Berkano is the Rune of growth, vitality and youthful energy.
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
Beorc byþ bleda leas, bereþ efne swa ðeah
tanas butan tudder, biþ on telgum wlitig,
heah on helme hrysted fægere,
geloden leafum, lyfte getenge.
Birch is without fruit but just the same it bears
limbs without fertile seed; it has beautiful branches,
high on its crown it is finely covered,
loaded with leaves, touching the sky.
Norwegian Rune Poem
Bjarkan er laufgroenstr líma;
Loki bar flærða tíma.
Birch twig is the limb greenest with leaves;
Loki brought the luck of deceit.
Icelandic Rune Poem
Bjarkan er laufgat lim
ok lítit tré
ok ungsamligr viðr.
Birch twig is a leafy limb,
and a little tree,
and a youthful wood.
First it has to be said that the experts are still discussing the word “Beorc” as it might mean birch but could mean poplar tree or aspen as well. The other two Rune Poems use the word “Bjarkan” that clearly denotes the birch though.
The idea that resounds through all three poems is one of abundance, growth and youthfulness. These attributes remind us of spring when everything starts to grow, bloom and blossom which are characteristics that are closely related to the Goddess Freya. Berkano is also connected to this youthful energy that we see in kids and which seems thoroughly inexhaustible to the very exhaustible grown-ups. All over the world people react to the first warm days of the year and even in the big cities, the usually stoic and stressed out masses can’t suppress a smile. In the days of the Germanic tribes and during the Viking age this joy must have been felt much more intensely as barely anyone would get through the harsh winters in northern Europe without slimming down, oftentimes considerably, and without being cold much of the time. Imagine the joy these people must have felt when spring finally arrived, when the sun grew in strength and brought the promise of warmth and plenty.
Berkano can be used to start something new or to rekindle our passion for something or someone that used to be dear to our heart. It can improve our health and replenish our depleted energy levels. Due to its connection to the Goddess Freya it can also be very helpful if one wants to forge a connection with that many-faceted Goddess. Freya doesn’t just stand for youthfulness and abundance though but also for fertility so Berkano can help us to manifest that energy as well. Due to its youthfulness, its effects are usually rather short-lived so if changes enacted with the help of Berkano are supposed to last it is best to combine it with a Rune of endurance like Uruz for example.