ElderBerry

I recently discovered that I have 3 Black Elderberry bushes sorted across my yard. I looked online and found out that the very dark berries are the ripe ones, and can be picked and made into different things like wine, and jellies. I picked the berries from the trees, and put them in a small sealed container. Does anybody know a good recipe that I can use them in ceremoniously, or tell me how to properly dry them without causing mold, so I can save them for later

I also hear that part of the bush is toxic. Is that true? And how do you prevent it from being toxic?

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Hi there, I don't know much about the ceremonial use of elderberries except that the tree itself is called "The Lady's Tree" and that burning it is thought to bring a curse (not saying it's true but I've read it from several sources), but you can use the wood for a wand connected with the Divine Feminine;
The berries are toxic before they're ripe, and even then it's recommended to cook them, and when using them in infusions that the water be as hot as possible, to remove the slight toxicity that is left. The juice is taken for bronchitis and coughs (and it's brilliant, I might add, especially mixed with honey om nom)
For drying them, if you have good sunny weather you can dry them out by spreading them in a single layer in the sun (covered with kitchen paper or muslin to keep insects off), otherwise you can put them in a cool oven (NOT more than 60 degrees Celsius), fanning out the moisture until they're dry.
ALL of the green parts of the tree are toxic and not to be ingested!