Many ancient beliefs and traditions are passed down from generation to generation, some legends have been known since pagan times. Worshiping trees and natural phenomena, our ancestors believed in the miraculous power and power of their idols. They identified trees with something majestically living and giving life to many earthly creatures.

From time immemorial, tales and songs about a white birch tree, so beloved by the Slavs, and so often remembered by those who had to leave for foreign lands, have come down to us. A symbol of natural bounty and white magic, its branches have been used to impart fertile properties to land, livestock and people. Cradle for a newborn baby was made exclusively from birch.

Talismans from young branches of a birch tree were brought as a gift to the gods. It was believed that they have tremendous magical power to heal from physical and mental ailments, as well as to protect against the tricks of evil spirits. The donated birch seedlings were planted in the most honorable places, protected and idolized.

And he will bring wealth, and he will take away diseases

Healing properties were attributed to the birch tree, which led to this tree whole crowds of the sick and suffering. It was believed that she would restore strength and cure illness, help children grow up and educate. In a state of depression, you need to communicate with a birch tree and ask her to restore harmony in life. The Slavs believed that birch products placed in the bedroom were. Birch buds, the miraculous sap of a tree and brooms made from it are appreciated and loved by many people.

One of the very ancient scriptures says “if in moonlit night pick three branches of birch with buds that have hatched, tie them with a red ribbon and hang them over the front door from the inside, then prosperity and wealth will come to the house. Breaking the twigs, ask the birch for forgiveness and give her a couple of coins. You can hang such twigs not only at home, but also in the house of friends and family with a wish to enrich them. "

To make the marriage happy

Also closely intertwined with "birch" signs. A wedding on Krasnaya Gorka, which most often takes place in May, is called "birch" - it is believed that it brings eternal youth to the newlyweds in a relationship. And so that the young were faithful to each other, they were symbolically whipped with birch brooms and birch coals were poured under their feet.

Brooms symbolized loyalty, and coals - possible hobbies on the side. It was supposed to trample all the coals, and take the brooms into the house and keep them there as long as possible. The wedding cake was decorated with a sprig with buds, this symbol originated from birch shoots.

Slender as a birch tree, kind as birch sap, generous as leaves on birch branches. Birches knew how to sing songs and whisper the right words. Poeters and composers dedicated thousands of songs to these slender trees, and the immigrants who had left forever tried to plant a birch tree so that they would remind them of their home and homeland.

Benefit for health

Recipes with birch buds and tree bark still heal people, because this plant contains a large amount of silver ions, which have an antibacterial effect.

Cleansing face masks are made on the basis of decoctions from birch buds, and birch lotion, which must be added to the bath when bathing, will help eliminate diathesis from the child's skin. Tea, which is based on young shoots of birch, will help cure a cold. And the medicinal phytoncides released from the broom in the steam room will forever get rid of skin diseases.

It has long been believed that birch has the greatest healing power in May. Therefore, in the period from May 1 to May 12, they collected its juice and gave it to sick, ailing and weak people to drink, so that they would sooner recover and gain strength. To prevent the tree from becoming exhausted, no more than 1 liter of sap was collected from each birch, the wound was carefully covered up and the tree was thanked for its help.

This tree was not touched for more than a year, and no branches were cut from the donor tree for a year. It was believed that if you turn to a birch tree too often for help, she can take offense and take revenge on the person who offended her, sending him "confusion" and failure in his personal life.

Usually, trees growing in the forest aged from 7 to 50 years old were used to collect birch sap, since it was believed that, in addition to health, birch can give a person and youth, and for this the tree itself should not be too old. In May, half-open birch buds and young sticky leaves were collected for medicinal purposes.

In the old days they said: “Birch is a wayward and capricious tree. She does not welcome every person, she does not help everyone. But if she falls in love with someone, that person will be happy and successful in everything. " Knowing the "capriciousness" of the tree, they tried not to plant a birch near the house, so they placed a birch at the gate so that trouble would not enter the yard, and put a bench near it so that at the right time you could talk to the tree, ask him for strength and help.

Birch especially favors children, innocent girls and pregnant women. For children, swings were placed near the birches, the girls decorated the birches with their ribbons, taken from the braid, on the holiday of Lada and Lelya, on Ivan Kupala, in order to successfully get married. Until now, in the villages they resort to this love magic... A birch twig is placed on Friday on the threshold, through which the one on which they want to act must step over. Having done this, the rod, which no one should see, is placed in a dry and hot place, saying three times: "Yes, you dry (name) from love for (name), as this rod dries." When the person they are talking about passed through the threshold, the twig is removed to a secret place, then the bath is heated, this rod is put on top shelf, give more steam and, turning to the side where the bar lies, they say: - “Steam, bar, and be soft like fluff, let the heart of God's servant (name) be to me, God's servant (name), just as softly just like you. " After that, the bath is locked, and after a while they take a twig, carry it to the water at dawn and let it go downstream.

Before giving birth, pregnant women asked the birch for strength and help so that childbirth was easy and successful, and the child grew up healthy and happy. Birch branches were also used to impart fertility to newlyweds, to heal from infertility.

Birch belongs to the zodiac sign Cancer. She broadcasts for us his power and the moving, unstable energy of the moon. Its energy is cold and refreshing, like pure water, and just like water after bathing, it immerses us in sleep, lifting people to the heights of heaven. She gives a person the support of his kind. Birch deals with new beginnings and adoption or birth.

