Alliance e-News

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We have passed the Autumnal Equinox and are approaching the end of September. It is officially Fall (although here in Northern California it is hot!); trees are turning, Halloween seems to have suddenly made a major, early appearance in homes and stores, and many schools are preparing to celebrate festivals of courage.

What does a Festival of Courage mean to us? Most of these are also celebrations of a turning of the season in the Northern Hemisphere from the lushness, fullness, and warmth of summer to the bounty, increasing crispness, and colors of Fall. They celebrate a harvest brought home in preparation for the cold months ahead. These celebrations have their origin in the ancient European festival of Michaelmas, beloved in Waldorf schools in many countries, which falls on September 29. It is one of the traditional quarter days that mark the progression of the seasons and accompanying changes in the land and the cycle of the year.

The theme of light is central to Michaelmas. As the light outside fades and we face an accelerating path into the short days and long nights of winter, Michaelmas speaks to us of inner light, of courage, and of a willingness to face our fears and conquer or transform our challenges. In darkening days, how can we find our strength and resolve? Can we take our courage in hand?

Many schools mark this festival with an all-school event, with different grades taking on specific roles. Others situate the festival in particular grades. Perhaps the kindergarten bakes “dragon bread,” hopefully to be enjoyed with honey butter and, of course, shared with our hardworking friends in the school office! (If you want to try this but don’t have a recipe for dragon bread, just google it and several will pop right up.) Maybe first or second graders enact a short play about conquering dragons or other representations of our fears. Perhaps there is a model dragon to be confronted in a pageant. Students paint, draw, and model from the story. Festivals allow our students to mark their own path through time, looking back at where they have been in past years and looking ahead at roles to come. Falling at the end of September, it is often the first major festival of the new school year. The common threads of the festival draw the school together and build community.

Why has this become a Festival of Courage, not Michaelmas, in our Public Waldorf schools and some independent schools as well? There has been criticism of this from some quarters, with the suggestion that it loses its essential connection and meaning with the change of name. Does a rose, or a festival, smell as sweet if called by other names? Here, it is important to look at our understanding of the purpose of the festival and the reasons for the change. Do we understand its origins and intent? Are our students receiving substance for their inner growth from the festival? Are our activities meaningful and appropriate? If we address these questions for our Festival of Courage (or for any of our celebrations), we can be purposeful and appropriate in our actions.

We also need to examine and understand the reasons for this change of name. We have already spoken of its ancient ties to the land and to the Christian church; this Christian, religious context can be problematic in public education. The festival has symbols: a dragon stands at the heart of this European festival, to be confronted, transformed, or killed. Yet dragons have different meanings in different cultures, and we need to proceed with sensitivity and care in our multicultural society. Unlike the aggressive, fire-breathing dragon of European culture; in China as one example, the dragon is a revered symbol of wisdom, harmony, and good fortune.

In Michaelmas or the Festival of Courage, we have a current, relevant example of the work required of us as we expand the impulse of Waldorf education into ever-widening populations and varied locations. We are challenged to continuously ask why we do things, how they serve our students, and how they can be adapted and enacted with cultural sensitivity and respect - without losing what is essential. Does our festival speak to inner light, to courage, to resolve in facing our fears, and of transformation? Does it challenge and empower our students? Does it build community? I have a suspicion that, if we can say yes to these essential elements, then the good spirit of our times will appreciate and support our adaptations and efforts to bring the message and gift of this ancient festival to our students today.

Wishing each one of us strength and inner light,

Liz Beaven

Executive Director

Professional Development and Teacher Preparation

A listing by the Alliance is for information only and does not imply recommendation or endorsement. We encourage school leaders and teachers to fully research offerings before enrollment to ensure they align with their goals and needs. We recommend that you research familiarity with the unique needs and demands of Public Waldorf education. This is particularly important if public funds are used for professional development or teacher preparation.