275Times October 2016

6
MARAMATAKA
OCTOBER 2016
Kia ora tātou, we’re
into our third edition
of the maramataka
(moon calendar)..
By Ayla Hoeta
Just to recap, the maramataka
is based on three connected
elements: the sky (Te
Rangi), land (Te Whenua)
and water (Te Moana). By
observing these elements,
we can predict activities in
our natural environment.
Cut out & keep your lunar calendar
You can use the dials printed
here to align each day of the
year to predicted activities.
These are steps to set your dial:
1. Cut out the two circles.
2. Place the small circle inside
the large one and put a pin
through the middle of both.
3. Now set the month, which
starts on Rakaunui. Rakaunui
falls one day before the full
moon (West Coast) and on
the full moon (East Coast).
4. In October, the full moon is on
the 16th, so rotate the small dial
until the number ‘15’ lines up with
‘Rakaunui’ on the big dial. You
should see that October 1st falls
on Ohoata. The 19th is Korekore
te whiwhia, which is a day to
rest. The good fishing Tangaroa
days are on October 22 - 24.
Now that you’ve set your dial you can
look at key days of the month - high
energy days, planting and fishing.
High energy days are Ōturu, Rākaunui
and
Rākau
Mātohi,
(October
15 - 17). These days are
best for activities that require
more energy such outdoor
events, or planting crops.
The maramataka not only allows
us to predict days of the month
but also the coming of seasons
and different parts of the season.
According to our oral traditions
handed down through a series of
whare wānanga, we have seven
periods of summer (raumati).Each
period is indicated by identifiable
patterns of flowering trees, ripening
berries and so on. These act as
visual cues to let us know where
we are in the summer months.
The seven periods are:
Matiti Kura: This is the first phase. It is
triggered by the ripening of the small
red berries in the bush. The time
frame is toward the end of October.
Matiti Hana: The second
phase is recognisable when
the puawananga or puareinga
(clematis) flowers turn the canopy
of the forest a brilliant white.
Matiti Muramura: The third
phase is noted for the flowering
of the northern rātā and the old
pohutukawa.
The canopy
turns from white
(hana) to red (muramura).
Matiti Kaiwai: Is known as the
middle of summer. This is when
the ground is so dry it opens
up and thirsts for water.
Matiti Raurehu: The fifth phase is
the most difficult to detect. It usually
occurs in early February. It may even
precede the rise of the harvest star
Whanui, but we have yet to confirm
that. You can recognise this phase
by a white dust-like substance on
the lawn that resembles a frost.
Matiti Rautapata: The sixth phase
is easily identifiable if you are near
the bush. This is when the seed
pods burst and the seeds fall (tapata)
onto the dry leaf bed below.
Matiti Rauangina: This is the last
phase of summer and is very easy
to identify. Just keep an eye out for
leaves that swing to and fro as they
fall from the trees. This rhythmic
dance is called ‘te angina’ or free fall.
I myself am super excited about the
coming of summer and will be more
observant of the flowering patterns
closer to the end of this month.
You can contact me on Facebook
for further information: Ayla Hoeta
– Miss Five Crowns NZ Finalist.