Berkano "may be interpreted as a symbol of the tree goddess...female and motherly...In the early Germanic period...the birch tree was particulalry maidenly in form, but motherly in function; both tree and rune express the essential paradox of birth, death and transformation that is at the heart of woman's mysteries." (Paxson, 2005) Gundarsson agrees and further states, "it especially rules the birth processes of spring..." (in Paxson, 2005) Berkano can be expected to turn up at significant life passages and it indicates birth and becoming, rootedness and the feminine.
In Norse and Germanic mythology, the Earth mother is Nerthus. In his book Germania, Tacitus (our Roman Friend) writes an account of the Germanic tribes that worship Nerthus and how each year she is brought from her island upon a golden cart and paraded before her people. In this way, she encourages peace amongst tribes, families and clans.
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