Planets in Astrology: Moon

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 Of Moon in Vedic Astrology:

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.

Planet in Vedic Astrology