The Moon is the second most important planet in astrology. As per astronomy, the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth but in astrology, it is treated as a planet/grah. In scientific terminology, it is rightly considered as a satellite as it orbits around planet Earth but it has certain properties which put a question mark on this theory. To be a satellite, it should have a lot of similarity to the parent planet. When the rocks brought from the Moon were examined during the Apollo mission, no similarity was found between them and the one present on Earth. There was a disparity found during the examination of the other minerals and soil as well. It is interesting to note that what NASA is proving today has already been known to our Rishi’s thousand years ago when there was no technological advancement. They were aware of such differences and rightly categorized it as a planet instead of a satellite.
The distance of the Moon from the Earth is 3844000 Km. The Moon is considered a cool planet because of its low core temperature which is 1500 centigrade. It has always been of special interest to the earthlings. In 2009, ISRO’s Chandrayan-1 established the presence of water molecules on the Moon’s surface in large quantities. Prior to it, it was considered to be dry, and again interestingly, in astrology, we consider it as a watery planet already. While I was writing this blog in the month of July’23, India launched Chandrayan-III to explore more about the Moon. It will land sometime soon and maybe some new startling facts will come out. Let’s wait and watch!
The Moon holds a special place in Indian culture and folklore and is often used as a symbol of love, poetry, beauty, and romance. It is regularly used as a symbol of love and romantic emotions in songs and dance forms. Due to such interest of the populace in the Moon, it is used regularly in Indian Cinema to depict various emotions. Nights with a full Moon are considered romantic and give rise to feelings of love, longing, and passion. However, as a fact of the matter, it is not so charming and glowing. The entire surface is filled with craters and the glow is borrowed from the Sun.
In astrology, we consider it as mind and there are good reasons to do so. Now, let’s understand -what is the mind? Mind is everything, the controller of all five senses and the central or core of all matters. We and things around us are manifestations of the mind only. Every idea takes shape in the mind first and then comes into a physical being. If the body is a vehicle then the mind is its engine and without an engine, all other components are rendered useless. Although they have utility but work on command and that command comes from the engine i.e. mind. The waning and waxing of the Moon has a tremendous impact on human beings, aquatic as well as all other life forms. The waning period develops a lot of depressive thoughts among us who have weak Moon placement in the horoscope. We will understand more about it later. The Indian sacred scripture, Bhagwadgita is entirely based on mind control. Our mind is capable of doing the greatest of things and the most heinous at the same time. It is so powerful.
Bhagavad Gita says in Chapter 6, verse 6 – “thy who has controlled the mind, it is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, this very mind will be the greatest enemy.”
Mind is the reason for our bondage and liberation. In our prayers, we say to God to help us in transcending this ocean called “Bhavsagar” so that we achieve salvation and free ourselves from the cycle of life and death. This ocean or “Bhavsagar” is nothing but the mind or moon only.
By now, I hope you have understood the importance of the Moon.
The Moon also signifies mother just as the Sun signifies father. Mother is nothing but Nature Personified. The role of Nature is to maintain the continuity of life and that can only happen when all species keep on giving birth. It is Nature that sustains and nurtures everything on this planet and Mother plays a similar role. Another fact is that nature controls us and all other beings through our minds only. Humans have a higher conscious level so they can distinguish between good and bad and act accordingly, but others just follow compulsively.
The Moon is a fast-moving planet, not only considered astrologically but established astronomically. It covers the entire zodiac in roughly 27 days. There are 27 nakshatra’s or constellations and it covers one per day. It stays in a rashi for two and a half days. The Indian calendar called sidereal month and synodic month is based on the movement of the Moon only. All Indian festivals are reckoned with these calendars. All muhurata are derived from the movement of the Moon.
In astrology, we follow a dasha system and there are mathematical calculations to derive it. There are many Dashas to refer but the most commonly used is Vimshottari Dasha as expounded by Sage Parashara. Under this system, entire human life is taken for 120 years and all nine planets are allotted a certain period. If anyone crosses this period then it will start from the first one. Now, this dasha is also calculated from the position of the Moon. The degree it has covered in a Rashi and the nakshatra it has traversed will fix the initial period in terms of time and of the planet.
Now, note the relationship between the Dasha planet and the Moon. Since birth, we have been under the influence of a particular planet according to the sequence we received under the Vimshottari Dasha system. There is a major period, sub-period, and sub-sub-period. The Dasha planet is responsible for influencing our thoughts and that is being done through the Moon i.e. mind. Our life is the reflection of our thoughts and our thoughts have a direct relation to the placement of the Moon in our horoscope. It will not be wrong to say, we are controlled by the Moon.
Just observe your life. Why aren’t you able to focus on things of concern matter but keep on wandering mentally on useless ones? Why aren’t you able to control your anger or other emotions which you internally know are harmful? You start liking a person for some period and then develop a dislike after some time. Why does it happen? All this has a direct connection with the dasha you are undergoing and its relation with the Moon.
The Moon owns the sign Cancer and the 4th house of the horoscope. If it is placed between malefic planets like Saturn, Mars, Rahu, and Ketu or placed in houses such as 6th, 8th, and 12th then a person will develop more negative emotions. The waning Moon is also considered malefic, especially from the Ashtami of Krishna paksha to the Saptami of Shukla paksha. The lunar month is divided into two halves of 15 days each. The lunar month is reckoned with dates called “Tithi”. When the Moon completes 12 degrees with the Sun, one tithi gets complete, and so on. Due to the angle formed with the Sun, the light on its surface keeps on increasing and decreasing. The waxing period is called Shukla Paksha and the waning period is called Krishna Paksha. The 15th of Shukla Paksha is called the Full Moon or Purnima and Krishna Paksha is called New Moon or Amavasya.
If the Moon is placed in Kendra or trikona, exaltation sign, friendly sign, hemmed between benefic planets, of Shukla Paksha then it is considered better placed and the native will have a serene and peaceful mind.
Another interesting aspect of the Moon is, that it does not consider any other planet as an enemy. It is either friendly with them or neutral. However, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu consider them as enemies.
If the Moon is not well placed and giving trouble in its major period or sub-period, then the below-mentioned remedies shall be performed;
- Worship Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva has given him a place on his head. Worshiping Lord Shiva will automatically reduce the negative impacts of the Moon.
- Never make attempts to spoil the water. Ensure to take a bath in rivers every quarter.
- Donate water as much as possible. Organize water camps during summers.
- Never disrespect your parents, especially your mother.
- Wear Pearl but with the advice of an astrologer.
The final outcome of our karma will never change but with the performance of remedies, we make ourselves ready to take any adversity head on. What we experience is the manifestation of our past karma and only we are responsible for that.
Astrology gives deep insights into our life and its pattern. It shall only be taken as guidance to improve our karmic and spiritual journey.
Om Tat Sat
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