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| SOMA - THE MOON |
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 Northwest.
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| SOMA AS SEEN IN TEMPLES |
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. |
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