Traditionally held on the first Sunday of Advent (between November 27th and December 3rd), the experience of the winter spiral reflects the human experience at this time of the year; entering a time of darkness, of shorter days and longer nights and going forward with hope to welcome the light of the sun after the winter solstice.
The tradition honors the seasonal cycle of light and darkness by arranging a simple spiral labyrinth walk. Evergreen boughs are placed in a spiral form on the floor with a large candle in its center. The room is darkened and the mood is peaceful. The spiral begins; one at a time each child walks into the spiral with an unlit candle set into an apple. The outer edge of the spiral is symbolically of summer solstice when the days are longest. As they make their way into the spiral’s center they pass through autumn and the days grow shorter. At the center they reach the winter solstice where they light their own candle and place it along the spiral. As they return they pass through spring and eventually arrive back at the summer solstice. When all the children have walked the path, the whole spiral is aglow with lights.
Everything about the spiral walk is rooted in symbolic meaning:
THE SPIRAL is one of nature’s many patterns and can be found in shells, flowers, pinecones, fingertips, and galaxies. In this festival honoring the return of light into the world, we use the spiral to represent the seasonal rhythms as well as representing the contemplative journey we take to find our own inner “light.”
The journey each child takes through the spiral also represents an inner journey to find his or her own “light” within. In the very center of ourselves, we discover our own beauty, strength, insight, and gifts that we offer the world. We then turn from this discovery within and carry our gifts of radiance back out into the world.
RED APPLES are often used as candleholders during spiral walks and celebrations. Inside the fruit lies the seed, waiting patiently in darkness until the time comes to sprout. The apples represent the seeds of our hidden potential. We don’t yet see the fruit of our labors with the students… but within each is the seed of the adults they will become.
EVERGREEN TREES are found in many myths, often representing the tree of life. These are the trees that weather the winter without going dormant. They represent the regenerative power of life, nature and the seasons. We use evergreen boughs to represent the sustaining abundance of life on our planet.
BEESWAX CANDLES are considered a symbol of eternal love and warmth. We use them as our light source in the darkness to symbolize that love is eternally present.
KINGDOMS OF NATURE. We celebrate the diversity of life on our planet by placing among the evergreen boughs objects that represent the kingdoms of nature: mineral, plant and animal. Crystals, seashells, feathers, pinecones, berries and bones will be resting along the path.
A translated historical article is available at the Online Waldorf Library if you would like to learn more about the Advent Spiral tradition.
The tradition honors the seasonal cycle of light and darkness by arranging a simple spiral labyrinth walk. Evergreen boughs are placed in a spiral form on the floor with a large candle in its center. The room is darkened and the mood is peaceful. The spiral begins; one at a time each child walks into the spiral with an unlit candle set into an apple. The outer edge of the spiral is symbolically of summer solstice when the days are longest. As they make their way into the spiral’s center they pass through autumn and the days grow shorter. At the center they reach the winter solstice where they light their own candle and place it along the spiral. As they return they pass through spring and eventually arrive back at the summer solstice. When all the children have walked the path, the whole spiral is aglow with lights.
Everything about the spiral walk is rooted in symbolic meaning:
THE SPIRAL is one of nature’s many patterns and can be found in shells, flowers, pinecones, fingertips, and galaxies. In this festival honoring the return of light into the world, we use the spiral to represent the seasonal rhythms as well as representing the contemplative journey we take to find our own inner “light.”
The journey each child takes through the spiral also represents an inner journey to find his or her own “light” within. In the very center of ourselves, we discover our own beauty, strength, insight, and gifts that we offer the world. We then turn from this discovery within and carry our gifts of radiance back out into the world.
RED APPLES are often used as candleholders during spiral walks and celebrations. Inside the fruit lies the seed, waiting patiently in darkness until the time comes to sprout. The apples represent the seeds of our hidden potential. We don’t yet see the fruit of our labors with the students… but within each is the seed of the adults they will become.
EVERGREEN TREES are found in many myths, often representing the tree of life. These are the trees that weather the winter without going dormant. They represent the regenerative power of life, nature and the seasons. We use evergreen boughs to represent the sustaining abundance of life on our planet.
BEESWAX CANDLES are considered a symbol of eternal love and warmth. We use them as our light source in the darkness to symbolize that love is eternally present.
KINGDOMS OF NATURE. We celebrate the diversity of life on our planet by placing among the evergreen boughs objects that represent the kingdoms of nature: mineral, plant and animal. Crystals, seashells, feathers, pinecones, berries and bones will be resting along the path.
A translated historical article is available at the Online Waldorf Library if you would like to learn more about the Advent Spiral tradition.
