maramatahi · 5 min read

Full moon, new moon: the Polynesian rituals

What to do during the full moon? The new moon? Mā'ohi wisdom offers simple, powerful rituals to align your month with the lunar cycles.

Twice a month, the sky invites you

Full moon and new moon are the two pivots of the lunar cycle. Polynesian ancestors paused there, marked the moment, made a sacred gesture. Not from superstition — from alignment with what naturally moves at that moment.

Here are 4 simple rituals, inherited from the Maramatahi, you can do at home with no special tools.

🌑 New moon — Tireo

The invisible night. The moon reflects no light. Mā'ohi tradition: plant an intention in the silence.

Ritual 1 — Letter to yourself (15 min)

1. Light a candle that evening (or just do it at nightfall if no candle) 2. On a blank sheet, write what you want to see grow in the next 30 days 3. Be precise: "find a job" becomes "send 3 applications before the 20th" 4. Fold the sheet, place it in a book you read often 5. At full moon (15 days later), pull it out and see where you stand

Ritual 2 — Cleansing bath (5 min)

1. Before bed, wash wrists and nape with cold water 2. Mentally repeat: « What no longer serves leaves. What wants to be born is born. » 3. Sleep early, no screens

🌕 Full moon — Ohua

The peak of the cycle. Maximum energy. Amplified emotions.

Ritual 3 — Full moon bath (10 min)

A very Polynesian practice (variants exist worldwide):

1. Step outside head uncovered, look at the moon at least 60 seconds 2. Imagine her light entering through the crown of your head and washing all that weighs 3. Take 3 deep breaths 4. Thank aloud (in English or reo): « Mauruuru moon, mauruuru sky, mauruuru fenua. »

Ritual 4 — Gratitude evening (30 min)

This is the night to celebrate. Not necessarily with others — celebrate alone if you prefer.

1. Cook something you love, slowly 2. During the meal, list 5 things that worked this month, even small 3. If you live with someone, share aloud just one of these things 4. Avoid conflict: full moon amplifies everything, disputes are disproportionate then

When exactly?

⚠️ Don't rely on apps alone: the true new moon or true full moon lasts a few hours, but the energy carries 24-48h.

Do the ritual the evening of, the night before, or the day after.

The astro banner on romytahiti.com shows the night and exact phase at the top of every page.

And after?

If these rituals call you, Romy can offer you your personal lunar calendar over 90 days: not just full and new moons, but the 30 Mā'ohi nights, with what each brings to YOUR personal profile.

« We don't live better by doing more. We live better by placing the right gestures at the right moments. » — Romy