Chandra - Moon (PEARL

The Moon in Vedic astrology is called CHANDRA. In Sanskrit CHANDRA means "bright and shining". The Moon is also called SOMA, named after the intoxicating sacred drink used in Vedic sacrifice. Where all westerners know their Sun-sign, you will find all Hindus know their Moon sign, for the Moon, and its birth sign are important in Hindu culture and astrology.

In fact, Hindus do not celebrate their birthday on the calendar day on which they were born. Instead, they celebrate their birthday in the month they were born when the Moon enters the part of the sign it was in at birth. Such is the importance of the Moon in Vedic culture.

The bright Moon is considered a benefic of the highest order, and the dark Moon is considered a malefic. The Moon is known as a hare, or rabbit in Vedic lore, as he jumps faster than any of the other grahas. The Moon rules over the sidereal sign of Cancer. He is exalted in Taurus, and fallen in the opposite sign of Scorpio.

The Moon is a karaka of many things. He is an indicator of the mother, and females in general, the public, general well-being and happiness, femininity and beauty, the eyesight, memory and the mind.

Many western students of astrology are shocked to discover that the Moon is indicative of the mind, and not Mercury. The Sun is the indicator of the soul, and the Moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Mercury is the further process that is called the intellect, which places a value on what the mind has received. The Moon as the mind is indicative of all the senses and their ability to perceive life in its entire splendor. Mercury represents a further distillation and conceptualization of that process and its ultimate intellectualization in forming judgment. The Moon is most comfortable and powerful in the 4th House; she also likes the angles. The Moon is particularly beneficial for the water sign ascendants of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Her nature is KAPHA, or watery. Her gem is the Moonstone and Natural Pearls. Her metal is silver and her direction is Northwes

The Moon's day is Monday. The Moon comes into her full maturity at age 24. In Vedic myth the Moon, or CHANDRA, is depicted as Male. He is married to the 27 lunar mansions or NAKSHATRAS as they are called in Sanskrit that makes up the sidereal cycle of the Moon. This is how long it takes the Moon to move through all the signs, some 27 odd days. Each night he stays in one of the mansions until he has visited all 27 wives and the sidereal cycle is completed. But, having 27 wives, Chandra does not treat them all equally. He is especially fond of the lunar mansion ROHINI, in Taurus where the Moon is exalted.

CHANDRA (MOON) is a lovable God - a loving god. Pleasing to children as well as elders universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion of the onlooker. Sages and devotees invoke the Goddess Mother in Chandra and meditate for hours.

This graha (Moon) causes nightfall strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and is considered as the mother who radiates nectar (Amrut). Worship of this graha is said to be beneficial for relief from all sorrows, helps in curing mental afflictions etc. His cool rays radiate happiness around. He adores the head of Lord Siva.

In the Zodiac he is the lord of Cancer. Worshipping Chandra on Mondays is said to be very effective in getting one's prayers answered.

The Moon tells what sort of mind you have (along with Mercury), how you handle your outer personality, what your instincts are, what your purpose is. The Moon is your memory, imagination, your inner dreams. The house in which it's found is where your personality makes itself felt. Look for the sign Cancer to see where else your Moon is felt.The Moon retains all the characteristics of Cancer and the 4th house but these characteristics must be combined with the sign and house YOUR Moon occupies to see how you handle your personality, etc. For example, in Scorpio the Moon's sensitiveness is hidden since Scorpio is secretive.You will never know you have hurt a Scorpio Moon's feelings. Sagittarius, on the other hand, is very talkative, philosophical, and friendly so if you hurt this Moon's feelings, you will not only hear about it but you may be told all the reasons behind the hurt. An Aries moon is more than likely to take quick offense and attack!The Moon means women in general, the public, fluids, change, the family and the mother. It shows you how you get along with woman. In a man's chart the Moon denotes the wife.

The Moon represents the mind indicating an individual's thoughts, feelings, expressions etc. Moon is beneficial to those born in ascending moon cycle and disastrous to those born in descending moon sign. The Moon also possesses dominance over the waters and liquids within our bodies. The Moon is responsible for growth, fertility and conception. The Moon rules Cancer Zodiac sign and is strong there in its own sign. It is powerful or exalted, in Taurus and fallen, or debilitated, in Scorpio. The zodiacs Jupiter, Sun and Mars are the Moon's natural friends.

About Planets

The Indian Astrology distinguishes the destiny and traits of an individual that are associated with the positions of the planets and the date, time and place of birth. The Indian astrology considers the movement of two luminaries namely the Sun and the Moon, five major planets (Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Jupiter) and the two nodal points of the Moon i.e Rahu and Ketu.

Moon

The Moon represents the mind indicating an individual's thoughts, feelings, expressions etc. Moon is beneficial to those born in ascending moon cycle and disastrous to those born in descending moon sign. The Moon also possesses dominance over the waters and liquids within our bodies. The Moon is responsible for growth, fertility and conception. The Moon rules Cancer Zodiac sign and is strong there in its own sign. It is powerful or exalted, in Taurus and fallen, or debilitated, in Scorpio. The zodiacs Jupiter, Sun and Mars are the Moon's natural friends.

Source : http://www.navratan.com