The Saints of the Swedish Religion

The Swedes are not a particularly religious people, but they do worship nature and the outdoors. The lakes, mountains, archipelagoes and particularly the easily accessible friendly forests could be seen as their churches. You can’t mention wild strawberries or chanterelle mushrooms without causing smiles. Many berries, mushrooms and flowers own a saintly status. One of the holiest announces the definite arrival of spring. Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone, windflower, thimbleweed or smell fox) can tame the wildest heart. It can even attract the attention of the sun and cause mighty rocks to bow in reverence.

Swedes love nature the way a child loves its grandmother.

“Nature clothes the earth. If you destroy the clothes, she’ll dress to kill.”
Dartwill Aquila