PORTENT OF THE STARS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 118, 4 June 1937, Page 9

PORTENT OF THE STARS

Maori Winter Weather Omen PUANGA AND WHAKAAHU The old Maori who has not forgotten the lore of his ancestors will this weelcend rise before dawn to scan the eastern sky for portents of the winter weather. Should he pufc faith in the ancient customs of his people, he will learn from the stars whether to plant his kumera crops early or late, |-ays a Taranaki writer. Possibly to-day, he who rises .before the eastern sky pales too much will see beautiful Puanga, known to astronomers is Rigel in Orion, low down towards the horizon. Puanga will rise but a short distance and glow clearly before vanishing in the .growing ligfit. and each succeeding morning watchin; ' eyes will have a lesser opportunity. Some time next week Whakaahu, or Castor, will likewise be precursor of the dawn, perhaps on Tuesday, perhaps not until Friday, and Whakaahu in its course will also be apparent for but a brief space. Puanga and Whakaahu do not always appear over the horizon in the same place, and Maori lore has it that, should they rise a little to the northeast, winter will be a time of southeast winds. Should they appear towards the south, north winds will blow. Puanga was-a star'relied on by nav- • igators in the great migration from Hawaiki to Aotea-roa in 1350, and down the centuries since the Maori reached these shores he has watched Puanga and Whakaahu for signs in eonneetion with the planting -of kumera plots. According to . the manner of the rising of the stars he planted early or late in the season. In Maori legend Puanga is reckoned to be one of the most beautiful of stars, and in certain old songs Puanga and Whakaahu are mentioned together. The mythology of the east coast has many references, .but unique to the west coast is the guidance they give the planter of crops.