Calendar of the Moon
1 Beth/Poseideon II
Day of the Birch Tree
Color: White
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a white cloth set birch branches in a vase, gathered weeks ahead and forced so that
they have budded, a single white candle, a bell, a pot of soil, seeds, and a clear bowl of water.
Offerings: Planting seeds. Beginning something new.
Daily Meal: Vegan. Serve birch beer to drink.
Invocation to the Green Man of the Birch Tree
Hail, Green Man of the Winter!
The forest burns like a torch
Leaving only a field of ash
And the burned skeletons of sticks.
We stand on the crematoriums
Of a hundred layers
Of a hundred fires
Which nourish the Earth.
And yet, every time,
It is you, Birch Tree,
Who forges ahead into the meadow,
Whose sprouts come forth from the ash
Who is the first to leap forth
From the Mother's flesh.
Frigga's blessing, Danu's pride,
Stag of seven tines,
Pheasant who survives the winter,
Bringer of all new beginnings,
We hail you, sacred birch tree,
Green Man of the Winter,
On this the first new moon of the year.
Chant:
I am thought of all plants
I am silver moon fair
I am silver on snow
I am song of the Air.
(Each comes forward and plants a seed in the pot of soil, saying, "Hail Green Man of the
Earth!" Water is poured onto the pot, and then the rest is poured out as a libation. Ring bell and
dismiss.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]