the fire of life, what’s happened to yours?

I’ve been reflecting a lot about the first blog post and how my understanding of Mahuika (atua of fire) and therefore of fire, has evolved over the last two weeks… even this is probably limited, but I’m starting to think that a flame is what it is. It’s beautiful, life giving and poetic in the way it dances and it’s made dangerous, wild and uncontrolled according to external factors.

When Tāwhirimātea (the winds) pick up, it can either blow the flame out or fan it bigger and bigger til it’s outta control. When the flame comes into contact with rākau (Tāne, atua of the forest, light), it burns and consumes it, if unchecked.

When Mahuika came into contact with the antagonist, Māui, his games resulted in him taking Mahuika’s children (in the form of fingernails) and disposing of them, causing her to lash out and express her mamae (hurt) and frustrations towards him.

Like any māmā would, to protect their babies…

As I’ve mentioned many times, my kids are kaupapa, god kids and also humans I call my friends lol but for my māmā and others in my life, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do to protect their pēpi and pity the fool who tries.

Looking at the pūrākau from this perspective gives me a whole new appreciation for Mahuika. I see myself in her and I love it. I can see how I get affected by external situations, events, moments, relationships, how I forfeit my metaphorical fiery nails and become subject to the mercy of others when I don’t keep the antagonist in check.

When I don’t follow the rituals that get me into a peak state of mind, when I consume kai (mentally as well as physically) that’s no good for me, when I say yes even though I have no intention of following through,

when I make small decisions that incrementally take me further away from myself.

But I’m waking up now, and ‘once the mind has been stretched it can never go back to its old dimensions’ - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and I’m remembering that the flame I embody is soft, gentle and playful. Fanned and made reckless and dangerous when I allow the antagonist to set up shop in my life.

Not for much longer, we’re waking up.

E oho! Tēnā tātou,

Hana.