The ritual of the Labyrinth. In ancient times, however, this day was celebrated with a Pagan feast in honor of the wizard-blacksmith of the Saxon deities. Although the flowers and bark of the elder yield therapeutic substances, and elder flowers and berries make good wine, the tree has a reputation for evil. It is associated with witchcraft and death, along with the yew, cypress and nightshade. Sticks of Elder were used as magical horses by Witches.
Elder indicates the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end.
Life in Death and Death in Life. Though one aspect of your life is over, another begins anew. The ancient Greek Goddess of wisdom and inner truth, Sophia, is honored and invoked annually on this day with chants, libations, and secret Pagan rituals performed by those who seek arcane knowledge.