The birch tree has the power to impart life. This life force gives birth to all things every year. The aspect of empowering and energizing provides a purifying effect. Birch has the power to banish harmful or malevolent influences with eternal vitality.

Birch gives men masculinity, and women give femininity to both, it gives self-confidence, in their strengths and capabilities, and also helps to maintain good physical shape,

All Slavs believed that birch branches, which were tucked under the roof of a house, and left in the attic, protected from lightning, thunder, and hail; stuck in the middle of crops in the field, they drive away rodents and birds; abandoned on garden beds, protect cabbage from caterpillars. Birch branches were also stuck into the field in order to get a rich harvest.

With the help of birch branches and birch brooms, they tried to protect themselves from evil spirits and diseases. Birch is a tree that stays awake all day. She falls asleep just before dawn. As the first roosters sing, scattering evil spirits with their voice, the birch plunges into a sweet and deep sleep for 2 hours, so that, waking up at dawn, to give the world its pure strength. She sleeps at about 3-5 in the morning, and the peak of vigor is at 6-9 in the morning: at this time people went to the growing birch to "transmit" diseases to it (water left after bathing the patient was poured under the birch). In the text of the Russian conspiracy from the angina pectoris, the motive of the threat in relation to the disease sounds: - "I throw the toad under the birch bush so that it does not hurt, so that it does not ache."

Birch branches (especially spring branches that have just blossomed) are rightly considered an excellent talisman, warding off sorrows and ailments, protecting children from diseases and many other troubles. Because of these properties, cradles for newborns were made from birch wood. During the rituals of exorcising the demon, witches were flogged with birch rods, so lazy people and lunatics are still fed here and there with birch porridge.

Communication with a birch tree is useful for people with upset nerves, who are in a state of depression. This tree relieves fatigue, neutralizes the negative effects of everyday stress, and helps to restore mental harmony.

Rod. There are over 50 different types, the genus of birches is called Betula.
Views. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera), or white birch (Betula pendula).
Occurs. In the temperate and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and in some countries in South America.
Application. Birch wood has a uniform structure and fine fibers. It is used to make furniture plywood. The Indians used birch bark in the construction of canoes. The bark was used in the manufacture of leather goods and in medicine. Fresh birch sap is very useful.
Features. Birches are considered the pioneers of settling the steppe regions. They form the environment for the further growth of other tree species. Resonance for the body. Frontal and parietal chakras.
Act. Meditate with a birch tree when you are having trouble realistically evaluating events. Birch will help you recognize polarities and handle them correctly. Birch works well for easily vulnerable people, as it strengthens self-esteem, and this helps not to take every manifestation of negativity at your own expense.
Birch makes a person more sophisticated so that he can perceive details. Thanks to accuracy and the desire to see reality in its true light, fears disappear, equanimity and the ability to act appear. Meditation with a birch tree can be useful before big achievements. It teaches a person to be patient and able to act.
Meditation with a birch tree is primarily beneficial for people with a well-developed intuition, as it helps to better see the difference between the inner and outer world. Someone who would like to perceive himself better or is depressed emotional state, thanks to the vibrations of the birch, he will achieve a greater understanding of himself and healthy inner harmony.

Astrologers recommend... Cancer and Pisces.
The Sun in Cancer will teach you to better perceive yourself and help you to correctly assess your abilities. So, those born under the sign of Cancer will be able to gain self-confidence and become more open.
Those born under the sign of Pisces will receive the strength from the tree to help their neighbors not only with words, but also with actions, while not losing themselves. They will be able to perceive themselves better and will find their own way on earth.
Both Cancer and Pisces will gain greater frankness from the vibrations of the birch and will be able to better realize themselves and their destiny. Connections with other people for these signs will become clearer and more orderly.

Birch tar.

Color: colorless or pale yellow viscous liquid. Tar is an almost black, thick, oily mass. The rectified oil is a clear brown-yellow oily liquid with a smoke and leather aroma.
Scent: woody Receiving method: 1. Aromatic oil is obtained by steam distillation from the kidneys. 2. Tar is obtained by slow distillation from the bark. Subsequent steam distillation yields birch tar oil
Application methods
It can be used exclusively in a form diluted with other essential or base oils and in a very small proportion - no more than 2% - only pointwise for damaged skin - acne, various rashes, flaky skin.
Precautions: Non-toxic, non-irritating
Complimentary fragrances: The oil mixes well with wood and balsamic oils
Birch tar oil... In the past, especially in Russia, birch tar was as important a technical product as petroleum oils are now. It was used not only in the manufacture of leather or as a lubricant, but was known as a powerful bactericidal agent. At the beginning of the XX century. was used by French perfumers to create perfume "Russian leather" unusual for that time. And now birch tar and its fractions are used for the production of medicines (Vishnevsky's ointment), some perfumes and toilet waters, as well as "tar" toilet soap.
Birch tar is obtained by pyrolysis of wood (together with the bark) of the most widespread in Russia "warty" birch (Betula pendula). The resulting mixture of oils is subjected to distillation, obtaining a liquid product with a density of 0.94-0.98, which contains 10-15% of phenols.
For use in perfumery, additional cleaning is required. This "rectification" consists of a single or double fractionated distillation with steam.
The characteristic components of birch tar oil, along with mixtures of cresols and xylenols, are pyrocatechol, guaiacol and creosol (2-methoxy-4-methylphenol).
Although birch tar oil is not mentioned in aromatherapy manuals, it is known to be used in the treatment of eczema and other skin conditions.

