Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Martinmas

"My lantern
My lantern
Shining near and far.
Shining like the moon,
shining like the sun,
shining like a silver star.
My lantern
My lantern."


Our preparations for Martinmas began last week. There was lantern making, learning new songs, preparing our spice cake and talks about our own inner light and how we can share it with others through acts of kindness and love.

There is so much I love about this festival and this year being able to share it with some other families was wonderful. We gathered at our home on Sunday afternoon for a little lantern walk in the backyard, singing songs as we walked. We moved inside to enjoy hot apple cider in front of the fire and I shared a story about our inner light with our guests. Then as the children played I worked in the kitchen putting the final touches on dinner. We sat down at our little table, all 11 of us, shared a blessing and a meal together. I could feel my inner light growing brighter by the minute as I looked around the table, a truly beautiful moment.

Yesterday, in the spirit of St. Martin, we took Reece to the grocery store to shop for food for those in need. A gesture I am not totally sure he understands, but one that will come to have meaning as the years pass. Together the three of us dropped off our donation here before heading home.

This festival speaks to me on so many levels and my hope is one day Reece truly understands how beautiful his inner light is and that he will let it shine bright on those who need it most.

19 comments:

  1. This is a lovely post and I love the way you celebrate Martinmas. We, too, use a bit of Waldorf in our schooling and I love that it incorporates special days from many traditions. I had planned on making lanterns with my boys but haven't , yet, it's never too late.

    I love the way you celebrate this festival with a lantern walk and dinner with friends full of thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank so much. It is one of my favourite festivals and to share it with others this year was just perfect.

      Delete
  2. We've never celebrated Martinmas...I love learning more about the holiday! Thanks for sharing about yours.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those lanterns are so neat! I'm so happy your celebration went well and that it didn't snow or rain for your walk! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks KC! Yes, no rain or snow, it was perfect!

      Delete
  4. This is beautiful. I'm sure with your loving guiding hand he will discover his own strengths and light. Be well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hope I can plan far enough ahead in order to do this next year. We did a lantern walk in Switzerland when I was in grade school and I always loved it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is so lovely Elisa, and I bet your kiddos would love it.

      Delete
  6. We celebrated today at the kindergarten where I work, "the swedish school of Vienna" and we had made exactly the same kind of lanterns with the children as in your picture! We had a good time, children singing for parents and other guests!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful! That is cool that you made the same lanterns, they were fun to make.

      Delete
  7. I think Martinmas is one of my most favorite festivals! We are speeding this week focusing on Saint Martin and this sweet festival (we went to our lantern walk last Saturday) and will be heading to the food store tomorrow to get some items to donate to the food pantry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is definitely mine :) Have a wonderful week.

      Delete
  8. I had never heard of Martinmas before and then I stumbled upon it a couple months ago. I thought it sounded like such a lovely way to let this change of seasons into our lives and wanted to do something with Ellie. We made lanterns ourselves the other day and took a lantern walk just the three of us (dad, ellie and I). Your celebration sounds SO inviting and lovely and wonderful. I'm hoping we can make this a tradition and build upon it each year. How did you make your lantern? It's beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a beautiful festival and one of my favourites. Your lantern walk sounds lovely, just like ours from last year :)

      Thank you, we used this tutorial for the lanterns http://rhythmofthehome.com/2010/07/martinmas-celebration/

      Delete