It's Michaelmas day, September 29th, and celebrating the festival brings back memories of years past. I picture my children wearing red, my daughter's long hair braided, both with shining eyes as they watched the dragon writhing during an assembly in their Waldorf School.
On this festival, we have shared a harvest loaf and song, tossed shooting stars made of silk and ribbons, and hiked in the woods. This is the celebration of Michael, who was known for vanquishing the dragon. Besides social festivities, adults find a chance for self development by recognizing inner dragons in order to keep them at bay. The image for the festival is that of the horseman pointing his sword toward the dragon surrendering at his feet.
This is the time of year that we reap the harvest and begin preparations for the winter months ahead. We embrace Michaelmas stories of heavenly fire coming down to earth through shooting stars and iron rich raisins that we knead into our harvest loaf. We shore up our strength, exercising our will to be the best we can be. Fortified by a rich celebration with friends and family, we enter the season of Michaelmas ready to do our work.
