Letting in the Light

11 November 2015







As we move through the Autumn the days get gradually shorter and in my part of the world this is often accompanied by gloomier days.  Whilst I love the cosiness of this time of year I know that by February I am ready for it all to end, but for now I am enjoying all that this season brings.

Today is a day to celebrate and let in the light.  Diwali is a well known festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs to mark the end of the harvest season and the victory of light over darkness, a common theme in many festivals at this time of year as I wrote about last week.  We love to read the story of Rama and Sita at this time of year.

A less well known festival also celebrated today is Martinmas.  St Martin lived in France for most of his life and has become the patron saint of children and the poor.  He symbolises kindness and the importance of sharing with everyone.  Lanterns are often made to protect the small flame of the candle, so that we can safely carry it into this time of darkness.  We met with friends on Monday and together we made lanterns, sang songs, shared a story and food.  Our wee people have returned to our seasonal table with their lanterns.

Now I shall be turning my attention to Advent preparation.  The Festival of Stones which I wove into our lives last year, along with St Nicholas Day, St Lucia Day, Hanukah and the Winter Solstice.

34 comments:

  1. We finished our lanterns today, and will be heading out for our lantern walk tomorrow. Martinmas is one of my favourite festivals.

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    1. I do hope you enjoyed your lantern walk, it was too wild here for us to go outside so we sang by lantern light inside.

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  2. Diwali is a beautiful celebration. I've always enjoyed reading about it and seeing depictions. It's really wonderful that you're sharing it with your children.

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    1. It is beautiful isn't it, candles are lovely but I am glad we don't have to rely on them as our only source of light.

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  3. So much wonderful celebrating... We will be preparing Advent and will be celebrating the Solstice for the 2nd time this year and our daughter is almost more excited about Winter Solstice than Christmas. Your little folk are so darling. Did you make them? The more I read about Martinmas, the more I think we may bring it into our seasonsal festivatives next year, The message of kindness and compassion is one that touches our hearts. How wonderful for you to have like minded people to celebrate with.

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    1. I did make the wee people the 'pattern' is in the lovely Margaret Bloom book Making Peg Dolls. I do feel blessed to have like minded people to celebrate with. I love our Martinmas celebration it is an important part of our year.

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  4. Aww I do love your tiny lantern the people, they are so cute! I'm really looking forward to advent of this year, with every year the girls' understanding deepens and it becomes even more fun. I must remember to pinch your stones idea too :-)

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    1. Pinch away Carie it was not my idea originally. I am sure you will come up with a special way of bringing it into your family celebrations.

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  5. Hello :) I have loved your recent posts about celebrating the festivals which really resonates with me. Would you mind sharing your email address with me so I can write to you outside of the blog ? I think we have a lot of shared interests and beliefs. Fiona x

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    1. Thank you :). If you click on my About Me page there is a link to my email address at the bottom of the page.

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  6. I had never heard of Diwali until last year. The Indian students in my husband's MBA program put on a Diwali celebration. My daughter loved the dancing. I think it is great that you are educating your children about so many different cultures.

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    1. My mum worked in a school that was really multicultural she loved all the festivals that they celebrated together she often got invited to festivals in the local community and she always loved the dancing too!

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  7. I've never heard of Martinmas. What a lovely way to celebrate with your friends. X

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    1. I hadn't until fairly recently. I love all that it represents.

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  8. I love Martinmas and Diwali, they are such beautiful festivals. Your lanterns look wonderful.

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    1. Thank you :). They are beautiful festivals aren't they. We look forward to them when the Autumn starts to arrive.

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  9. We lit our lanterns and candles, albeit inside. I love your little people with their lanterns and woolly hats. Perfect for a seasons table.

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    1. Yes we were inside too! It was a wild and wet day wasn't it, but it didn't thwart our celebrations we just had to change them a bit.

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  10. Making lanterns with the girls when they were little and walking with lots of friends on "St. Martin's day" was one of my favorite things to do! We did the whole thing, the procession, St. Martin on a horse and yummy food afterwards. So much fun! Love all the pretty lanterns you made.

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    1. It is fun to come together with like minded people to celebrate, it makes the occasion special.

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  11. Cute little lantern people! I've just bought some indoor fairy lights - do they count?! Looking forward to seeing your advent decorations. xx

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    1. Thank you :). Indoor fairy lights sound perfect!

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  12. Thank you for your beautiful words and pictures. I love Martinmas and think it is more important and healing than ever to light the candles and focus on sharing and compassion. I wish you a beautiful time with your celebrations and lanterns!

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    1. It it important you are right, the world is far from peaceful right now.

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  13. I think it's wonderful the way you celebrate all these festivals. It's alway so informative to read your posts.
    I look forward to seeing what you will be doing for the up coming festivities.

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    1. Thank you! I will share more on our Advent festivities in December......watch this space!

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  14. Wonderful photos. Your lanterns are beautiful and I love the little people.

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    1. Thank you. The lanterns were quite complicated to make and I couldn't quite work out what we were doing with all the folding and then suddenly they came together!

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  15. What a beautiful celebration. I love your photos and those little people with their lanterns are adorable.

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    1. It was, my children are building memories which I love.

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  16. love your wee little cork people holding lanterns, so sweet! I love the darkening days and the coziness of the evening.

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    1. I do too Karen, there is something rather wonderful about fires and candlelight isn't there?

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