Layering on warm hats, jackets and pants in the mornings, we have all noticed the coming of Autumn. It finds some of us longing for fires in the fire place and the sweet smell of dying leaves at our feet. Perhaps, it finds some of us soaking up these last days of 80 (and some 90) degree temperatures before the chill sets in and the days grow shorter.
Either way, I imagine Autumn is calling most of us back out doors. Back out of the cool comfort of air conditioning, with the promise that the sweltering heat has past. It beckons us into projects and preparations and the such at just the time when we, here at Rose Rock, are celebrating Michaelmas.
At Michaelmas, we welcome the arrival of autumn and acknowledge the human qualities that correspond with the season. Courage, honor, and perseverance begin to live more strongly within us this time of year, and we begin to go inward and engage in meaningful work–planting a fall garden, starting new projects, thinking about what we want to achieve as the year enters its second half.
The festival is called “Michaelmas” because it celebrates an individual who finely demonstrates these qualities of the season; he is brave and uses his strength for works of great merit.
In school, we spent last week preparing for our Michaelmas festival that occurred on Saturday. Together we created dragon tails at kindergarten craft time, shared a lovely circle with all the children, and told a beautiful story called Snowflake and the Dragon.
Our dragon tails were a very simple project that could be completed with materials that are likely already on hand.
You will need: cloth (preferably fall colors and dragnon-like), beans, safety pins, ribbon (for decorating the tail), ribbon or yarn (sturdy, for slinging the tail), scissors (preferably pinking shears, so the cloth does not unravel)
1. Cut approx. 6″ X 6″ square
2. Place small pile of beans in center
3. Attach safety pin to “slinging” ribbon/yarn
4. Place slinging ribbon yarn in center of cloth
5. Gather cloth around ribbon
6. Securely tie another ribbon to close bean sack. You want the safety pin to be horizontal to the opening, so that it anchors the ribbon/yarn and it will not pull out when the child slings it.
7. Add other ribbons that will flutter as tail sails through the air
8. All done and ready to play. Sling heartily in an open field, careful for trees and windows!
And here is our lovely Michaelmas circle, which we will continue for the next couple weeks.
Song: Up in the Green Orchard
Up in the green orchard, there is a green tree.
The finest of apples you ever did see.
The apples are ripe and ready to fall,
and here is a basket to gather them all.
Tra-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Verse
Now let’s hitch up our apples,
Tie them with care.
And ride home to mother
in the fresh autumn air.
Song
(repeated three times, the second quickly and the third slowly)
Galloping, galloping, here we go!
Home to mother, don’t be slow!
Verse
Now let’s gather our apples
And take them inside.
We’ll wash them all over,
and set them to dry.
Later, I’ll have you over
to eat apple pie!
We are tired from our journey and we’re satisfied
to lie down for a rest and close our dear eyes.
Song: Close Thine Eyes
Close thine eyes and rest secure,
Thy soul is safe, thy body sure.
He that guards me, he that keeps,
Never slumbers, never sleeps.
Verse
Outside our apple tree, while we were asleep,
was ensnared by a dragon for his to keep.
Song
Outside our window, the wind does blow.
It blows through the trees as Michael rides
Along with his sword.
Below he spies a dragon fierce.
With fiery eyes and fangs that can pierce,
He rides on down.
Michael lifts his sword up on high.
He looks bravely in the dragons eyes.
Laying his sword upon his head,
He could have slayed the dragon-
but- he tamed instead.
Verse
Our dragon is tamed, let us join in a ring
And gather our voices to triumphantly sing.
Song: Michael’s Helper
I am Michael’s helper.
Like his light, shining bright,
I come to you!