Festivals

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As nature puts on her ever changing show in the dance between light and darkness, death and rebirth, stillness and movement, we feel these changes in ourselves and feel an impulse to connect deeply with their meaning. Festivals, celebrated in cultures and in Waldorf school communities the world over, offer us such an opportunity to find wholeness. We realize that there is no break between human culture and the movement of the world at large, and that the human soul is affected as deeply by its changes as is any aspect of the natural world.

In the words of Philip Wharton, “rightly understood, rightly celebrated the festivals can become a source of healing for the individual and society, a harmonizing, community building power.

Michaelmas

The first festival of the school year takes place in the last days of September, as a recognition of the autumnal equinox. As our hemisphere begins to take a shift away from the brilliance of late summer’s passing, we begin to look inside ourselves for the light that will carry us through the long winter. In this festival celebrating Autumn’s coming, we celebrate the bounty of earth’s harvest, 
with a special puppet play honoring the conquering of the dragon within.

Lantern Walk

We are deep into Autumn’s hold. The leaves have fallen, and the light wanes as winter’s breath stills us in a deep expectancy of what is to come. One candle, in the night, is taken up to light many candles, which burn brightly inside our lanterns made with care and love. We procession to the nearby “magic forest” singing traditional melodies, and make our way back to a bonfire in the school yard, where we share warm mugs of spiced apple cider.

Advent Spiral

This festival, also known as the Advent Garden, commemorates the special season of Winter Solstice.

A beautiful, intricate spiral of evergreen boughs is laid out in a large, dimly lit room, with golden stars lining the inner path. All of families gather in a circle around it, and the “angel” walks to the center of the spiral, bringing with her a single lit candle. Each child is then guided into the spiral by the angel, receiving an apple with a candle placed inside it. They light their candle on the center flame and begin the journey outwards, finding a star on which to place their apple.

This peaceful and contemplative ritual is accompanied by music, and the spirit of wonder and awe fills the room as we slowly see the one candle lighting the many, turning into a galaxy of stars. Many traditions around the world celebrate the holidays (holy days) in this way of lighting candles in the night, and this is our way of honoring the light that shines in all of us.

May Fair

The rich history of the May Day dates back as far as pre-Christian times, from the Druids of ancient Britain, up through the Roman Empire and all the centuries to follow. It is the celebration of the arrival of spring, with the renewal, abundance and fertility it brings.

The atmosphere of this festival is pure joy, as we buoy up a crown of ribbons onto the May Pole, each taking a ribbon, and merrily dance around it in laughter and song. In the end, a beautiful braid is formed around the pole, and we proceed to enjoy a community picnic with live music. Of course, we’d be remiss without a table bursting over with flowers to be made into crowns!