Celebrating the change of the clocks and the festival of Martinmas

Hello, my name is Katherine from Appletree_Community. I am a mother, artist and early years practitioner.  My work is inspired by Waldorf and Pikler principles of rhythmic living and respectful care. Drawing on my background in crafts and fine art brings a creative approach to my work as a group facilitator. I'm passionate about sharing creative practice and creating simple but beautiful projects for all ages and abilities that nourish our need to mindfully use our head, heart and hands.

 Each year the change of the clocks at this time of year takes me by surprise.

“Oh good, an extra hour in bed on Sunday morning,” said no parent of small children ever! Little children are so sensitive to rhythm and routine that the transition of just one hour’s difference can be huge. Altering the clocks can bring challenges like changes in appetite, reluctance to go to bed or struggling with waking up at the ‘right’ time in the mornings.

As adults we understand the concept of daylight saving and the autumn clock change, but it can be disorientating for children. Sleep disturbances can make anyone feel out of sorts and children can be very sensitive to changes. Having good blackout blinds or curtains can help with the lighter mornings, but this time-change can be exhausting for parents and young children, when their normal waking times are now suddenly different. So what can we do to support ourselves and our children at this time of year?

Embracing being outside in nature each day whether at home, in a garden or at a local park can really help, as getting outdoors and having exposure to natural light is vital to supporting our circadian day night rhythm and regulating our body’s internal clock. 

There have been a great many studies on the effects of blue light from screens interfering with the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, so aim to turn screens off at least an hour before bedtime. This is also a great reminder for us as adults too!

Photo: Katie @apocketofforest

Keeping lights soft and low in the evenings helps to create a gentle mood of winding down from the day as it is less stimulating for our senses. I love the warm and gentle glow from Toverlux Magic Lamps. The collection of Waldorf-inspired interchangeable, seasonal images crafted from the beautiful artwork of talented artists is truly delightful; these lovely lamps would make a wonderful cosy addition to a child’s bedtime routine. 

For me, the change of the clocks is always associated with the festival of Martinmas, traditionally celebrated on the 11th November as harvest time ends and winter draws in. The gesture of the festival of Martinmas is one of sharing and compassion. St Martin was a Roman solider who is remembered for cutting his cloak in half and sharing it with a freezing beggar. St Martin provides an inspiring picture of kindness and warmth for the dark wintery months ahead.

Many Waldorf schools celebrate this festival by making lanterns with the children and gathering together for an evening Lantern Walk. Each year in our Appletree Community parent and child group, we also celebrate with a little lantern walk. Our paper lanterns are carefully painted with highly pigmented, non-toxic Stockmar water colour paints and made by our families, and carried by little hands through our church garden as the light fades and the stars appear.  Afterwards we gather inside for warmed apple juice and a puppet story.

 “When we make a paper lantern, we, too, may feel that we are giving protection to our own little ’flame’ that was beginning to shine at Michaelmas, so that we may carry it safely through the dark world. It may only be a small and fragile light - but every light brings relief to the darkness”

This quote comes from the book All Year Round by Ann Druitt and Christine Fynes-Clinton and beautifully illustrated by Mariji Rowling. It’s packed full of activities, stories, poems and songs to share with your family and includes some fun, easy to follow lantern-making projects.

One bedtime ritual my children and I enjoyed when they were little was to swap our supper candle for our Martinmas lanterns. Before our evening meal I would turn off the lights in their bedroom and hallway.  After the meal they would carry their lanterns to light their way to bed, brushing teeth and hair in the soft glow and then placing the lanterns on their bedside table whilst we put out clothes ready for the next day and shared songs and bedtime stories. 

They loved to blow out the candles when it was time to say goodnight.  I wouldn’t be telling the whole story if I said they always stayed in bed, but it was a lovely way to set a gentle mood and prepare for sleep as we sang our favourite lantern song.

The daylight fast is dwindling, my little lamp needs kindling

Its beam shines far in darkest night

Dear lantern guard me with your light.