Cónocht an Fhómhair, Autumn Equinox in Brighid’s Ogham Grove by Veronica Smith

The fifteenth tree of the Grove is ELDER (Sambucus nigra), known as Guardian of the West and Dusk and Autumn Equinox. Irish name RUIS (letter “R”), French name SUREAU.

colour photograph of the Elder Tree in Brighid's Ogham Grove — Young Elder Tree, planted in the West of Brighid’s Ogham Grove. Just behind it is a small drinking cup for the birds, representing “Water in the West”

It corresponds to the Sun travelling from 21 degrees Virgo – through Autumn Equinox – to 9 degrees Libra. Elder “rules” approximately from 12th September to 29th September.

colour illustration of the Elder Tree, its flowers, fruit, leaves and Ogham symbol from The Ogham Grove Oracle Deck by Yuri Leitch — the card of Elder, from Yuri Leitch’s Ogham Grove Oracle Deck

Elder is governed by the planet Venus and the element of Air and is the Wise Old Crone aspect of the Mother Goddess. Yuri Leitch writes; “Elder represents the wisdom of the tribal elders; the knowledge of how to make do and mend and how to survive the cold winter months. The knowledge of how to cope with life itself. […] Wise old Elder has the knowledge of the previous generations, and it is forbidden to cut her or use her as firewood.” Elder closes the Fruitful Days group.

information about The Ogham Grove Oracle Deck by Yuri Leitch — The Ogham Grove Oracle Deck by Yuri Leitch is only available from his website, OghamGrove.co.uk

I have a lot more information about the medicinal uses of Elder, as well as recipes for the flowers and fruit, on my Ko-fi site:

https://ko-fi.com/post/RESPECTING-ONES-ELDERS-by-Veronica-Smith-S8L22789AI

Brighid's Ogham Grove