Waldorf News

Healing Presentiments of Spirit and Soul

By Janene Ping

Throughout civilizations, the telling of wisdom tales creates a sacred space between storyteller and listener.

These stories, often of ageless origin, have changed and evolved over thousands of years, with universal truths revealed in soul archetypes that have inspired potential within humanity, weaving a thread of moral teaching from generation to generation.

Fairytales are heavily shrouded within misty veils of dream consciousness, and while the analytical mind may get itself into trouble by interpreting archetype for stereotype, the consciousness of the young child is well met by the mystery that unfolds within.

Essentially, these tales explore what it means to be human. A journey of individual destiny lies before the hero.

They are not consciousness that witnesses what it means to be truly empowered alone… there are hidden helpers, gifts are given – and there are adversarial forces to be overcome.

Steadfastness to not lose one’s way requires attention and presence. The context of life calls for compassion and service. Courage is needed to meet fear – within and without. Spells of enchantment that lame the will and leave some less-than-human can be overcome.

When destiny is fulfilled there is a transcendence over evil, a wholeness of being, a crowning of with freedom.

from Janene Ping

In the Grimm’s fairytale of the Queen Bee, presented to the Hawthorne Valley community by our Acorn Player troupe at our last May Festival, the two elder brothers have self-interested views of the world, deigning to extract pleasure or riches from nature, while the youngest son of the king brings a new impulse of compassion and service.

At first, the elder brothers laugh at the youngest for his simplicity, yet slowly within the tale, the presentiments of the youngest brother allow the future to unfold. He holds a heart-wisdom that eventually manifests in the release of his brothers, and the whole kingdom, from enchantment.

All throughout, there is the mysterious presence of a little grey man who witnesses the intentions and deeds of the brothers – like an awake conscience, navigating polarities of dark and light, as karma manifests.

As we journey through this 21st Century, there are certainly hidden helpers, gifts given, and adversarial forces to overcome.

What enchantments challenge the fulfillment of our human evolution? How are we able to understand what the future is calling for? How can we to be awake to our conscious intention and deeds?

Frederick Franck was a 20th century artist, peace activist, and author, who explored this quest of what it means to be human. As a child living on the border of Poland, he was witness to the refugees who were exiled during the holocaust.

He wrote,” … the riddle of the human versus the inhuman has accompanied me all my life. To be human against all odds. This can not be taken for granted…”. 

Steiner’s life devotion to Anthroposophy sought to bring to consciousness what lives within the physical, soul, and spiritual dimensions of our humanity.

In this age of AI and the technological empowerment of surveillance capitalism, questions about human rights, freedom, and the future, can spark within us a threshold of our awakening.

What does it mean to be a truly free human being?

In real presence and time, we hold these questions, and bear witness. There is immense disruption and suffering in the world today. The increase of war is more than tragic.

We wrestle with the paradox of modern realities, while simultaneously resolving to create a world full of kindness, compassion, and loving service.

Our children dream through their young lives and awaken to the challenges of humanity as they journey toward adulthood.

As we hold them, we realize we are blessed to be here. Blessed to gather with friends and family and celebrate Summer. Blessed to be able to roll up our sleeves and make a difference in whatever humble way we can to fulfill the potential of humanity and create the beautiful world we know is possible.

As Steiner indicated, at the beginning of the 20th Century, the fairytale puppet theater holds a cure to the ills of modern civilization.

As we look at these ills in the 21st Century, we are called to bring consciousness to the navigation of screens and media in our lives – and delegate technology to be a tool but not a master.

Our work in bringing creative presence to the art of storytelling and puppetry keeps an ancient tradition, important to the development of the imagination, alive.

If we pay attention to the metaphorical teachings within story, we know to beware the spells of addiction that lame the will!

May heart-wisdom support our children when they encounter the spells and enchantments of modernity. May our work support a healing in the world today!

Janene Ping is an early childhood educator who has taught Kindergarten at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf school for the last 30+ years. She is an advocate for children’s rights, teaching child development classes in adult education in various venues including Sophia’s Hearth and the Alkion Center. In 1992 she founded The Magical Puppet Tree Theater to enrich pedagogical, therapeutic, and artistic dimensions of multicultural storytelling and festival life in her community. Since then, Janene has brought over 60 different world cultural tales to the puppet stage, exploring how marionettes, table, hand, and rod puppets can be ensouled to serve the magic of story. 

From the WAPASA Summer Solstice Journal.

They have many puppetry courses this summer. Click here for details.

from Janene Ping