Whitsun

Whitsun


- 50 days after Easter

Whitsun (originally ‘White Sunday’), also known as Pentecost, is a time for acknowledging the presence of the divine spirit in each individual, and the freedom this gives each of us to strive consciously to understand and communicate with one another. In the Christian tradition, this was the occasion on which the Holy Spirit was sent to each of Jesus’ disciples, along with the gift of speaking in other languages, to help them spread the news of his love for all people of all nations. Rudolf Steiner wanted to create a new Whitsun festival which would emphasise the common humanity shared by us all, and this is the aspect we aim to bring out in our celebrations. 

 

In England it was traditional to wear white on this day, perhaps to symbolise the purity of the spirit. White blossom and flowers are also all around us in nature at this time of the year. Children and teachers wear white to school for this festival and we ask parents to bring in white food to share and white flowers which will become beautiful crowns for our heads. Symbols such as the daisy flower, with its many single petals radiating out from a golden centre, and dove, with its message of peace between people, help us to show how diversity and community can not only co-exist but strengthen each other.

Whitsun verses

White bird is flying in the sky
Brings us a golden ray from on high
White bird has something wise to say
Just flown out of the sun today
Little white bird what news, I pray

Here's a pure white shining feather
Keep it white in every weather
Keep it white for Whitsunday.
                      -J. Marcus

In the Whitsun garden, white the flowers grow,
Earth is listening, glistening, listening, warming breezes blow.
                     -N. Foster

 

 

Good morning dear earth
Good morning dear sun
Good morning dear stones
And the flowers every one
Good morning dear beasts
And the birds in the trees
Good morning to you
And good morning to me