Each year at the end of September, Journey School celebrates the “Festival of Courage.” With roots in the ancient European festival of Michaelmas, this festival also signifies the harvest and the coming of autumn as it falls right after the autumn equinox. Michaelmas tells the tale of St. George taming a fiery dragon with the help of the archangel, St. Michael, who gives him courage.
As daylight recedes and nights become longer, we send an empowering message when we help children connect with and strengthen their inner light of courage. Courage allows all of us to stand for what is right, to trust our inner compass, and to remain steadfast.
This year’s Michaelmas festival was an all-school assembly on Wednesday the 27th with the grade classes taking part in the singing and story-telling led by Ms. Larson and Mr. K.
The kindergarten classes dyed capes of yellow silk and wore them as they watched the performance.
The 7th grade classes were the drummers and the 8th grade portrayed the main parts of Michael, George, the nobles, and of course the dragon. The dragon was made by our students under the guidance of Ms. Tania. It was a wonderful experience for the classes to come together in this festival of courage.
In Waldorf education, meaningful festivals help to anchor all of us in nature and the cycle of the year, providing great reassurance in times of change.
Wishing each one of us courage, resolve, and inner light.
