Burdock Rune Ritual

It’s another warm day here in Brooklyn and the feeling of spring is definitely in the air.

The temps may drop again for a spell, but it’s inevitable that the seasonal shift is coming.

With the arrival of this time of renewal, I feel a bit like a Bear coming out of her cave to greet the new season.

It doesn’t matter that I’ve spent plenty of time outdoors this winter, this transition stirs a new awareness and a different way of existing.

It’s inspiring me to clear out the old – clear out the closets and the cabinets, and clear out old habits that no longer serve me.

On both a physical and spiritual level, I am spring cleaning.

I call on plant allies to help me do this, too.

Cleansing herbs like Pine, Cleavers, and Burdock become a part of my rituals.

And once I clear or release what I no longer serves, I call in what I’d like to manifest and embody in this next coming cycle.

Here’s one fun ritual to include in your spring repertoire.

It involves Burdock root – late winter/early spring is the time to gather the second year roots before they send up tall stalks (or in the fall, gather first year roots). If you don’t have a place to dig up roots, you can try a specialty grocer or health food store.

Enjoy, and feel free to share your ideas in the comments below!

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Birch Besom Spring Cleaning

Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings.

And there’s no tree more connected to this energy than Birch.

Birch is the tree of new beginnings.

The word Birch comes from Proto-Indo-European root bhereg which translates as “shining.” (Fun fact: Björk’s name has the same meaning!)

Beith is the Celtic Ogham that embodies the Birch and these associations.

Berkana/Berkano is the rune in the Elder Futhark.

But in order for the new beginnings to come, we need to let go of the old energies. It’s time to sweep away the dust of the winter, let go of the past and emerge on the other side of death as a newly hatched seedling, shiny and new!

I love how the Death card from the Motherpeace deck by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble takes on this theme (notice the Birch trees growing out from the fertile dark Earth).

Here’s a fun way to craft a ritual for release the old, unwanted energies of the last season… make a besom! A besom is a kind of broom that you can use like a regular broom or for energetic cleansing. Watch the following video to see how I make a very rustic besom using River Birch (Betula nigra) twigs that I found on the ground.

If you enjoyed this video, you’ll love INFUSE, a monthly immersion to deepen your relationship with healing plants. We work with one plant each month, connecting through meditation, wildcrafting, medicine making, ritual, and other creative collaborations with the Wise Green Ones.