September: The Month of Courage — How to Celebrate Michaelmas at Home
As summer fades and autumn’s shorter days arrive here in the United States, many Waldorf families begin preparing for Michaelmas, the festival of courage, celebrated on September 29.
In Waldorf education, Michaelmas is more than a single day — it can become a season of courage, carried throughout the months of September and October.
At Lotus & Ivy, we mark this time with an online gathering where our students from all over the world gather together to hear a story of courage, make a craft, and sing together. In our virtual classes, Lotus & Ivy teachers bring the essence of the season into their daily lessons with more stories, verses, artwork, songs, and discussions. But we also encourage families to bring the celebration into the home, creating rhythms that nurture both children and adults.
Why Traditions Matter So Deeply
Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, spoke often of the importance of rhythm — not only daily rhythms, but also the larger rhythm of the seasons. He described how children experience time differently than adults: not as a line of hours and days, but as a living, breathing cycle. When families mark the turning points of the year with reverence and joy, children begin to feel held securely by time itself, learning to trust that even in darkness, light will return.
This isn’t only a spiritual truth — modern science affirms it as well. Studies show that children who grow up with family rituals and seasonal traditions have greater resilience. They develop a stronger sense of security, belonging, and hope. The rhythm of festivals helps them embody the truth that life has seasons: hard times will come, but just as surely as winter gives way to spring, the light will shine again.
By celebrating Michaelmas each year, families are not only teaching stories of courage — they are planting in the child a living picture of renewal, perseverance, and faith in life’s cycles.
For my own family, dragon imagery begins to appear in our main living spaces on September 1. I have a beautiful glass-blown dragon statue I put in the center of the kitchen table and several dragon crafts the kids have made over the years. Even though my kids are older now, I can sense the invisible peace and safety that comes over them when they see the first dragon of the season in our home. It’s a special moment to witness.
For Children: Celebrating Courage
Michaelmas for children is joyful and imaginative. The focus is on courage, bravery, and light in the face of darkness. Bring into the home this season:
Stories of courage — read or tell tales like Saint George and the Dragon, The Brave Little Tailor, or Native American light-bringer stories such as The Dragon Who Guarded the Fire.
Dragon crafts — make dragon bread, dragon lanterns, or simple watercolor paintings in fiery reds and oranges. Dragon imagery reminds us to be brave.
Natural objects to the nature table: Decorate your nature table with dragons, golden silks, and autumn treasures.
Michaelmas feast — on September 29, prepare a special meal: roasted turkey with gravy, roasted carrots, blackberry cobbler, and dragon-shaped bread. My family makes a delicious gluten-free and dairy-free bread that we look forward to even now that my children are in their late teens.
Songs and games — sing songs about courage (many families use “Brave and true I will be”), or play outdoor “dragon games” where children face challenges with courage and laughter.
These simple activities, practiced year after year during this season will create in your child an embodiment of courage that will support them in times of need – now and many years into the future.
For Adults: Inner Work in Autumn
While children celebrate outwardly, Michaelmas is also a festival of inner work for adults. The dragon can represent the challenges we all face — fear, anger, doubt, discouragement. Sometimes the work is not to slay the dragon, but to tame it with love and understanding. If the inner work feels too heavy this year, just rest in the imagery and activities of the season with your children, regularly reminding yourself that courage lives inside you. If you have more time, here are some ideas.
Journal reflection — write down your “dragons.” What fears or habits are you ready to face this fall? Bring in some affirmations or quotes to reflect on and internalize this season.
Candle ritual — light a candle in the evening, sit quietly, and imagine your inner light steady against the darkening days.
Acts of will — choose one small daily discipline (a walk, a gratitude list, less screen time) as a way to strengthen courage.
Compassion practice — when you feel irritated or fearful, pause and soften your response. Each act of understanding and self-compassion is an act of taming.
A Simple September or October Rhythm
Think of September or October as a whole Month of Courage. A gentle weekly rhythm can help keep the spirit of Michaelmas alive. Your children will feel deeply nourished and held in the embrace of the season as you make the space in your home for traditions like this.
Monday – Story: Share a courage story aloud.
Tuesday – Craft: Create something seasonal to add to your home décor this season (paper or needle-felted dragon, lantern, watercolor painting or drawing, felt banner).
Friday – Cooking: Prepare a food connected to the season — roasted carrots, dragon cookies, or blackberry cobbler.
Michaelmas at home doesn’t need to be elaborate. Choose just a few traditions that feel meaningful, repeat them each year, and let them grow slowly with your family.
At Lotus & Ivy, we send our warmest wishes for your season of courage – that you may see the fruits of the important work you do at home. We know that celebrating annually with your children will bring them peace and harmony and it will bring these things to you as well when you see the twinkle in your teenager’s eye. Wishing you all a Happy Michaelmas!