The Wisdom of Looking Up
- Micaela Parker
- Jul 24
- 4 min read
For thousands of years, humans have looked to the sky for guidance. Whether through astrology, constellations, stars, or Matariki, people have sought meaning in the vastness above them.
Not because the stars have all the answers, but because they remind us of something important, that life moves in cycles.
There are times to strive, times to rest, times to reflect, and times to begin again.
In a society that often expects us to be constantly productive, the stars and Matariki offer a different message - pause, listen to your body, gain perspective, honour the season you are in, and trust that change is part of the journey.
Pause
As we move through the different seasons of life - raising children, building careers, navigating menopause, retiring, or simply adjusting to life's many twists and turns - our bodies are constantly communicating with us.
Sometimes the message is subtle: a headache, fatigue, irritability, feeling a little flat, or struggling to focus. Other times the body turns up the volume with migraines, anxiety, burnout, depression, chronic pain, or illness.
Often these signals arise because we have not paused long enough to listen.
Every day we experience events that trigger emotions such as anger, frustration, sadness, disappointment, fear, or grief. Yet our society often requires us to keep functioning. We push our emotions to one side, get on with our responsibilities, and tell ourselves we'll deal with it later.
The problem is that "later" rarely comes.
The emotional experience remains within us. Over time, unprocessed emotions can compound through repeated experiences, contributing to stress, inflammation, negative thought patterns, energy depletion, and other health challenges.
Think of it like repeatedly stuffing items into an already overflowing cupboard. Eventually the door won't close, and something is going to fall out, usually at the least convenient moment.
Creating pause is not about dwelling on an experience or reliving it repeatedly. It is about creating a safe space to acknowledge what happened, allowing your thoughts and emotions to surface without judgement, offering yourself compassion and care, and then releasing the energy of the experience so you can move forward.
The goal is not to hold on to the experience. The goal is to move through it.
Gain Perspective
Just as ancient navigators used the stars and constellations to find their way, our emotional experiences can provide guidance if we are willing to listen.
Every emotional trigger presents an opportunity to learn something about ourselves. Sometimes it reveals a belief that is no longer serving us. Sometimes it highlights a wound that needs healing. Other times it points us towards growth.
When you pause and reflect, consider asking yourself:
What is this experience trying to teach me?
What is my body trying to tell me?
Is there something here that needs healing?
Is there an opportunity for growth?
Whether through journaling, talking with someone you trust, meditation, or quiet reflection, creating space for these questions can help transform challenges into wisdom.
Honour Your Season
Matariki reminds us that life moves in seasons, and so do we.
The season you are currently in has likely been a natural progression of everything that came before it. Yet every new season brings its own challenges, lessons, and opportunities.
For some, that season may be becoming a parent. For others, it may be navigating menopause, adjusting to retirement, recovering from illness, or learning who they are after years of caring for everyone else.
When we resist the season we are in, we often create more struggle. When we lean into it, we can begin to understand what it is asking of us.
Perhaps it is asking you to slow down.
Perhaps it is inviting you to become more present.
Perhaps it is encouraging you to challenge old beliefs, prioritise your wellbeing, or finally place yourself at the top of your own to-do list rather than somewhere between "clean the garage" and "organise the junk drawer."
Each season serves a purpose.
Trust the Journey
As we listen to our bodies, process our emotional experiences, and embrace the lessons of each season, we gain wisdom that supports us through future challenges.
We are all on a journey through this life. While we cannot control every experience we encounter, we can choose how we respond to it.
The stars remind us that change is constant. Matariki reminds us that every ending creates space for a new beginning.
So as you look up at the night sky this Matariki, remember that the wisdom you seek may not be found in the stars themselves.
It may be found in the simple act of pausing long enough to listen to what your body, mind, and heart have been trying to tell you all along.
If this article has sparked some reflection and you're ready to better understand what your body has been trying to tell you, health and wellness coaching can help you uncover the root causes of your symptoms, create meaningful change, and support you to thrive in your current season of life.
Book a complimentary discovery call and let's explore what your next chapter could look like link
This article has been supplied by Micaela Parker. All content is the opinion and copyright of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of DrumRoll Promotions Ltd. If you have any questions regarding this article you may wish to contact the author direct.
