Birch

Origin: Northern hemisphere

Family: Betulaceae
Subfamily: Betuloideae
Scientific Name: Betula spp.

Folk Names: Beith, bereza, berke, beth, bouleau, downy birch, European white birch, hairy birch, lady of the woods, moor birch, white birch

Magical

Element: Water
Day: Friday
Planet: Venus
Zodiac: Cancer
Associated Celebrations: Floralia
Deities: Aphrodite, Brigantia, Brighid, Earth Mother, Freya, Frigga, Idunna, Nethus, Persephone, Sif, Thor, Venus

Parts used: Wood/bark, leaves

Magical Properties: Beginnings, purification, protection, healing, divination, fertility, love, exorcism

Lore

• The seven noble sacred trees of the grove particularized in a seventhcentury poem appended to the ancient Irish Law Crith Gablach were: Birch, Alder, Willow, Oak, Holly, Hazel, Apple.*
• Eighth-century Irish Law Bretha Comaithchesa lists the Birch as one of the eight ‘peasant’ trees, along with Quicken (Rowan), Willow, Ash, Whitethorn, Whin (Furze/Gorse), and Apple.
• Nicholas Culpeper describes birch as a tree of Venus, and lists its use to break kidney stones and wash sore mouths.
• Birch protects against lightning.
• A witch’s besom is traditionally made from birch twigs.
• Russians were said to tie a red ribbon around a birch branch to rid themselves of the evil eye.
• Gently striking a posessed person or animal with a birch twig has been believed to exorcise spirits.
• Cradles were made from birch in order to inbue their protective powers in guarding the infant within.

References:

Whewell, Tim (2019, 18 September); Is Nutella made with nuts picked by children?; BBC News