Maria is the latin word for sea. Maria are dry lava beds that were formed by volcanic action on the moon millions of years ago. Phases refer to the different shapes the moon appears from the earth. Waxing refers to the moon when it is getting larger or more illuminated from New to Full. Wanning refers to the moon when it is getting smaller or less illuminated from Full to New.
Crescent is when the moon is slightly illuminated either before first quarter or after last quarter.
Gibbous is when the moon is mostly illuminated either just before or after Full Moon. The moon has no light of its own reflecting the light of the sun. The moon revolves around the earth in a counterclockwise direction. The shape of the moon is always the same, but we see different portions of its lighted surface as it makes its trip around the earth. It takes 29 and a half days for the moon to pass through all its phases.