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Festivals are the breathing of the year. They carry the human soul into rhythm with the life of the cosmos. —study from The Festivals and Their Meaning
As autumn steps in, the earth draws inward and the outer world grows darker. This is when the human soul is asked to awaken with a new light. In Steiner Schools, this season is an invitation to celebrate the festival of Michaelmas. Celebrated on September 29th, this is a festival of challenge, courage, and community. It is a time to show gratitude to the things of the earth and to trust inner life itself.
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If man is to find his way in the present age, his thinking must become courageous. —study from Michaelmas and the Soul-Forces of Man
As the autumn winds grow, so too must our thinking. Steiner tells us that courage should be exercised by the will but it should also be exercised by thought itself. Unlike other festivals, where grace descends as a gift to humanity, Michaelmas requires us to rise up with strength as the world is confronted with dying and decay. This season is about overcoming fear and awakening the mysteries within ourselves. This means that we must avoid the temptation to let our opinions (or borrowed truths) carry us and distracting us from what is real. Between the forces of Lucifer and Ahriman stands Michael, holding the balance for the human soul —study from Michaelmas and the Soul-Forces of Man
In the turning of the year, when shadows lengthen and the soul is asked to awaken (during Michaelmas) we find ourself drawn toward two forces. On one side, Lucifer tempts us upward—towards pride and illusions (escaping through imagination). On the other side, Ahriman draws us downward—toward denial and materialism (collapsing the will). But it is our conscious recognition, joined with courage, that provides the first step in overcoming these forces so that we are not over powered by them. For it is only blindness of these forces that makes the soul weak. |
Ms AmberFocused on Rudolf Steiner's original works. This blog offers reflections and commentary to help keep his work alive in the world today. This journal is more about meaning, rather than methods—a space for study that breathes. New Book
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