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Work in Progress - Do NOT TRUST!
Work in Progress - Do NOT TRUST!
Moon Phase Meaning
Moon Phase Meaning
Whiro
Whiro
New moon – very low energy, not good for planting or fishing.
New moon – very low energy, not good for planting or fishing.
Tirea
Tirea
Energy begins to rise, good for planning and light activity.
Energy begins to rise, good for planning and light activity.
Ōhoata
Ōhoata
Energy increasing, good for learning and communication.
Energy increasing, good for learning and communication.
Ōuenuku
Ōuenuku
High energy, good for fishing and productivity.
High energy, good for fishing and productivity.
Okoro
Okoro
Balanced energy, good for social and creative tasks.
Balanced energy, good for social and creative tasks.
Tamatea
Tamatea
Unpredictable days, often avoided for important decisions.
Unpredictable days, often avoided for important decisions.
Huna
Huna
Hidden moon – introspective, spiritual time.
Hidden moon – introspective, spiritual time.
Māwharu
Māwharu
Favourable for planting and productivity.
Favourable for planting and productivity.
Atua
Atua
Strong energy, good for leadership and action.
Strong energy, good for leadership and action.
Hotu
Hotu
High energy, good for harvesting and gatherings.
High energy, good for harvesting and gatherings.
Rākaunui
Rākaunui
Full moon – peak energy, excellent for all activities.
Full moon – peak energy, excellent for all activities.
Rākaumatohi
Rākaumatohi
Slightly waning, still good for reflection and completion.
Slightly waning, still good for reflection and completion.
Takirau
Takirau
Energy waning, slow down, avoid big decisions.
Energy waning, slow down, avoid big decisions.
Ōtāne
Ōtāne
Low energy, good for rest and recovery.
Low energy, good for rest and recovery.
Ōrongonui
Ōrongonui
Energy returns, good for healing and gentle activity.
Energy returns, good for healing and gentle activity.
Mauri
Mauri
Balanced energy, good for relationships and wellbeing.
Balanced energy, good for relationships and wellbeing.
Mutuwhenua
Mutuwhenua
End of the cycle – very low energy, time to rest and reset.
End of the cycle – very low energy, time to rest and reset.
These names and meanings can vary slightly between iwi (tribes), but this list reflects a widely accepted structure.
These names and meanings can vary slightly between iwi (tribes), but this list reflects a widely accepted structure.
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Whiro – New moon – very low energy, not good for planting or fishing. (New Moon)
Tirea – Energy begins to rise, good for planning and light activity. (Waxing Crescent)
Ōhoata – Energy increasing, good for learning and communication. (First Quarter)
Ōuenuku – High energy, good for fishing and productivity. (Waxing Gibbous)
Okoro – Balanced energy, good for social and creative tasks. (Waxing Gibbous)
Tamatea – Unpredictable days, often avoided for important decisions. (Between Waxing and Full Moon)
Huna – Hidden moon – introspective, spiritual time. (Just before Full Moon)
Māwharu – Favourable for planting and productivity. (Waxing Gibbous)
Atua – Strong energy, good for leadership and action. (Waxing Gibbous or Full Moon)
Hotu – High energy, good for harvesting and gatherings. (Full Moon)
Rākaunui – Full moon – peak energy, excellent for all activities. (Full Moon)
Rākaumatohi – Slightly waning, still good for reflection and completion. (Waning Gibbous)
Takirau – Energy waning, slow down, avoid big decisions. (Waning Gibbous)
Ōtāne – Low energy, good for rest and recovery. (Last Quarter)
Ōrongonui – Energy returns, good for healing and gentle activity. (Waning Crescent)
Mauri – Balanced energy, good for relationships and wellbeing. (Waning Crescent)
Mutuwhenua – End of the cycle – very low energy, time to rest and reset. (Dark Moon / New Moon Eve)
Whiro – New moon – very low energy, not good for planting or fishing. (New Moon)
Tirea – Energy begins to rise, good for planning and light activity. (Waxing Crescent)
Ōhoata – Energy increasing, good for learning and communication. (First Quarter)
Ōuenuku – High energy, good for fishing and productivity. (Waxing Gibbous)
Okoro – Balanced energy, good for social and creative tasks. (Waxing Gibbous)
Tamatea – Unpredictable days, often avoided for important decisions. (Between Waxing and Full Moon)
Huna – Hidden moon – introspective, spiritual time. (Just before Full Moon)
Māwharu – Favourable for planting and productivity. (Waxing Gibbous)
Atua – Strong energy, good for leadership and action. (Waxing Gibbous or Full Moon)
Hotu – High energy, good for harvesting and gatherings. (Full Moon)
Rākaunui – Full moon – peak energy, excellent for all activities. (Full Moon)
Rākaumatohi – Slightly waning, still good for reflection and completion. (Waning Gibbous)
Takirau – Energy waning, slow down, avoid big decisions. (Waning Gibbous)
Ōtāne – Low energy, good for rest and recovery. (Last Quarter)
Ōrongonui – Energy returns, good for healing and gentle activity. (Waning Crescent)
Mauri – Balanced energy, good for relationships and wellbeing. (Waning Crescent)
Mutuwhenua – End of the cycle – very low energy, time to rest and reset. (Dark Moon / New Moon Eve)
Note: These are approximations because the maramataka doesn't follow the Western lunar calendar exactly — it's a living system rooted in Māori observation of local environmental and celestial signs.
