The Spirituality of Matariki: A Time to Reflect, Remember & Reconnect

As the Matariki star cluster rises in the midwinter sky, Aotearoa welcomes the Māori New Year—a time rich in spiritual meaning, tradition, and cosmic connection. While it’s celebrated with community gatherings and seasonal feasts, at its heart, Matariki is a deeply spiritual time of reflection, remembrance, and renewal.

What Is Matariki?

Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which becomes visible in New Zealand’s pre-dawn sky around late June or early July. Its rising signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. In te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), the stars are not just distant lights—they are living ancestors, each with their own energy, story, and connection to the natural world.

A Time of Spiritual Renewal

Matariki is a sacred time to pause and reset—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Just as the Earth rests in winter, Matariki invites us to slow down, reflect on the past year, and prepare ourselves for new beginnings. It’s a time to ask:

• What am I ready to release?
• What seeds am I planting for the year ahead?
• How can I reconnect with my ancestors, the land, and myself?

Honouring Those Who’ve Passed

One of the most sacred aspects of Matariki is remembering loved ones who have passed. Matariki is a spiritual veil—a bridge between this world and the next. Whānau (families) may light candles, share memories, or call out the names of those who have journeyed on, acknowledging their presence in the stars and in our hearts.

This remembrance isn’t just about mourning—it’s about celebrating the legacy our ancestors left and how they continue to guide us.

The Seven Stars of Matariki and Their Spiritual Meanings

Each of the seven main stars in the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) holds a unique energy and is associated with a different domain of the natural world. Together, they form a spiritual map—a reminder that we are all connected to the earth, sky, sea, and each other.

Here are the seven whetū (stars) of Matariki and what they represent:

1. Matariki – The mother of the cluster and the star the group is named after. Matariki is connected to wellbeing, health, and the gathering of people. Spiritually, she represents reflection, remembrance, and collective healing.
2. Tupuānuku – Associated with food grown in the soil. Spiritually, Tupuānuku encourages gratitude for the nourishment provided by Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and reminds us to nurture what we plant—physically and metaphorically.
3. Tupuārangi – Linked to food that comes from above, such as birds and berries. This star invites us to appreciate the gifts of the forest and sky, and to raise our thoughts and prayers to the heavens.
4. Waitī – Connected to freshwater and the life within it—rivers, lakes, and streams. Spiritually, Waitī flows with cleansing and emotional renewal, washing away what no longer serves us.
5. Waitā – Associated with the ocean and all its abundance. Waitā teaches us to respect the tides of life and the power of collective strength and flow.
6. Waipunarangi – The star of rain and the waters from above. She reminds us of the cleansing power of tears, rain, and letting go. Spiritually, Waipunarangi brings healing and emotional release.
7. Hiwa-i-te-Rangi – The wishing star. This star is where you place your hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead. She encourages us to set intentions with heart and faith, trusting that what we seek is already on its way.

Together, these stars form a cosmic guide—inviting us to pause, remember, reconnect, and realign with nature’s rhythms and our own inner wisdom.

Matariki in Modern Spiritual Practice

Whether or not you follow Māori traditions, the energy of Matariki offers something universal. It’s a powerful time to:

• Cleanse your home and sacred space
• Set fresh intentions through journaling or meditation
• Connect with the cycles of nature and the wisdom of the stars
• Create rituals of remembrance and gratitude

Matariki reminds us that spirituality is rooted in connection—to the cosmos, to our ancestors, to the Earth, and to each other.