Last week I was invited to my son’s playgroup to join him and his friends in some lantern-making fun! It was a lovely morning, not only did I have the opportunity to get crafty with my kiddo, but I got to watch him laugh and play with his friends. It was lovely to see how he potters around in his school environment. Anyway, before I sway off topic, our lantern-making adventures weren’t just creative in nature, they were made to serve a purpose!

Towards the end of the second term, to mark the beginning of Winter Solstice here in South Africa, my child’s school members gather to celebrate the Festival of St. Johns. John the Baptist, who is regarded as a prophet in many religions, called upon mankind to seek the light. Hence, the festival of St. John’s reminds us to cultivate inner light and warmth.

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So, every year come June, the little ones at my son’s school make lanterns which they will light at their festival. They also gather kindling and firewood to build a large fire which will warm them through and through. They will harvest pumpkins and vegetables which they will prepare as a soup to be warmed over the flames, to nourish the soul and warm the little bodies from within. They then sing and dance around their fire, which causes a huge stir of excitement among the little ones. My son loves it!

In the higher grades, the students prepare a huge bonfire, which they light in the evenings. They also prepare and light lantern which they use to light the path leading to the fire. It’s a night of festivities as light, love and all things good are celebrated. Soup is enjoyed by students and parents and once the flames simmer down, everyone is invited to jump over the warm ashes to signify leaving behind past troubles.

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As I am writing this it is starting to sound quite cult-like, but it really isn’t. It’s simply a way to celebrate the coming winter, to soak up the warmth and nourish our souls with reminder that winter will bring the warmth of summer.

If you would like to make a lantern with your little one, here’s the steps to follow:

You will need:

• A glass jar
• Coloured tissue paper
• Paper glue
• Wire
• A candle

Instructions:

Let the little ones tear the tissue paper with their fingers and then dip it into the glue, quickly pasting it on to their glass jar. Once done, allow to dry. Wrap thin wire around the jar (you can decorate this with beadwork if you wish) and then create a handle with the wire. 

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St. John’s Day is celebrated as a public holiday in some countries with customs varying from location to location. Typical customs may include the gathering of the perennial herb St. John’s Wort for medicinal, religious, or spiritual use. The collection of flowers for floral wreaths is popular. The wreaths are dried and hung in the house all year until the next St. John’s Day. Fires are still important to many commemorators, used to represent Christ’s one brilliant light. While communal bonfires were traditional, many resort to small fires in the home that burn past midnight. - http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/st-johns-day-world/

Much love - @sweetpea

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