How do dragons, blackberries, and flaming swords all have origins in a religious story? 🐉⚔️
And why is Michaelmas so near and dear to many of our hearts, even though we aren’t religious? Millions of people celebrate this 1,500 year old tradition each year!
Let’s look at why Michaelmas is the perfect addition to your seasonal traditions. It’s fairytale-like, whimsical, and easily adaptable to share with children and friends.
The Origin Story: a Non-Religious Look at the Religious Tale
So the story goes that Lucifer (aka Satan) was an angel in Heaven. He didn’t like being a servant and he wanted to be equal to God, so he rebelled.
Lucifer’s rebellion was so fierce that it caused a massive battle in Heaven that required all of the angels to stand up and fight, led by the Archangel Michael.
A story of Good vs Evil, Michael’s assistance in the defeat of Satan formed the core foundation from which all Michaelmas celebrations originated.
How Michaelmas Has Been Celebrated Around Europe for Centuries
Michaelmas Celebrations have been thriving in Europe for over a millennium, especially in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Italy.
The United Kingdom and Ireland – Michaelmas has a massive cultural importance here, with schools like Oxford and Cambridge referring to the autumn term as “the Michaelmas term”. It’s even a day recognized by British courts of law.
SIDE NOTE: the Brits and Irish of old believed that when Lucifer was thrown from Heaven, he landed on a thorny blackberry bush. In his anger, he stood up and spit on the blackberry bush, ruining it for everyone else.
Folklore said that Michaelmas was thought to be the very final day to harvest blackberries, afterward the fruit was considered “of the devil”.
Germany – Historic autumn trade fairs and festivals called Michaelismesse are still celebrated in Germany. Waldorf schools were founded in Germany, which may be why Michaelmas celebrations are celebrated in Waldorf schools (see below).
Italy – Special gatherings for Michaelmas take place around a cave in the south of Italy called the “Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo” where some Italians believe the Archangel Michael appeared in the 5th century. Many villages celebrate the day with processions and traditional foods, like roast goose, St. Michael’s bread, and honeyed apples.
How the Story of Saint George Relates to Michaelmas
(Saint) George was a real man that was born in modern-day Turkey around 280 AD, who was later canonized by the Catholic church.
Like most saints, legends sprung out of his real life, years after he died. This is where Saint George’s story gets interesting.
This is exactly how Saint George became associated with a story of saving a princess from the evil clutches of a literal, fire-breathing dragon. 🐉
Variations of the tale exist, but the general story is:
A town is being terrorized by a dragon who has devoured all of their livestock and is blocking the water supply of the village. The desperate townspeople periodically have to sacrifice a villager to the dragon as a means of distracting him long enough to gather water for the town.
As fate would have it, the princess is randomly selected as a sacrifice to the dragon, but right as she goes to face her fate, Saint George the Knight comes and saves the day by slaying the dragon.
The princess is saved, the villager rejoiced, and George rides into the sunset a hero and human symbol for courage and justice against evil.
Michaelmas as Celebrated in Waldorf Schools
Waldorf schools celebrate a handful of traditions each school year, all chosen for their deeper meanings and lessons.
Michaelmas ties in the themes of light vs dark, good vs evil, and the human’s journey of choosing courage to face their own personal shadows (but secretly buried under the symbolism of the fairytale-like tale of Michael and Saint George).
Children are often told the story of Saint George and the Dragon (instead of Michael and Lucifer) because the themes are the same (good vs evil), but they’re cloaked under the whimsical feel of a Fairytale. In many schools, the dragon is tamed instead of slayed.
The Waldorf celebrations of Michaelmas have two beloved traditional elements: the baking of Dragon Bread and the Courage-Summoning Obstacle Course.
For many children, the image of Saint George slaying the dragon is the very first taste on the concept of shadow work. The human pursuit of summoning courage to face the forces of darkness.
Michaelmas as a Template for Shadow Work
Human beings love allegories. We love stories that teach us deeper concepts without us realizing it.
The celebration of Michaelmas reminds us that the fight of good against evil exists within each and every one of us. We all have dark shadows like fear, jealousy, insecurity, anger, and selfishness. Facing our shadows requires courage, and sometimes facing our shadows can feel as terrifying as facing a literal dragon.
Some Waldorf schools ask older children to think about which “dragons” they need to tame. A tendency toward selfishness? Disrespectful behavior toward your parents?
Michaelmas gives us a whimsical backdrop through which we can examine our own personal demons – or “dragons”. Thinking of facing them as a knight with a flaming sword, makes the whole thing seem more magical and possible.
Integrating the Celebration of Michaelmas into Your Personal Traditions
Michaelmas occurs on September 29, right as we head into the cold and dark part of the year.
Like heading into a long tunnel, Michaelmas guides us into the dark season that will last all the way through to Spring.
If you are considering including Michaelmas into your personal traditions, you might try hosting a Dragon Bread night, especially if there will be children in attendance. Make a huge dragon bread, some hot apple cider, and serve it with various toppings like butter, jam, peanut butter, and more.
As a personal practice, light a candle and meditate on the image of Michael defeating Lucifer, or Saint George defeating the Dragon. What parts of yourself feel as hard to face as a Dragon?
Answers can vary from social anxiety to crippling insecurity or unrelenting negative self-talk. Journal on how you feel about identifying your personal dragon and ways you can start facing it.
Like the Waldorf version of the St George story, maybe your dragons don’t need slaying, maybe your dragons need taming and integrating.
Closing Thoughts: Infusing Magic into Traditions
Michaelmas is an easy way to infuse magic and whimsy into your personal traditions and celebrations. Children love dragon bread and the fairytale imagery, and Michaelmas allows an accessible form of shadow work to anyone willing to plug into the tale of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Does your family celebrate Michaelmas? Had you ever heard of Michaelmas before? I’d love to hear your experiences and traditions below.
Until next time, Bri ✨