Winter Spiral

Advent Festival time again!
 Carols by candelight and that special feeling of dimmer afternoons and sparkly lights in the evening and glimmering shining eyes of  little children...
memories of Christmas past, of polo mints and polo necks, of Monopoli and singing, of walks on frosty leaves, the feeling of wool scarves around my neck and mittens on my hands...
Christmas markets in the town square, theatre outings to see the Ballet, and the nice cosy feeling of staying indoors under a blanket and watch a nice film...
All this and much more, each year at this time, I try to recreate; the anticipation, the inward mood, the spiritual, the closeness.
It is every year more important to me, to try to find time to stop and breathe in all these sensations and memories, to stop and contemplate, to be still and stay in that limbo place where time and space melt away and nothing matters than the moment; stillness and quiet and my understanding what this journey is about....this journey that we started...this journey which is mine, but linked with all the others...my family, my friends, the community...
Only here at our Steiner school I find a sense of belonging and a connection with me and the Divine, the spiritual, and the time here on Earth; myself and my life and all the people related to me. My job, my tasks...unfolding in front of me...

For this I love the Winter festival where we walk the spiral of greenery in silence or with gentle music:
it is the Advent Festival.
We are holding this for us at
Acorns Parent and Child group -
(linked with Greenwich Steiner School)

so please go to the link for full info:

http://www.greenwichacorns.org.uk/news.html

So come,

This Friday 7th at 11 am

Deep Mid-Winter drawing near,
Darkness in our Garden here - -

One small flame yet bravely burns
To show a path which ever turns.

Earth, please bear us as we go,
Seeking Light to send a-glow:
Branches green and moss and fern,
Mark our path to trace each turn.
Brother animals, teach us too
To serve with patience as you do.

We walk with candle toward the Light
While Earth awaits with hope so bright:
In the Light which finds new birth
Love may spread o'er all the Earth.

Deep Mid-Winter drawing near - -
May Light arise in our Garden here.

Please join us for a small quiet
Advent Garden Festival
on Friday 7^th December
11:00 am
at the Church of the Ascension.
We will have a very special story,
some singing and a snack.

The Winter Spiral is a magical and heart warming celebration of light that brings us hope in the darkest time of the year.

 Please come and experience this beautiful event with your children!

What Happens: At Acorns we simplify and shorten the experience as the 0 to 3 years old can only do so much!  And for the same reason, instead of holding the festival in the afternoon/evening we do it in the morning...even if the mood is different, due to the little toddlers and younger children feeling too tired later!

In drop off Playgroup and from Kindergarten to Lower, and Middle school...It begins in a room lit by the glow of just one candle. The candle is placed at the centre of a large spiral pathway edged with evergreens arranged on the floor; the hall is lit by tiny night lights in glass jars all around. Singing and sweet violin or cello music sets a mood of peaceful anticipation.

At the Winter Spiral the children are called to the entrance by their teachers. One by one, each child takes a turn, with the help of the parent and carer if necessary. One at a time they begin the journey toward the centre of the spiral carrying small-unlit candles (inserted into an apple), which they light when they reach the centre. They then walk out of the spiral, placing their candles upon one of the golden stars that line the path.
The Kindergarten children walk the spiral with their chosen parents/carers, but if they are not present the teacher may walk with the child.
When all children have made the journey, the garden path and the whole room are aglow from all of the small lights.

The effect is magical—in this case the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. For the children, the experience of making a contribution to this beautiful end result is pure and profound.

For the adults, witnessing the look of concentration on even the youngest children’s faces and the pride in themselves upon completing their task can be extremely moving, even without the added backdrop of deeper meaning. If we are lucky enough to attend this festival over a period of years, then we can delight in seeing the children progress from their first tentative steps as 3 year olds to their confident, intentional strides as lower school children.

Families are encouraged to ride home silently or softly singing to let the experience penetrate deeply.

The essence of this festival speaks to all of us, and carries a universal message. During this darkest time of the year, we may turn to our inner light to bring warmth to the world. Certainly their innocence and intention of children can serve to inspire us.



Here for you, I share my favourite songs and verses with these I find my connection to this time of year and the longest night is approaching, The Winter Solstice in about 2 weeks...

May Goddess enlighten your path.

Brightest Blessings)0( &
Enjoy the music!

Music by Lisa Thiel
Vid by WiccaNoita

LYRICS:

Chorus:
Enter the night and you'll find the light,
That will carry you to your dreams.
Enter the night, let your spirit take flight,
In the field of infinite possibilities

On the longest night we search for the light,
And we find it deep within.
Open your eyes to embrace what is wise,
And see the light of your own soul shining.

(Chorus)
Wrap up in the cloak of starry darkness my child,
And you'll find the center of all things.
For from this space of the deepest dark place,
Life Eternal does spring.

(Chorus)
So when you find that spark
When you dream in the dark,
Hold it close to your heart and know.
All that you see is all that can be
When you give birth to the dreams of your soul.

(Chorus)