Dear Parents, letter #22
Spring is here and we are all emerging out of the chill of winter. I hope that you are all well and looking forward to the sunny days ahead. Again we are heading for the end of our 3rd term and getting ready to celebrate our Michaelmas Festival on the September 23rd at 10am. At the moment it doesn’t seem like we will have much to present on the day – things are taking a while to come together – but nevertheless it will be a lovely day just to celebrate all that we have achieved. Please could parents organise food to share, drinks and picnic blankets. MICHAELMAS – THE FESTIVAL OF COURAGE The Michaelmas Festival is named for the Archangel Michael, conqueror of the powers of darkness, the harvester of the deeds of human souls. It is at this time that the image of Michael with the dragon appears before us as a mighty imagination, challenging us to develop strong, brave, free wills, to overcome love of ease, anxiety and fear. This demands inner activity, a renewal of the soul which is brought to consciousness in the Michaelmas festival, the festival of the will, the festival of courage. Michael is often portrayed as the angel warrior, astride his powerful steed carrying a sword of light. The children hear stories of St. George, a brave knight, who with the help of the Archangel Michael tames the dragon. In the legend of Michael we find he offers four gifts: strength, courage, the will to do deeds, and love, to those who are willing to undertake self-transformation and look towards that which is divine in every human being. Both the transformation and the battle with the dragon are uniquely individual; they reside within our powers of thought, and we are the only ones to have access to them. Michael is the angel who hurled Lucifer down from heaven for his evil workings against God. Archangel Michael, warrior of courage, fighter against evil, rules the heavenly spheres; he guides and inspires us to take courage against darkness. St. George symbolizes the human aspect of this conflict; he is the knight who looks to Michael for strength and guidance. These images truly symbolise the challenges we face. They speak to our deep need to carry an inner light of wisdom and courage. In Africa, the image of Michael has been very prominent, especially in Ethiopia, where King Lalibela erected many churches dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Michaelmas Day which is celebrated on the 29th September comes with the astrological sign of the Scales (Libra) and a very near perfect balance point of daylight and darkness in the year. As human beings we also strive to find that balance in our lives. May we gain insight, courage and truth at this Michaelmas time, to bring light to our inner life, our community and to the world. Let us celebrate new beginnings and the taking up of a new task. We will discover new inner resources whenever we wish to take a new step on our inner journey – to raise ourselves a little above our nature. *Adapted for various articles Individual child discussions I’d like to have individual child interviews with parents, so that we can have an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, any issues, possibilities for intervention and anything else that you may be need to discuss or share. I’d like to suggest Monday/Wednesday/Thursday afternoons. Please could you make a time with me as soon as possible. Date for The rest of Term 3 …. Week 9: 12th – 15th Sept Week 10: 19th – Friday 23rd September 10am MICHAELMAS FESTIVAL Warmly. Teacher Beulah 8th September 2022
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AuthorTeacher Beulah's 'Letter to the Parents' Archives
February 2023
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