Whispered truths

Getting to know Tawhirimatea

I am blown away by our purakau. I am really just blown away by how even one story can help me to make sense of so many different situations in life. I want to write magical stories! For example, I’ve often connected with the story of the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku. I’ve seen how Tane needed light to grow, and space to manifest his true purpose. I could really relate to the feeling of working towards something that seems impossible, and having it shut down, or having strong resistance every step of the way. I loved the lesson in there about succeeding with help from others, and even that help may come from unexpected places.

I thought, okay, Tane must be my main atua. He really knows all about growth, and struggles, and perseverance. Great. But after reflecting on feedback from my last post, I have been gaining a new appreciation for Tawhirimatea. Let me just mihi to Tania Davies (Kohu Rising newsletter- check out her beautiful writing!). I had asked who might be the atua of disappointment. She suggested Tawhirimatea. I thought “Oh, true!” And left it at that.

Then I felt like Tawhirimatea himself knocked on my noggin.

For a while now I have felt really frustrated with the ongoing impact of colonisation and patriarchy. At times I’ve even felt rage. And you know how once you see something, you can’t unsee it? There have been times when I have seen situations play out, and tried to point them out to people, and they haven’t been able to see it at all. I understand now that they were not ready to see it. It can be frustrating at times (as I’m sure it is for those who truly see me), and lonely. Is this what it was like for Tawhirimatea?

I used to hear the purakau about Rangi and Papa being separated, and just think: “Far out, why did Tawhirimatea have to be such a dick? Must be just a hater. I guess someone has to be a hater.” But I never bothered to question exactly why he was so oppositional. I made assumptions. That he just didn’t like change. That he was fearful and weak. Or maybe even a jealous atua. Back to the knocking on the noggin…

Suddenly I saw the separation of Ranginui  and Papatuanuku as colonisation and patriarchy in action.

First, the union/connection of masculine and feminine energies, working together, was severed. Men and women’s roles were separated (eg: Women cook, clean, submit, be quiet. Men hunt, kill, dominate, speak). Papatuanuku was overturned, hidden, like she should be ashamed of her glorious creation power, beauty and magic. Women were taught that who they are is shameful and sinful. They were clothed, like Papa. Her resources and energy have been taken, taken, taken, and she has been surgically altered, with rivers straightened and maunga quarried. Women’s bodies have been treated much the same. Tane and his brothers walked all over her! I now believe Tawhirimatea understood the damage that would be done by shifting things out of balance. I can understand him becoming blind with rage, and flinging his eyes into the heavens. It would hurt too much to see your mother being so abused and feeling powerless to stop it (Hmmm, is there another teaching in here about domestic violence?). I see that he isn’t afraid of change. He still comes down and whispers truths in people‘s ears. He sweeps through and clears stagnant energy. And sometimes he blows people off course completely. But maybe it’s for them. Not against them. They say the truth can set you free…

I see that the fruits of the separated world are death and destruction. But the unified world is rich and fertile, creating new energy all the time. I understand that my receptive, feminine self is not much bloody use if I don’t have my active, masculine self to manifest my dreams into the real world. E.g. big daydreams about writing but not actively sharing the writing with other actual eyeballs...

That sounded too harsh. I mean, my receptive, intuitive, feminine self has a lot of value, on her own. But when she works together with my active, practical, masculine self, new creations can be born (like a substack newsletter or a new community of like-minded people). Life becomes fertile with possibilities again. I see why Tawhirimatea might prefer to keep his eyes focused on the heavens/higher ideals. Just to soothe his pain and give him hope.

I remember crying out to my atua for help, years ago. It was Tawhirimatea who responded. Even then, whilst I was really grateful, I didn’t appreciate him properly. Please take this as a love note, Tawhirimatea. I acknowledge you and feel so very grateful to have you in my life. Thank you.

How did our people know about all of this stuff wayyyyy before it even happened?? Insert mind blown emoji here…

So maybe Tane isn’t my main atua. Maybe I just need to realise that they all contribute to who I am. Every light and dark expression of precious life. This all might be old news to other people but I only just connected these dots. I am so hungry to learn more about our atua. What other things have been hidden in plain sight that I completely missed?