Rune Berkana ᛒ

Berkana Rune: Meaning, Origin, and Spiritual Powers

The Berkana rune represents the path of the mother, the healer, and the midwife. It brings new life after death, just like the birch tree sprouts its first leaves after winter.

Nourishing and vital qualities are firmly associated with Berkana, but also the end of life and death. All life comes from the womb of the Earth Mother, and when the time comes, returning to the Great Mother is inevitable.

Berkana embodies all the imaginable aspects of the goddess. She gives birth, protects, loves, and gives life, but she also takes life. Berkana unites physical and mental will into a harmonious unity.

She promises peace and fertility. For the future, this means that the person seeking guidance will find their inner center and have the opportunity to reorganize their life.

Origin and Meaning of the Berkana Rune

Berkana is the sixteenth rune of the Futhark alphabet. It is also found in the forms Berkano, Beorc, Bairkan, Bjarkan. "Burr-can-oh" literally means "goddess of the birch tree".

The birch is the first tree to awaken in spring, and thus the Berkana rune concerns the infinite cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The runic symbol, similar to the Latin letter B, represents a pregnant woman's body or, seen from another angle, the breasts of the "Great Mother".

Berkana is the rune of the birch tree. Like the young birch, Berkana has the power to be flexible without breaking. In ancient traditions, birch branches were used to bring prosperity and promote conception. They represented fertility.

In European tradition, on May 1st, birch branches were placed above the entrance door, and barns were decorated to promote fertility. Young men, women, and livestock were struck with birch branches for the same purpose.

Norse mythology associates the rune with the goddess Frigg. Berkana represents primordial femininity with the capacity to give birth, be maternal and nurturing, and the sexuality of the breasts. Berkana embodies feminine energy, present in both men and women, although these qualities are generally sought in women.

The birch has a strong growth instinct, even in unfavorable conditions. Its roots draw everything necessary for life from the soil, be the site arid and sandy or acidic and marshy. In Nordic countries, it was often planted before the construction of a house to protect the future home and its inhabitants.

Its resistant bark was appreciated as a lightweight but very strong construction material for boats, allowing fishermen to navigate safely through strong currents. If necessary, kayaks could be carried on the shoulder to reach the dock.

It was said that witches rode broomsticks made of birch wood. This belief arose from ancient fertility rituals where dancers "rode" broomsticks through the fields. The height of their jumps was supposed to indicate the height of the forthcoming crops.

Modern people make great leaps through continuous development, just as the flexible birch bends during a storm and withstands the most violent natural events.

No matter the difficulty of the situation, the tree always draws something positive and grows thanks to its roots that utilize everything available. If your personal position is disadvantageous, take the birch as an example. It may lose a few leaves, but after the storm, it stands upright with splendor.

Berkana highlights all the mental and spiritual forces that stem from motherhood. This manifests in the wisdom that comes with maturity, but also in the patience that develops through raising children. It grants you, as well as others, the necessary time to grow by yourself.

Berkana also represents the burial mound where everyone returns after death. It is a rune that leads to fulfillment and maturation throughout life and also deals with death, rebirth, and renewal. Berkana's actions are gentle yet penetrating.

If Berkana appears in a reading, it warns against letting past obstacles and problems hold you back in the present. If you are in a place that is not relevant to your life, you will be able to take advantage of new opportunities.

Although exciting opportunities are currently presenting themselves, you should carefully analyze and proceed with strict discretion. There is a lot of energy around you, and this could turn out to be a very exciting time. Great activity and movement are on the horizon: seize your chance!

Fixed Meaning of the Berkana Rune

Berkana watches over the family. This rune announces a family celebration for a happy occasion, such as a wedding or a birth. Or two people come closer and start a relationship. It is the time to make plans. However, do not expect immediate results, as new ideas must be nurtured and grown before they bear fruit.

In a reading for a woman, Berkana represents the querent, and the surrounding runes indicate the forces around her. In a reading for a man, Berkana symbolizes an important woman beside him. Especially in conjunction with the Ingwaz rune, Berkana can announce a wedding or a birth.

If you have plans in this direction, Berkana advises you to implement them quickly. If Berkana is drawn as the result, the planned project will proceed positively. If the overall interpretation is mainly negative, Berkana indicates that your success will be short-lived.

Reversed Meaning of the Berkana Rune

If the Berkana rune appears reversed, it can indicate family problems. You worry about a family member or close friend. It is possible that your actions have been reckless and triggered interpersonal troubles. It is also possible that you are suffering because of a family member, and some situations are causing you anxiety.

In relation to Ansuz, it refers to a child; Gebo indicates a significant person, and with Othala, elderly parents are concerned. Berkana gives you the opportunity to examine the situation and restore harmony. Examine your own emotions first before blaming others. In professional matters, your plans may be compromised.

Your project may experience initial problems, so it is better to be patient and postpone everything for now. Do not be discouraged, Berkana only indicates that another point of view is necessary or that the concept requires adjustment.

Properties of the Berkana Rune

• Alphabet: B
• Element: Earth
• Deity: Frigg
• Symbol: Mother-Earth, care, birch
• Interpretation: Femininity, fertility, healing, regeneration, birth, growth, and creation.
• Stone: Moonstone, sardonyx
• Tree: Birch, poplar
• Flower: Daisy, moonwort
• Herb: Lady's mantle, plantain
• Animal: Hare, snow owl
• Color: Green, gold
• Body Part: Physical, motor skills, kidneys, hips
• Fragrance: Gardenia, narcissus
• Tarot: The Emperor, Death
• Astrology: Sun in Virgo, Moon in the 12th house, Virgo, Scorpio

Complete Runes Alphabet >

Further Exploration

To deepen your knowledge about the runes and their symbolism, we invite you to explore the following pages:

• Viking Runes: Origins and Meanings
• Norse and Viking Symbols and their meanings
• The Secrets of Viking Runic Alphabet