MATARIKI 23/06/13

Tonight 2 giants of our culture collide to launch our new year...and set another cultural giant on a return journey to the summer solstice. Te Rakaunui, the full moon (and a super moon to boot... being at its closes to the earth) will herald the turning of the sun... in the morning the seven sisters called Matariki will be up early to greet the dawn... then Tamanuitera will rise from his mid-winter bed to take his first step back toward the warmth and prosperity of summer... The universe has aligned to celebrate the passing of one sun cycle... and the start of another.

The next few days will see king tides come sweeping in as the gravitational pull of the sun and moon combine to create extra pressure on the rise and fall of the oceans. Ka nui te mihi ki nga taumata rangi... me ko ratou kua wheturangitia hei tohutohu te po... ka rawe, ka reka...

Our annual cycle of life revolves around the sun... as does the plant cycle... as does the fish cycle... as does the bird cycle etc. They’re so inter-connected that by understanding the plant cycle... you can often determine the behavior of birds... or contemplate the movement of fish.

Our ancestors appreciated their whole environment... they couldn’t control it... but they could understand it... They couldn’t move those stars... but they could learn to read them... They couldn’t get close to that sun... but they could learn to depend on him... Understanding the sun and his over arching cycle was very important to our ancestors... the sun meant light... the sun meant life... the sun meant knowledge... the sun meant a new day... a new dawn... a new world... and a new way... MAURIORA... NGA MIHI O TE TAU HOU WHANAU...

THE FACEBOOK MACHINE

Facebook is all about sound and vision... With my posts I look to stimulate all senses... ultimately focusing on the brain and more specifically the imagination. I use my creative writing to challenge... inspire... explain... or intrigue... the mind of the reader. I use strong visual references to carry my message in a unique way... and because I create the graphics... I can guarantee... this is the first time it’s been posted on fb.

I use a combination of digital illustrations and oral traditions to help educate people... to share my knowledge... and help explain our tribal history to those interested. I use video (music or doco) to reinforce my message... to add musical satire to the situation... or even to honour people and places relevant to our lives.

It’s all about stimulating the imagination of your audience... for just a few seconds... or maybe a minute. If they linger long enough to click ‘like’... the post has been worth while... and if they engage and leave a comment... that’s a real bonus... MAURIORA WHANAU... Have a brilliant weekend

INSPIRATION

To inspire myself I reach in and touch my soul
To inspire others I reach out and touch the world

PRISONER 46664

For... to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others... 46664

WORDS

Words... how you choose them... how you arrange them... how you place them... how you balance them... and how you deliver them... says much about your insight... about your background... about your inner vision... and says everything about your imagination...... 

WNRP2013

GIVE THANKS FOR THE LIFE WE HAVE...

Been Neglecting my blog lately... here are some of my recent Facebook posts... MAURIORA

Give thanks for another beautiful day... Give thanks for the little things we often take for granted. Give thanks for your friends and family and all the trials and tribulations that entails. Give thanks for the roof over your head... the food in your pantry... the clothes on your back... But most of all give thanks for the special person who shares your journey... shares your pain... shares your pleasure. Wake up each and every morning and give thanks for that special time together... immersed in each others aroha... embraced by each others wairua... two hearts beat as one... 
MAURIORA WHANAU... live long and love life...