What is behind a Festival?

The word festival comes from the Latin words festa (joy), festum, and feriae (fair). In Steiner/Waldorf schools, festivals are significant outer expressions that nourish and unite our children, staff, and community.

I see this as an opportunity to begin contemplating our next celebration—the Winter Festival during the season of Makuru. Rudolf Steiner describes festivals, and the way they are expressed, as a “call to action” for the future of human evolution. It's no coincidence that many festivals around the world are celebrated at times of the year when the veil between the material and spiritual worlds is believed to be thinnest. These times often coincide with the solstices and equinoxes, reminding us of our earth-bound relationship to the life-giving sun.

As individuals, we each play a role in these festivals. They are times for active inner work, personal reflection, and the deepening of our understanding that we are all connected—and that we each bear responsibility for the past, present, and future of humanity.

The Reverse Ritual

Lisa Romero, ahealth practitioner and adult educator, speaks about the concept of the reverse ritual. While the ritual is the outward expression of the festival—for example, during the Winter Festival, this might include the spiral walk, lanterns, shared soup and bread, and communal singing—the reverse ritual is the inner work and preparation that leads to and supports these expressions. It is not just about event logistics; without conscious inner preparation, the festival risks becoming hollow.

The reverse ritual for our Winter Festival begins now. As we journey through the term, we hold inner pictures and imaginations that will find outward expression in the festival.

As Steiner educators, we are called to ask: What is the true nature of our school’s Winter Festival? Through faculty and College study, we deepen our understanding of the festival’s meaning. We reflect on the Earth’s seasonal activity, the soul-breathing of the Earth in relation to the Northern Hemisphere, the archangelic influences, and the relationships between stars, zodiac, sun, and human activity. We observe the land beneath our feet and its subtle seasonal shifts, while also considering the needs of our students, staff, and community—here and now, in this place and time.

With the children, we don’t explicitly share these cosmic themes. Instead, we weave their meaning through the curriculum and the children’s lived experiences.

In Jarrah Miah Kindergarten, our Swans are making beanies to keep their heads warm as the weather cools. Our Cygnets have finger-knitted necklaces so they can find one another in the dark. We will make lanterns and candle jars for the spiral walk. At our parent meeting, we will make candles to use during the festival. We will visit Bibra Lake and the bush each week to observe the lake’s slow filling and the transition from Djeran into Makuru. Our menu has shifted to include warming soups and dahl. In our stories and circle times, we acknowledge not only the changing seasons, but also the inward turning, introspection, and reflection that come with the sun’s waning presence.

The cosmic picture of Earth at this time of year—whether we are in summer or winter—holds a universal imagination: we come together to share and find the light. We seek it within ourselves, within each other, and within our school community. We strive to find balance between the polarities of the world, and equanimity within ourselves.

As a community, we are all invited to devote time and thought to the coming festival. Each of us contributes to the shared unfolding of both personal and universal consciousness.

Things you can do:

• Contemplate, study, write, create and find your light within.
• Observe and notice nature, the stars and the light and dark.
• Bring warmth into you homes: Warm and nourishing cooking, slow and gentle rhythm, early nights, warm socks and singlets, Laughter and family time.
• Model an inner calm in your relationships and how you meet the world.
• Observe your child and reflect the influence of the changing season on your child and family.
• Make a nature table of things you find.
• Use candlelight more often.
• Enjoy the sound of quietness and silence.
• Practice the art of equanimity in all you do, paying close attention to your emotions, reactions, and responses.

The First 1,000 Days—A Gentle Beginning That Shapes a Lifetime

In the tender first 1,000 days of life—from conception to age two—your child is laying the foundation for lifelong health, emotional strength, and a deep connection to the world. These early years are a time of quiet wonder, where the rhythms of love, nourishment, and gentle care weave together to support your little one’s unfolding journey.

We warmly invite you to join us on Thursday, 8 May, from 4–6 PM for a nurturing discussion on this sacred time with intention and presence. Guest Speaker Jai Ram Kaur, a Kundalini Yoga teacher at Small Blessings Yoga, will share insights on:

• Creating a harmonious environment for early development
• Supporting brain growth through rhythm and sensory experience
• The role of microbiota in well-being and balance
• How early influences shape the future with lasting effects
  
  

Through warmth, rhythm, and mindful care, we can help our children grow into confident, joyful individuals with a strong sense of inner security. Join us as we explore ways to guide them gently into the world with love.

We look forward to sharing this space with you.

Lisa Payne
Head of Early Childhood