Dear Shepherdstown friends,

***Thank you for your enthusiasm for having a Waldorf community here in Shepherdstown.***This first gathering, our Lantern Walk--to bring lanterns to the park, walking through nature with our lights shining forth--is so memorable to many whose children had Waldorf preschool. We naturally seek to preserve the glowing light in the waning days of autumn. Taking it into our lanterns, decorated with shaped openings covered with colored tissue, embodies our own shining souls. It is a message we can immediately understand.

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Create a lantern from a watercolor painting

Music is a way to connect to the heavens, “a music of the spheres,” so what would our gathering be without a couple of songs to go along with our journey? Below are the lyrics to the songs we’ll be singing, and video recordings of the tunes, so you may hum along.

Making a lantern can be as simple as cutting shapes out of a preformed oatmeal container or making nail hole patterns in a large tomato sauce can. It can even be made from a large glass Ball jar with tissue paper lacquered to the sides, see this guide.

DIY Recycled Jar Mushroom Lantern

Most often, it is made from watercolor paintings that the children make weekly on strong paper. Shapes are cut and tissue paper is attached to those holes. The paper is rolled to overlap the sides and sealed, and the top and lower edges are folded over and glued on the bottom onto a fitted circular piece of cardboard. (see instructions below) For another alternative, paper mache can be applied to a balloon with tissue paper (1 part flour, 2 parts water, 1⁄2 part glue) see this video.

Paper Mache Lanterns with Heidi

Working with the children, helping them create their lantern, even with finger paint on stiff paper, is the exciting part. The steps should be taken over the course of at least a couple of days to help sustain their interest. Singing while making it reinforces our intention to celebrate with it. Then, as you perhaps make one for yourselves, your child can remind you what s/he did and you can share ideas. For the paper lanterns, a safety light should be used. With less flammable containers, a votive candle works fine. Beyond the container, one must make a handle to carry it. Include a dowel or stick in your pattern for them to hold the lantern in front of them. Just drill a small hole through which to thread a rope or wire which attaches to the upper part of the lantern.