The Moon: Mind, Mother and the Emotional Weather

Vedic astrology gives the Moon a weight that surprises people coming from the Western system. The birth sign is taken from the Moon. The dasha sequence is calculated from the Moon. Transit results are read from the Moon.

The reasoning is straightforward. Life is experienced through the mind, and the mind belongs to the Moon.

What the Moon signifies

The Moon signifies the mind, the emotions, mental balance, memory, the mother, the general public, liquids, water, travel and popularity.

In the body it relates to blood, the lungs, the left eye and the fluids generally.

Its placements

The Moon is exalted at three degrees of Taurus and debilitated at three degrees of Scorpio. Cancer is its own sign.

The Sun and Mercury are its friends. The remaining planets are neutral. The Moon is traditionally said to have no enemies, which is a rather fitting detail.

It crosses a sign in about two and a quarter days and completes its circuit in twenty seven.

How its strength is judged

The Moon's strength is measured differently from the other planets, and the lunar fortnight is what matters.

Through the waxing fortnight, as the Moon moves towards the full moon, its strength increases. Through the waning fortnight, moving towards the new moon, it decreases.

Someone born near the new moon has what is called a weak or waning Moon. This is not a curse. It indicates greater emotional sensitivity and a need for conscious effort towards steadiness.

A strong Moon

People with a strong Moon are emotionally settled and at ease with themselves. Memory tends to be good.

They connect with others easily and are often well liked. Their relationship with the mother is usually warm and supportive.

They read other people's feelings accurately, which is useful in leadership and in any advisory role.

An afflicted Moon

Where the Moon is waning, debilitated, or afflicted by Saturn, Rahu or Ketu, certain tendencies appear.

The mind is restless and views shift frequently. Small things register more heavily than they should. Sleep can be disturbed.

There may be concern over the mother's health, or emotional distance from her. Decisions are difficult, because the mind does not settle in one place long enough to choose.

Kemadruma Yoga

This is a specific configuration worth knowing about. When neither the second nor the twelfth house from the Moon contains any planet, Kemadruma Yoga forms.

It is described as a yoga of emotional isolation. But it is important to note that if any benefic occupies a kendra, or if the Moon itself is in a kendra, the yoga is cancelled.

In practice a genuine unbroken Kemadruma is uncommon. There is rarely cause for alarm.

Remedies

Offering water and milk to Shiva on Mondays is the foremost remedy for the Moon.

Serving your mother and treating her with respect is the most direct way to strengthen it.

Wearing silver, donating white cloth, rice, milk and white items is beneficial. The mantra Om Som Somaya Namah may be recited, and regular meditation helps.

One practical point deserves as much weight as any ritual. A person with an afflicted Moon should pay close attention to sleep and to keeping a regular routine. Lifestyle contributes to mental steadiness at least as much as any planet does.