Rune 18 of 24 · Tyr's Ætt
Berkano
Birch, birth, nurture
Sound/b/
Unicodeᛒ
ElementEarth
DeityFrigg / Berchta
growthrenewalhomefertility
Upright
The birch is the first tree to grow back after fire. New beginnings, nurturing, and growth that is gentle but unstoppable.
Merkstave · reversed
Stagnation, family trouble, or smothering care.
Magical uses
- New projects and new homes
- Healing family patterns
- Fertility (body or creative)
How to draw & carve it
- Stroke 1: the main stave, top to bottom.
- Stroke 2: from top going down, a single line with 3 turns.
- Carve or draw with intent: say the rune's name out loud as you finish the last stroke. On wood or a candle, colour the grooves red (ochre, paint, or traditionally a drop of your own blood; red paint works just as well).
Try it tonight. Draw Berkano on a slip of paper with a red pen, hold it while you breathe slowly nine times, and write one sentence about where growth needs to show up in your life. Keep it under your pillow or on your altar for a moon cycle.
The Sunday Pull
Get Berkano in your Sunday pull.
One rune pull for the week ahead, a moon forecast, and a two-minute ritual. Free, forever.
