June and July are usually hot, sultry months in the US. Kids are off school, people plan their summer vacations, and many get to spend more time outside. It’s a time that kids dream about all year (no more classrooms, no more books!) and that many people save and plan for all year. I’m presenting a very rose-colored view of summer (I know I’m not the only one who dreads putting on shorts), but for simplicity’s sake, let’s pretend that summer is a time of universal enjoyment.
But things are different down in the Southern Hemisphere. June and July can be gray and dismal in New Zealand - it’s cold and wet, the days are short, and summer feels as likely to come as an August snowfall in North Carolina. But it wasn’t always this way. For the Indigenous people of New Zealand, the Māori, this was a time of significant change and new beginnings. Māori harvested their crops in April and May, and hunted food to store for the coming winter. They worked hard throughout Autumn (ngahuru), knowing it would soon be time for Matariki.
Around this time of year, Matariki, the star cluster also known as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, appears in the night sky. Matariki’s rising signals the end of the year, a time for reflection and remembrance of those who have passed.
Matariki is also a time of new beginnings. Traditionally, Tohunga (medicine men) would look to the stars to predict the harvest and hunting fortunes of the New Year. Clear, bright stars foretold a good harvest, while dim stars foretold coming rains and a short growing season. When they had done the more somber work of honoring those gone before and made predictions for the coming year, Māori celebrated Matariki with song, dance, and feasting.
With the arrival of Europeans to Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki fell into decline. Europeans celebrated the New Year in January and frowned upon Māori who did not follow their traditions. The government did not approve of many Māori traditions, passing the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act, which fined tohunga who practiced traditional medicine and religion. Thankfully, the 21st century renewed interest in Matariki and increased its national prominence. This culminated in 2022, when the New Zealand government made Matariki a national public holiday. This year, it falls on Friday, June 20.
Now that you know about Matariki, let’s return to life in the Northern Hemisphere. As the days grow longer and warmer (and incredibly humid – at least here in North Carolina), finding the energy and enthusiasm to set new goals can be tricky. It’s natural to experience a lull in energy and motivation. But if we draw inspiration from Matariki, we can embrace a sense of renewal during this time.
In the US, the middle of the year coincides with the summer solstice, when the days are longest, and the sun is at its peak. Why not use this time to harness the sun's energy and channel it into revitalization? Research shows that spending time in nature can reduce stress and increase happiness.
There are so many ways to immerse yourself in nature or “forest bathe.” Maybe you’re taking that vacation to somewhere beautiful, such as North Carolina’s gorgeous Outer Banks beaches (yes, I’m biased), or the rivers, mountains, and meadows of Colorado, or the tranquil beauty of Washington’s coastal forests. If you take a staycation, use this time to visit a local park or wildlife reserve, swim in a river or lake, or relax in your backyard. I’m going home to New Zealand to see my family. It will be cold and wintry. The days will be short. It may rain every day. But don’t worry about me – enjoy your summer adventures!
Just as Matariki encourages people to reflect on their past and set goals for the future, the summer months in the US provide an opportunity to take stock of our achievements and plan for the remainder of the year. For instance, earlier this year, I got my Zumba instructor license. Later in the summer, I hope to start teaching classes at my local gym. I have been going to Zumba classes for a couple of years, and I have found that Zumba not only relieves stress but also helps me stay fit and healthy. It has even helped me make new friends. Your accomplishments may be big or small, but now is a great time to think about what you’ve accomplished over the past few months and your plans for the next part of the year.
The themes of Matariki, such as gratitude, reflection, and new beginnings, can help us navigate the mid-year period with a sense of balance and harmony. Taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature and setting new intentions can lead to renewed energy and motivation. Embracing the spirit of Matariki can help us in the US navigate the mid-year period with a positive and refreshed mindset.
Note: I highly recommend Zumba – a workout that doesn’t feel like a workout. No matter how grumpy you feel going in, you cannot leave a Zumba class in a bad mood. If you’re interested, here are some peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of Zumba. Yes, really.
Also, test your knowledge of the stars with our Matariki trivia quiz!
Hailing from New Zealand, Ngaire Smith currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina. She has worked in academic libraries both in the USA and New Zealand for many years and believes strongly in the power of librarians to help students succeed in their studies.