Beith (Birch) "The Lady of the Woods" 
"Beware; Seven attempts will be made to take your wife into the Underworld.." Book of Ballymote - 14th Century The White Birch fidh should be gathered during a full moon so that it will possess the pure essential powers of love and rebirth. As a tree of rebirth, Birch was sometimes used to make hats for the dead to wear between lifetimes (while within the grave). It's class is peasant, its symbolic color is white and its month was December/January. When casting the fedha, interpret the Beith Ogham's influence to show a new beginning, or a purification of some previous wrong. This is the tree associated with Bóann, mother of Angus, mistress of The Dagda, and a possessor of the Draíocht of the Well of Segais. The white tree grows amid the scorched black of a forest. The White Way spreads across the blackness of never-ending space. The White Brugh of Bóann leads to the rebirth of the Sun. Tone: f (Chase & Paulik); e ' (ÓBoyle)Magical Ogham: bríocht (-aí) - spell, largely or fully verbal (the modern form of the word is spelled, and pronounced, with a short "i", briocht). (CNL) This spell or charm generally consists of either two lines or six lines. Lines with eight syllables precede those having only four syllables. It is primarily used for protection but can be used in battles; also can be spelled: bricht or breacht. (SOD) Skill Ogham: bethumnacht - livelihood. Color Ogham: bán - "white". Word Ogham of Morann Mac Main: Feocus foltchain ("faded trunk and fair hair"). These words bring me the image of a lone woman of great age facing the future with optimism, even though she has been through some difficulties at times. I sense that eternity stretches out behind her, but I also see many eternities yet to come. Many times, a hero is faced with the choice of embracing the Hag in order to achieve greatness and reward. In the presence of such a woman, a woman of white age, a need for purification and commitment surge within my breast. Purification. Word Ogham of CúChulainn: Maise malach ("beauty of the eyebrow"). In his typically direct way, CúChulainn is indicating the archway of the sky as it spans the beginnings of Creation. The eyebrow frames the all-knowing, all-seeing eye of the Mother Goddess. The arch of the brow indicates a warning and perhaps a bit of surprise. It is also very possible that the "eyebrow" being discussed here is referring to the private parts and the place of birthing. Initiation. Word Ogham of Mac ind Óic: Glaisium cnis ("most silvery of skin"). The vision of silvery skin adds a Magical characteristic to the already poignant image of the Goddess initiating creation. I see a sheen of silvery light surrounding and purifying Her purpose. The silver of the Holy Grail comes to mind. Manifestation . Word Ogham of ÓDubhain: Toil beatha ("will to live"). My overall impression of this Ogham is that it shows the Will of Creation to constantly struggle against adversity. The persistence of life is symbolized by the regrowth of the Birch within the burned out forest and upon the fields of the retreating glaciers. The Sun itself returns to shine upon the Brugh of Creation and life springs eternally forth from the ashes of the past. The fundamental words for "B" are Beith and Bas (Life and Death) Since this is the first Ogham, I have chosen its meaning to represent. Will. The Will to Live Past, Present, and Future Meanings: Foundations
of Mastery The Nine Dúile of Beith: Purification of Structure: Fasting, Fasting of Flesh: Cleansing, Cleansing of Growth: Baptism, Baptism of Blood: Initiation, Initiation of Spirit: Being, Being of Dreams: Manifestation, Manifestation of Perception: Beginnings, Beginnings of Thoughts: Consciousness, Consciousness of Power: Will. Tales to Read and Study: "The Tale of Boann and the
Well of Segais",
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