Matariki a time for thanksgiving and renewal 13-20 July

With deep spiritual roots, the tikanga of Matariki is much more than astronomy, agriculture and weather predictions. The tikanga of Matariki is a time for whānau. The festival’s connection to the stars provides an opportunity for families to remember their whakapapa (genealogy) and those ancestors who have passed away. Matariki unifies us as one human family. It is both a time for thanksgiving and a time for renewal. Clearly this new year in Māori culture has strong links with the sacramental nature of our faith.

from tki 2020 07 09 at 9.31.15 PM

Once the sun passes the shortest day of the year in the northeast, Matariki rises just before the dawn sunrise, and is best seen sparkling low on the northeast horizon. It signals the time of preparing the gardens for the new crops.

What does Matariki mean?

The cluster of stars in the constellation of Taurus is known as The Pleiades. They are among the nearest star clusters to Earth and visible to the naked eye. This is the astronomical background to the Māori new year known as Matariki. The word is derived from ‘mata’= ‘eyes’ and ‘ariki’ = god’. So Matariki means “the eyes of god.”  Matariki festivities are important because they remind us of the cycle of life, the need to show respect for the land on which we live and natural ways of marking the passing of time.

Karakia for the predawn rising of the star cluster

Manawa maie te putanga o Matariki

Manawa maie te ariki o te rangi

Manawa maie to Mā tahi o te tau

Hail the rise of Matariki

Hail the lord of the sky

Hail the new year.

In the spirit of Matariki let’s celebrate this week all that unites us here: Build stronger partnerships with your local mana whenua, reconnect with old friends and make new ones and with a deep gratitude and respect for the gifts of creation. Reflect on your place in the world and set new goals.


Pikpiko 2020 07 12 at 7.32.20 PMKumara in a kete 2020 05 27 at 8.25.05 PMmussells 2020 07 12 at 7.31.22 PM

Simple blessings before a meal together

Karakia kai

Ki te ingoa, o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu.  Āmene

Kia taku whanau, Me nga hoa, Mo te kai, Kia ora.

 

For our family, friends, and food, we say thank you. Āmene

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen 

 

 Mo mua i te kai

 E tōku Atua

 Whakapaingia mātou me ēnei kai kua homai e koe kia ora ai mātou.

 Mā to mātou Ariki mā Hehu Karaiti.

 Āmene.

Grace before a meal

Bless the food O Lord

Bless those who prepared it and please give food to the hungry.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Additional information link to Miha Resources Here