The frigid temperatures here in Missoula are so appropriate for this festival. As I learn more about Waldorf and the festivals celebrated, like this one, I am always inspired by how meaningful the correlation between what is happening outside, and what is happening inside (us) is. Connectedness. Meaningful.
Martinmas, from the little about it that I have gathered, is celebrated on November 11th. We will be celebrating it today November 12th, as I had almost forgotten about it. This will be the first year we have officially recognized it. But, truthfully this time of year has always felt significant, a time for internal reflection, compassion, stewardship.
For a bit of background of what Martinmas is, I borrowed this from the Waldorf essentials site. It is a nice story, and has a really great message.
The Story of Martin and the Poor Man by Cerdiwen Anya Coit
Amiens Long ago, there lived a good young man named Martin. Even as a boy, he knew that one day he would be expected to serve in the military. His father was an important military officer. And, though he desired a peaceful life outside of the military, he knew that it would be his duty to follow the life of his father. So, Martin joined the military, became an officer, and was eventually assigned to garrison duty in the town of Amiens.
One bitterly cold winter evening, the young Martin rode through the gates of Amiens on his fine proud horse. He was dressed in the regalia of his military unit: gleaming armor, a bright helmet, and a beautiful white cloak, lined with lambs wool. It was nearly freezing outside, but his thick cloak kept him warm. He was hardly aware of the cold.
But then, as he approached the gates of the town, he saw a poor man, a beggar, dressed with clothes so ragged that he was practically bare. The man was shaking and blue with cold, but no one reached out to help him. People would pass through the gates, looking straight ahead, so their eyes would not meet with those of the poor, desperate man.
Martin, seeing this, was overcome with compassion. He rode straight to the poor man and took off his white cloak. And with one stroke of his sword he tore the lovely mantle in two. He wrapped half of the cloak around the freezing man and the other half around his own shoulders.
The people nearby watched in amazement. To see a fine military officer do such a lowly thing was a ridiculous sight to many, but others were touched by the goodness that Martin showed.
That night, as Martin slept, he had a dream. A man appeared to him who looked so familiar, and he was wearing the half of the cloak Martin had given to the poor beggar. And then, Martin saw in the eyes of this man, and the light of the Divine which we carry within us.
From that day on, Martin’s life was changed forever. He knew that he could no longer be part of the military, for his true desire was to live a life of goodness.
Golden light is turning grey,
Mists begin to rule the day.
Bare the trees, their branches lift;
Clouds of dead leaves earthward drift.
Through the field the farmer goes,
Seeds of ripened corn he sows’
Trusts the earth will hold it warm,
Shelter it from cold and harm.
For he knows that warmth and light
Live there, hidden from our sight;
And beneath a sheltering wing,
Deep below, new life will spring!
Deep below, deep below, new life will spring!
This story is a little too heavy for young kids. You can lighten it up, or make up your own similar story about helping others, bringing in the light, feeling the inner light during the darker days. This feels spiritual, in whatever sense you feel it. There is no right or wrong way. It is really based in the changing of the season, reverence for darker days, taking care of those who are less fortunate than us, internal light...
So, for the festival, often times children and adults will hold lanterns and will walk through the streets, park, forest, or wherever they choose outside, with their lit lanterns and sing songs, or meditate on bringing in the light within to get us through these darker days.
At Seedlings today, we will be making lanterns for the kids to bring home. You can do with them whatever you choose. As a family, I think we will take a little walk with ours and try to think about this inner light, and helping others. This will be the first time we have recognized this time of year, in this way. If you are interested in joining us for the walk, let me know.
As you may know, at Seedlings we have been following a story of Sam the Gnome, and his adventures with his forest friends. Today we will talk about the lantern walk that Sam and his friends take in the forest. Ask your children about it when they get home today.
