Today, (June 20) as I sat out on my patio, I watched my resident fantail (Frank) chirp and flit about in the bare branches of our Cherry tree. Moving my focus out slightly further I realised that Frank was joined by NINE other fantails all darting around the big blue gum that overhangs our garden.
A number of fantails at one time isn’t a big deal here as we have so much bird life, but the exact number nine felt important. I observed them much longer than the usual half-hour lunch I normally allow myself to contemplate the meaning of NINE and the rising of Matariki here in New Zealand.
Matariki has different names around the world. In English, it is called by its ancient Greek name, Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In Hawaiian it is Makali’i, ‘eyes of royalty', and in Japan it is Subaru, meaning ‘gathered together’.
I will not go into the myth, meaning and reverence of Matariki as there are many websites that offer a better understanding that I am able to offer, but for reference:
Maori recognise nine stars in the Matariki constellation. These are the eyes of the nine brothers and sisters of Taawhirimateaa.
Some of the traditional rituals around Matariki, include time to acknowledge the dead and to release their spirits to become stars.
In Maori mythology, it is said that Fantails are responsible for the presence of death, but I have always loved the thought that Piirairaka/piiwakawaka are an ancient Tohu (sacred gift) of the Maareikura - the Divine Sacred Feminine Goddess. It was Piirairaka who warned Hinenuitepõ (the Goddess of death) that Maui was up to no good when he attempted to sneak up into her Sacred Wharetangata (womb).
So, the profoundness of NINE fantails is not lost on me. I certainly feel the message from spirit is that I am on the right path, and even though my head is full of all the things should be doing/organising/accomplishing – right now is the time to take stock, rest and remember.
The Winter Solstice (the longest night of the year) is the time when nature seems to stand still; a key moment of deepening and withdrawing. Long shadows shape the land deciduous trees are bare, night closes in early and the days are short. The color green faded from the earth. Death, it seems is making its unalterable advance.
In old neolithic societies the wise ones took extreme care to mark the exact moment of the solstice. Examples of this can be seen in ancient monuments such as Stonehenge, Chaco Canyon (New Mexico), Newgrange (Ireland), Carnac (France) and Karnak (Egypt). Lesser known is the path of the sun during the winter solstice, at Chichen Itza (Mexico) which is best known for the serpent shadow during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
In old times, Yule was celebrated as a significant event. It is the time of the birth of the divine male child from the dark womb of the goddess. In some ancient societies they reenacted this by emerging from underground caves.
Tomorrow night I will celebrate the solstice by cooking the family favorite winter meal. The traditional yule log for us is a chocolate sponge roll with cream and dried raspberries.
Then I will get into some warm clothes and move outside to do a small ritual - light red, orange and yellow candles, hang my star LED lights, and decorate my altar some native greenery. Then I will watch the stars. I will speak the names of family and friends who have passed this year and light a couple of white candles to acknowledge and celebrate all that have passed over.
Wherever you are I wish you the Brightest of Solstice Blessings.
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