Alder Cone

Mountain Alder (Alnus incana ssp. Tenuifolia, a type of "Gray" Alder) Cones are female catkins of the tree, shaped like miniature pinecones. While also being adorable, they have valuable properties - both physically and metaphysically. Considered protected by fairies, I am sure to always leave offerings behind as I gather the fallen cones from around the Alder trees. These cones are never plucked or cut from the tree, and only gathered from the forest floor. The seeds that are contained within the cone are shaken out on the ground to continue their role in the tree's life cycle.

Each order includes around 20 cones, some of which still include their original stems.

Alder cones can be placed in fish tanks to lower and buffer pH. They also release tannic acids (or tannins), humic acids, and fulvic acids, that can help prevent fungal infections, fight bacteria, and bind heavy metals to reduce heavy metal toxicity in the water. They do all this while looking very charming in the tank!

Spiritually, they are known to have a connection to the god Manannan, and Irish sea god from whom the name of the Isle of Man allegedly derived. They are also connected to Celtic goddess Cailleach Bhuer, the Queen of Winter or Hag Queen, ruler of disease, death, wisdom, seasonal rites and weather magic, and Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seiðr magic (for seeing and influencing the future).

Alder Correspondences: Authority, battle, clarity, control, death, destruction, divination, freedom, guidance, healing, intuition, knowledge, aggressive magic, the power of water, prophecy, protection, rebirth/renewal, transformation, truth, visions.

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