What is Micha’el Festival?
By Chiaki Uchiyama, Pedagogical Director, Autumn, 2022
The temperature of the air is dropping and the sunlight grows dimmer each day. Nature is showing her annual signs of withering. The light-filled, warm summer adventure already feels like a dream. As night becomes longer than the day and darkness overpowers the light, we are called back to face the outer realities of our lives — time commitments, rules, society, finances, traffic, illnesses, safety, relationships with family and colleagues, and various responsibilities and social obligations, over which we do not have full control. We may sometimes feel powerless and overwhelmed, unintentionally evoking unfavorable emotions of doubt, anxiety, frustration, and fear as a natural reaction. A dragon is on its way. It's time for the Micha’el Festival!
The festivals in Waldorf schools are annual educational opportunities not only for the children but for people of all ages. The Micha’el Festival, one of the most significant festivals in Waldorf schools, gives us the courage to face our lower nature of doubt, antipathy, apathy, and fear. Furthermore, it calls forth our higher truth and the power of universal love, (Micha’el’s sword made out of cosmic iron), to lead us through the earthly challenges, (the dragon). Micha’el has been respected by Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and Rudolf Steiner describes how the Autumn meteors affect human blood in a subtle way, which provides an inner wakefulness and courage to overcome negative habits and inner struggles..
By restraining our impulsive reactions to outer phenomena and consciously transforming these forces into compassionate action and sincere communication, a spark of clarity and renewed connection may shine forth. The sword is a symbol of spiritual insights and ultimate good of humanity, which inspires us to act out of love. Human beings have the power to transform (not to kill) the dragon, (unconscious, instinctive will-forces), into love-filled, moral deeds.
This teaching becomes particularly apparent when our children go through puberty and meet the various social pressures (drugs, alcohol, immoral actions, etc), in their vulnerable teenage years. Can they overcome their anxiety, loneliness, self-serving desire, and impulses, and find their own truth? Will they be able to follow their conscience and make decisions that honor their truth? The Micha’el Festival is our annual prayer, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other identities, that when the time comes to make their own decisions our students can call forth their “Micha’elic sword” and guide their inner dragon to navigate each challenging moment wisely and courageously.
Through love-filled, moral deeds, even though each of our actions may seem small and insignificant, the earth will gradually become a place of peace and harmony. Let us practice kind deeds and compassionate communication in our everyday encounters.
When our community is united with this commitment of kindness and respect, regardless of our diverse standpoints and opinions, we can provide a safe learning environment for our students, through which they will learn the most. It is not an easy task to achieve, and everyone makes mistakes. However, if each of us unites ourselves with this understanding and intention, our community will become a source of love and light in the earthly darkness. This is the gift of Micha’el.
This year, we are going to celebrate this festival in-person. Students from Grades 1 through 12 will immerse themselves in the story of the battle between our “lower self” and “higher self” and embody this important reflective teaching. Teachers have been preparing for this moment since early summer. Thank you for your support. Happy Micha’el Festival!
