Berkana, the Rune of Fertility/Creativity

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Meaning:  birch    Phonetic equivalent: 'b'

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The birch bears no fruit;

yet without seed it brings forth suckers,

for it is generated from its leaves.

Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned

its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.

Norwegian Rune Poem

Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub;

Loki was fortunate in his deceit.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Birch, leafy twig

and little tree

and fresh young shrub.

Silver fir, protector.

Berkana

Cala Gobraith, 2009

Berkanai, earth mothers,

barren land calls to the Inguzi; seeds

bond with earth and in time bear shoots and

bloom- ideas seeded in the mind, the

Berkanai bring into being that which

beats within the heart; forged of

belief, a great bounty is served.

To Krasskova, Berkana is all about creating favorable conditions. She also sees in it new beginnings and opportunities and suggests using Berkana energy for cleansing, integrating change, aiding in creating solid foundations and to help things grow.

For Freya Aswynn, this rune means birch tree, birth/gestation processes, healing, recuperation, rejuvenation, purification, feminine energy, motherly energy, growth and a 'bringing forth' and rites of passage through life-stages.

Melville sees the rune Berkana as representing nurturing, nourishment, mothering, fertility, beauty, healing, growth, earth mothers, spiritual growth, and sustenance. Associations: deity- Nerthus, Freya, Frigga, tree- birch, plant- motherwort, animal- bear, bird- swan, zodiac- Cancer, color- green, element- water/earth.

Oswald considers Berkana a rune of growth, fertility, rebirth, new life, renewal, regeneration, purification, healing, recovery and new beginnings. Associations: deity- Nerthus, tree- birch, plant-lady's mantle, zodiac- Virgo, color- dark green, element- earth, stone- moonstone.

Paxson sees Berkana as a rune of healing, birth or becoming, femininity, rootedness and women's mysteries. She associates this rune with Frigga as a motherly and queenly figure

For me, this rune is one of nurturing, fertility, and creative incubation. I strongly associate Berkana with what it means to be 'female'.

Meditation associations: Association with the goddesses Dana and Dôn, loving warmth, spring and summer, woodsmoke, fertility, creativity, deep crystalline music, freedom, green growing world.

Runes: Theory and Practice, Galina Krasskova

Power and Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn

The Book of Runes, Francis Melville

Discovering Runes, Bob Oswald

Taking up the Runes, Diana Paxson