Magical Plants: The Birch Tree

**Magical Plants: The Birch Tree**

The birch tree is extremely versatile in all aspects of the craft. From fashioning magickal tools, such as besoms and wands. To creating magickal fires and healing tonics. Her bark is perfect for writing spells and creating sigils, ensuring that they are both powerful and long lasting. Birch is quiet, undemanding, and offers incredible strength. It is a remarkable binder and provides emotional healing, stability, and is exceptional when working on your personal sovereignty. It provides focus, freedom, protection, and so on. Burning dried Birch bark is an exceptional way to cleanse a space. Known as the “Lady of the Woods” she is kind, yet regal, and shares her secrets with the Witches who commune with her. Honour Birch, through a simple ritual to connect with her power, under the light of the Moon.

**Traditionally, it is said that birch bark must ONLY be gathered from fallen trees, or from that which the tree has naturally released. The leaves and buds are safe to pick from the tree.**

Properties and Correspondences

Latin Name: Betula alba (white birch), pendular (silver), or lent (black or sweet) are all common varieties.

Genus: Betula

Classification: Tree

Spiritual Properties: Growth, emotional healing, purification and wisdom.

Physiological Properties: Different parts of the birch have different qualities. Furthermore, various species of birch have very specific uses that go beyond its’ general healing abilities. Always speak with your doc before introducing anything new to your health care regime. Birch leaves have pain relieving power. Birch bark is an antiseptic and treatment for minor skin irritations. Birch is generally safe for consumption in small amounts. That said, it contains salicylate, so if you are allergic to aspirin, do not consider ingestion.

Magickal Properties: Awareness, banishing, binding, determination, emotional healing, stability and sovereignty.

Parts Used: Wood, buds, leaves, bark, and sap.

Planetary Correspondences: Venus, Moon

Elemental Correspondences: Water

Archetype: Despoina (Lady)

World: Under

Zodiac: Capricorn

Colour: Black, silver

Stone: Labradorite

Animal: Wolf

Sources:

“Entering Hekate’s Garden” Cyndi Brannen

“Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” Scott Cunningham

Article by Amie Clark