Amanda Frayer artisan // illustrator // designer

Alder is amazingly resistant to water. As a result, it was often used in construction under water, from bridges to foundations to stilts for homes located close to rivers. Parts of Amsterdam, Venice and many medieval cathedrals were built on alder piling.

Alder has a strong association with defense. In Celtic myth, palisades of alders deterred invasion or keep prisoners confined. When alder is cut, the wood changes from white to red and the sap assumes a rusty red color, which gave rise to the idea that the tree was bleeding. In the ancient world this was seen as an indication of the tree’s generosity, that it was sacrificing itself to defend the land.

Young, green alder branches can easily be turned into whistles by cutting both ends and pushing out the pith with a small stick. These hollow branches can be cut to different lengths and strung together to create a “Pan” pipe. Whistles made of this wood are said to be magical and the old superstition of summoning the four winds began with this custom.

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Believed to bring the wearer: divination, foundation, healing, intuition, protection, rebirth, transformation

Other associations: evolving spirit, leadership, weather magic, moderation in the four elements

Spirit animals: fox, herring gull, hawk, raven, seagulls