The beautiful Birch tree! The birch gets its name from its whiteness. From the Old English Beorc – which is itself the name of the Birch rune – ultimately from the root word *bhereg meaning 'to shine' or 'be white'. It is an excellent wood for bushcrafters to know, as it's papery bark burns even when wet. Here in England there are a couple of villages called Birch, and the place names of Bircham and Burcham both derive their names from the Birth tree (Birch-Ham).

The Beorc rune is certainly a special rune for mothers-to-be. The rune is a pictogram of the swollen breast and belly of a pregnant woman. Certainly a rune for the Birch and Birth goddess!