Celebrate St. Patrick’s Green Themes – Even if at Home

By Jill Brooke

Today it’s time to think GREEN in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Wear something green and think of all the luck you have. That’s what we are doing.

The day is linked to good luck because St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Prior to St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland, the Druids believed they could ward off evil spirits by carrying a three-leaf shamrock. A four-leaf clover meant magical protection and immense good fortune.  Thus St. Patrick – who was no fool – then attached faith to the three-leaf clover and retained the fourth leaf as a symbol for good luck. That still exists today.

What are the odds of finding a four-leaf clover?

It’s indeed rare. 10,000 to 1. With those odds, no wonder someone considers themselves lucky to find one.

Ironically, a five-leaf clover is considered bad luck. Luckily, I haven’t seen one of those.

An added bonus of these grass-like plants? Bees frequently use clover flowers as a prime source of pollen for honey production.

Right now, you may not be able to go out to pubs to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day – as is the custom that was created by Irish immigrants – particularly in the United States.

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred in Boston in 1727, followed by New York City in 1762. Chicago embraced the celebrations in 1962 by coloring its river green.

Even without a parade, we can find ways to celebrate. Go down memory lane and think of how Irish friends and family members may have influenced your love of flora.

Cook cabbage and corned beef. Have an Irish coffee. Use green dye in a cake mix.

Read about favorite Irish artists or writers like Georgia O’Keefe or Francis Bacon. Watch a movie with  Johnny Depp or Tom Cruise. Did you know Mariah Carey has Irish roots? Listen to her music.

This is a time for contemplation and creativity!

Do you have a green dye at home? Maybe dye a carnation and put it in a vase for tonight’s dinner.   Even if you are not Irish, think of how Ireland has impacted your life.

I went outside and cut some greens from trees and will make an arrangement from it. In fact, using various greens fills up a vase – and also lasts a long time. Then you don’t have to have as many live flowers to cheer up your home. In fact, because we didn’t go out to the store today, I created a vase with live greens and a faux Gerber that brightened up the house.

In celebration of this day – it’s time to think of green in creative ways. All around you are a variety of trees and bushes. Look at their shapes and textures and consider them for your own arrangements.

When you look at life through flowers, it makes you happier.