Berkano (ᛒ)

Birch: growth and care.

Literal meaning: birch · Tyr's aett, the third group of eight

In the old rune poems

The Old English poem says the birch bears no fruit, yet grows shoots without seed and spreads its leafy crown high. The Norse poems call it the greenest-leaved branch.

Light side

Gentle growth and care: nurturing yourself or others, giving new beginnings the protected space they need.

Shadow side

Over-caring that smothers, or neglecting yourself while you look after everyone else.

Drawing Berkano in a game of Leela

In Leela Atlas you can draw a card from the Elder Futhark runes when you land on a square. A bridging question links the card to the square, so the card speaks to your own question:

• What in your question needs gentle tending rather than effort?
• What does "Berkano" show you about your square?
• If "Berkano" were advice for your question, what would it say?
• Where do you meet "Berkano" in your life right now?