☽ The Moon (Chandra) in Vedic Astrology
The Moon (Chandra) is the queen of the celestial cabinet and represents the mind, emotions, and consciousness in Vedic astrology. As the second most powerful luminary, the Moon governs emotions, nurturing, and one's inner world. Ancient Vedic texts provide detailed observations about the Moon's movements, appearances, and various phenomena that were believed to influence earthly events.
The Moon's position and appearance were carefully studied by ancient astrologers to predict events affecting kingdoms, agriculture, and the welfare of people. These observations form an important part of classical Vedic astrological texts.
The Moon's Illumination
The Moon being always below (or nearer to the Earth than the Sun) has half her orb illuminated by the rays of the Sun and white, while the other half is dark or black being obscured by her own shadow.
The rays of the Sun falling on and being reflected by the watery Moon dispels the darkness of the night on Earth, just as light reflected from a mirror removes the darkness within a room.
As the Moon leaves the surface of the Sun, her back gets illumined by the Sun. The Moon's disc begins to shine from the bottom in an increasing measure. The brightness of the Moon is on the increase every day corresponding to her distance from the Sun.
Moon's Passage Through Nakshatras
When the Moon passes through the south of Jyeshta, Moola and the two Ashadhas, there will be destruction of seeds, water-animals, ruin of forests and risks from fire.
If the Moon goes through the south of Visakha and Anuradha, she will prove malefic. If she should pass even through the middle of Magha or of Visakha, she will bring on prosperity.
The six stars reckoned from Revati conjoin with the Moon when she has not actually come to them. The twelve asterisms counted from Ardra conjoin with the Moon only when she comes to their middle portion.
Moon's Horn Configurations
The shape and configuration of the Moon's horns (crescent) have significant astrological implications. Different horn shapes indicate various effects on agriculture, warfare, and the welfare of people.
Boat Shape
When the horns of the Moon appear a bit raised and far from each other while presenting the appearance of a boat, there will be trouble to the sailors, but prosperity to the mankind at large.
Plough Shape (Northern Higher)
If the northern horn of the Moon be higher than the southern by a half thus presenting the appearance of a plough, there will be trouble to the agriculturists. There will be cordiality among the kings and prosperity in the land.
Inauspicious Plough (Southern Higher)
If the southern horn be raised by half, it is termed an inauspicious plough and will cause the demise of the king and the army will be mobilised for war.
Even Horns
When the two horns are of even height, there will be good crops, happiness all over and timely rains. If the horns assume the shape of a stick, disease will break out among cattle.
Bow Shape
If the configuration be of the form of a bow, there will be war and success will attend those that live in the direction indicated by the bowstring.
Yoke Shape
If the Moon should appear stretched like the yoke of a carriage from south to north, there will be earthquake. If the southern curved end be higher than the northern, it will cause destruction of the trading class and drought.
Other Moon Configurations
Bent Down (Virama)
If one of the horns should on account of the elevation of the other appear in a downward direction, the figure is termed bent down or pulled down, and indicates famine all over affecting even the cattle.
Circle Shape (Kunda)
If the horns of the Moon should together appear like a circle it is termed Kunda, and the ruling chiefs living in the land will be ousted from their places.
Northern Horn Raised
If the Moon has her northern horn slightly raised and be of a form other than any of those described above, it indicates increase of happiness to mankind and advent of timely rains.
Southern Horn Higher
If the southern horn be higher, it portends famine and fear.
Defective Moon Appearances
If the Moon should appear with only one horn, with one of the horns shorn off, or with one of the horns bent downwards, or appear like a full Moon while in reality it is not so, the person who observes such a Moon singly on the first day of the bright half of a month will meet with immediate death.
Moon's Size and Shape Variations
| Moon Form | Indication |
|---|---|
| Tiny Moon | Indicates drought |
| Big Moon | Forerunner of plenty of good crops |
| Slender in the middle (Vajra) | Risk to people from hunger and feverish preparations by kings for war |
| Form of tabor | Denotes peace and plenty to the people |
| Very broad disc | Denotes large influx of wealth to the king |
| Corpulent Moon | Will make people eat rich food |
| Slender Moon | Will give food and grain that is most agreeable |
Moon Obstructed by Planets
Mars Conjunction
When Mars comes in conjunction with the body of the Moon and obstructs her, kings who are ready for war with their cavalry and carriages will suffer for a course of six months.
Saturn Conjunction
When the Moon's orb is cut or obstructed by Saturn, the ministers and rulers of the eastern countries will suffer misery for a period of ten months.
Mercury Conjunction
When Mercury forms a conjunction with the Moon and then emerges out of her orb, the Magadhas and Mathuras will suffer miseries.
Ketu Conjunction
When the Moon is obstructed by Ketu, the people will be deprived of prosperity, health and plenty. The military population will perish.
Rahu Eclipse with Meteor
When the Moon eclipsed by Rahu is cut by a meteor, the king happening to own that star as his natal one dies.
Venus Conjunction
When the Moon's orb is divided into two by the contact of Venus in the middle, various regions will be subjected to miseries for 7 months.
Moon's Color and Appearance
Inauspicious Appearance
- Ash color
- Dirty or reddish
- Deprived of rays
- Dark in form
- Broken or shaky
Effects: People will suffer from hunger, tumult, pestilence, disease and danger from thieves.
Auspicious Appearance
- White like snow
- Like Kunda (Jessamine) flower
- Like Kumuda (lotus) flower
- Like crystal
- Bright and clear
Effects: Harbinger of peace and prosperity to the entire land.
Moon's Growth and Prosperity
During the bright half of the Moon, if her growth be regular, the Brahmins and Kshatriyas as also the people will rise to power and prosperity. Their prosperity will be moderate if her growth be medium. If it be less, the prosperity also will dwindle. These effects will be reversed in the dark half.
The Moon leads to victory and prosperity to the whole mankind when she is as bright as the Kumuda flower, lotus-stalk and a pearl-necklace, and whose digits increase or decrease proportionately to the number of Tithis that have elapsed and who remains unchanged in her gait, appearance and rays.