Keywords
Banishing, Divination, Foundation, Guardian, Healing, Intuition, Protection, Rebirth, Resurrection, Transformation

Historical Background and Folklore
Alder trees love water and thrive near streams. Their water-resistant logs have been used as foundation pilings—most notably in Amsterdam and Venice. Young green branches can be easily turned into whistles by cutting off both ends and pushing out the pith with a smaller stick. These hollow branches can be cut to various lengths and tied tog ether to create “Pan” pipes. Whistles made from alder are said to be magical and can summon the four winds. Older branches have been popularly used for divining rods, which are sometimes called “wishing” rods.

Alder has been used medicinally and it is also a healer for its companion trees in the aftermath of a trauma such as flood, logging or mining. This was noted by 17th century poet, William Brown, who wrote: “The alder, whose fat shadow nourisheth/Each plant set neere him long flourisheth.” This is scientifically explained by alder’s ability to build up the soil with nitrogen, which trees and other plants need for healthy growth.

© Llewellyn - Whispers from the Woods

For more information, refer to the full text in Whispers from the Woods.