Celtic Tree Lore

Birch - Beth - November

Latin name - Betula Pendula

Birch - Celtic Moon month Dec 24th - Jan 20th

Wood - peeling silvery bark
Leaves - range from gold to green in colour
Flowers - catkins, the male flower stays on the tree throughout winter and
scatter their pollen when the female flowers come out in spring
Distribution - grows in the UK and is very common in Scotland and is also
found in large populations in Siberia.
Associated names - Lady of the Woods, Canoe Tree, Paper Tree, Silver Birch,
Associated colours - white and red
Associated day - Sunday
Associated stone - red chard
Associated bird - pheasant
Associated element - water
Associated planet - Venus
Herbal gender - female
Herbal uses - infusion for bladder or kidney stones, astringent, Baldness, rheumatism, sedative to aid sleep
Parts used - leaves, bark, wood, sap, branches
The Birch is linked with Mediumship as it was often used by shaman to link with the Spirit world
The Birch is the tree of new beginnings and rebirth

The silver Birch bark, being silver, resembles the silver of the moonlight giving a magical look and with its long slender branches reaching up, it symbolises the female aspect. Since it is known as the Lady of the woods, it is often used to make Goddess wands. Because it can grow up to 100 feet high, in Shamanism it is called the ladder to the Gods. It is one of the three pillars of wisdom, the other two being Oak and Yew and also one of the nine traditional woods to light the Beltane fires. Birch symbolises the first level of Druid workings.

Magically, the month of the Birch is good for spells for new beginnings and adds strength and momentum to any new choices made. Birch is used in spells
for protection, creativity, fertility, birth, healing, love and purification.

It is a good time to cleanse the mind of negative thoughts and attitude such as anger and jealousy, or addictive behavior such as smoking. Tie a red ribbon round the trunk of the tree or a branch to ward off evil. Tap someone with the branch to drive out negativity, hence criminals and naughty school boys were 'birched' in order to purify them and drive out evil influences. Branches of the Birch tree are hung near the cradle to keep away evil and the protection and it is said to be even more enhanced if the cradle itself is made of Birch. It is also said to protect against lightening.

Because of the protection properties witches brooms are made with Birch ash and willow since it is known as the Lady of the woods is good to make Goddess wands. Good for making runes for divination, gather the branches on a waxing moon and ask the tree for premonitions and Odin to inspire your work. Never ever take bark off a living birch as it will kill it.

Because the month of the Birch moon falls during the bleakest period in winter, it is a quiet time of contemplation and looking to the future and making plans for the year ahead, hence the New Years resolutions. In reality, the Birch tree is a hardy pioneer tree that can colonise barren terrains by releasing its seeds onto available

If you are interested in Celtic Tree Lore

Please do come and chat with in our Psychic and Spiritual chat rooms

post on our Psychic, Spiritual, Metaphysical and Holistic Message Boards

Written by Arowana, Designed by Sol © Mystic Familiar 2007

© Mystic Familiar 2002 - 2012 Copyright Notice - The contents of the Mystic Familiar website are copyright and may not be duplicate in any form without prior written permission. All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only