Calendar of the Moon Beth/Poseideion II Birch Tree Moon Colour: White Element: Air Altar: Upon cloth of white set the budded birch branches, a single white candle, the rune Berkana carved onto a piece of birch wood, and a bowl of clear water. Offerings: White cakes with the Berkana rune carved upon them. Daily Meal: Vegetarian with dairy and eggs. Beth Invocation Call: Now is the beginning of the year. Response: Now is the time of stillness and cold. Call: Now all is still and waiting upon the earth. Response: Now the earth sleeps beneath her many blankets. Call: Now is the time of patience. Response: Now is the time of our longest wait. Call: We are at peace with the Earth and with each other. Response: We are at peace with the Earth and ready to begin. Call: This is the month of indrawn breath. Response: This is the time of all beginnings. Call: May the year grow strong before us! Response: May we grow strong before the year! Call: For as the birch tree steps forth into the burned fields, Response: So do we step forth into the aftermath of our own burning. Call: For as the soft branches of the birch beat away the old year, Response: So do we lower our heads for the strokes of the future. Call: For as the pheasant hunts the snow for food, Response: So do we seek through the ruins of the past. Call: For as Frigga spins the clouds into thread, Response: So do we circle like the spinning whorl, Call: So do we take up the fiber of what has been, Response: So do we bring forth the new year from our very hands. Call: From our open hands, Response: From our open hearts, Call: From our open bodies, Response: From our open souls. Chant: Silver tree, in your branches White of snow, stars are dancing Tree of clouds, like thread of silver Time runs through our hands.
[source:paganbookofhours.org]