ChatGPT SAID: Maramataka is the traditional Māori lunar calendar — a deeply localised and seasonal system that guides activities like planting, fishing, harvesting, rest, wānanga, and decision-making based on the phases of the moon and environmental rhythms.
ChatGPT SAID: Maramataka is the traditional Māori lunar calendar — a deeply localised and seasonal system that guides activities like planting, fishing, harvesting, rest, wānanga, and decision-making based on the phases of the moon and environmental rhythms.
Rather than using fixed weeks like the Western calendar, the maramataka divides time into lunar days (ata marama) — each with its own name, energy, and purpose. A typical maramataka includes 29–30 nights, starting at Whiro (new moon) and ending at Mutuwhenua (dark moon). These nights aren’t just about astronomy — they’re connected to spiritual, ecological, and practical rhythms observed over generations.
Rather than using fixed weeks like the Western calendar, the maramataka divides time into lunar days (ata marama) — each with its own name, energy, and purpose. A typical maramataka includes 29–30 nights, starting at Whiro (new moon) and ending at Mutuwhenua (dark moon). These nights aren’t just about astronomy — they’re connected to spiritual, ecological, and practical rhythms observed over generations.
🌑 Main Moon Phases in the Maramataka
🌑 Main Moon Phases in the Maramataka
Here’s a simple cycle with meanings:
Here’s a simple cycle with meanings:
Phase & Meaning
Phase & Meaning
Whiro 🌑 New Moon – lowest energy, rest, avoid planting or big plans.
Whiro 🌑 New Moon – lowest energy, rest, avoid planting or big plans.
Tirea 🌘 Energy begins to rise – light planning, walking, creative thinking.
Tirea 🌘 Energy begins to rise – light planning, walking, creative thinking.
Ōhoata 🌓 First Quarter – action and learning, time to begin projects.
Ōhoata 🌓 First Quarter – action and learning, time to begin projects.
Ōuenuku 🌔 High energy – ideal for fishing, productivity, and physical work.
Ōuenuku 🌔 High energy – ideal for fishing, productivity, and physical work.
Okoro / Māwharu / Atua 🔆 Strong, fertile days – good for leadership, planting, strategy.
Okoro / Māwharu / Atua 🔆 Strong, fertile days – good for leadership, planting, strategy.
Hotu / Rākaunui 🌕 Full Moon – peak energy, perfect for celebrations, planting, harvesting.
Hotu / Rākaunui 🌕 Full Moon – peak energy, perfect for celebrations, planting, harvesting.
Rākaumatohi / Takirau 🌖 Energy waning – reflect, slow down, complete tasks.
Rākaumatohi / Takirau 🌖 Energy waning – reflect, slow down, complete tasks.
Ōtāne / Ōrongonui / Mauri 🌗 Final quarter – healing, connection, balance, tidy loose ends.
Ōtāne / Ōrongonui / Mauri 🌗 Final quarter – healing, connection, balance, tidy loose ends.
Mutuwhenua 🌘 End of cycle – deep rest, reset, prepare for a new moon cycle.
Mutuwhenua 🌘 End of cycle – deep rest, reset, prepare for a new moon cycle.
🧠 Key Ideas
🧠 Key Ideas
- Not universal: Each iwi (tribe) has variations in names and meanings based on local climate and geography.
- Dynamic energy: Some days are energetic and fertile, others quiet and introspective.
- Cycles of balance: The maramataka encourages balance — between action and rest, work and wānanga, giving and restoring.
- More than moon: It integrates stars, tides, seasons, and species behaviour (e.g. eel migration, flowering).
💬 Why is it important?
💬 Why is it important?
The maramataka is a Māori science system – not just cultural, but ecological. It reconnects people with natural rhythms, supports hauora (wellbeing), and strengthens whakapapa with te taiao (the natural world).
The maramataka is a Māori science system – not just cultural, but ecological. It reconnects people with natural rhythms, supports hauora (wellbeing), and strengthens whakapapa with te taiao (the natural world).
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