Our Austin Waldorf Homeschooling Group had a lovely Rose Ceremony for our first graders on Saturday. Waldorf schools all around the world begin their school year with this tradition. The teacher (in our case the parent) expresses a wish to the child. The child then crosses a rainbow bridge and receives a beautiful rose. This is an important rite of passage for the child going from Kindergarten to First Grade.
Annie was in awe. It was beautiful. She said,"Mom, I'm really ready to learn now!" She also said it was the Best Day Ever! And she said she felt like she was having a wedding. There were nine children and their families at our Rose Ceremony.
Many many thanks to my friend Mariza who graciously hosted this lovely event.
Below is the itinerary from our ceremony and the Lovely story that Mariza told before the children crossed the bridge.
Details of the ceremony.....
-parents standing, children dressed up and wearing a crown or wreath and a long flowing silk scarf. The children will be guided to the waiting room.
Welcome!
Opening Verse
Light of knowledge now ignites
For all of us who are here tonight
Allow your light to shine so bright
And stay with us deep in our hearts
Today, tomorrow, and for all the days to come
By Mariza Brussolo
Story
Once upon a time….
Bridge Crossing
Mother guides the child from where she’s sitting to the bridge, she whispers the wish in her ear and asks her to wait here just a moment. Mother picks a rose from the vase and walks to the other end of the bridge, extends her hand to her daughter inviting her to cross the bridge. Little girl crosses the bridge and mother gives her the rose after crossing and takes her to the table where the candles are. They both light one candle from the center candle and they wait there. Next child.
All the children have crossed the bridge and they are all around the round table with the candles lit.
Closing Verse
Candle candle burning bright
Thank you for your loving and radiant light
Good night
Here is the story that Mariza told to the children....
Once upon a time, on a day not unlike today, in a place not unlike this place, there lived a little girl and her mother. They were very happy sharing beautiful times together. One day, the little girl and her mother went for a walk. Now, they had taken this walk before, many, many times, and the little girl knew the way well. She loved to run a little ahead, dawdle a bit behind, and stroll right beside her mother as they walked the familiar path.
On this day, however, the little girl noticed a different path, one that she had glimpsed before but had not yet walked down. "Mother, can we go this way today?" she asked, and her mother agreed. They walked through the woods and began to climb to the top of a hill, walking hand in hand. The little girl was excited to begin a new journey with her mother, discovering and exploring this brand new path together.
As the mother and daughter neared the top of the hill, they began to slow just a bit. At the top of the hill, they looked down upon a beautiful valley, full of the most wondrous sights they had ever seen. The little girl knew that the answer to every question she could ever ask must be down in that valley, and she wanted nothing more than to go down into the valley and explore and learn. She began to walk forward, still holding onto her mother's hand. A shimmering rainbow appeared before the child, and she and her mother passed through it, feeling the warmth of red, the coolness of blue, and the open embrace of gold.
As the little girl and her mother began to move down the hill, they came across a beautiful bridge surrounded by flowers. The little girl wanted with all of her heart to cross the bridge, so the mother guided her and just before the little girl was going to cross the bridge, the mother whispered something into the little girl’s ear.
The little girl crossed the bridge and even though she was by herself, she wasn’t afraid because her mother was waiting for her on the other side.
After crossing the bridge, the mother and the little girl took the joy of their journey with them as they continued to explore the world together.
And, as far as I know, the little girl and her mother are still together today.
