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The Advent Spiral

Natural Kids: The Advent Spiral

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Advent Spiral





The "Advent Spiral" or "Spiral of Light" as it is sometimes called is a thing to behold. It marks the lengthening of days and the journey we will all take into the darkness and quiet of winter. It reminds us to take our inner light with us on this journey through the long cold months and longest days of our year and to have a reverence for it.
The apple lanterns have been carved and are ready, the star shaped sugar cookies are warming in the oven, the pine boughs have been cut and layed just so, families gather in a darkened room on a cold December afternoon near to the Winter Solstice.
And so it begins. One at a time, the children walk along the spiral path of boughs leading to one large lit candle. Each holds an unlit candle, even the smallest hands are capable and ready! In the middle of the spiral the children light their candles and then retrace their steps out of the spiral, leaving their lit candle next to the last child's. The room is hushed, sometimes there is faint harp music - light and airy.
As each child passes through the spiral something amazing starts to happen -the room brightens!
After all the children have made there way there is often singing and snacks of cookies and warm apple cider.
The hearts and souls of all who attended are warmed and the children go away with a sense of the light &warmth they have built candle by candle.
The advent spiral can also be done in your own home to prepare the family for winter and bring the cheer to your very own house!
FaerieWaldorf has a wonderful guide for sale in her etsy shop all about preparing and participating in the Advent Spiral!
Soltice Sun King pictured above from PaintingPixie's etsy shop.
Needle felted apple's by CozyCottageCreations
Wooden Spiral by DragonsandMermaids

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8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tradition to start with your children!

December 17, 2008 at 7:26 PM  
Blogger TheSingingBird said...

so lovely

December 17, 2008 at 8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

December 18, 2008 at 5:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

December 18, 2008 at 6:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We love the Advent Spiral--it's such a beautiful celebration. Thanks so much for featuring my Advent Spiral booklet :D

December 20, 2008 at 10:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A wonderful tradition, especially for this time of year in the middle of busy holiday preparations- when we all need to take a moment to just be still and think!

December 22, 2008 at 9:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The dragonsandmermaids spiral is extremely combustible. My comment was deleted, and I think it belongs here. It is a valid comment, reflective of my experience.

December 31, 2008 at 9:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for featuring our spiral! We have been proudly selling this one for 5 years now and are pleased to know so many are enjoying this rital with their families.
Harmony

January 1, 2009 at 10:45 AM  

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