BIRCH MAGIC

It has long been believed that birch has the greatest healing power in May. Therefore, in the period from May 1 to May 12, they collected its juice and gave it to sick, ailing and weak people to drink, so that they would sooner recover and gain strength. To prevent the tree from becoming exhausted, no more than 1 liter of sap was collected from each birch, the wound was carefully covered up and the tree was thanked for its help.

This tree was not touched for more than a year, and no branches were cut from the donor tree for a year. It was believed that if you turn to a birch tree too often for help, she can take offense and take revenge on the person who offended her, sending him "confusion" and failure in his personal life.

Usually, trees growing in the forest aged from 7 to 50 years old were used to collect birch sap, since it was believed that, in addition to health, birch can give a person and youth, and for this the tree itself should not be too old. In May, half-open birch buds and young sticky leaves were collected for medicinal purposes.

... In the old days they said: “Birch is a wayward and capricious tree. She does not welcome every person, she does not help everyone. But if she falls in love with someone, that person will be happy and successful in everything. " Knowing the "capriciousness" of the tree, they tried not to plant a birch near the house, so they placed a birch at the gate so that trouble would not enter the yard, and put a bench near it so that at the right time you could talk to the tree, ask him for strength and help.

Birch especially favors children, innocent girls and pregnant women. For children, swings were placed near the birches, the girls decorated the birches with their ribbons taken from the braid, on the holiday of Lada and Lelya, on Ivan Kupala, in order to successfully get married. Until now, in the villages, they resort to such love magic. A birch twig is placed on Friday on the threshold, through which the one on which they want to act must step over. Having done this, the rod, which no one should see, is placed in a dry and hot place, saying three times: "Yes, you dry (name) from love for (name), as this rod dries." When the person they are talking about has passed through the threshold, the twig is removed to a secret place, then they heat the bathhouse, put this twig on the upper shelf, give more steam and, turning to the side where the bar lies, they say: be soft as down, let the heart of God's servant (name) be to me, God's servant (name), as soft as you. " After that, the bath is locked, and after a while they take a twig, carry it to the water at dawn and let it go downstream.

Before giving birth, pregnant women asked the birch for strength and help so that childbirth was easy and successful, and the child grew up healthy and happy. Birch branches were also used to impart fertility to newlyweds, to heal from infertility.

Birch belongs to the zodiac sign Cancer. She broadcasts for us his power and the moving, unstable energy of the moon. Its energy is cold and refreshing, like pure water, and just like water after bathing, it immerses us in sleep, lifting people to the heights of heaven. She gives a person the support of his kind. Birch deals with new beginnings and adoption or birth.

The birch tree has the power to impart life. This life force gives birth to all things every year. The aspect of empowering and energizing provides a purifying effect. Birch has the power to banish harmful or malevolent influences with eternal vitality.

Birch gives men masculinity, and women give femininity to both, it gives self-confidence, in their strengths and capabilities, and also helps to maintain good physical shape,

All Slavs believed that birch branches, which were tucked under the roof of a house, and left in the attic, protected from lightning, thunder, and hail; stuck in the middle of crops in the field, they drive away rodents and birds; abandoned on garden beds, protect cabbage from caterpillars. Birch branches were also stuck into the field in order to get a rich harvest.

With the help of birch branches and birch brooms, they tried to protect themselves from evil spirits and diseases. Birch is a tree that stays awake all day. She falls asleep just before dawn. As the first roosters sing, scattering evil spirits with their voice, the birch plunges into a sweet and deep sleep for 2 hours, so that, waking up at dawn, to give the world its pure strength. She sleeps at about 3-5 in the morning, and the peak of vigor at 6-9 in the morning: at this time people went to the growing birch to "transmit" diseases to it (water left after bathing the patient was poured under the birch). In the text of the Russian conspiracy from the angina pectoris, the motive of the threat in relation to the disease sounds: - "I throw the toad under the birch bush, so that it does not hurt, so that it does not ache."

Birch branches (especially spring branches that have just blossomed) are rightly considered an excellent talisman, warding off sorrows and ailments, protecting children from diseases and many other troubles. Because of these properties, cradles for newborns were made from birch wood. During the rituals of exorcising the demon, witches were flogged with birch rods, so lazy people and lunatics are still fed here and there with birch porridge.

Communication with a birch tree is useful for people with upset nerves, who are in a state of depression. This tree relieves fatigue, neutralizes the negative effects of everyday stress, and helps to restore mental harmony.

