WHEN THE SUN STANDS STILL
I feel a pang in my heart to think so soon that Spring has drawn to a close again, but alas things must move forward, so momentarily it appears at Midsummer that the sun stands still .
To the Druids the Solstice is known as ‘Alban Hefin’ meaning ‘light of Summer’.
The winter months of planning and the ideas and plans that we have so carefully prepared and seeded, tended and grown are starting to mature. So while the Sun stands still why not stop appreciate your labours, enjoy a little summer balminess, absorb the energies, while the fires are high call upon the goddess of the sun to spread radiance and light upon your life. Celebrate joy, merriment, love and life!
The Elder tree has long been associated with the Summer Solstice. It is said that a dryad, Hylde-Moer the Elder Tree Mother, lives in the tree and watches over it. Spirits of the forest are also said to be found in the Elder Tree. If you wish to communicate with the faeries you should lie beneath the Elder tree at a full moon.
At midsummers Eve if you sit beneath the Elder tree you may see the King of the Faeries and His Queen with their train pass by. Faeries love music and dance and the Elder tree is known once to have been used to make flutes by hollowing out the white pith from inside the bark. So with the beautiful
sound of music and the narcotic smell of the Elder, be warned Never to fall asleep on Midsummers Eve underneath the Elder Tree, you may stay forever enchanted under the spell of the Spirits of the Forest!!!
See below for the Elder health care and Elderflower cordial recipe just in time to drink while sitting under an Elder tree on midsummers eve…
ELDER TREE
Latin name. Sambucus nigra
Other names.
Black Elder,
Druid name
Ruis – breaking down, the end and the beginning
Actions
Diaphoretic (makes you sweat) & diuretic
Anti-catarral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-allergic
Nerve relaxant
Indications
The berries of the Elder are traditionally used in Elderberry Rob syrup, which is good to keep in the cupboard for colds and flu.
Another traditional way of preparing elderberries was to make Elderberry wine, which again was merrily consumed to ward off colds and flu.
In herbal medicine the berries are used more in cough syrups, but it is the flowers, which are mostly used for upper respiratory complaints, such as head colds, hay fever and sinusitis. Nasal catarrh, asthma, rhinitis, sore throats and coughs.
It is not only the flowers and fruits, which have herbal properties, but also the leaves, which can be used externally to treat bruises, sprains and chilblains. If you have tension and spasm with your sprain then cramp bark could be added to the preparation.
COLD & FLU TEA
Elderflowers
Peppermint
Yarrow
Equal quantises of dried herb.
Make a tea with 1-2 teaspoons in hot water steeped in a teapot for 5-10 mins . strain and drink a little honey is good to add to this tea or drink as is if preferred..
externally
Leaves and inner green of the bark is made into ointment for bruising and chilblains. Those type of bruises that won’t go (stuck blood).
An ointment used from green berries is said to be effective as an application for piles (have never made this or prescribed (not as yet anyway))
For eye compress for sore and tired eyes ---
Make a tea from elderflowers, strain the tea and while lukewarm dip cotton wool pads to the tea, place over eye lids while eyes are closed.
This elderflower infusion / tea is also nice added to hand and face washing water to whiten and soften skin.
Made into a cream is nice for hands and face, and chilblains, maked into a salve is great for babies and nappy rash.
Gargle tea when suffering a sore throat.
Elderflower champagne and Elderflower cordials are lovely too…
recipes
Elderflower cordial
30 elderflower heads
4 medium sized lemons (juice and finely grated zest)
1kg/ 2Ibs of sugar
2 litres of water
Jelly bag for straining
Place the sugar in a pan and heat until dissolved, next add the grated lemon zest, quarter the remining lemons and add them finely add the elder flowers. Cover the pan with a cloth, (or if you have one a sterile beer brewing bucket), cover and leave to steep for 48 hrs. Strain through a jelly bag or muslin cloth into a jug, poor into sterilised bottles. Store or in a cool dark place.
This drink should last for several weeks if kept in a dark cool place.
Elderflower Jellies
Makes 12
14 tablespoons elderflower cordial
1.1ml cold water
22g powdered gelatine
Red fruits to suspend in the jellies
Dissolve 14 tbsp of syrup in the water, then put 4 of the dissolved syrup water into a separate pan. Sprinkle the gelatine over the top and leave for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put the red fruits into a clear jellie mould or divide between 12 small clear heat proof jars or (containers that you wish your jellies to be served in).
Place the pan over a very low heat, to dissolve to gelatine, stirring all the time, care should be taken not to boil as the jelly will NOT set if you do. Add the remaining dissolved syrup into the pan and stir well. Pour over the fruit in your jelly mould or serving containers. Leave in the fridge until set….
Decorate the top with elder flowers or a mixture of edible flower
