Matariki

Matariki

 There I am standing in the middle of the beach in the cold night air. A blazing fire is making it’s way up to the dark blanket of the clouds. My uncle is calling to us. “Hurry up! because the fire might go out before you even come!” My uncle says with a laugh. My family and I are here to celebrate matariki. While I sit in front of the wild, flickering fire I see sparks escaping from their burning prison. The tongues of flames dance from place to place. Wind carries the salty smell of the sea and it makes me tingle. The cold air presses against my face. The aqua sea is still and reflects the glow of the golden stars. As I stand up and fling my shoes off I feel the soft, cold sand press against my feet. “It’s time to look up at Matariki!” I here my uncle say. I look up at the night sky. At first I can’ t see see them but finally my eyes find 7 stars that shine like diamonds that have been superglued on the sky. I walk closer to the sea and gaze up at the sky. I wonder why stars are used to symbolise very special events like the star that the 3 wise men followed. Perhaps it makes us feel closer to God or maybe because it is something bigger than ourselves.