(Beth) December 24 - January 20

Names: BETH, Birch,  Beath, Bethi, Bedw, Beithe, Bedwen, Beithi, Betula pendula

Celtic Symbol : The White Stag

Zodiac Degrees : 2º00` - 29º59` Capricorn

Ruling Planet : The Sun - Sul

Ancient Gods Associated With The Sun :

Greek : Helios, Apollo ( Alson Known As Phoebus), Cynthius And Pytheus

Celtic : Hu, Beli, Taliesin, Arthur

Full Moon: Birch Moon; Moon of Inception, Moon of Beginning

Magickal Properties include Protection of children; purification; creativity

Tarot Key: The Magician

The birch is the tree of inception, representing birth, initiation, discipline and sacrifice. The time is ruled by the force of wild, un-tamed nature, and is reflected in the unconscious (inner) self and the rebirth of the Sun from winter's solstice.  This is the first tree that takes away  the decay of  the mysterious elder.  Both the Birch and the Elder stand on either sides of The One Nameless Day.   They both represent a link between life and death, with the Birch being the beginning of all things.  It is also associated with the training of Druids, the birth of new life and is both energetic and spontaneous.Children's cradles were made of Birch. Axe handles were also made from Birch. On the Isle of Man, off the west coast of Scotland, criminals were 'birched' to purify them and to drive out evil influences.

The silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is the most common tree birch in much of Europe. It grows up to 30 m (100 feet) high, but is more often found in spreading clumps on sandy soils. It is one of the first trees to colonize an area after a mature forest is cut; this is probably a large part of its symbolic connection with new beginnings. It is cultivated in North America, often under the name of weeping birch.

Its symbols are the horned animals, especially goats and stags. Connected to pentagrams and mountains. The Magician tarot card. Symbolized 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.

Birch trees have been long associated with fertility and healing magic, and the twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds. Birch is most useful for fertility and healing spells. The birch has a multitude of uses: it yields a sap similar to maple syrup; 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.

Celtic Astrology

There are two distinct types of birch tree people, and this division relates to all tree signs. The new moon character is associated with the first two weeks of a sign and the full moon character with the last two weeks - throughout the signs. The new moon character has a more impulsive and emotional nature, but is inclined to be subjective or introverted. Their positive traits of character are shown by their resolve or faith in themselves in overcoming all obstacles. New moon people born under the birch tree sign are therefore more tenacious in pursuing their objectives in life. The full moon character has a clarity of purpose combined with a visionary nature and is inclined to be more objective or extroverted. Their negative traits, however, hinge around a lack of reality that clouds their judgment. According to druidic belief, the birch tree represented the seed potential of all growth, therefore, astrologically birch tree people have great personal potential, like the Celtic deity Taliesin, which nevertheless requires great persistence in overcoming personal setbacks.

Birch people like the tree are graceful, slender and uplifting to others, who have a cleanliness in their attitude and purity in their expressions of their spirituality. They also are vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, do not like anything in excess, abhor the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, create a calm and content atmosphere.

New beginnings, higher level, self sacrifice, devotion. The Birch is the first tree of the Ogham, perhaps because it is one of new beginnings. When you commence any spiritual work, that very moment you form an idea, the beginning, is very important. It is a chance to realize our intentions, and consider the magic about to come.

Celtic Tree Month of Birch