In general, there has always been a special attitude towards birch in Russia. They took care of it, looked after it, specially planted it, trying to "ring" the village with a protective belt of birches. Decorations made of birch wood were used to protect against evil spirits. Long before the advent of Christianity, at the time corresponding to the present Trinity, with brooms made from freshly cut branches of this tree, evil spirits were “swept out” of the hut. On this day, the whole hut was washed with a decoction of twigs from illnesses and misfortunes. On the same day, women washed in a bathhouse with an infusion of birch leaves in order to remove external diseases from themselves, to restore lost strength and good spirits.
All Slavs believed that birch branches, which were tucked under the roof of a house, and left in the attic, protected from lightning, thunder, and hail; stuck in the middle of crops in the field, they drive away rodents and birds; abandoned on garden beds, protect cabbage from caterpillars. With the help of birch branches and birch brooms, they tried to protect themselves from evil spirits, diseases, and the "walking" dead. On the eve of Ivan Kupala's day, birch branches were stuck over the doors of the barns in order to prevent witches from entering the cows and harm them; birch wreaths were put on the horns of cows to protect them from witches. Among the Western Slavs, a birch broom leaned against the bed of a woman in labor or the cradle of a newborn was considered a reliable means of protection against evil forces. In many places, it was believed that when a sick child was beaten with a birch twig, the disease would immediately recede.
Birch branches were used to impart fertility not only to the land, but also to livestock and newlyweds. Birch branches were stuck into the field to get a rich harvest of cereals and flax. A birch log was buried under the threshold of a new stable to "lead" the horses. After baking the bread, birch logs were thrown into the oven so that the "lambs were white."

Symbolically and magically, birch figures as a defense against all misfortunes, both physical and spiritual. Almost all parts of the tree are used in healing. Birch twigs are used in purification rites. Birch is gentle and compassionate, has a very soft, affectionate and at the same time strong influence. In contrast to oak, birch should be addressed to sick, weakened, recovering people. It will alleviate suffering, help to regain lost strength, it is easier to endure the illness, and will speed up the healing process. The patient is planted, leaning against the trunk, at the roots (birch is a female tree, the men turned to the oak). The patient's thing, which cannot be brought, or brought, to a tree, is hung on a birch branch with a request for help. In witchcraft practice, walking to a growing birch tree to “transmit” the disease to it was considered an effective method of healing magic: water left after bathing a sick child was poured under the birch tree. In the text of the Russian conspiracy from the angina pectoris, the motive of the threat in relation to the disease sounds: "I throw the toad under the birch bush, so that it does not hurt, so that it does not ache."

Birch is used to make numerous magical artifacts: ogamic sticks (staves), magic wands, flying brooms (witch broomsticks are made from a bitch of ash and birch twigs fastened with willow), magic brooms (used in healing), amulets of various kinds (from lightning, evil people and spirits).
Birch branches (especially spring ones that have just blossomed) are rightly considered an excellent talisman that drives away sorrows and ailments, protects children from diseases and many other troubles. Because of these properties, cradles for newborns were made from birch wood.
During the rituals of exorcism of the demon, witches were flogged with birch rods, so lazy people and lunatics are still fed with birch porridge in some places.
A birch branch fused with an oak branch is used in love magic. Birch roots are used for harm, damage induction. Thin branches of weeping birches are used to knit "knots" - a form of charm. Runic spells are written on birch bark with ink from oak nuts and a feather from a raven's wing.

Today Ogam (OGHAM - Celtic alphabet) is used for both divination and parsing life situations, and directly in magic. For the sign in this iconic Sieme "Birch" keywords are: Beginnings - Vitality - Growth.
The essence. Birch deals with new beginnings and the acceptance or birth of things. The birch tree has the power to impart life. This life force gives birth to all things every year. The aspect of filling with strength and energy provides a purifying effect. Birch has the power to drive out harmful or malevolent influences with the help of eternal vitality.
When fortune-telling, it matters which part of the fortune-telling circle the sign fell on: Center - beginnings, South - vitality, West - delay, North - material growth, East - rage.

The esoteric teaching of trees also connects the two runes of the Elder Futhark - Berkan and Uruz with birch.
BERCANA
Bercana has very powerful magical properties. Its main areas of application are healing and protection. It is important to remember that the protective effect of this rune does not apply to momentary actions (that is, you should not think that, having secured yourself with a spell with the Bercana rune, you can not look at your feet, crossing the river along shaky bridges), but on the contrary, rather, it protects the emerging sprout, promotes uniform and fruitful development. The healing function of this rune is primarily in the release, cleansing the body of the infection. In the Middle Ages, Bercana was used to drive demons out of the possessed. Spells based on the Bercana rune contribute not only to growth, but also to a new birth - rebirth, or give the strength necessary to start something anew. Both the rune spell and the amulet with the image of the Bercana rune can be successfully used for their intended purpose - that is, for healing from infertility or facilitating the process of childbirth. Bercana can also help successfully resolve parenting problems.
URUZ
The magic of this rune is sympathetic. In this rune, the masculine and feminine aspects are inextricably merged. Uruz gives men masculinity, and women give femininity, and both - self-confidence, in their strengths and capabilities. In addition, the Uruz rune is used in healing, especially when the patient is weak and needs additional strength. The feminine aspect of this rune contains the potential of natural energy with healing properties. Uruz also helps you stay fit.

BIRCH WINDING

Curling birches - (wringing birches, braiding wreaths, curling wreaths, locking gates) is one of the main rites of the spring-summer cycle, in the center of which the actions performed with the branches of growing and felled birches (less often other trees) are weaving and twisting; the initial stage of a single ritual complex, culminating in the unweaving or breaking off of the curled part of the tree. In addition to the northern provinces of European Russia, the rite was widespread everywhere.

