This beautiful Advent decoration calls to mind the Advent Spiral tradition celebrated in Waldorf schools around the world. During the Spiral, students and their families, sit in silence in a darkened room, listening to quiet, meditative music while a candle is lit in the center of a spiral of evergreen boughs, a symbol of life amidst the dead of winter. Each child in turn is given an apple carved out to hold a single candle. The child then carries the apple into the center of the spiral and lights it, then places it at a chosen place along the path. The lights brighten the path for those who come after. Each child walks alone, at his or her own pace, in his or her own way. This is a celebration of quiet confidence, of carrying light in darkness, of sharing that light with others. And this Advent wreath is a lovely way to bring the magic of that festival into your home.

Constructed on a sturdy grapevine base, it is adorned with preserved cedar and real-to-touch pine sprays. Juniper branches, with delicate pale blue juniper berries add their beauty and fresh fragrance to the arrangement. The four apples are made of hardwood and hand-painted and gently sealed to look just like the real thing. Each apple has carefully been drilled out to snugly hold a 100% beeswax taper candle. Five charming wooden stars and rustic pine cones nestle amongst the apples and greens. The stars have been gently stained and sealed, with a soft sparkle finish.

We hope you will add this tradition to your family celebration this Advent season. Adding the light of a single candle each week of the four weeks leading up to Christmas is something very special. If you celebrate Advent in the Waldorf tradition, you can feel free to add your own elements from the kingdoms of nature for each week of Advent: mineral, plant, and animal. An A Toy Garden exclusive!

An explanation of the Advent Spiral symbols can be found below:

RED APPLES are used as candle holders during the Advent spiral and traditional Advent celebrations. Inside the fruit lies the seed, waiting patiently in darkness until the time comes to sprout. The apples represent the seeds of our hidden potential.

EVERGREEN TREES are found in many myths, often representing the tree of life. These are the trees that weather the winter without going dormant. They represent the regenerative power of life, nature and the seasons. We use evergreen boughs to represent the sustaining abundance of life on our planet.

BEESWAX CANDLES are considered a symbol of eternal love and warmth. We use them as our light source in the darkness to symbolize that love is eternally present.

KINGDOMS OF NATURE We celebrate the diversity of life on our planet by placing among the evergreen boughs objects that represent the kingdoms of nature: mineral, plant and animal. Crystals, seashells, snail shells, feathers, pinecones, berries, oranges, and apples all represent these kingdoms.

This item is typically made to order; allow an additional 3-5 business days for shipment.