Ramblings of a Roving Runes Caster
The rune Berkana is the eighteenth rune in the Elder Futhark. It is the rune of growth, rebirth, and a birch tree. The Birch Tree, on the hand, represents the “Birch Mother.” I haven’t found a lot about her in my research of the mythology of the ancient Norse. So, I think she may have been one of those later adaptations to the mythology which occur when people of a civilization repeatedly come into contact with other cultures.
What I can tell you is that she is an aspect of the “earth mother” of other cultures. She is concerned with that unique type of fertility which allows a person, plant or creature to transform and blossom. Berkana, and thus the Birch Mother, represents the nurturing aspect of fertility. In nature, a being gathers energy, and becomes quiet, often concealing itself., hiding in a protective seed, cave, or cocoon.
After a time, it bursts forth into the light — a new creature. Or should I say a “renewed creature.” If all goes as it should, it has transformed to more fully meet its potential. It may be a seed which becomes a tree; a bulb which becomes a flower; a young animal which becomes a powerful adult, or a larva which becomes a butterfly. In all these cases the transforming fertility of Berkana’s power is seen. Inguz is rune of fertility.
We’ve spoken of it before. While Berkana’s power is related to it and to Laguz (the rune of flow), each is unique and all are required to make the fertility process and cycle of life complete. Another rune which plays a part with Berkana is Ansuz, the rune of signals and the messenger god, Loki. Just as in the mundane world, in the emotional and spiritual realms we must read the signals, know when to gather strength and accept the nourishment offered to us, when to conceal ourselves in a cocoon of modesty, patience, generosity, and right action, all the time meditating on who and what we are, and who we are to become, in our greater place in the natural universe and in the mundane, emotional, and spiritual realms. But remember, natural law still prevails.
With greater status comes greater responsibility. We must put the needs of the others above our wants. If the Birch Mother is represented in Berkana, then so is her opposite aspect, Hel. Remember Hel as one of Loki’s three terrible offspring. She rules the underworld. And, death too is a natural transformation we all must make. Our approach to death affects our approach to life. I’ve heard it said that death should not be feared, but it must be respected. So, when we draw Berkana in a casting we need to pay attention. We are being offered a chance to make a dramatic transformation. It may be in any realm. But, it is always toward the Self, toward the god within.
Drawing Berkana reminds us that it is a time for modesty and patience; not something to rush into. But, after meditation, after nurturing, after a time of quiet concealment, it will be time to blossom into full potential. When we draw Berkana inversed, or upside down, we need to pay even closer attention. Maybe we are being told we are to have a hard growth process, a “rough birthing.” But, we have something to do with that. Berkana inversed tells us something in our character is not in tune with natural law.
Maybe we are not fair, modest, patient, generous, or loving. Do we make decisions about others based on what is right? Or, what is easy? Do we walk our life in right action, doing what is prudent? Or, do we base our walk on that which is politically expedient and socially practical? Only I can speak for myself, and only you can speak for yourself. But, if we are to blossom to our true potential in our walk to the Self, we must face up to these questions. We can only do this in quiet meditation, nurtured by the Birch Mother and those around us.
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