Birches were curled most often in Semik, and developed - in Trinity. In local traditions, there were other dates for the ceremony: Yegoriev day - Trinity; eve of Nikolina's day - Nikolin's day; the second Sunday after Easter, known as kumitny, kumishny, zavivalnoe, myrrh-bearing wives - Ascension, Trinity; Ascension - Trinity; Ascension - Spirits day; Semik - Spirits day; the eve of the Trinity - the day of the Spirits; Trinity - Spirits day, Peter's spell (see All Saints week), Peter's day; Spirits day - Peter's spell; Peter's day - Trinity next year.

The daily curling time of birch trees also varied according to localities. So, in the Oryol and Kostroma provinces, the ceremony was performed in the morning, "until sunshine," in the Vladimir province. - in the afternoon, and in Ryazan lips. - late in the evening, even at night, in the light of burning birch bark on sticks.

In Dmitrovsky u. Moscow province. the custom of preliminary selection of a ritual tree on the eve of a ritual action was widespread. In a number of places in the Kostroma and Vyatka provinces, the birch was first cut down, installed in the field or in the garden, and then only curled. A single case of birch curling in the north (Kargopol district, Arkhangelsk region) also highlights actions with branches of felled birch trees.

There are several types of birch curling. 1. Curling (braiding) "wreaths" (the most common): the ends of the branches of one or several birches were bent into rings and fixed with herbs, towels, scarves, while the branches were often intertwined (Trinity wreath). 2. Curling of "braids": branches of one or two birches were twisted in the form of a rope or braid, often intertwining with ribbons, threads, pieces of paper. In Rostov u. Yaroslavl province. A "braid" called "a coil" consisted of three intertwined branches of a birch, tied with threads, always spun on Maundy Thursday. In the Yenisei province. the braids were curled differently: the tops of the birches were bent to the ground and woven with the grass growing under the tree. In some places, wreaths and braids were simultaneously woven on birches. 3. "Locking the gate": the tops of two birches were intertwined in the form of a bundle, tied for strength with a frill from bast shoes (Orlovsk) or a frill so that a kind of arch was formed. In the Kaluga province. The "gates" were sometimes made from hazel branches. In the Arkhangelsk province. "gates" tied the tops of felled birches installed at the entrance to the house.

Only girls participated in the ceremony, in some places they were joined by young women who had no children; in Zhizdrinsky u. Kaluga lips. branches on birches were curled only by married women. Dressed in the best festive outfits, girls and pullets secretly set off to curl birches. They carefully concealed the time and place of the ceremony, because the guys after a while could follow and "interfere with the girls' undertakings" (Yeniseisk; Makarenko AA 1993, p. 112).

The girls all together curled one tree, sometimes intertwining its branches with others, while making one figure or several, according to the number of participants in the ceremony or bobbing couples (see Kumlenie), or each girl, retiring, braided her own birch. When curling, they tried not to wrinkle the leaves and not break the twigs and branches; already curled birch trees were decorated with flowers, towels, scarves, belts were hung on them. According to the belief prevailing in the Nizhny Novgorod province, the girls tied the ribbons, which additionally fastened the intertwined branches, as tightly as possible so that the dear loved one (Sokolova V.K. 1979, p. 224).

Curling a birch, the girls "finished" about their fate and the fate of loved ones: live or die, get married or not, whether the wish will come true. So, in the Tyumen district. when making a "collar" they said: "If you marry me, open the gate, if you stay in the girls, close the gate" (Sokolova V. K. 1979, p. 224). Sometimes they thought about relatives and girlfriends, braiding a separate figure for each of them. In Rostov u. Yaroslavl province. in fortune-telling, the "hawk" conceived for a man was made in the form of a wreath, and for a girl - in the form of a braid; in Danilovsky u. Yaroslavl province. braids were also woven for girls, and wreaths for married women and children. A few days later, setting off to develop birches, they carefully examined them beforehand: a developed braid foreshadowed an imminent marriage, which was preceded by the ritual unweaving of a maiden's braid, a broken and "coiled" wreath promised trouble this year (see Trinity Wreath).

Round dances were danced around curled birches, danced, sang special songs that were performed only at that time and reflected the ritual situation of the Semik-Trinity period (see Semik, Trinity). In the Dmitrov region (Moscow), girls twisted three pairs of birches with "gates", and then "walked under them in single file," singing at the same time: "On the mountain of the city
The gate is curled
Natalya went to those gates,
She led red girls
Red girls, all girlfriends.
Tatyana followed Natalia,
She led ... "
(Zernova A.B. 1932, p. 29).

Right there under a tree, on a tablecloth sent out on the ground, a ritual meal was performed, which included a number of obligatory dishes: beer, kvass, scrambled eggs or eggs, ham, bacon, cottage cheese with sour cream, pies, Easter cakes and goats (cakes with a hole in the middle), loaf ... In the Dmitrov region (Moscow), each girl had to bring an eye of scrambled eggs with her. Having spread the eggs around the curled birch, the participants in the ceremony held hands and danced to the song:
"Birch, birch,
Curl up, curly,
The girls have come to you
They have come to you,
The cake was brought
With scrambled eggs ".
(Zernova A.B. 1932, p. 27).

