Berkano                                                  “fertility”

                                                               Element: Earth                                    Herb:
Lady’s Mantle

                                                               Astrological: Virgo                            Tree:
Birch

                                                               Color: Dark Green                             Crystal:
Moonstone

Berkano – “Burr-can-oh”

Literally: “Birch Goddess”

Key concepts: Rune
of continued growth and continual rebirth or renewal in all things. The rune of
becoming.

Psi: secrecy, silence, safety, mature
wisdom, dependence

Energy: container/releaser,
female fertility, trees and plantlife

Governs:
          -Rebirth in the spirit
          -Strengthens the power of secrecy
          -Works of concealment and protection
          -To contain and hold other powers together
          -Bringing ideas to fruition in the creative process

Element: Earth’s domain is in
the east; “Mother Earth”

Astrological: Virgo is in the sky
from August 24^th till September 23^rd ; Mercury ; “The
Virgin”

Herb: A planet of love and
femininity, Lady’s Mantle resembles a bell that is turned towards the sky to
catch rain. The water from the Lady’s Mantle can cleanse the ‘third eye’ after
a vision, it is also revered by alchemists for it is speculated that it is an
important ingredient in the making of the philosopher’s stone; the maker of
eternal beauty. Often associated with fairy magic, the Lady’s Mantle increases
the working power of any magic or ritual regarding fertility and love spells.

Tree: Birch represents
grace, femininity, fertility, healing, new beginnings, purification,
protection, creativity, and rebirth. It is used to ignite Beltane fires and is
associated with the first moon of the Celtic year. Differing from trees that
hold sway over a particular craft, Birch represents the common everyday work.
Broomsticks made of Birch have natural protective abilities.

Crystal: Like its make
suggests, the moonstone has strong ties to Earth’s moon and is the most
powerful during a full moon. It enhances intuition, femininity, sensitivity, brings
good fortune, and protection at sea. When used in meditation it helps the user
to understand themselves better, as well as have a general calming effect.

       Berkano
has the energy of a birch grove, and is a hidden sanctuary in times of need.
The birch is the first tree to awaken in the spring time, and so Berkano is
about the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Healing of all sorts is strongest
through this rune, particularly recuperation, rejuvenation, purification,
detoxification and regeneration. This is the rune of maternity and represents
the ready womb for child-bearing. Also represented here is the concealment and
protection of what is coming into being, in the most mundane sense, pregnancy
shelters the baby until it is ready to enter this world. There is no safer
place for us, as living things, as the womb. It was a time of secrecy, silence
and utter safety and dependence. We knew implicitly that our mothers going to
exceptional lengths, doing all they could to protect us, and although we cannot
consciously remember this experience, it is still accessible to us through deep
meditation and work with Berkano.

       Motherhood,
the wisdom that comes with maturity and the patience developed by nurturing
children are all mental and spiritual strengths emphasized through use of this
particular rune. Berkano represents the outer-child: the power of dependence,
trust and the certainty of love. While connecting with one’s own inner-child
may be more in harmony with the domain of INGUZ, the endeavor of seeing the
inner-child of all beings, in the outer-world, is a quest undertaken as the
understanding of Berkano broadens.

       Secrecy with
Berkano is not a wicked thing, but a power that can be used to great effect. It
is the mastery of silence as a device for listening and protecting. It is a
life giving rune, so is best used to assist life, to heal and to protect. It
will enhance efforts to give oneself, and others, the time and space they need
to grow on their own. The creation of time and space is a magical act done
consciously through restraint and silence, even concealment of one’s hand in
the affair altogether. This ability is magical, requires great humility and is
an enviable feminine power.