an Elder could bring bad luck or anger the fairies who supposedly resided within. In some stories, the Elder tree provided portals to the fairy realm.

3. **Connection to Death:** Elder wood was sometimes avoided for use in cradles because there was a belief that spirits of the dead, or perhaps the Elder Mother herself, might take the child or cause bad luck.

4. **The Elder-Mother (Hylde-Moer):** In Danish folklore, there's mention of the Elder-Mother, or Hylde-Moer, a spirit that lived within the Elder tree. One had to ask for her permission before cutting branches or else face her wrath. If someone did ask for permission, they might be rewarded with good luck or protection.

5. **Medicinal and Magical Uses:** Elder has been used for centuries in both medicine and magic. Its flowers are used to make elderflower cordial and wine, while the berries (when cooked beause they're toxic raw) are used in jams, syrups, and pies. Elder was thought to have protective properties and could be used to ward off negative energies or evil spirits.

6. **Symbology for Death:** Elder often grows in places where death or tragedy has occurred, leading to its association with death in folklore. Crosses in graveyards were sometimes made from Elder wood.

7. **Musical Instruments:** There's an old Scottish superstition that if an Elder pipe-maker uses the wood from an Elder tree for bagpipes, the pipes will play melodies that will transport listeners into fairyland, perhaps never to return.

8. **Warning Against Burning:** Burning Elder wood was often discouraged because of the belief that it could release the spirits that lived within the tree or invite bad luck. In some cultures, the smell of burning Elder wood was said to be unpleasant due to the spirits escaping.

These myths reflect the cultural reverence and fear people had towards nature, attributing mystical and protective properties to trees like the Elder, which holds significant historical and cultural importance in various traditions. Keep in mind, these are folklore, and while fascinating, they're not grounded in scientific reality.