Why is so much emphasis put on festivals and ceremonies?
? Seasonal festivals serve to connect humanity with the rhythms of Nature. Cultures all over the world have celebrated rituals to mark the cycle of the seasons since ancient times, and Waldorf festivals echo these traditional events. Celebrating the seasonal festivals benefits the inner life of the child by reflecting the felt changes in the environment as summer turns to winter and back again. The four Christian seasonal festivals celebrated in Waldorf schools are: Michaelmas (fall), Christmas (winter), Easter (spring), and St. John (summer). Michaelmas, September 29: St. Michael is known as the conqueror of the dragon, the heavenly hero with his starry sword who gives strength to people. Christmas: Christmas coincides with the winter solstice when the sun sends its least power to the earth, Christmas is a time when the soul withdraws into the innermost depths to experience the inner spiritual light. The word Easter comes from pre-Christian goddess symbols of rebirth, fertility and sp
