Berkano – Rune of Nurturing
In Berkano (aka Berkana), we find the regenerating power of the Goddess. This is the rune of both Mother and Maiden, of She who was, is and ever shall be. We have both the inner child and the Mother archetype contained in the energy of this rune. Whatever needs nurturing and whoever is capable of nurturing falls under the auspice of Berkano. Sometimes we are best nurtured by allowing our inner child to roam, for example by allowing ourselves to get completely lost in an art project for no other reason than to enjoy the process.
Stripped back meaning based on the actual word and shape
This is a more angular version of the letter ‘B.’ Let’s keep it real: the shape is that of a pair of boobs, seen from above. Berkano means ‘birch’ (björk in modern Swedish).
What do boobs do? They nurture us. What does birch stand for? Birch is the first tree to come back to life in the spring – it’s a sign of the regenerative powers of Mother Nature. Bunched-up, long silver birch twigs are traditionally used for cleansing (detox) which is another way to nurture ourselves and care for our well-being.
Correspondences
- Polarity: Feminine
- Zodiac correspondences: Moon and Venus
- Colours: Green, gold and silver
- Tarot card correspondences: The High Priestess and The Empress
- Archangel correspondences: Archangels Gabriel and Anael
- Chakra correspondences: Sacral Chakra and Heart Chakra
- Health: Women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, regeneration, purification
Divinatory Meanings
General: nurturing (both body and soul), nursing, fertility, creativity, regeneration, gratitude, abundance – Reversed: stagnation, infertility, blocked creativity, mother issues, austerity, patriarchal restrictions and edicts
Love & relationships: a creative partnership, a loving and nurturing relationship, a relationship that gives the seeker strength, someone who is in touch with their feminine side – Reversed: mother issues are negatively impacting the relationship, one person is doing all the giving/nurturing
Health/wellbeing: female puberty, issues around fertility, eating habits, having enough me-time to spend on creative pursuits, excellent self-care – Reversed: menopause, disruption in the female cycle, infertility, breast health issues, need to detox, poor self-care habits
Business: goals are being nurtured, mutually nurturing business partnerships, creative business pursuits, prosperity – Reversed: lack of creative vision, lack of growth, one-sided business partnerships, a need to watch expenditure, lack of foresight
Holistic Healing Tips for Berkano
Chant Berkano (BEAR-kawn-oh) and let the sound roll around in the cauldron of your pelvic bowl to balance the menstrual cycle
Wear the rune around your neck to remember to stick to your daily/weekly self-care routine.
Draw the rune over the womb to stimulate fertility.
Sit with your back against a birch tree to ground and communicate with the tree spirit.
Gather some birch twigs from the ground under the tree and make a small broom for space clearing.
Place your hands over your heart and chant the rune name several times until the love of Mother God starts filling your heart, then extend the hands out to bless and feed the world with Her love.
Use with Fehu in prosperity spells.
Affirmations
- I rest in the soft embrace of Mother God and allow myself to be nurtured by Her.
- I take excellent care of myself.
- As I engage in creative pursuits that put me in a state of flow, my soul light shines brighter.
- I have the ability to heal and regenerate.
- I nurture those around me with the love of Mother God.
- I am an embodiment of Her (this is NOT just for women!)
- I am infinitely creative.
- My partnerships are based on mutual respect and nurturing.
- I gratefully allow Mother Nature to heal me.
Berkano Prayer
Dear Mother-Father God, Thank you for creative chaos and a wild, untamed spirit within. Thank you that I do not have to strive to nurture or be nurtured but simply allow you to flow through me. Guide me to good health and abundance so that I may truly prosper in this lifetime and be a blessing rather than a burden to others. Purge my life of anything that keeps me from being of service to you. So be it and so it is!
Berkano and Hyperborean Water Magic
CLICK HERE for the basics and ‘herstory’ of Hyperborean Water Magic.
How to Charge the Water
- Draw the rune over your glass or another glass vessel with the pointer and middle finger on your dominant hand.
- Chant the name of the rune three times.
- Visualise the rune glimmering in the colour of your choice as you chant (see colour correspondences above).
- Visualise the light from the rune charging every molecule in the water until the light expands beyond the glass. When the light has formed an aura around the glass that you can see or feel with your hands, it is ready to drink/use.
Berkano Water Magic
Berkano-charged water is a great complementary remedy for anybody trying to conceive. It can also be used for glamour magic(k).
Drink Berkano-charged water several times a day as part of a detox regimen, ideally together with regular sauna sessions.
Charge Holy Water (spring water + sea salt) with the Berkano rune for that extra bit of Goddess magic(k). This is the ideal Holy Water to use in all rituals for anybody on a Rose Priestess Path, for instance.
Berkano water can be sprinkled around areas of conflict to shift the energy. It helps everyone remember that we have the same mother. It can be added to bodies of water in war zones for the same purpose.
Take me back to the Elder Futhark Rune Index!
Try the Berkano Rune Tarot Spread!