Autumn Lanterns

The Autumn Lantern walk is an old, potent tradition of making paper lanterns and venturing into the dark, cold night. The ritual symbolize kindling our inner light as we cross over into the long nights of winter. Facing the unknown and the unseen, trusting our inner guides. We celebrate the loss of something we long for and trust in the lesson we have to learn in its’ absence. What does darkness have to teach us? How does longing work on us in the unknown or unseen realms? Perhaps like the plant world, we grow the more we root and like the spirit world, we shine the more we embrace the dark. As we venture into the dark and cold we find that we are not depleted by the lost of light and warmth but fortified by our connection to the cycles of nature.

These are very simple lanterns made with tissues, glue and dried plants.

1. Mix Elmer’s Glue with water; about 1 to 1, to make the paste.

2. Blow up a ballon and cut Kleenex into to squares and triangles. You can also use tissue paper of any color you like.

3. Apply glue and the tissues around the balloon, leaning an opening for the candle where you tied the balloon.

4. Apply dried plants and another layer of tissues.

5. Allow to fully dry, then pop the balloon, peel away from the paper and add a string or wire handle.

6. For younger children or a simpler lantern, glue papers to a glass jar and attach a handle.