Michaelmas Festival
Almost every culture has had days of celebration or recognition in its past and, often, continuing into modern times. The shearing of sheep, bringing in the harvest, or the birth of a child have all been events for celebration, among many other events. Celebrations are important to the rhythms in Waldorf schools. In particular, festivals borrowed from ancient cultures mark the cycle of life and the changing seasons, and they frequently provide the foundations for Waldorf festivals. Festivals bring a community together in a time when human beings are frequently separated from one another by the real and imagined boundaries of time and place. Michaelmas is the first of the seasonal festivals celebrated at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia.
As autumn ushers himself in, with these glorious days it is hard to imagine that the life forces of nature are gradually receding and turning toward their long winter sleep. As human beings, however, we are awakening to our inner life. It is a time that we turn to building and strengthening our souls as we prepare for the dark days ahead. We face a time of renewed courage and the need to carry an inner light of wisdom as the days grow shorter.
Within the school’s life we face these challenges by learning of St. Michael who tamed the dragon. We hear stories and sing songs of the warrior against evil who guides and inspires us to take courage against darkness. In the grade school we face our own festival of courage, and in the kindergarten we make and paint felted shooting stars that Michael sent to give us light.
The lead up to Michaelmas, and the festival day itself, is a wonderful time. It is one of the few times that the whole school, both Early Childhood and the Grade School, comes together in celebration. With our combined strength of will and inner courage we face the darkness together and shine a bright light to guide us through the coming winter.
Our Michaelmas celebration takes place within the school day on Wednesday, September 27th. Parents will be regaled with stories at the end of the day but are asked not to come to the actual festivities. We have noticed that it is especially hard for the children whose parents are unable to attend, so it’s best that Michaelmas be a festival purely for the children.