In our own country Stowe[20] speaks of it as its having been placed over the doors together with green birch, fennel, orpine, and white lilies, whereas in France the peasantry still reverence it as dispersing every kind of unseen evil influence.

The elder was invested with similar properties, which seem to have been more potent than even those attributed to the St.John's wort.

According to an old tradition, any baptized person whose eyes were anointed with the green juice of its inner bark could see witches in any part of the world.

Hence the tree was extremely obnoxious to witches, a fact which probably accounts for its having been so often planted near cottages.

Its magic influence has also caused it to be introduced into various rites, as in Styria on Bertha Night (January 6th), when the devil goes about in great force.[21] As a safeguard, persons are recommended to make a magic circle, in the centre of which they should stand with elder-berries gathered on St.John's Night.