Our Winter Solstice spiral ready for the children to walk

Banksia bright, shine your light  

Through the dark of winter’s night 

Wattle with your tiny suns 

Warm our hearts ‘til Spring time comes 

The Mid Winter Solstice, which falls on Tuesday 21st June in the Southern hemisphere is an important turning point in the year. 

As we draw closer to the shortest day, night descends rapidly and the chill air sends us indoors for the warmth of a fire.  Mornings are damp and misty, softening the sun’s rays which beckon us from the depth of deep winter slumber and bring a mood of mystery to our days.  All around the golden wattle is blooming, bringing brightness to the landscape.  At this time, we sense the yearly rhythm coming to an inner resting place.  As the sun and earth become increasingly distant, nature retreats and the earth takes an in-breath. 

Within the ground the plants are prepared and germinated in readiness for the springtime.  Spiritual sun forces intensify.  The earth is spiralling inwards and we too move inward.  Our thinking life becomes more active as we draw ever closer towards the innermost point of the spiral, and we experience the possibility of reconnecting with the inner light of hope, penetrating life’s mysteries. 

After experiencing the lantern walk and campfire at our Makuru Festival on the day of the solstice itself the kindergarten children will have an opportunity to walk a simple spiral of greenery laid out in our room.  One by one, each child will walk to the centre of the spiral accompanied by the lyre (following the teachers example), take a golden star and place it around the spiral.  We aim to create an atmosphere of reverence and the children experience the spiral walk purely through imitation.  

Afterwards we will colour and cut a spiral and then make some delicious ‘Cheesy Scrolls' to accompany our vegetable soup for morning tea. 

Wishing all our families a restful July holidays.

Warmly,

Denise