One of the things I've wanted to focus on this year is rhythm. It's something I've struggled with, since I have a few get-it-all-done-no-matter-the-cost tendencies. The Waldorf tradition of slowing down, savoring the seasons, quality over quantity, and marking time through festivals is very appealing to me. This creates such a tangible atmosphere in Waldorf- that's been a bit hard to replicate in our homeschool. Because you can't create the atmosphere of slowing down unless you, yourself, actually s-l-o-w down.

So I sat down this summer, and marked down every festival we wanted to celebrate during our homeschool year. Then I went to our main family calendar and marked them down- including a few days "off" leading up to them to breathe deeply and prepare for them. 

Our first holiday of the school year was Fall Equinox, closely followed by Michaelmas. I'll be jumping back to share our Fall Equinox celebrations, then I'll be sharing about Michaelmas the rest of the week. It's a holiday I'm growing to love, because who doesn't need to fight a dragon in their life time to time? I also have a little girl who will be turning two on Michaelmas eve, which is pretty special as well (wink).

Brave and true

I will be. 

Every good deed

sets me free. 

Every kind word

makes me strong. 

I will fight 

for the right. 

I will conquer

the wrong. 

-Traditional Michaelmas Verse

Blessings on the start of your week!