Matariki-The Eyes Of God

Matariki-The Eyes Of God 🌟

By Yeva Cockerill

Matariki means the Eyes of God. It marks the Māori New Year. It is also the beginning of a new season and a special whakanui, which means celebration of the nine stars in the sky at night. There are many different stories about the nine stars, but this one is going to be about NGĀ MATA O TE ARIKI O TAWHIRIMATEA, The Eyes Of God.

Way back in the beginning, their children became frustrated with living in the darkness between their parents, Ranginui, the sky father and Papatuanuku, the Earth mother. Tāne had enough of living in the darkness of his parents. Then Tāne decided to push his parents apart. Tāne pushed and pushed using all his strength, and finally, Ranginui and Papatuanuku were separated. The children were all happy, except Tawhirimatea, because he loved having his parents together! He was furious, so furious he tore out his eyes. As he threw them into the heavens, they broke into nine different pieces. The pieces of the eyes flew into the air above the blue sky, and Tāwhirimatea screamed from the top of his lungs, “ TANE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” The pieces of eyes are the stars you see on Matariki to this day. There are meanings and names for every one of the nine stars in the large Matariki structure.

Their names were Tupuarangi, which means the food that comes above our head. Tupuanuku is the food that is made in the ground. Waipuna-a-rangi is the rain; that's how you know the seasons. Pohutukawa signifies the loved ones who have passed away. Matariki is a healing and health star. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the wonderful wishing star. Ururangi is the wind of the sky. Waiti, the food from fresh water, like eels. And the final one, Waita, food from the salt water. Those are the nine stars you see on Matariki at night!

During Matariki, as we gaze at the radiant stars, we are reminded of our loved ones and family members who have passed away, fostering a sense of connection and remembrance. 

✨The Tales of The Matariki Star Cluster✨

By Htin Bhone

The Matariki Star Cluster is a part of Māori Culture that marks the Māori New Year and predicts the years ahead for our generation. There are countless stories around Matariki, and today, I am telling you an amazing fragmented story of Māori history.

Eons ago, Tane, the god of nature, separated his parents, Papatuanuku and Ranginui, to let the light rush into the world, but one brother took it too far. His anger roared like the ferocious wind, and his name was Tawhirimatea. In a fit of fury, he crushed his eyes and threw them into the paradise above, heaven.

His eyes turned to the glistening cluster we know today, the Matariki star cluster. Matariki, the group's biggest and mother star, is considered the deity of healing and peace to the mind and body. Tupuarangi is connected to the food from above, like heavenly birds and fruit.  Tupuanuku is tied to the food that grows deep in the ground. Waiti is associated with the nourishing food in the still lakes or rushing creeks. Waita is bound to food from the salty, rich blue ocean or salt-infused waters. Waipunarangi is the deity of the rain, soaking the ground as a refreshment to the soul. Ururangi is tied to the glorious wind, blowing every which way. Both Ururangi and Waipunarangi help us teach about the seasons of the world. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the wishing star. Make a wish, and the divine may grant your dreams. Lastly, Pohutukawa lets us acknowledge our ancestors, letting them peacefully live in the celestial nexus above heaven.

The next time you see the Starlit Matariki Cluster, take some time to look at the shining cosmic freedom that awaits for the years ahead.