Lantern Walk

One of my favourite things that we picked up at the Waldorf School and continued to do at home for many years is the lantern walk that would take place this time of year.

From France there is the legned of St.Martin who discovered a poor beggar huddled under an archway. The man was shivering and naked. Martin took off his own cape, tore it in half and covered the man to warm him. The next night Martin had a dream where he saw Christ wearing that piece of cape. From then on Martin would bring warmth and light to those who had been in darkness. He became the patron saint of beggars and outcasts. Martinmas on November 11 is his feast day. People would carry lanterns through the darkness singing songs followed by a simple meal.

When the children were small they would make lanterns and one evening around mid November we would take a nature walk with our lanterns lit singing songs or saying poems. When they were really young this was very magical to them.

One way the lanterns were made was by taking an old jar, covering it with podgie and covering with squares of various coloured tissue paper. We then glued a candle to the bottom of the jar. My husband would get wire or an old coat hanger and fashion a handle around the top of the jar. One year we made these lanterns for grandparents as Christmas gifts.

For me the lantern walk is a way to mark the seasons. To embrace the darkness and the shorter days. To change our routine a little;bake a little more, snuggle up with books more often and take some time to be still before the rush of the holiday season. It is a time of contentment. The flickering candle reminds me that even in the darkest hours there is light.