Join our friends from Hyldyr for a release of a very special publication, Lady Elder Tree: Northern Plant Animism & Witchcraft by Joseph S. Hopkins & Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen. Introduced by scholar Mathias Nordvig.

From Hyldyr on the Elder tree:

“In northwestern Europe, a tremendous amount of folk belief has long surrounded the plant. As scholar Della Hooke notes, in Anglo-Saxon England, “the elder, Sambacus nigra (O[old] E[nglish] ellen), is the tree that is especially noted in the early Christian edicts against tree-worship - the tree of witches. It is the tree singled out by Wulfstan in the Canons of Edgar, c. 1005-8 ... as a place for the carrying out of ‘the devil’s craft’”. Hooke adds that, “the tree was, in popular folklore, traditionally treated with awesome respect.” (Hooke 2010: 232)”

With a reading by Devon Rawlings and followed by a discussion, the evening is sure to open our minds to the wonders of this magical tree as we look to past and far away lands to learn how those who came before related to Lady Elder.

Complimentary Elder tea will be served with additional elder beverages available for purchase. An opportunities to received an elder flash tattoo will be available for those who feel so inspired to leave adorned with the powers of this plant. Hyldyr will have publications for sale at the end of our reading. Our night will be full of the Lady herself indeed!

Seating is limited. Please purchase a ticket in advance.