by
wensum24
@ 29/11/2005 - 19:19:00
Silver Birch - Betula alba, Betula pendula
Common Birch, Hairy Birch, Downy Birch - Betula verrucosa, Betula pubescens
I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!
~John Muir
Traditionally, it is reputed, that Birch trees were the favourites of mythical creatures inhabiting the Russian forests, known as 'Genii of the Forest' or 'Forest Devils', and from the treetops could view the world. And it was also said that by cutting birch branches and placing them in a circular form pointing inwards, beckoned these 'Forest Devils.' Indeed, placing a birch branch above the door of a house was believed to provide ptotection against evil spirits and misfortune.
Russian tales speak of how the top of the birch tree is inhabited by the Mother of God, and in Estonia, the birch symbolises all that is true to their own belief.
To the people of the North, the Birch represented the spirit of Freya, the Great Mother Goddess of Scandinavian mythology, with the firm belief that things may only be lucky if the Birch is present.
The Druids believed the birch represented renewal, rebirth and inception as it was the earliest tree in leaf. It was referred to as the "Lady of the Woods", and together with the Elder, was said to stand either side of December 23rd, ("Nameless Day"). Indeed, when the glaciers from the last ice age retracted to the far North, the Birch was the first tree to touch the vast emptiness left by the ice.
It's worth noting here that Ancient people called Birch ‘the Mother Tree’, due to it's pioneering spirit that gave a new habitat suitable for a whole host of less hardy plants and flowers. The 17th century naturalist and diarist, John Evelyn, summarises perfectly the land of the lovely Birch: “cannot well be too barren; for it will thrive both in the dry, and the wet, sand and stony, marshes and bogs; the waterfalls, and uliginous parts of forests that hardly bear any grass, do many times spontaneously produce it in abundance whether the place be high or low and nothing comes amiss to it.”
There we see the Birch is an extremely strong tree, mightier even than the Oak, and it's slender appearance hides a capacity to grow in the most undesireable of places. The Birch symbolises cleanliness and purity and has accomplished a great many roles, such as the providing of brooms, axes, cloth, and manufacture of children's cradles.
It's use for writing parchment is worth a special mention, as traditionally the bark of the Birch, noted for being durable, was used because of the smooth texture, light sating shade, with many fossilised examples being discovered.
Medicinally the oil from the bark was often used to treat skin conditions and depression. Tea can be made from birch leaves, as a spring tonic, and also contains vitamin C and flavonoids as well as cleansing properties, as it is capable of destroying harmful bacteria in the kidneys and urinary tract, can lower blood cholesterol as well as stimulate bile flow. People have used it with success for urinary infections, gout and as a ‘blood cleanser’ in degenerative diseases, such as arthritis and rheumatism. Indeed, extremely strong brews have been used as disinfectant lotions for skin diseases, such as herpes, facial spots, and so on.
Muscular pains have been known to be cured by Birch, and the sap used in the manufacture of wine, beer and vinegar. 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 seen as a tree of love and wreaths of Birch woven as love tokens. Its trunk was frequently used to form the traditional maypole.
The well known term "birched" was used in order to drive away evil spirits. Birch twigs made suitable gifts to newlyweds to represent fertility. Witches, it is said, bound Birch with Ash for their broomsticks, or "besoms" (as is heard in Harry Potter!).
The Silver Birch is frequently found forming a spreading group on sandy soil and is the ost common type of Birch in Europe, making an elegant tree with lean trunk, soft branches and a smooth bark occasionally reaching 100 feet. There can be few lovelier feelings than being within a birch wood under spring sun and gentle breeze!
Like poppies on disturbed ground, the Birch is one of the first to colonize an area recently exposed. A deciduous tree, living to about 50, is cultivated in North America, where it is normally called the Weeping Birch. It is indegenous to Europe and can be found in the contrasting climates of Sicily to Iceland, with it's name meaning "bright" or "shining" in Indo-European and Sanskrit...but also possible that it evolved from Anglo-Saxon "Beorgan" which means "to protect and shelter".
As for the Celtic types of character, associated with birch, the "full moon" and "new moon", the former individual can be seen as impulsive and introspective, even emotional, though inclined to be subjective. These types have deep-rooted resolve and self-belief in tackling obstacles, and thus a tenacity to pursue life's goals. The "full moon" Birch individual possesses a wide-eyed vision and purpose, with great clarity, and also more objective and extroverted than the "new moon" counterpart. Though a word of caution, as this may draw the individual away from reality, and hindering a clear-sighted judgement, at times.
Generally, Birch individuals show determination, reslience and ambition, being keen to reach pursuits, making fine leaders, organisers and strategists. Setbacks are no hindrance, due to a burning desire for success, shown in a hard-working nature, together with admirable qualities of patience and persistence, triumph inevitably follows in due course. Birch types ore loyal, reliable and usually trustworthy, also sociable though reticent in showing affection, and those who the share their time. Also, personal faults are not readily admitted by such people, due to a high goal-getting ambition, and cynicism may creep-in. Such is their character, that a regimented, ordered lifestyle are best adopted, as society labels them 'workaholic'. A nature that shows a serious side, even a tad dull, the inner wish is to be less so, leading to some identity concerns, and also health issues, which is at odds with a basically fine inner resilience. Birch people tend to lay low in life, even in high profile positions, remaining modest and moneywise, protecting their hard graft.
However, their is a pessimistic angle, with great personal demands heaping pressure on themselves leading to loneliness, and a tendency to marry later in life, but seperations of any kind are not by the choice of the Birch.
These types need a target to aim for, so as to fend-off inadequacy, depression or, as we saw, pessimism. Such is their potential, that theyy need to strive hard to achieve this calling.
-by lauren6
Gemstone: The Birch gemstone is Rock Crystal, a naturally-occuring substance with the ability to render invisible light visible through the means of refraction. It is formed from clear, lustrous quartz and was first discovered in the Alps, at which time it was believed to be a kind of ice or "krystallos."
Flower: The flower of the Birch is the Common Daisy, which blooms from the earliest days of Spring until late in the Autumn and covers the ground with its flat leaves so closely that nothing can grow beneath them. It is said that the Daisy awakens with the Sun and sleeps with the Moon.
novareiina
~~~
I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines.
~Henry David Thoreau