Having sung once, they sat down near the eggs, ate a few spoons and again had a round dance. This was repeated three times. In some places, fried eggs were fried on a fire made under a birch tree. Some of the food brought crumbled to the ground; peasant women of the Yaroslavl province. believed that they left food for hares. Pieces of scrambled eggs were sometimes buried in the ground. Among the Russians of the Volga region, the meal often preceded the main action: first, they ate eggs and scrambled eggs in a rye field, and then went to the nearest forest to curl a birch tree. In a number of places, men, mainly boys, were allowed to take part in meals and games, in round dances around curled birches. They came to "amuse them [girls] with jokes, to amuse them with songs, dancing" (Makarenko AA 1993, p. 112).

In some places, the curling of birches was accompanied by rituals of boom, baptism and funeral of the cuckoo. They planted a "cuckoo" on the intertwined branches, hung crosses, ribbons; through them and under them they mumbled: kissed and exchanged gifts, beat eggs, passed in pairs.

Throughout the whole holiday, the girls watched closely so that none of the strangers came up and saw the braided branches, and the boys did not break off and cut them off. On the appointed day, they, having gathered together again, went to the birches to dissolve them. At the same time, the girls carefully freed the branches and weaved ribbons and towels, threads, scarves from them, removed other decorations, returning them to themselves. In Siberia and in a number of places in European Russia, "wreaths" and "braids" braided on birches were "wrung", i.e. broke off; on the day of breaking in Galich u. Kostroma lips. observed a strict ban on visiting the garden. The broken parts of the trees were decorated with flowers, and in the evening they were "released" into the water (see Trinity wreath). In the Vladimir province. developed a birch in the following way: they cut it down and used it in subsequent ritual actions: they decorated and arranged a walk with it, and in the evening they drowned it in the river (see Trinity birch tree).

The places for curling birches were mainly those groves, fishing lines, glades, which were located near the rye field, because according to legend, from this, "as well as from curling rye in Ascension, it (rye) will be better" (Propp V.Ya. 1995, p. 73). This idea was reflected in the lyrics of the songs that accompanied the curling (as well as the development), which were actually a spell on the harvest:
"Curled wreaths, (during development they sang" developed ")
Curled green
For good years
On a thick rye
On spiky barley,
On resy oats,
On black buckwheat,
For white cabbage ".
(Smolensk; Zelenin D.K. 1916, p. 264).

In the Neisky district of the Kostroma region. birches were curled in the forest so that flax was born and cabbage curled, while they sang:
"Veisya-ko, veisya, cabbage,
Weiss, weave, weave!
How can I not curl cabbage
How can I not fall in winter. "
(Traditional rituals ... 1985. No. 349).

On the curled birch branches, according to the ideas of the Russians, mermaids swayed. Residents of the Smolensk province. during the week they were afraid to approach, so that "the mermaids swinging on something (twisted branches) would not tickle the impudent one." And the peasants of the Murom district. (Vladimirsk.) believed that "curling a birch tree is a great sin, because on the eve of Trinity Day shishigi (unclean) dance in front of it". (Zelenin D.K. 1916, p. 264). IN last years On the basis of these ideas, a hypothesis was put forward that “each participant of the Semytsk rite, braiding a wreath for herself on a birch tree, thereby, as it were, summoned a mermaid into it, that is, an embryo soul for her unborn child, that the wreath remained on the tree, could move into it; when the wreath was broken off and put on the head, they waited for the soul to pass from the wreath to the girl "(Denisova I.M. 1995, p. 127).

The process of curling, weaving, twisting (branches) is interpreted as a ritual action associated with the idea of ​​"life" and having the meaning of generation, development, and multiplication. This can explain the need for all girls and young women to participate in the ceremony, whose main function was to procreate. In one of the Smolensk Trinity songs, life is directly dependent on the observance of the custom of curling:
"Who does not go
Curl wreaths,
Put that one
With a log of oak,
His children
Who does not weave wreaths,
That uterus will die!
And who will be
That will live! "
(Nekrylova A.F. 1989, p. 476).
(material on curling birches prepared by Zimina Tatyana Aleksandrovna)

Birch is used not only in magic, but also in medicine.

Collection and drying
FROM therapeutic purpose use buds, leaves, birch sap and birch mushroom (chaga) of all types of birches.
Buds (Gemmae Betulae) are elongated-conical, pointed, glabrous, with a tile-like arrangement, densely pressed along the edges of the scales. Kidney length from 3 to 7 mm, in diameter from 1.5 to 3 mm. The color is brown, the taste is astringent, resinous. They are harvested from January to the end of April (before the start of their blooming) during felling, cutting off branches and tying them into bunches (brooms), dried in the open air, in sheds, and then threshed or the kidneys are pulled with hands in canvas mittens. Birch buds can only be harvested in forest areas designated for felling or designated by forestry enterprises for harvesting brooms.
Leaf - Folium Betulae small, no more than 1.5 cm. The smell is weak, fragrant; slightly astringent taste. The leaves are collected very carefully, trying not to damage or expose the branches, during flowering in May, when they are still sticky and fragrant, they are dried under eaves, in attics, in well-ventilated rooms. You cannot collect leaves from trees growing near roads.
Birch sap - in the spring during the period of sap flow. The phenomenon of leakage is observed after the first thaws; in the first days, the outflow is insignificant, but then it gradually increases and, after reaching a maximum after a while, it begins to gradually decrease, and by the time the buds open, it completely stops. They use it as a medicine only fresh.
A birch mushroom can be harvested all year round, stored for no more than a year.

