“Deep in the ground of the human soul Of victory assured The Spirit-Sun is living All through the winter of the inner life, The faithful heart divines it.” – Rudolf Steiner
In the Northern Hemisphere, where Rudolf Steiner developed his philosophy, the Winter Festival is held around the Winter Solstice in December, it is a celebration of light in the darkness. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, in Australia this falls on 21st June, and is a time for Inner Reflection and Introspection, Hope and Rebirth, Community and Warmth, Nourishment for the Soul.
This year’s Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School Winter Festival took place in Bangalow’s A&I Hall. Students from Class 3 to 12 gathered on the eve of the Winter solstice to shine a light into the darkest night of the year.
The festival swirled around the song, I Can See The Lighthouse, and shone through the central story narrated of a community that forgets to care for one another, too busy and preoccupied, until a storm shipwrecks strangers on their shores reminding them to keep the lighthouse lit. Soup and quilts are shared, and kindness prevails.
The magic of the festival comes alive in the participation of teachers and students alike. The whole school spiralled in the lantern walk under magic of old gums, and Class 6 closed the festival with a memorable, Fire Dance led by our movement teacher Hannah. The firesticks blaze, like the lanterns carry in each child’s hand, was a reminder of the spark that united forges the heart of community.
For the lower primary school, in Classes 1 and 2, the Winter Festival is held by the school community on our grounds in Ewingsdale. The evening celebration includes sharing a bowl of nourishing soup prepared by families. Wrapped warmly against the winter chill, families then walk through the school grounds with students carrying their shining lanterns, culminating in beautiful singing around the glowing firepit.
In Kindergarten, our Winter Festival is a quiet and magical evening also held on the school grounds.
Families gather to share a warm bowl of soup and as darkness falls, walk peacefully together with handmade lanterns lighting the way with their gentle glow. The evening ends with songs around the fire, held closely in the warmth of community and wonder.
We wish everyone a safe and nourishing Winter break, we return on Tuesday 29th July.
