Keywords
Beginnings, Birth, Blessings, Creativity, Crafts, Fertility, Growth, Healing, Inspiration, Love, Protection, Purification, Renewal

Historical Background and Folklore
The birch is associated with renewal because of its ability to take hold and grow more quickly than other trees. It is a cold climate tree that can complete with evergreens. Often it is the first to spring up after a forest fire seemingly as a herald of the great woods that will eventually return.

In England and Ireland, December 26th included the custom called “the hunting of the wren” which marked the transition of old year to new. The wren represented the old year and was said to be hunted down by a robin (the spring bird) that carried a birch rod in his claws.

In 13th and 14th century Wales, lovers met in “the house of leaves” which meant under a birch tree. Birch wreaths were given as love tokens to remember these meetings. Going “a maying” referred to these trysts and meant birch trees as often as hawthorns. (Another name for the hawthorn is May tree.) During the Victorian era, birch was a symbol of grace and meekness.

Other Beings/Characters: Ljesch, Taliesin, wood nymphs
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Celestial Bodies: Jupiter, Moon, Sun, Venus
Colors: dark green, white
Gemstones: fluorite, quartz
Ogham Character: Beith – Letter: B
Rune Character: Beorc – Letter: B
Rune Character: Ur/Uruz – Letter: U
Dates: December 24 - January 20 (Celtic tree calendar); June 24
Miscellaneous: the arts, travel to the faery realm, sabbats: Ostara/Vernal Equinox, Beltane; springtime in general; north; Sunday

© Llewellyn - Whispers from the Woods

For more information, refer to the full text in Whispers from the Woods.