Birch Moon
December 24th - January 20th

The Birch is the first month of the Celtic New Year, symbolises new beginnings. It offers courage for the new comers to the spiritual path. The birch is a very lucky tree and is a sign of general good fortune. This month is a time of contemplation, of looking to the future and starting to make plans for the year ahead.

The silver birch is the most common tree in much of Europe. It can grow up to 100 feet high. It is one of the first trees to move in and begin new growth in an area after it has been cleared, and is probably why it has a symbolic connection to new beginnings. The common birch is almost as widespread as the silver birch, but it grows in acid soils. It can grow 65 feet in height.

The Birch lives about 50 years. It is cultivated in North America, often under the name of "Weeping Birch." A member of the Birch family and indigenous to Europe, the Birch may be found from Sicily to Iceland and even in some parts of Northern Asia. Its name is derived from the meaning "Bright" or "Shining" in Indo-European and Sankskrit terminology. It is possible that it came from the Anglo-Saxon term "Beorgan," meaning "to protect or to shelter.

All birch trees thrive where conditions are sunny and the soil is well drained, somewhat sandy but high in organic matter. Birches do not usually thrive on heavy clay soils where air movement to the roots is restricted. On a healthy birch, the roots will spread to a distance of at least twice the tree's height. This means that the roots of a mature tree may cover an area about one third the size of a football field. To permit proper root spread, trees should be planted as far as possible from any obstruction that may interfere with root development. The high moisture requirement of birch tree is most obvious that in nature they only grow along lakes and rivers, or on cool north-facing slopes.

To the Druids, the Birch (often referred to as the "Lady of the Woods" due to its grace and beauty) represented renewal, rebirth and inception, since it was the first tree to come into leaf after the Winter Season. This slender but determined tree, which represented the seed potential of all growth, is hardier than even the mighty Oak and will thrive in places where the Oak will fail to flourish. It also signifies cleanliness and purity. The Birch once fulfilled many purposes, from providing handles for brooms and axes to the manufacture of cloth and children's' cradles. It is particularly well-known for its use in making writing parchment and oil from the bark was often used to treat skin conditions and depression. People were once "birched" in order to drive out evil spirits, while twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds. Witches would use Birch twigs bound with Ash for their broomsticks or "besoms."

Birch has been known to cure muscular pains and it yields a sap similar to maple syrup and was used in the manufacture of wine, beer and vinegar. Its bark can be used as flour and also make birch beer; and birch tea is said to ease rheumatism and gout. The inner bark provides a pain reliever while the leaves can be used to treat arthritis. Black birch has been used historically as an astringent and a diuretic. The leaves are used in tea for urinary problems, and to expel intestinal worms. A tea made from the inner bark makes a good mouthwash, and taken internally is good for treating diarrhoea, rheumatism, and boils. An oil, similar to oil of wintergreen, can be distilled from the inner bark and twigs.

The Birch gemstone is Rock Crystal and the Druids reputedly used rock crystal to make themselves invisible and thus be able to travel great distances undetected. The tribal aborigines of Australia continue to use amulets, as a protection against demons, and the most commonly used stones for this purpose are fragments of rock crystal. If held in both hands, rock crystal is said to induce serenity, a peace of mind, and to sharpen the mental processes

It is the rod of a Birch that Robin Red Breast used to slay the Wren in a furze or gorse bush on Saint Stephen's Day. In Wales, the Birch is a tree of love and wreaths of Birth are woven as love tokens. Its trunk was frequently used to form the traditional maypole and boughs were hung over cradles and carriages to protect infants from the glamour of the Little People.

The Golden Eagle figures prominently in Celtic myths and legends. Birch symbols are the horned animals, especially goats and stags. Connected to pentagrams and mountains. The Magician tarot card, symbolised by Cernunnos - the horned one, said to be the Soul of Lugh, and the Dagda - Celtic Earth god. Archetypically related to other horned gods such as Pan, the Hircocervus (sacred Goat-Stag), the Egyptian horned god Asar (Osiris), and Shiva who is lord of the animals.

If you're born under this sign, you may present a rather tender "front" to others, but your inner strength is unwavering, and you'll lend support gladly to others who rely on you. In general, Birch individuals are determined, resilient and ambitious. Being goal-oriented, they make for excellent leaders, good organisers and supreme strategists. Usually undeterred by setbacks and possessed of an intense need to succeed, Birch people are loyal, reliable and trustworthy, but prone to be reserved in displays of affection, although they are sociable with those they choose to socialise with. Personal limitations are not readily accepted by Birch individuals and due to their drive and ambition, there is sometimes a tendency to grow cynical. These people thrive best under a well-regimented lifestyle and are often known as the "workaholics" of society.

Birch Tree Facts

Scientific name: Betula pubescens
Height: 21 meters
Wood: Peeling silvery-white bark
Leaves: Heart Shaped leaves range from gold to green in colour.
Flowers: Catkins, the male flowers stay on the tree throughout the winter and scatter their pollen when the female flowers come out to bloom in the spring.
Fruit: Female flowers produce winged fruits, or seeds, that are carried very long distances by the wind. This is why birch trees grow in so many places.
Distribution: Silver birch grows in Ireland, the UK and is very common in Scotland: it is also found in large populations in Siberia, therefore proving its reputation as a tree of great resilience.

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