Rune Study: Berkana
Berkana: Birch
This might be one of my favourite runes…Her energies are so beautiful, protective and powerful. This is the rune of becoming; embodying the maternal goddess energy. The shape of the rune speaks volumes, taking the form of a pregnant mother’s breasts and belly. The peoples of the North experienced the cleansing and protective powers of birch trees. Groves or circles of birch were viewed as very sacred and safe place; a secret sanctuary when one needed it most.
Berkana is representative of the birth of new things, the first green shoots of Spring, the birth of new children, heralded with much joy and celebration….Newness in our lives, new homes and new adventures on the horizons. If we look at the energy of this rune from the perspective of an inner personal journey, this is a new beginning, the birthing of a new idea, and the new growth coming from understanding and guided by hard-won wisdom.
This rune is all about the cycles of life; birth, death and rebirth. Much healing is held in this mystery, as it carries the regenerative energies of spring, and the resolution of cycles. From life, comes death, and from death, springs life. It is good to hold onto that idea, especially when we are feeling a death, whether it be an actual death of someone we held dear, or a ‘death’ of something in our lives (a dream, idea, experience, thought, feeling, relationship, etc). All things come to an end on this plane, but all things are reborn, whether in a similar form, or otherwise. In this society, and as people we have become afraid of death, and what may come after. This fear prevents us from embracing the darkness. Berkana challenges us to let go of this fear, and embrace death, for after death comes new life and new beginnings. The Northern peoples had this understanding.
There can be no new growth and new life without the old dying to make way for it. Just as an old tree falls in the forest to make way for its children and grandchildren to blossom and grow, and reach the sun’s rays, so too must old patterns make way for new ones.
Berkana also resounds with the energies of a mother. Nurturing new life, awakening and protecting it with all it has. A mother will do whatever it takes to keep her wee ones safe, no matter the cost to her own self. This self-sacrifice is worth it to her, knowing that her young are safe and healthy. So too, this rune carries the determined protection of a mother. It is an excellent rune to use for protection magic, especially for chtildren or pets.
Berkana speaks of the stillness of the womb. A sanctuary where life is nurtured and protected from all things outside. This stillness, and quiet still beats with the heartbeat of the mother, the steady drumming of comfort and love. When we do internal healing work, this rune is the perfect ally, as it aids us in setting the safe place inside our center, where we can nurse our wounds and gently re-balance and regenerate. The softness of the womb, the dark void, surrounds us and cushions us from any trauma in the outside world. This place of stillness and quiet is a place of concealing that which is not yet fully developed. Berkana can help to nourish and protect something (an idea, dream, plan, hope etc.) that is not fully formed and ready to be in the world.