Michaelmas: Meeting the Dragon in Today’s World

Michaelmas inspires us to meet our own dragons.

As the days grow shorter, many Waldorf families turn their attention to Michaelmas.

For those new to the tradition, Michaelmas is a festival celebrated around September 29th, honoring St. Michael, the archangel who brings courage, strength, and the will to do good in the face of challenges.

In Waldorf circles, this festival marks a turning point in the year - a time to gather our inner strength as the outer world moves into darker days. Just as nature shifts toward winter, we too are called to look inward, to ask: What is my dragon, and how will I meet it?

Two Ways of Meeting the Dragon

In stories of St. Michael, the dragon is a central figure, and how we think about the dragon can shape the way we celebrate.

Overcoming the Dragon
Some traditions emphasize Michael as the conqueror of evil. Here, the dragon represents all that is destructive: fear, greed, hatred, selfishness. In this telling, Michael defeats and kills the dragon, freeing the land and people from its shadow. The lesson is about courage - facing darkness directly and not letting it rule over us.

Michaelmas can be a time for transformation and facing challenges.

Transforming the Dragon
Others in the Waldorf community lean toward a gentler perspective: the dragon is not annihilated, but rather subdued and transformed. This view sees the dragon as our inner challenges - anger, laziness, pride, or despair - that can, if harnessed, become forces for good. Instead of banishing the dragon, we bring it into balance, learning self-mastery and compassion.

Both perspectives offer valuable lessons for children (and for adults, too). Sometimes we must confront destructive forces directly, with a firm “no.” Other times, we are called to listen, understand, and work with the dragon, recognizing that within struggle lies the seed of transformation.

Michaelmas Messages for Our World Today

Looking around us this year, it’s not hard to see dragons. They may not be literal beasts with scales and fire, but they show up in many forms. You hardly need me to list them for you, but the writer in me feels compelled to provide examples - here are a few:

• Global uncertainty and conflict

• Environmental challenges

• The pull of fear and division in our communities

• Even the overwhelm of modern life

So how can we bring the spirit of Michaelmas into these realities - and into the lives of our children?

• Cultivating Courage: Michaelmas reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the strength to act even when we’re afraid. Children can learn that bravery doesn’t only mean big heroic deeds; it can also mean telling the truth, being kind when it’s difficult, or trying something new.

• Facing Our Own Dragons: Each of us can ask: What dragon am I facing right now? Is it exhaustion, discouragement, or maybe comparison? Naming the dragon is the first step to transforming it.

• Working Together: In the stories, Michael doesn’t fight for glory; he acts for the good of the whole community. That’s a message our children deeply need - that our choices and actions ripple outward and can bring light into the world.

• Strengthening the Will: Autumn is a time for establishing rhythms - schoolwork, household habits, even seasonal crafts and cooking. Each small act of discipline builds the inner strength that Michaelmas calls forth.

Bringing It Home

Celebrating Michaelmas doesn’t require elaborate pageantry. You might:

• Tell or act out a dragon story with younger children.

• Bake dragon bread and let the kids “slay” it by pulling it apart.

• Take a nature walk, noticing the shift toward autumn, and talk about the courage we can draw from the turning of the year.

• Invite older children to reflect on their “dragons” and set an intention for the season ahead.

Michaelmas can inspire reflection for parents and children alike.

Ultimately, Michaelmas is less about what we do and more about what we carry: the will to meet challenges with courage, compassion, and light. In a world that often feels uncertain, the image of Michael standing tall with sword and scales can inspire us all - not to escape the dragons, but to face them, and perhaps even learn from them.

A Reflection for Parents

As we move into this season of Michaelmas, take a quiet moment for yourself:

• What “dragon” feels most present in your life right now?

• Does it need to be bravely overcome with a firm boundary, or gently transformed with patience and understanding?

• How might you model that process for your children in simple, everyday ways?

You may even wish to light a candle one evening after the children are in bed, hold that image of Michael with his sword of courage, and ask yourself: What small act of bravery can I carry into tomorrow?

A Reflection for Children

You might ask your child:

• “If you had a dragon living nearby, what do you think it would look like?”

• “What dragon do you think lives inside of you? Is it a dragon of fear, or of grumpiness, or maybe of not wanting to try something new?”

• “What would it feel like to be brave in front of that dragon?”

• “Do you think your dragon needs to be tamed, like a pet, or defeated, like in a knight’s story?”

