naurwenseaflame | Time Of The Silver Birch

i got this in a newsletter and thought i'd share... :)
copyright Donald McKinney

For the Celts this is the first month of the new year and so it is
the time for new beginnings. The Silver Birch is the tree of fresh
starts. When there is a fire in the forest and all the trees are
destroyed, the silver birch is the first to grow. As it matures it
shades the soil and allows other trees to take root.

There are two main types of Silver Birch in the UK: one has long
frongs that hang down like a weeping willow. The other has a high
canopy with thousands of small leaves that seem to shiver and shake
at the slightest wind. Hence it is sometimes seen as the shaking or
nervous tree. To the Celt the Silver Birch was the Queen of the
Forest (to the Oak's King).

At this time of the year it is quite distinctive. There are many
young birch trees with thin trunks and the distinctive silver bark
that gives the tree its name. On the white / silver trunk there are
many dark brown markings. As the last leaves finally fall from the
tree, the trunk is quite resplendent and striking.

The sap of the Silver Birch, a strong antiseptic, is also a famous
tonic and many peoples all over the world drink it regularly. Most
of the sap available in this country is from Finland. It is
available from Health Food Shops and is a great pick me up as we
leave summer behind and head into winter. The bark of a Silver
Birch never decays. If a tree is felled the wood will eventually
rot leaving a hollow tube.

Magically, the Silver Birch is connected with witches. The thin
twigs were used to make a witch's broomstick and so there are
connections with astral travel and transportation generally.
Because of its antispectic qualities it is also useful for space
cleansing and psychic protection.

So at this time of the year seek out the young silver birches sit
and do the Celtic Meditation facing the tree, then open your eyes
and see what the strange markings on the trunk reveal to you. What
shapes, messages are written there just for you?

Tell it your plans for the year to come. Admit your worries and
fears and ask the spirits of the tree to help you overcome them.
Remember a problem shared is a problem solved.

Leave a gift for the spirits of the tree, a piece of white quartz is
appropriate. During the moon month revisit the tree and simply
enjoy being there with most inspiring and human of trees!

Best wishes for the month and the year, Donald McKinney.