The Moon

Candra - Moon

Indian astrology (jyotisha) is entirely dependent on understanding the nine planets. Which nine? Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the two shadow planets or nodes - Rahu and Ketu.

The best way to understand these planets is by understanding their properties.

The Moon is closest to the Earth in terms of distance and has been the subject of discussion in astronomy, poetry and many other fields. Indian astrology considers Moon as a very important planet for the purposes of understanding the native's horoscope.

Every planet in situated in some nakshatra (star). The nakshatra or star of a person, is however, based on the nakshatra of the Moon. Example: if the Moon is in Bharani nakshatra when the native is born, the native's nakshatra is considered to be Bharani.

We will now look at the properties of the Moon.

• English Name: Moon
• Sanskrit Name: Candra
• Significance: Peace, calmness
• Represents: Mother, mind
• Nature: Benefic/Malefic
• Colour: Grey
• Stone: Pearl
• Rulership: Cancer
• Exaltation: Taurus
• Debilitation: Scorpio
• Dasha: 10 years

Each of the above properties have relevance when interpreting the horoscope.

The significance of the Moon is with respect to peace and calmness. This indicates that if the Moon is well placed in the horoscope, the native will have a nature which is peaceful and calm. Opposite is true in case the Moon is not well placed.

Moon represents the mother and mind. The astrologer can identify the relationship between the mother and the native bymerely looking at the placement and various other aspects of the Moon. The mentally stability or otherwise of the native can also be judged based on whether the Moon is favourable or not.

Moon is said to be both malefic and benefic. Whether the Moon is actually malefic or not depends on several aspects. For example, if the Moon is very close to the Sun, it is malefic. A malefic planet, when well-placed, is likely to do good things to the native while a malefic planet which is badly placed is likely to have severe bad effects on the native. When Moon is benefic, it gives immense benefits to the native in terms of calmness, peace and mother's support and blessings.

The colour profile of a planet helps in appeasing the planet. If the planet is not favourable to the native, it is suggested that the native should donate clothes of that colour or give foodgrain (in this case, rice) as donation. This is likely to reduce the malefic effects of the planet. To strengthen the benefic effects of the planet grey coloured clothes can be worn. Donation of rice helps in strengthening the Moon.

Similarly, the stone specific to a planet is helpful for reducing the malefic effects of a planet. However, it is important to note that the weight of the metal (typically silver is used for Moon) and carats of the pearl as well the type of article (earrings, ring, bangle etc.) to be worn vary as per each person's requirements and horoscope. The horoscope must be studied in depth before the stone or metal is used. If the wrong weight of metal or carat of stone is used, it can have a detrimental effect.

Moon is the ruler of the sign, Cancer. The placement of the Moon in the horoscope decides whether the Moon is favourable to the native or otherwise. If the Moon is itself in cancer, being its own sign, it has a very good effect on the native. If the Moon is watching its own sign, Cancer, it gives some benefits. Depending on who is occupying the sign and who is aspecting it, the predictions with respect to the Moon may change.

The other two major points to be kept in mind are: Exaltation and Debilitation.

The sign in which Moon is exalted is Taurus and it is debilitated in Scorpio. The degree at which the Moon is placed in the horoscope in Taurus or Scorpio, indicates whether it is deeply exalted or deeply debilitated. Based on this, the degree of the effect of such placement can be predicted.

In the Vimshottari Dasha system, the Moon has a dasha period of 10 years. If the native is undergoing the Moon's Dasha, depending on the placement of the Moon, aspects, and all the properties stated above, the native's prospects with respect to the Moon (calmness, peace, mother and generally, the state of the mind) can be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy.

The interpretation of a horoscope and the remedies suggested varies widely depending on the placement of the planet in the native's horsocope. The properties of each planet need to be kept in mind and the horoscope must be studied keeping all planets and their properties before giving remedies.