Astronomy:
It is the only satellite of the earth. Though it
is considered as a luminary in astrology it does not emit its own
light but shines due to the reflection of Sun’s radiation. At the
perigee moon is 356404 Kilometers away from the earth and at the
apogee it is 406680 Kilometers away from the earth. As applicable
for all the planets its path is also elliptic. Moon is nearly 1/4th
the size of the earth. One interesting thing is that only one half
of the moon is visible to us on Earth.
Mythology:
According to
Harivansha Purana moon was
the handsome son of Sage Atri and was nurtured by the ten
Dishas(directions).
Moon married the daughters of
Daksha Prajapati. They were
27 in number. The names of these daughters are the 27
Nakshatras of
the Zodiac. Moon visits each of them for one day in rotation. But
he showed
Rohini, one of the 27th wives undue favors. He
also ran away with the Wife of
Brihaspati the
Deva Guru.
Daksh the
father in law cursed Moon to suffer from consumption, a gradual decay.
Mercury was born a result of interaction of Moon with the wife of
Brihaspati.
According to western concept Moon is considered
as Virgin Mary of the Roman Catholics and nourishing mother of the
heavens. She is the queen of the night also called Luna (Diana).
Diana is the twin sister of Apollo. She governs chastity as well
as fertility.
Astrological Significance:
According to
Uttara Kalamrita following
are some of the significations of Moon.
a) Intelligence b) Perfumes c) Hidden of ulcerous
troubles in the stomach d) Woman e) Sleep f) Happiness g) Liquids
h) Malarial fever I) Mother j) Pearls k) Salt l) Mind m) Muhurta
or 48 minutes duration n) worship of Gauri o) Fondness of Curd p)
One who does tapas or penance q) Strong at night r) Eating s) Facial
Luster t) Good Fruits u) Fish and other Aquatic beings v) clothes.
It is seen that a strong Chandra will be good for
the above mentioned significations and a weak moon will cause some
deficiency of the same.
Other Astrological Considerations:
Moon owns the
Karkata (Karka) sign
but it exalts at 3 degree
Vrishabha or Vrishabh and
is under deep debilitation at 3 degree Scorpio. Its
Mooltrikona
Rashi is
Vrishabh. Moon is the
Karaka for
mind and it enjoys a royal Status among planets. Its complexion is
tawny. Its sex is female. Moon Is of
Vaishya Varna and
Sattwika
Guna.
Chandra is very windy and phlegmatic. He has round
body and is learned. He has auspicious looks and sweet speech, is
fickle minded and very lustful. He represents one
Muhurta i.e.,
a period of 48 minutes. The taste represented by Moon is Saline.
Chandrama is friendly to Surya and Budha and is
neutral to Mangal, Vrihaspati, Shukra and Shani. Chandrama does not
consider any planet as its enemy. However, Shani Budha, Shukra and
Rahu and Ketu consider moon as their enemy. Chandra is strong in
the northern direction.