Encourage your child to draw, tell a story, or act it out - it doesn’t need to be serious or “right.” The goal is to help them imagine courage in a playful way that they can carry into real-life challenges.

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About the Author

Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and a course instructor for some of our courses - Waldorf Art for Beginners, Weekly Art Foundations, and Simple Season. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers! Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world. 

The Beauty of a Slow Start to the School Year

The new school year is an exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, time of year.

The Beauty of a Slow Start

When we think of the “first day of school,” many of us picture sharpened pencils, crisp notebooks, and a flurry of lessons and activities packed into the schedule. It’s exciting!

But if we’re honest, it can also feel a bit like going from lounging in a hammock to suddenly running a marathon - without so much as a stretch in between.

And that’s not just true for our children. As parents, we feel the weight of this seasonal shift too. Our kids are learning to release the rhythms of summer while stepping into new ones, and at the same time, we’re holding the invisible threads - schedules, meals, moods, energy levels - while also trying to find our own rhythm again. It’s a lot. It’s hard. And, you’re not doing anything wrong.

That’s why I’ve always loved the idea of a slow start to the school year. Rather than jumping straight into a full load of lessons and activities on day one, we give ourselves (and our children) space to ease in. This approach isn’t just kinder to everyone’s nerves - it also happens to align beautifully with both Waldorf rhythms and modern science.

How can you make your daily routine a bit more gentle?

Why Gentle Transitions Support the Nervous System

Transitions are tricky. Even happy changes -like beginning a new grade - ask our nervous systems to adjust. When we add too many changes at once, children (and parents!) can slip into “fight or flight” mode, which is not exactly the best state for joyful learning.

By starting slowly - adding one or two elements at a time - we give the nervous system a chance to stay regulated. Children feel secure, parents feel less frazzled, and the household atmosphere stays more harmonious. (And let’s be honest: fewer meltdowns are always a win.)

Research tells us that habits stick best when introduced gradually. Instead of overhauling everything on One Big Monday Morning, layering in small changes helps new rhythms take root.

A Waldorf Perspective on Rhythm

In Waldorf education, rhythm is central. Breathing in and breathing out, balancing activity with rest, honoring the flow of the seasons - all of this creates a sense of steadiness for children.

Taking time to transition is healthy for the whole family.

A slow start to the school year mirrors this wisdom. We don’t need to hit the gas right away. Instead, we can begin with simple songs, a morning walk, or a story to set the tone. Lessons and projects can be layered in gradually, like brushstrokes in a painting.

And just as autumn ripens slowly, the festival of Michaelmas at the end of September often feels like a natural settling point. By then, many families discover that their rhythm has gently rooted itself - just in time to celebrate courage and strength in the turning of the year.

Practical Tips for a Slow Start

Here are a few ideas to make this approach simple and doable:

• Week 1: Focus on rhythm. Establish your morning circle, enjoy stories, and reconnect with your learning space. Keep lessons light and playful.

• Week 2: Add one main lesson subject or block. Keep afternoons simple with nature walks, handwork, or drawing.

• Week 3: Gradually layer in more lessons/activities, while keeping an eye on how everyone is adjusting. Flexibility is your friend.

• Week 4: Notice how much you’ve already established without the stress of a “big bang” start. Celebrate progress - and maybe bake some bread while you’re at it (bonus points if it’s dragon-shaped for Michaelmas ;)

Parents Benefit Too

We often talk about children’s needs, but parents also have nervous systems that crave gentleness. A slow start gives us space to shift gears - because honestly, the end-of-summer transition can feel bumpy no matter how long we’ve been at this. Easing into the year reduces stress and helps us sustain energy for the long haul. And it reminds our children, by example, that growing into new rhythms is something we all do together, one step at a time.

Slowing down builds a strong foundation- you’ve got this!

A Final Word of Encouragement

If you’re worried that a slow start might end up feeling like you’re “behind” in some way - let me reassure you: you’re not. You’re actually laying a stronger foundation for the months to come. The school year is long, and what matters most is creating rhythms that nourish your family rather than drain it.

This seasonal transition is challenging for everyone - kids and parents alike - but just as we’ve done in other times of change, we’ll gradually settle into steadier days and familiar rhythms.

So this September, consider giving yourself permission to slow down. Notice how the seasonal shift happens little by little, not all at once. Your homeschool year can unfold the same way - with steadiness, warmth, and maybe even a little more joy.

