The Eighteenth Rune

Midwife to the world
bring the yet-born
safely into this life

Names - BERKANO - Birch, the Birch goddess, Birch twigs, BAIRKAN - Birch twig, BEORC - Birch tree, BJARKAN - runic Birch goddess

Pronunciations - "ber can no" "bare can" "be york" "be yark an"

Phonetic Value - "B"

Symbolism - The Breasts

Keywords - Birth


This rune is related to the Great Mother, the Earth Goddess, and is symbolically represented as the breasts of the mother of life from which all are granted nourishment. If this particular image is not immediately apparent in the pictogram you may want to tilt your head, or turn the rune sideways. Eventually you will be able to see how this pictogram resembles breasts.

Phonetically, "Berkano", "Beorc", "Bairkan", and "Bjarkan" have all pretty much retained their similarity to the present day "birch" despite the many changes in the evolution of human languages

This root connection is further strengthened through the goddess names of Berkano and Bjarkan, both of whom are related to or represented by the birch tree.

Berkano is the mother of manifestation and of birth and rebirth. The birch tree is her symbol and was often planted before a home to protect it in Scandinavian countries and the custom continued to be observed in America where settlers built new homes.

The Birch continues to this day to be a source of a natural form of aspirin (salicyn) just as birch teas have long been valued for the comfort and ease they can provide.

Berkano can be used in any effort which requires action directed toward change, renewal, nurturing, or new beginnings.

It is used in "birthing" new ideas more than their conception. Berkano relates directly to the actual, physical manifestation of this birth. Whatever actions are necessary to bringing them to life are in the realm of this rune.

Magically it can be used in protective work and concealment spells to promote safety and secrecy. Just as every living creature seeks a private and quiet concealment at the moment of birthing, so can this rune be used to invoke a similar environment.

Berkano is invoked for births of all kinds and it can represent or bring about a rebirth in spirit, as well as the renewal of spring after a period of winter, both literally and in a more metaphorical sense.

This rune can also be worked to heal, or renew any situation requiring rest, recuperation and nurturance much in the same way a midwife or nurse works to promote these opportunities for healing.

In divination it can represent any of the following forces.

BERKANO UPRIGHT: Birth, general fertility, mental, physical and personal growth, liberation, regenerative power, spring, renewal, new beginnings, new growth, a love affair or new birth, the prospering of an enterprise or venture.

BERKANO MERKSTAVE: Sterility, family problems and or domestic troubles, anxiety, carelessness, abandon, deceit, infertility, stagnation, miscarriage, neglect, barrenness, bitterness.


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