Did you know that the 11th of November is not just Armistice day, but it is the official feast of St. Martin.
Saint Martin was a soldier in the Roman army who tore his cloak in half to give to a man begging for arms. Later he had a vision that Christ came to him wearing the cloak, causing him to give his life to Christianity.
The feast of Martinmas, was once seen as the official start of winter, marked by eating of roast goose, bonfires and children carrying lanterns through the streets.
We've started taking frog to parent and child classes at the local Waldorf school. The principles of Steiner education are based on focusing on a more natural, creative and seasonal approach to learning.
This week in our class we all helped make these jam jar lanterns to take on our walk. Frog enjoyed this as we have made them at home before.
This week in our class we all helped make these jam jar lanterns to take on our walk. Frog enjoyed this as we have made them at home before.
Then last night, frog and his cousin R, met up at the school to go on their first Martinmas walk. The school has a strict no technology policy, so I can't share any photos of our lovely candle lit walk around the forest, or St Martin upon his white horse, the bonfire or the yummy sharing bread.
But it was a lovely evening. We sang songs about lanterns, and enjoyed exploring the forest in the dark. I've never heard Martinmas before, but I'm looking forward to celebrating it again.
But it was a lovely evening. We sang songs about lanterns, and enjoyed exploring the forest in the dark. I've never heard Martinmas before, but I'm looking forward to celebrating it again.