Berkana
Oracular Interpretation
Key Words
Mantra
Stöödhur(Positions)
Magickal Uses
Algiz-
Ansuz-
Dagaz-
Ehwaz-
Eihwaz-
Fehu-
Gebo-
Hagalaz-
Inguz-
Isa-
Jera-
Kano-
Laguz-
Mannaz-
Nauthiz-
Othila-
Odin's Rune (blank)-
Perth-
Raido-
Sowelu-
Teiwaz-
Thurisaz-
Uruz-
Wunjo-
Berkano(a) (Proto-Germanic): birch goddess; Baírkan (Gothic): birch twig; Beorc (Old English): birch tree; Bjarkan (Old Norse): runic birch goddess (from the Old Norse björk: birch)
Phonetic value: b
Esoteric interpretation of name: the numen of the birch as earth mother.
Ideographic interpretation: breasts of the earth mother.
Berkana contains the mysteries of the great mother. Cosmologically it is the mother of all manifestation and embodies the mysteries of the human cycle of birth-life-death-rebirth.
This Rune reigns over the four pivotal human rites of passage: birth, adolescence, marriage, and death. This birch goddess also shows the darker side of the "Terrible Mother," ruling over death. In Norse mythology she is known as Hel, in the Germania she is the earth goddess Nerthus.
Berkana is the Rune of all becoming/being. It is the unity of the birth-life-death-rebirth cycle through the mystery of the moment. This is the unit of evolution from which "becoming" arises. This Rune expresses the phenomenon of chance in nature, because each moment each of these phases of existence has its own uniqueness, although they are all joined by a universal pattern.
Berkana is the passive receptor and the conserving force of protection. It hides and protects. This Rune reigns over all protective or concealing enclosures such as caves, lodges, and jardhhus (earth houses used for initiations).
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Key Words:
Earth mother
Birth
Birth-life-death-rebirth cycle
Containment
Moment
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Galdr(Mantra):
berkana berkana berkana
bu ba bi be bo
b e e e e e r r r r
(burk bark birk berk bork)
ob eb ib ab ub
b e e e e e r r r r
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Stadha (Position):
Stand erect with your left arm bent at the elbow, the palm resting on your hip. Bend your left leg at the knee with your heels touching and your foot set at a 90º angle to your right foot. Your elbow and knee from the angles of the Berkana Rune.
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Magickal Uses:
Rebirthing the spirit.
Strengthening the power of secrecy.
Works of concealment and protection.
To contain and hold other powers together.
Realization of the oneness of the moment as the mother of all things.
Bringing ideas to fruition in the creative process.
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Oracular Interpretation:
Another of the Cycle Runes, Berkana represents a form of fertility that fosters growth both symbolically and actually. The growth may occur in affairs of the world, family matters, the relationship of the self to the Self, or to the Divine.
A Rune that leads to blossoming and ripening, Berkana is concerned with the flow of beings into their new forms. Its action is gentle, penetrating and pervasive.
What is called for here is to consider your issue with care and awareness. First disperse resistance, then accomplish the work. For this to happen, your will must be clear and controlled, your motives correct. Any dark corners should be cleansed; this must be carried out diligently and sometimes with expert help. Modesty, patience, fairness and generosity are called for here. Once resistance is dispersed, and rectification carried out and seen to hold firm, then through steadfastness and right attitude, the blossoming can occur.
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Reversed:
Events or, more likely, aspects of character interfere with the growth of new life. You may feel dismay at failing to take right action. But rather than dismay, what is called for here is diligence. Examine what has occurred, your role in it, your needs, and the needs of other people. Are you placing your wants before the needs of others? Strip away until you can identify the obstacles to growth in this situation. Then, penetrating gently, imitate the wind.
You may be required to cultivate the soil once again, yet through correct preparation, growth is assured.
--Copied word for word from The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum
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All information in these pages comes from the following sources:
and
The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum.
A now out of print and rare book and stones set.
It can still be bought, used, at the above link, though.
Lisa's Planet-
The Land of Fae-
Norse Mythology-
Celtic Goddesses, Queens, Gods & Kings-
Angels-
My Web Rings
Samantha's Moon (Temporarily Out of Orbit)
Jay Jr's Moon (It's gone Void of Course)
