Celebrating Michaelmas
I think it's important to recognize holidays like Michaelmas that honor the turn of the seasons with little ones, to help remind them of the natural cycles of the Earth, the shortening and lengthening of daylight, and the fluctuations in temperature--the same things families in the Medieval era were taking note of when they celebrated the feast of Saint Michael hundreds of years ago! How special to be able to carry on that sacred tradition today.
In Medieval Europe, Michaelmas Day marked the beginning of Winter curfew--the days were getting shorter and this meant people had to return to their homes and douse the fire in their hearths earlier. Saint Michael, an archangel recognized within Islam, Christianity, and Judaism as an emblem of strength and protection, is feasted to on this day. St. Michael is usually depicted conquering a dragon--an image that is often adopted by Waldorf schools as a metaphor for finding one's inner strength in order to slay his or her internal and external "dragons". Within the Waldorf community, the feast of Saint Michael is generally referred to as "the festival of strong will", and centers around the idea of preparing oneself for the cold, dark winter by gathering protection and warmth; soaking up enough joy and strength to last through the Winter Solstice, when the sun will slowly start to make its way back and the days will get longer.
If you're interested in celebrating Michaelmas this year with your children's classroom, homeschool group, or at home with family or friends, I've compiled a list of ideas to get you started. Read on for my favorite ways to ring in the end of the harvest season and generate much-needed warmth for the chilly months ahead.
Hand dye silk capes or Playsilks in preparation for Michaelmas festivities.
You can mix goldenrod flowers and stems with white vinegar, to make a beautiful brilliant-golden dye bath (you can also use yellow food coloring or our Playsilk dye kit). The children get so excited watching their plain white silks transform into magical, sparkling, golden capes, which they help wring out and hang to dry in the sunlight. When they wear their capes, during Michaelmas festivities, we say : "I give to you a cape of light, to give you courage, strength, and might." The cape's golden hues are symbolic of the light of the sun--a light children must we all must work hard to preserve even in dark times.
I made an entire journal post taking you through the steps of hand dyeing golden capes - read it here!
Another favorite activity in our household came the night before Michaelmas, when children leave their hand sanded wooden swords on the doorstep to be turned gold by St. Michael in the night.
Children can help to craft and sand down a simple, wooden sword, and will be delighted when they find it in the morning with a layer of glistening gold paint. Then, later on , they can be officially presented with their sword, under the condition that they only use it to do good in the world. A gentler alternative to this, for younger children, would be to decorate a soft silk sword together, with "gemstones", ribbons, or paint. As you work on the sword together, talk about what it means to "do good". What kind of good deeds will they set out to accomplish with their Michaelmas cape and sword in hand? A lovely verse that is usually in the Michaelmas play goes nicely with the presenting of the cape and sword:
Brave and true I will be
Each good deed sets me free.
Each kind word makes me strong.
I will fight for the right,
I will conquer the wrong.
When the actual day of the festival comes about all of the children are put to work with their different assigned tasks, in true harvest time spirit.
A work day that involves everyone and ends in an evening of feasting and play is such a great way to instill community-minded values in your little ones--they will recognize the rewarding feeling of having worked hard alongside their peers and the larger community, making the pageantry and the festivities at the day's end all the more sweet. If your school doesn't recognize Michaelmas Day, perhaps it's a good opportunity to arrange an afternoon of volunteering at a local charity, or working hard in the garden! Like our ancestors in the Middle Ages, we're going to need the strength, support, and love of our community to get us through the darkness of Winter!
Take Michael’s Wisdom-beckoning,
Take the Word of Love of the Will of Worlds
Into your souls’ aspiring, actively!
How is your family celebrating Michaelmas this year? Is this your first time participating in the festivities? Please share your ideas below, so that others in our community can be inspired!
Xoxo,
Sarah
Such wonderful Michaelmas ideas are shared here🧡 Thank you for the inspiration!
My Grandson adores OATMEAL & wants to BE oatmeal for Halloween this year.
He & my daughter created a handpainted box of Quaker Oats which he will be delighted to wear this Halloween.
They attached autumnal colored Sarah’s silks at the collar which flow behind him.
Wish I could share a photo! Turned out ADORABLE.
DJ Smith on