Beith is the beginning, the first breath of the OghamAn ancient Irish writing system of lines carved along a central stem. It is used historically on stone monuments and spiritually in modern practice. Ogham… and the spark that sets the whole system into motion. It speaks of birth, renewal, and the clarity that follows endings. Its sound is the rustle of new leaves after winter’s silence, the gentle persistence of life returning again and again.

In ancient Ireland, Beith was linked with purification and new beginnings. Birch rods were used to drive out the old year’s residue during festivals and to prepare spaces for what was to come. It was one of the first trees to colonize the land after the last Ice Age, marking it as a natural symbol of rebirth. In this, we see why Beith stands first, not because it demands the position, but because it embodies the spirit of beginning itself.

Beith calls us to clear what has grown stale. It asks for honesty, simplicity, and courage to begin again. When it appears, it whispers that all creation starts with a clean sweep and a willing heart.