✦ Digital Sages
birch
Plant

Birch

Plant2 traditions
overview

Birch is the first tree to grow back after a forest fire or an ice age, so it stands for new beginnings. Its white bark was used to make the besoms that sweep away the old year, and Beith, birch, is the first letter of the Ogham.

Uses

  • New beginnings
  • Purification
  • Protection of children
  • Sweeping out the old
ritual

Working with it

Make or buy a birch besom and ritually sweep the house from back to front at the new year. Write a new intention on a strip of fallen birch bark and keep it on the altar.

ingredient_profile
Botanical name
Betula pendula
Planet
♀︎ Venus
Element
Water
Works for
ProtectionPurificationNew Beginnings
Forms
barkwoodleaves
How to use
Hang over a door or windowAltar or offeringCarry in a pocket or pouchBurn as incense or loose herb
Receptive
found_in

Where the traditions place it