In forest and in gardens, the silver-barked birch trees stand sentinel during these in-between days of no-longer winter and not-quite spring. If you look close, the buds of the leaves are fattening, ready for the moment of unfurling. It won’t be long now, as birch is one of the first trees to burst forth with the gift of new life and spring awakenings.
Birch, known as Beith in Irish, is a one of the trees of the ancient Ogham alphabet and whose runic symbol represents the letter B. Birch is for beginnings, as the Earth and our own bodies begin to quicken with the lengthening days and warming winds. In the Samhain garden in Brigit’s Garden, a circle of birch offers the promise of life after the death and fallowness of winter.
Along with oak, birch is one of Brigit’s favourite trees. Just as Brigit, midwife to healing, tended to the wellbeing and nourishment of her people, birch is considered a nurturing tree of the forest. Their tiny leaves allow sunlight to trickle through and feed the plants closer to the forest floor. Additionally, birch leaves rot easily, offering rich compost for others to grow and thrive.
To humans, birch offers nourishing remedies to the body. Its leaves, bark and stems can be made into a tea and ingested as a spring detoxifier and also to ease the inflammation and pain of rheumatism and arthritis. Because of its astringent and antiseptic properties, birch tea can also be beneficial as a wash, directly on the skin, to reduce eczema outbreaks. Take a bath in birch leaves or bark to ease muscle aches and pains. Birch can be tapped to release the sap and drunk directly as a cleanser and vitamin/ mineral rich drink.
Brooms in Ireland were made with a bundle of birch branches as the sweep and an ash branch as the handle, tied together with willow. Make your own birch broom to sweep away the cobwebs of winter, to cleanse your thresholds and welcome in the new season.
This week, perhaps take a walk in nature and connect with a birch tree. Lean against their narrow trunk, sharing your breath with this wise being and slowing down to the pace of the tree, the pace of nature. Perhaps you will see a fallen twig or branch and you can bring this home with you, to continue to receive the energies of this harbinger of beginnings.
Image of birch from Way of the Wild: An Oracle Experience in the Irish Wisdom Tradition, available in Brigit’s Garden shop.
With your birch branch/ wand, take a piece of yarn or string, about 10 to 12 inches in length. Tie it at one end of the stick. Wrap the wand with intention as you weave the yarn around the stick, allowing your meditation to be that which you are calling in and that which you are awakening to, as we move from what was into what is becoming. Wrap the birch wand until you are done. And place it on your altar or a place where you can see it often and be reminded of your ritual and intention, of the promise of new beginnings and the awakenings of the Earth and your own body and spirit after a long winter.
by Tonja Reichley www.dancingwiththewild.com
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