The kidneys are used to prepare infusion, decoction and tincture. The infusion and decoction are prepared as usual. For tincture, one weight part of the kidneys is poured with five parts of 70% pharmacy alcohol or vodka. The container is tightly closed and kept for 7 days at room temperature, after which it is filtered.
The leaves are used to prepare the infusion. It cooks in a 1:10 ratio. At the final stage, baking soda is added to the finished infusion (for a glass of infusion - soda on the tip of a teaspoon).
Chaga is used to prepare infusion. The mushroom is washed with boiled water and soaked in water for 4-5 hours. Then passed through a meat grinder. After that, 5 parts by weight of warm water are added to one weight part of the crushed raw material and insisted at room temperature for two days. Then the infusion is filtered and brought to its original volume, adding boiled water.
Chemical composition
In birch buds up to 5.3% essential oil, which includes sesquiterpenes (betulene, betulol and betulenols), betulenic acid and naphthalene, flavonoids (dimethoxyflavone, betuletol, myricitrin, rutin, myricetin-3-digalactoside, etc.).
The leaves contain betuloretinic acid butyl ester, up to 2.8% vitamin C, flavonoids, including hyperoside, tannins, triterpene alcohols, saponins, traces of essential oil.

In the old days, they drank birch sap from consumption, used it as an external remedy for ulcers, washed bleeding and weeping wounds with it. Healers advised to start drinking birch sap for patients on Maxim (May 11) - on this day it was considered the most healing.

Birch sap was used for scurvy and jaundice. It was added to milk, which was given to young children to drink during teething.
A decoction of 15 birch buds in a glass of water, 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day before meals - choleretic agent and remedy for liver diseases.
Arthritis, arthrosis: 2 tbsp. Pour tablespoons of chopped knotweed herb, rose hips, birch leaves in a thermos with a glass of boiling water, keep until cool. Strain, salt 2 tbsp. tablespoons of salt, stir. A piece of cloth made of pure sheep wool (socks can be used) soak in the infusion and dry without squeezing. Tie a dry cloth to a sore spot and wear until it passes.
Infusion of leaves is used as a remedy for edema of renal and cardiovascular origin. The effect of the leaves is somewhat weaker than that of the buds, but they do not cause irritation of the renal parenchyma. Infusions and extracts from the leaves are effective in milder forms of cholecystitis. In patients, pain, nausea, vomiting decrease, the general condition improves.
Infusion of leaves serves as an irreplaceable preventive and therapeutic agent for colds.
Infusions and decoctions from birch leaves taken in the spring-autumn period for the prevention of rheumatism and gout.
Outwardly alcohol tincture of the kidneys recommended for rubbing and compresses for skin irritations, bedsores, sluggish granulation.
Dosage
Medicines are taken orally: infusion - 1/3 cup per day, decoction - 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day 10-15 minutes before meals, and tincture - 1 tablespoon 1 time per day.
An infusion of birch mushroom is drunk instead of tea at least 3 glasses a day for catarrh, peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.

Birch. One of the most revered y Slavs trees. It can act as a "happy" tree that protects from evil, and as a pernicious one associated with female demons and the souls of the dead.
According to Carpathian beliefs, if a married man puts a birch in the two, then one of the family members will die. In the Russian North, a place where birches once grew were not used for building a house.
At the same time, sometimes and in many places, the birch was specially planted near the house for the welfare of the family, upon the birth of a child ...
The birch branch installed with the front corner during the construction of the house was a symbol of the health of the owner and family. Birch branches were stuck into the field to get a good harvest of flax and cereals. A birch log was buried under the threshold of a new stable, "so that the horses were led."
In folk legends, birch is a blessed tree that hid the Mother of God and Christ from bad weather, or St. Friday from the devil's following; or, on the contrary, it was considered a tree cursed by God, with the twigs of which they whipped Christ.
Women's symbolism of birch appears in the rituals of treating childhood diseases: for example, sick girls were worn to birch, and boys - to dyby. In wedding ceremonies, the symbols of the bride and groom were dyb and birch.
In Polissya, it was believed that a birch planted close to the house causes female diseases in its inhabitants; that the growths are formed on the birch from the "female curses". In some Polesye villages, at the funeral, the body of a woman was covered with birch branches, the body of a man - with poplar branches. In wedding and lyrical songs, birch is the most popular symbol of a girl.
Bereza's connection with evil spirits and the souls of the dead also points to female symbolism: people in Polesie said that they "go down the drain". The birch trees, whose branches descend to the ground, were considered to be the proper ones. During the Trinity week, they were afraid to get close to them.
In Poland, such trees standing alone in the field were called spirit trees.
They were inhabited by the souls of dead girls, who at night came out of the birch and "danced" to the death of casual passers-by. According to Polish beliefs, under a lonely birch rests the soul of the deceased by a violent death, and
instead of juice, blood flows in it.
Some signs of an unusual type of birch (twisted or fused with another tree) were evidence for the Belarusian people that an innocent ruined soul was buried under it. In many East Slavic traditions, legends, songs, the deceased girl turns into a birch. In the Kostroma Territory, they used to say about the dying man "gathers in a birch".
Bereza is often remembered as an attribute of evil spirits in demonological beliefs and bylichs. The witch could milk milk from birch branches, she could also fly not only on a broomstick or a bread shovel, but also on a birch stick. White horses, donated by a human devil, turned into birch birches, and bread served by a devil in a birch bark; the woman who was "possessed" by the demon during the process of being "thrown" on its birch.
The Troitsk rituals associated with birch, performed as a rule by girls and women, are widely known among the Slavs. They went into the forest, chose a young birch, decorated it, curled wreaths on its branches, arranged a joint meal under it, led a round, and wondered. Then they walked around the village with a felled birch (which was sometimes called "seven") and, at the end of the ceremony, threw the birch into the water, into the fire, into the ravine (that is, "they drove the birch", "buried" it).
The girls "swam" with a birch, asked for her share, washed themselves with birch juice for beauty and health.
Birch branches, especially used in Trinity and other calendar rites, were considered reliable by all Slavs. Locked under the roof of the house, they reliably protected from lightning, thunder and hail; stuck in the middle of crops in the field protect from grasses and birds; abandoned on mountain beds - protect the cabbage from caterpillars.

