Last night I felt blessed to witness what is known as the Winter Spiral, or Advent Spiral that is associated with Waldorf schools.  As we approach the winter solstice, we enter a period of growing darkness as the days become shorter. This provides opportunity for reflection and growth, allowing us to feed our inner light so we may continue to be guided in the darkness by our hearts.  Since ancient times, various cultures from the Native Americans to Celtic Pagans and Christians alike have celebrated and shown reverence during these darkening days as we approach the returning of the Sun.

The week leading up to the spiral walk was full of buzz in the air as there were many tasks to be completed.  There were apples to be cored to hold the candles that the children would walk with.  Evergreen boughs needed to be gathered around town for constructing the spiral.  The boughs needed to be trimmed and the spiral created.  It was beautiful how the entire community came together to lean on one another.  Such an event would not be possible without this sense of community and togetherness.

When we arrived on campus for the spiral walk, there was a wonderful energy in the air, one could just feel that something special was going to take place.  My son, along with the other children were sent into their classroom with their teacher where they were treated to a story.  As parents, we waited in the darkened room with the spiral, illuminated with a single candle in the middle of the evergreen spiral.  While we waited, another teacher strummed a harp in the corner of the classroom providing musical vibrations which relaxed the senses to completely soak in the experience.  I cleared my mind while focusing on the single flame in the center, remembering my own inner light and the journey I’ve been on personally.  As I’m reminded of this, I breathe deeply and take in the fragrance of the evergreen boughs, reminded that we both exist due to a certain reciprocity.  The image of the spiral reminds me of my place within the universe and reminds me that I am on a journey and not in a race.  I am also reminded of the spirals found within nature and the everlasting properties of the spiral and the evergreens.  This echoes the nature of my everlasting spirit.

After their story, the children entered the darkened room and sat on the wall opposite of us parents.  We sat separated by the spiral and the single candle in the middle.  I sat with baited breath as the first child (mind you these are 3-6 year old children) received their apple, which featured a star and an unlit candle.  The anticipation grows as the child spirals closer to flame of light in the center.  As the child reaches the flame, they kindle the candle in their apple, lighting their flame.  As they walk to exit the spiral, the light from their candle guides their path through the darkness as they locate a star on the edge of the spiral upon which to set their flame.  As the children take turns placing their apples, they are helping to light the path for next child.

When the last child has exited the spiral, the children were led out into the hallway by their teachers as we sang Silent Night.  Parents then took turns walking the spiral, gathering the apples and candles to snuff out the flame and return it to our children while still singing.  The whole experience left me with a feeling of reverence and serenity.

This can be viewed, in my opinion, as a symbolic reminder of our own inner light that we kindle from the divine spark that we carry within ourselves (as represented by the apple) as we light our path, following our destiny to find our place among the stars.  As we approach this sacred time of year, I am reminded that I am but a drop of rain in the ocean and there is a greater essence to myself and to all that is.  I am reminded of my connectedness not only to nature, but my fellow human being.  I am reminded that collectively our light shines brighter in the darkness than a single flame on it’s own.  This evokes an awareness of my fellow man, something I feel we need more of this day and age.  The beauty of such a festival is that it allows for universal interpretation.  Everyone’s experience, feelings, emotions and interpretations can and will vary.

Whether your views are secular or non-secular, there are still lessons we can learn from one another, and by doing so we are sharing our light with one another and growing flames to guide us through the darkened days and a seemingly darker world.  I feel like I haven’t done the festival justice as words seem restricted in their ability to convey the sense of emotions and the goosebumps one feels while watching their young child responsibly carry their flame and choose their star.  If you would like to add anything, correct anything or comment, please do so!  I am a first year Waldorf parent and am not a representative of any school or charter and love hearing from others about their experiences!  Thank you!