The Birch Tree and the Wild Boar: Symbols of Light

In the time of this world when the light decreases, the birch emanates a glow, resistant to the death of nature in winter times, imposing itself in a life of  constant renewal. In the Proto-Indo-European, its etymological root, in the Germanic languages​​, Baltic and Slavic, this tree is idealized as the fifth essence of white. The birch is the first tree to bloom after thawing, it is the messenger of the breeding powers,  and it is essential to the survival of all species, it marks its begining. It has inspirational qualities that transmit light and innocence, it is the sacred tree to the shamans of Europe and the vehicle of the journeys of the shaman in out of the body expiriences. It is a symbol of life, energy and protection, and in Portugal, this is called Vidoeiro or Bétula tree and it is associated with wild boars. Bétula comos from the Germanic name, Beorgan which means, "To Protect". The rebirth of this tree after the winter also brings the old rituals of the hunt. The wild boar is a  challenge to the courage and bravery of the hunter.

The Boar carries a strong symbolism of abundance, celebrated in Yule, in the sacrificial death of the animal in honor of Frey, god of the sun rays and fertility, of the Nordic Mythology.
In Portugal the ancients honored the wild boar, depending on the meat to their survival. The killing of the Wild boar or the pig, is ritualized in the colder months, ensuring survival through the winter and up to the rest of the year.
Autumn is dying with the arrival of winter, however, the nature surrenders to the the magic and to the hope of rebirth. The Birch tree produces seeds that can remain alive at low temperatures, as a mother's womb at the peak of fertility.
Freya, the goddess of prosperity and magic in the Norse Mythology, travels through the Cosmic worlds on the back of the "battle boar", Hildsvín /  Hildisvíni.
The birch rod contains the fertilizing and regenerative powers. It is the evocation of the magical instrument of celestial influences. Its branches are great for campfires at the Walpurgis Night and in Haustablót. The slow combustion, the wood fueled the torches that lit the bridal bed, involving the environment in a pleasant fragrance.

Mythology around Runes: Berkana

Berkana

Mythology:

As might be imagined with such a feminine rune, its mythology derives from the stories of several Norse goddesses. Prominent amongst these is Frigga, the Goddess of the spinning wheel and the wife of Odin, who has been previously encountered with the Runes Wunjo and Pertho.
Frigga is the patroness of women, especially those in labour caring for infants, of marital fidelity and family harmony. Fiercely protective of hwe own children, she nevertheless found time to care for the offsrping of others, too. In one of her aspects, that of Brechta ( leterally meaning "birch" ), she guarded the souls of young children. It is interesting to note that in past times, if a marriage ceremony was thought to be too expensive, the union could still be recognised if the prospective bride and groom jumped over a birch-twig broom broom together. The symbolism of the birch-twig broom leads us to the medieval traditions of witchcraft, because in old stories a witch and her brrom were rarely parted. It may be that brooms did indeed play a role in a half-remembered matriarchal pagan cult that survived into recent history. This could be especially significant since women accused of being witches were often local healers and midwives.

Birch Tree - 24th December to 20 January

The Birch Tree is a small tree that rarely exceeds 25 meters, and it can live to 50 years. In Europe it grows below 2,000 feet of altitude. It is a tree that remotes to an ancestral time, of more then 30 million years of existence.
This tree represents ( in druidic lore ) the renewal and rebirth. In the woods, this is the first tree to gain leaves, to rebirth and to renew its green appearance after the Winter. It is also the first tree to grow again in places where it has been a great burning or a place where the trees have all been chopped down.
It is belived that these were the first trees to grown after the great glacial age.
The origins of its name, birch , comes from the indo-european languages, linking to the words Brightness and shining.
However, it is a possibility that the name comes from the Anglo-Saxon term, beorgan, which means "to protect" or "shelter".
That is why it is said, in a dark forest, it is the birch tree that always show us the way out.

This tree is sacred to the Norse god Thor but especialy to the Welsh goddess Blodeuwedd, and to other goddesses such as Freya, Frigga and Ceridwen.

In the Druid Calendar, the first month, that goes from 24th of December till 20th of January, is called beth - the birch moon. In Portugal, this tree is called Betúla.

There is an ancient habit, to give to the newly married folk, small branches of birch tree in order to ensure the fertility.
In certain places in Europe, farmers used to plant these trees around the house, as a protection against lightning, and the juice extracted from leaves, prevents worms from appearing in the cheese.

The wood of the birch tree is one of the tradicional timber used in the Beltane fire festival.