TIP OF THE WEEK - MAGICK ELDER

Merry Meet to All of You!

Have you been out yet, to start foraging for elder flowers?

Well, you really should this month, because apart from being really tasty in cooking (see Elderflower Champagne blog) they have many health benefits, which I have elaborated over at the Richmond Chalice blog:

http://richmondchalice.blogspot.com/2009/06/tip-of-day-elderflower.html

On top of that, elder is a plant steeped in magic and folklore, and is said to help opening the doors to the Faerie realm, especially on Midsummer's Eve.

If you would like to see the Fairies reveling, it is said you just have to stand under an elder tree at midnight on Midsummer's Eve (with it just being around the corner, test it out if you like). Alternatively, drinking wine made from elderberries is said to be a facilitator to see into the Faerie realm.

Elder also possesses the magickal power to cleanse and purify, so write your worries or annoyances on a piece of paper and bury it under an elder tree. The tree will absorb your worries and cleanse them out.

For all of you eager to get married, English folklore gives us a 'get engaged spell', for which you simply create an infusion of elderflower, add it to wine and beer (after its cooled down) and contrive your chosen spouse to take drink with you out of a shared cup.

Sprinkling elder flower around the corners of your house is also a protective charm.

So, why not go out there and get your dose of this magickal (and tasty!) plant this month?

Summer Blessings,

Ilona

RECIPE OF THE WEEK - ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE

Merry Meet to All of You!

Summer is nearly here, and with the beginning of June start to look out for the white splendour of Elderflower.

Common in country lanes and even around abandoned dwellings, Elderflower are often overlooked as the delicious ingredient for cooking and especially drinking they are!

There are many ways to use Elderflower to create drinks and cordials, I just picked one example, Elderflower Champagne (sorry to everyone getting excited, it's non-alcoholic, the name is in the sparkle).

You'll need:

7 Elderflower heads

5 ltr of water

600g sugar

2 sliced lemons

2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar

Bring the water to the boil and add the sugar; stir until dissolved.

Allow to cool, then add the flower heads, sliced lemons and vinegar.

Cover and leave to stand for 24 hours.

Syphon it off and fill into sterilised bottles to let the natural fizz develop.

Recipe taken from: Marian Green 'A Calendar of Festivals' (1991)

It couldn't be easier really, could it?!

For a nice Elderflower sorbet go to: http://www.pshm.org/recipe_elderflower_sorbet.shtml

So, get out there enjoying the glorious weather and get foraging!

Sunny Blessings,

Ilona