In the Celtic Year, Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. A threshold; a period of rest and regeneration before rebirth.
Darkness grows;
An ending, a beginning,
And renewal.
I am fascinated by trees, and the elder tree (Sambucus nigra) is considered to be deeply connected to this midpoint between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. There are many superstitions surrounding the tree. One that intrigued me was the idea of not bringing elder wood into the house and burning it in the fire, thus releasing malevolent spirits. I have recently learned that burning elder wood releases cyanogenic compounds. These are found in the bark, stems, roots, leaves and immature fruits. [1] Nevertheless, when used correctly, so much of the tree is benevolent to humans.
I have been trying to do some serious drawing, finding it both therapeutic and frustrating; is that a contradiction? When I look at some of the amazing work of botanical artists like Lizzie Harper [2], I often feel overwhelmed, but that tension pushes me on. Her work is inspirational.
In the Celtic Tree Ogham, elder is the 15th tree (RUIS.R) and below is my representation of it in elder wood.
A few lines of a poem that I have been working on:
Elder
Growing in hedgerows,
Surounding grazed fields,
Fast growing Elder thrives.
In spring,
Its scented umbels
Herald the happy season of warmer days.
In autumn,
The scents are transformed,
And berries, like alien antennae
Hang; shiny, black and full of vigour,
They shiver on the air.
Green, lilac, black and purple,
The colours of this blessed tree.
Ashley
[1] https://botanical-online.com
[2] https://lizzieharper.co.uk
A Different View 
Thank you very much for sharing, Ashley 🙏 I have been waiting for your Samhain pos👌 excellent and elegant poem and painting as always 🙌
A very happy day, evening, weekend and fall and festive season to you and yours
🍂🍁🍄
Dear Marina, thank you for your lovely comments. Next post will be at the solstice on 21st December. Wishing you and yours a wonderful winter 🤗😊
Lovely poem, Ashley! And nice little sketches and illustrations too!
Thanks Jason. I’m trying 🙇♂️ 🤞😊
A lovely post, Ashley 🌿
Thank you. Hoping you are enjoying some of this days bright sunshine 🤗😊
‘A threshold; a period of rest and regeneration before rebirth.’ I so relate to this… So much more here in the north. I love it… There’s no ambiguity in the seasons. I also know that feeling of therapy and frustration… Perhaps the therapy wins over frustration… Keep drawing but don’t judge your art too much. Let’s enjoy the hibernation do our arts and crafts . I love your description of the elder tree. It’s always nice to read your posts 🍂🍁🙋
Yes, Morag, being too judgemental really isn’t a good thing. Thanks for your lovely comments 🤗😊
You are welcome. I always look forward to your posts 🤗
Lovely words and drawings Ashley 👏🍁🌻
Hi Sara, thank you for your lovely comments 🤗😊
Always, my pleasure Ashley! 😁
Beautiful verses and artwork! The Year Samhain is new to me, Ashley!
Thank you Indira for your lovely comments. As with everything to do with the seasons, there is no definite line between them but according to the ancients, we are now in winter. Are you ready? 🤗😊
love the piece and the elder wood representation Ashley. I forgot we all were going to set our clocks back – for some reason, I thought we had already done it so hearing the news was so jarring to me! Mike
Hi Mike, for me we are returning to real time by putting the clocks back although we in the UK did it a week ago. When does your Daylight Saving occur? 🤔😊
it’s going to occur tomorrow for us, or – precisely – 0700 – in terms of your time. I believe we all will get an hour extra of sleep, however there will be less of an afternoon day before sunset!
I was not aware of the superstitions connected to the elder tree. Thanks for enlightening me!
Hi Marie, there are many superstitions regarding all trees and I often wonder how the ancients knew what we now term as science, so long ago 🤗😊
My guess would be they learned from observation, other people, and happy accidents!
Love the drawing of the elder tree with berries. Beautiful poem 🙂
Dear Rosaliene, thank you for your lovey comments. I’m glad you enjoy this post 🤗😊
My pleasure, as always, Ashley 🙂
Happy Samhain Ashley. I enjoyed your poetry, information AND lovely art work.
Thank you Katelon, have a happy peaceful winter 🤗😊
Happy Samhain. What lovely drawings, really lovely. I also love your verses, you are an artist!
I could see there was so much rain in Ireland, we had lots as well. Still it is now nearly November , so that is normal. However it is still mild.
I do appreciate the hour backwards, that was nice. Now it gets darker and the time for the woodburner and candles and hot chocolate starts. 🙂
Have a good November Ashley.
Dear Ute, for once it is a bright fresh sunny morning here. I love that we are now back on real time! Thank you for your lovely comments 🤗😊
Fascinating background on elder trees, intriguing artwork and wonderful poetry, Ashley. Always a pleasure to read your posts, good sir. Wishing you a peaceful upcoming weekend, my friend. 😊
Hi Mike, great to hear from you as always. I’ve not been posting for a while and my next won’t be until the solstice. Wishing you a very happy and restful season 🙏😊
I enjoyed your hokku as well as your long poem and your artwork, including your Elder Ogham stick. Excellent work, Ashtree! Winter is here and I hope you stay warm throughout this cold, dark season, and are grateful for the food, shelter and friends/family that you have.
As always, great to hear from you Edo-sama! I look forward to this day and give thanks to all my to my ancestors, from whence I came! Hoping you are well. We send our good wishes to you and your family 🤗😊
Happy Winter, Carol & Ashleaf!
And the much mocked elderberry wine can be quite delicious!
Lovely post – I especially enjoyed learning that the “superstition” of malevolent spirits etc. actually had a factual basis.
Thank you Josie. It is amazing to find that many superstitions have some accurate basis! And, who doesn’t enjoy a glass of elderberry wine? Cheers! 🍷