(And if anyone asks why you’re taking things slowly, just smile and say you’re giving your family the gift of nervous system regulation. That’ll either impress them… or end the conversation quickly. Win-win ;)

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About the Author

Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and a course instructor for some of our courses - Waldorf Art for Beginners, Weekly Art Foundations, and Simple Season. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers! Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world. 

The Quiet Power of a Weekly Art Rhythm

Where can you find a place for art in the rhythm of your home life?

In the busyness of homeschooling life, it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly moving - navigating lessons, meals, dishes, and the emotional weather of a growing family.

Amid all that motion, creating (and returning to) a weekly rhythm that includes art can feel like a gentle anchor.

This rhythm doesn’t have to be elaborate. It doesn’t require hours of free time or a perfectly tidy table. It’s about carving out a small space, once a week, for quiet creativity. A simple drawing session, a watercolor moment, a bit of modeling with beeswax or clay. These moments aren’t “extra.” They’re essential. (And, if your rhythm is sometimes more of a gentle intention than a fixed schedule, that’s okay too. Even coming back to art ‘when you can’ has power.)

Engaging with art has many benefits for the whole family.

When art is woven into our weekly rhythm, it becomes more than just another subject to check off the list.

It becomes a shared moment of stillness. A way to regulate together. The repetition alone - of knowing art will come again next week - offers calm. It trains us (and our children) to expect beauty, to make space for process, and to feel safe in the creative unknown.

Over time, this rhythm builds a quiet kind of confidence. We learn to show up, even when we’re tired or distracted. And our children see us doing that - not perfectly, but consistently. They learn that creativity isn’t reserved for artists or experts. It’s something humans do - week after week, rain or shine.

Taking time to reconnect through art.

In that rhythm, we reconnect with each other. With the moment. And perhaps most importantly, with ourselves.

So if you’re looking for a way to ease the pace, to nourish the atmosphere of your homeschool, or simply to feel more grounded, consider this: a little art, once a week. No pressure. Just presence.

And let that be enough.

If you’d like some support creating your own weekly art rhythm, reach out and/or take a look at our Weekly Art Foundations course.

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About the Author

Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and a course instructor for some of our courses - Waldorf Art for Beginners, Weekly Art Foundations, and Simple Season. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers! Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world. 

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Why Art Is at the Heart of Waldorf Education (Even If You Don’t Feel Like an Artist)

If you’re new to Waldorf education, one of the first things you’ll probably notice is how art-full it is.

In Waldorf Education, art is everywhere!

From watercolor painting and crayon drawings to beeswax modeling and form drawing, it’s everywhere. And if you're anything like many of us, that might feel a little... intimidating. Maybe even a little frustrating. (“But I’m not an artist!” Sound familiar?)

But here’s the beautiful part: Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, didn’t put art into the curriculum to turn children into professional artists. He placed it there because he knew something essential - art builds the muscles needed for learning.

Let’s pause there for a second.

We tend to think of learning as something that happens in the mind. Reading, writing, memorizing facts and dates. But Steiner understood that learning is actually a full-body, full-being process. When children engage with artistic activity - whether it’s singing, painting, or sculpting - they’re not just being “creative.” They’re developing capacities that form the foundation for academic learning: concentration, perseverance, observation, fine motor skills, and a deepened connection to beauty and meaning.

In other words, art in the Waldorf curriculum isn’t extra. It is the curriculum.

Steiner often said that the arts awaken the “will” - that inner spark that allows a child to want to learn, to push through challenge, and to care about what they’re doing. He knew that when a child draws a picture of a story they’ve just heard, or moves their body through a geometric form, they’re not just decorating their lesson, they’re embodying it. That kind of learning sticks. It sinks in at a level far deeper than rote memorization ever could.

Take a deep breath, and get started!

So if you're feeling nervous about bringing art into your homeschooling rhythm, take heart: it's not about doing it perfectly. It's about showing up with curiosity and openness. It's about trusting the process - just like we hope our children will do.

You don’t have to be an expert artist. You just need to be willing to pick up the crayon, the brush, the modeling wax... and begin.

Because art isn’t just a “subject” in Waldorf education. It’s the vehicle for learning. And in the long run, it nurtures not only academic understanding, but also imagination, resilience, and joy.

And that? That’s worth a little mess on the table!

If you’d like some support creating your own weekly art rhythm, reach out and/or take a look at our Weekly Art Foundations course.

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Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and also a course instructor for Simple Season, Waldorf Art for Beginners, and Weekly Art Foundations. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers. Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children for some of that time. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world. 

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