The Moon – Its Nature, Strength, and Effects

 The Moon – Its Nature, Strength, and Effects

The Moon is considered a conditional benefic planet. Its nature changes according to its proximity to the Sun — when it is within 72 degrees of the Sun, it becomes malefic. A malefic Moon tends to destroy the significations of the house it owns. However, even when malefic, if it is associated with or aspected by benefic planets, it can still yield auspicious results.

The Moon’s strength also varies with its phase:

• In the first 10 days (Bāla Avasthā or child state), it gives weak or insignificant results.
• In the next 10 days (Yuva Avasthā or youth), it becomes strong and gives favorable outcomes.
• In the last 10 days (Vṛddha or Mṛta Avasthā – old age or nearing death), it loses vitality, and expecting good results from it becomes futile.

The Moon attains strength when it is in Cancer (its own sign), Taurus (its exaltation sign), on Mondays, during its own Hora, and when posited in its own Drekkana or Hora. It also becomes powerful when aspected or conjoined by benefic planets.
According to Varāhamihira in Bṛhat Jātaka, when all planets aspect the Moon, it forms a Rāja Yoga, conferring eminence and power.

Classical authorities describe that the Ascendant (Lagna) represents the body of the native, while the Ṣaḍvarga (six divisional charts) are its limbs. The Moon is said to represent Prāṇa or life-force. Other planets correspond to the body’s vital constituents (Dhātus):

• Sun – Bones (Asthi)
• Mars – Marrow (Majjā)
• Jupiter – Fat (Medhā)
• Mercury – Skin (Tvak)
• Saturn – Muscles (Māṁsa)

Thus, as the Moon signifies the life-force, if it is afflicted or destroyed, the very vitality that sustains these bodily constituents is also weakened or lost.

 

Attributes of the Moon

Attribute	Description
Nature	Dual (Dvandva)
Gender	Female
Guna	Sāttvika
Avasthā (State)	Youth and Old Age
Element	Water
Complexion	Fair
Assigned Mineral	Blood
Taste	Salty
Deity	Apā (Water Deity)
Time Frame	Second
Direction	Northwest
Aspect	Neutral
Rising Direction	East or West
Strong During	Night
Season	Rainy Season
Time of Day	Evening (Sunset)
Sphere of Influence	Water bodies
Associated Age	48 or 70 years
Region	Forests or Jungles
Ayan (Motion)	Dakṣiṇāyana (Southward)
Caste	Vaishya (Trader)

 

Diseases Governed by the Moon

The Moon governs ailments connected to fluids and the blood. Classical texts associate it with:

• Pāṇḍu Roga (Anemia) – disorders arising from deficiency of blood or vitality.
• Diseases related to water – such as edema or watery swellings.
• Kāmala – severe debility or jaundice-like conditions; described by Ācāryas Charaka and Harita as a secondary stage of Pāṇḍu Roga, whereas Vāgbhaṭa considered it a distinct disease.
• Venereal or sexually transmitted diseases.
• Ailments arising from the wrath of female deities (Strī-devatā kopa-janya roga).