Open to Interpretation

The Ira Inspiration cards are in both Māori and English, so that you can play with them in the language you are most comfortable using.

The words on each card are interpretations of each other.

Let’s look at some examples.

You might interpret WAIRUA as SPIRITUALITY, or FAITH with a deep connection to religious beliefs.

Someone else may think of the word as SPIRIT, or SOULFULNESS, with a unique connection to their belief system.

What TAONGA means to one person could be entirely different to what TREASURE means to another. And yet, the effect may be the same: to open up the mind, spirit and heart to inspiration or guidance.

It is true also, that the intent behind Ira Inspiration Cards has always been to ignite greater curiosity in the Māori language. I want to encourage you to learn a Māori word, and maybe inspire you to speak the word aloud in your everyday conversations with others; or seek to learn the word in a sentence, build your knowledge of Maori language, and of culture and meaning.

“Ko te reo te taikura o te Ao Māori” – language is the key to understanding the Māori world.

Just as any language is the key to understanding other cultures and other peoples.

When indigenous peoples are separated from their language, we collectively lose identity, stories, history, culture, pride, and a way of life.

So, there’s a lot going on with these cards, as well as something profoundly simple.

At the heart of Ira is who you are.  Who we are.

Go well.   Mauri ora!