The Earth Laughs in Flowers, and the Robin Sings in Tune
- Sara Ault
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
The American Robin, and the Red Clover. There are so many flowers and so many birds out there, so why did we choose these two to represent Freyshof? Let me tell you, it was not an easy choice! So let us begin with the American Robin.
When we think of the Robin, perhaps we think of the smaller, European Robin Red-Breast, but our American counterpart is larger and maybe a bit less cute. All the same, the American Robin is a bird that most of us are familiar with. Have you ever heard the common saying, “When robins appear, loved ones are near”? How about, “the early bird gets the worm”?
The migratory patterns of most North American Robins mean that often one of the first birds we see at the beginning of spring is the Robin. The bright red breasts and cheerful bird song are hard to miss after the gray and quiet of winter. We see them out early with bright red chests, puffing up to attract their mates for the season. Robins are often associated with rebirth, new beginnings, good luck, communication, and protection. I don’t know about you, but I always feel joy when I see the first robin of the season. What better bird to represent Freyr?
To begin with, the Red Clover flower symbolizes many things, including luck, inner strength, good health, prosperity, protection, remembrance, and vitality. Unlike the burst of prosperity represented by its cousin, the white clover, the red clover is more of a generalized, and on-going luck and abundance. Too, the clover leaf, when found in fours, is considered a good luck charm.
The Red Clover is not a fancy flower. Many even consider it a weed, but there is so much to the small flower that just suits Freyshof! In the simplest way, red clover is a pretty, fast growing flower that only grows in less-than-ideal conditions, it thrives. More than that, though, red clover is an incredibly useful flower.
For women, the red clover can help with fertility health by detoxing the body, and balancing hormones, particularly by enhancing the uterine lining. It can help with bone and cardiovascular health in menopausal woman, as well as helping to reduce hot flashes. Red clover is rich in vitamins such as vitamin C, niacin, and thiamine; and minerals such as calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. It can be used for skin health and has also been proven to help with respiratory health by soothing inflammation of airways and helping to loosen and expel mucus. Additionally, the red clover is known for being super useful in agriculture for being able to fix nitration issues, help with erosion control, and support pollinators (the bee’s, the bee’s)!
Put it in a tincture, brew it in a tea, mix it into a lotion, the uses are many! When I was thinking of a flower for Freyr I couldn’t help but to think that a flower that could be used for health and fertility (both of our bodies and of the earth because...bee’s) and that was also beautiful and vibrant, and just made sense! So, the next time you see the red-breasted robin singing his song, or the sprawling red clover flowers, think of Freyr.
Think of Freyr and remember: Frith, Abundance, and Stewardship.
