Planets · Moon
Moon in astrology: the mind and emotional steadiness
What the Moon signifies in Vedic astrology, its own sign, exaltation and debilitation, and how it is read in a chart.
In short
The Moon in astrology (Chandra) signifies the mind (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 12-13). It owns Cancer, is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio (ch. 3 sl. 49-54). A strong Moon gives emotional steadiness and public goodwill; Astrojar reads love, property, health, mind and peace, and foreign travel and settling abroad with it.
The Moon at a glance
| Moon | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Chandra |
| Nature | Natural benefic |
| Signifies (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 12-13) | The mind |
| Owns | Cancer |
| Exalted in | Taurus (deepest at Taurus 3°) |
| Debilitated in | Scorpio (deepest at Scorpio 3°) |
| Moolatrikona | Taurus 3-30° |
| Aspects | The 7th house from itself |
| Friends | Mercury, Sun |
| Enemies | None |
| Astrojar reads it for | Love, property, health, mind and peace, and foreign travel and settling abroad |
Dignities: BPHS ch. 3 sl. 49-54. Friendship: ch. 3 sl. 55. Aspects: ch. 26 sl. 2-5.
How is the Moon read? The classical rules
- Moon exalted Gives its good results in full: emotional steadiness and public goodwill (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 59-60).
- Moon in its moolatrikona Gives three quarters of its good results (ch. 3 sl. 59-60).
- Moon in its own sign Gives half of its good results (ch. 3 sl. 59-60).
- Moon in a friend's sign Gives a quarter of its good results (ch. 3 sl. 59-60).
- Moon debilitated or in an enemy's sign Its good results are nil (ch. 3 sl. 59-60).
- The Moon as 12th lord, dignified or in the 5th, 9th or 11th Fine homes, beds and comforts (BPHS ch. 23 sl. 1-4).
One rule never decides a chart on its own: the classical method weighs the planet, the houses it owns and occupies, the planets with and aspecting it, and the running dasha together.
Questions about the Moon
Why is the Moon so important in Vedic astrology?
The Moon is the mind (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 12-13), your rashi (Moon sign) is the sign it occupies, and the nakshatra it occupies at birth sets the start of the Vimshottari dasha.
Which sign does the Moon rule?
Cancer. It is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio.
Is the Moon a benefic?
A natural benefic when waxing; BPHS counts a waning Moon among the malefics (ch. 3 sl. 11).
Keep learning
- Navagraha: the 9 planets in astrology What each planet signifies and rules.
- Sun planet in astrology The soul, authority and vitality
- Mars in astrology Strength, courage and drive
- 1 to 12 houses in astrology What each house shows, and every house lord by Lagna.
- Moon transit Chandra bala, Tara bala and Chandrashtama, read from your Moon sign.
- Chandra mantra and remedies The beej mantra, japa count, day and charity for the Moon.
Sources
- BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11 (nature), sl. 12-13 (what the grahas signify), sl. 49-60 (dignity, friendship and the share of good results).
- BPHS ch. 26 sl. 2-5 (aspects).
- BPHS ch. 23 sl. 1-4.
Chapter and verse numbers follow R. Santhanam's English translation of BPHS (Ranjan Publications). About the text.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
Where is the Moon in your chart?
Ask Astrojar about your own chart: your first 3 questions are free. Or get a full report made from your birth chart.