Rūaumoko - Guardian of Volcanoes
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Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother), the primordial parents, held each other in a tight embrace where they bore many sons. Rūaumoko, the youngest of their children, and his older brothers felt that the loving embrace of their parents was stifling and restrictive. They longed for light and space, so they conspired to separate them. Tāne - the god of the forest - used his considerable strength to separate them, creating the world of light. Rangi and Papa were heartbroken when they parted. The tears of Ranginui fell upon Papatūānuku and, combined with Papatūānuku’s weeping, flooded the ground creating a sacred depth of water.
The older brothers were infuriated by the endless rain and sadness, and decided to turn their mother away from her love, so that Papatūānuku would not look up at Ranginui and see his sad face, and Ranginui would not look down and see Papatūānuku’s sorrow. When Papatūānuku was turned over, Rūaumoko was at his mother’s breast, so he was carried to the underworld. Rūaumoko was held under her in the valleys and corners of her body and given an internal fire to keep him warm. This fire stoked his rage, so when Rūaumoko moved, his fire rose to the surface of the earth, creating fissures in the body of Papatūānuku which became volcanos spurting lava.
When we hear the earth trembling, Rūaumoko reminds us that he is still alive, still stirring, and still thrusting against his mother Papatūānuku’s body. Another variation of this tale says Rūaumoko is yet to be born. It is his twists, turns and efforts to escape from Papatūānuku’s womb that causes the earth to shake and rumble.Rūaumoko is also believed to be responsible for the change in the seasons. Depending on the time of year, his actions cause the change in temperature as he releases cool or warm air over the surface of Papatūānuku.
Despite his reputation in Māori mythology, he is known as a kind god who lives in the bosom of his mother. Once unleashed he is an unfriendly force with the potential to cause much harm and destruction. It is prudent and sensible to have respect for Rūaumoko.