Rune number 18 : Berkana

[Silver Venus]

Berkana is my favourite rune at the moment so I just had to start a new discussion on this very powerful fertility feminine rune.

Berkana, translated as ''Birch" (the fertility tree) to me, symbolises growth (mental, physical and personal growth), health, fertility and rebirth in every aspect, it is the rune of the great mother, the goddess and so this rune belongs to women (like Teiwaz is the warrior), and represents the path of a woman through womanhood to motherhood, and a healer.
(and as it means all these I think it is very easy to remember, as it is shaped like a fertility goddess, B, either two breasts or a curvy woman! :))

If it comes up in one of my reading's I always believ it is talking of issues to do with (meaning an increase in...) ~ fertility, growth, healing, health, new growth, new starts and paths in life, rebirth, cleansing and pregnancy.

It is often used in magick for fertility charms for conception and for helping to start a positive new, healthy start in life, a rebirth.
They are also discussing this rune's fertility power in Fertility Magick ~
& Rick they need your help ;)
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?postid=248595#post248595

There's a lovely description on this rune and a great download to make this rune your desktop wallpaper!
http://www.free-tarot.com/wallpapers/berkana.asp

So what does Berkana mean to you? :)

[Flar's Freyja]

;) Gee, any reason it's your favorite, SV? :T Didn't it come up in the reading I did for you, too? :)

Key Words: Nurturing, rebirth, growth, transition, spirit, concealment, protection, ancestry
Tree: Birch
Herb: Lady's Mantle:huh:
Gemstones: All gemstones!
Color: Dark Green
Hour of the Day: 5:30 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.
Other Names: Germanic ~ Bercna (Berkano), Norse ~ Bjarkan, Anglo-Saxon ~ Beroc, Icelandic, Norwegian ~ Bjarkan
God/Goddess: Frigga
Power Animals: All animals!
Element: Earth
Numerological Value: 18
Astrology: Virgo
Tarot: The Empress

From: The Little Giant Encycylopedia of Runes by Sirona Knight

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Freyja
;) Gee, any reason it's your favorite, SV? :T Didn't it come up in the reading I did for you, too? :)


Lol yes it did!! :D Off to re-read the reading now..
& I thought the reason was obvious :T

[Silver Venus]

I think it was Perthro that came up in the rune reading swap thread.

They are very similar runes though arent they! As they both symbolise birth :)

[Flar's Freyja]

:T I knew it was one of them.......I also read that Berkana was used to help women with female problems other than childbirth.

[Flar's Freyja]

Berkana corresponds to the first pagan festival of spring, Spring Equinox, along wit Teiwaz and Ehwaz. Berkana is the Earthmother, Teiwaz the Skyfather and Ehwaz the newborn life. Rituals for this sabbat could be constructed along these lines.

[Silver Venus]

Thanks that so fits! Im going to note that down in my bos for next year and I may incorporate it into my new moon ritual for next week :)

[Rick]

Berkana represents the Goddess personified... the 'softer', mothering, nurturing aspect of the Divine... in a reading, this can mean one might need to examine one's relationship with the Goddess aspect. Or it might simply be a reminder that the Divine never goes away... even if we lose sight of it, it's always there to take comfort from...

[Flar's Freyja]

:) I LIKE that definition......

[Eeluna]

Berkana is also one of my favorites. When I look at it I see the side-view of a pregnant woman. B=breasts and belly. I love it when Berkana comes up in a reading!

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[Flar's Freyja]

Berkana is one of my favorite runes. When it comes up in a reading, I'm encouraged by its association with rebirth. It is associated with the upcoming spring equinox and sabbat of Ostara ~ which makes me look forward to spring and new beginnings.

[Flar's Freyja]

In the readings I've done, I've noticed that Berkana frequently appears when there is a pregnancy, new relationship or new job in the works.