"Birch signs":
Birch turns yellow before early autumn frost.
Birch gives a lot of juice by a rainy summer.
Birch will dissolve its leaves earlier than alder - by dry summer, and later by rainy one.
If there is a birch leaf in a half on Yurya, then put bread in a tub for the Assumption. When the birch begins to bloom, this oats.
In autumn, birch leaves will begin to turn yellow from the top - early spring, turn yellow from below - late.

With the various uses of birch, such a riddle is associated:
"The tree is green in the morning, there are four lands in this tree: the first is for the sick (broom), the second is a well for people (birch sap), the third is light from the darkness (a torch), and the fourth is decrepit swaddling (birch bark on broken pots). "

Birch in Russia has always been a revered tree. The Russian name for birch is associated with the word "protect". This is due to the fact that the Slavs considered this tree a gift of the gods, which protected man.

In a number of cultures and traditions birch is a symbol of light, purity and purity. Since ancient times, this tree has been attributed to many magical and medicinal properties, it was used in rituals and ceremonies. How can you use birch in our time? And what can they give us beneficial features?

Birch for beauty and health preservation

There are many birch-based beauty and health recipes. The simplest and most effective one is birch infusion... Pick a few twigs without a knife and place them in a vase in your home. Let the birch scent spread throughout your living space. Take a couple of branches from this bouquet, break them finely, put them in a saucepan and pour boiling water over them. The infusion should stand for at least three hours. If desired, you can add orange or lemon zest. Before using the infusion, you need to wash. The steamed body should be wiped with a towel soaked in this infusion. Do not forget about your face - there is nothing more useful and effective for the beauty and youth of the skin than natural remedies.

Birch for getting rid of negative emotions, fatigue and stress

Was it a tough day? Or are you overcome with anxiety and negative emotions? Go for a walk in a birch grove. If a birch tree grows next to the house, then stay next to it for a few minutes. Touch her, talk about your problems. The tree will take away all your negative emotions. It is believed that the peak of birch energy activity occurs from 6 to 9 in the morning.

Birch for protection from the evil eye, damage and disease

The birch tree was widely used as a talisman against the surrounding negativity. For this, houses were decorated with birch branches, in the summer there were always bouquets of birch branches in the house, and birch brooms were always used in the baths. They were whipped not only for bodily purification, but also for energy. And if you plant a birch tree next to the house, then it will become your talisman for a long time and will not allow evil and failures to knock on the house.

Birch branches to attract abundance, happiness and well-being

Previously, our ancestors stuck birch twigs in the garden when the sowing season came, as it was believed that this tree endows the earth with fertility. The newlyweds were whipped with birch branches so that they lived in harmony and harmony. At the first pasture of cattle, they took exactly the branches of this tree, whipped the animals so that they were healthy and brought good offspring.

Birch attracts good luck and makes wishes come true

One of the famous rituals associated with birch is burning the branches of this tree. Cut a couple of branches, be sure to thank the birch for its generosity. Throw the branches into the fire. Spread the resulting ash in the wind with the words of the conspiracy: "As birch dust is light, so my life will be easy."

There is another well-known ritual for the fulfillment of wishes. As a rule, it is held on Trinity, but it can be performed on any other day, as long as the tree is young, with green leaves. Take a red patch or tape. You can take a piece from your clothes (so your personal energy will be involved in the ritual). Go to the most beautiful and even birch tree and tie a red patch on one of its branches, making a wish.

Use the power of nature for your own good! Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

07.05.2015 09:04

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Birch bark charm

Since ancient times, Slavic peoples have endowed birch with magical properties. To attract well-deserved money, you can use a birch bark talisman.

It is not difficult to do it: in the spring, when the trees have already "woken up" and the birch has sap, in the early morning, tear off a piece of bark from the birch with your left hand, saying: "As ordered, I took it, for good, not for evil." These words should be repeated seven times.

The charm can be stored in a pocket or purse. He will help you get the money you earned, the required bonus, wage increases, etc.

Accidental money, winnings, inheritance, this amulet does not attract.