Luminous Insights: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Moon in Western Astrology and Jyotish
In its constant dance with the sun, the moon holds a central position in both Western astrology and Jyotish (Vedic astrology), albeit with some distinct differences in interpretation. In this post, we’ll explore these similarities and discrepancies and gain a better understanding of the moon from the astrological standpoint.
The Moon in Western Astrology
In Western astrology, the moon represents the realm of emotions, intuition, receptivity and instinctual response. It reveals how we nurture and seek to be nurtured, as well as the early childhood nurturing we received from our mothers or other primary caregivers.
The lunar energy influences our moods in the same way it pulls the tides. At its best, a well-balanced moon enables us to honor our feelings, cultivate empathy, and forge deep emotional bonds. It invites us to embrace our nurturing side, fostering compassion and understanding within ourselves and towards others.
An unbalanced moon in a person’s chart can manifest in various ways: Too “much” moon can bring the challenges of moodiness, oversensitivity, becoming overly dependant and attached and the tendency to become overwhelmed by feelings. On the other hand, an “inhibited” moon can create challenges with intimacy, connecting with emotions, relating to others or being in touch with one’s more instinctual nature.
To understand your particular moon, it’s always important to look at its sign, aspects and house placement in your natal chart.
Astro Deets about the Moon in Traditional Western Astrology
The moon rules the watery sign of Cancer and is in its sign of exaltation in earthy Taurus. Conversely, it struggles more in its sign of detriment (Capricorn) and fall (Scorpio).
Please note that this isn’t a judgement call but rather indicates the level of “comfort” – a very lunar word itself – the moon has in a particular sign.
Astrologically speaking, the moon is the swiftest planet, which gives it an inherently fickle, changeable and moody nature. Taurus represents stability, sensuality, and material abundance, aligning harmoniously with the moon's desire for comfort and emotional security – and holding it nice and steady, so that its more challenging aspects (i.e., too much moon-ing) are less likely to emerge.
The moon seeks closeness and intimacy, and has a deep longing for emotional security and comfort, and therefore tends to feel uneasy in Saturn-ruled Capricorn, which emphasizes self-reliance, practicality and facing that hard, cold road all on your own.
Similarly, the moon's tender nature may find it challenging to navigate the intense and assertive energy of Mars-ruled Scorpio, which can bring in an emotionally stormy nature yet extremely guarded nature. Both signs make it more difficult for the moon to feel safe or “flow” in the way it desires.
Here are some traditional associations ascribed to the moon in Western astrology:
Places: seaside towns, lakeshores, watery landscapes, caves, and places with a mystical or serene ambiance
Herbs: Jasmine, chamomile, moonwort, water lily, and white poppy
Stones: Moonstone, pearl, selenite, opal, and silver
Lunar Goddesses and Figures: Selene, Artemis, Diana, Isis, and Hecate. And don’t forget the Virgin Mary!
The Moon in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology)
While there are similarities with Western astrology, Jyotish delves even deeper into the intricate workings of the moon's influence.
As in Western astrology, Jyotish considers the moon a profound indicator of our emotional responses, thoughts, and perceptions, as well as how we relate to others. However, in Jyotish, they stress even more that the moon represents the mind and all its fluctuations. As our mind, the moon colors our entire perception in the same way a filter on a camera lens would make everything look blue or yellow or red.
The moon's position at the time of our birth, along with its Nakshatra (lunar mansion), adds further nuance to the understanding of our psychological makeup. I’ll definitely be exploring the moon's Nakshatra in a future post, as it reveals fascinating details about our emotional tendencies, personality traits, and spiritual potential.
Some traditional associations ascribed to the moon in Jyotish:
Sign of Exaltation and Detriment: Taurus and Scorpio (for the same reasons, but Capricorn is left out here)
Places: going to far off countries, any body of water
People/animals: mothers, babies, watery creatures, gentle animals with expressive eyes*
Herbs: sandalwood, lotus, vetiver, holy basil (tulsi), and jasmine
Stones: pearl, moonstone, white coral
Body parts: mind, breasts, chest, and digestive system*
Illnesses: digestive disorders, emotional imbalances, and hormonal issues*
Vedic Gods and Goddesses: Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Krishna, Goddess Gauri, and Lord Chandra (the Moon God).
(Please note that Jyotish uses the Sidereal zodiac, so your moon might not be in the same sign as it is in your Western (Tropical zodiac) chart.)
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, one thing I love about Jyotish is that the system has remediation techniques that can help you overcome and heal the more challenging aspects in your chart. My moon is in a very challenging position in my chart, and I’ve often gone through periods where I struggled with depression, emotional ups and downs and issues mood swings.
The remedial techniques I’ve used since I started studying and working with Jyotish have truly transformed these tendencies and brought in a greater sense of emotional stability than I’ve ever experienced before, which is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to focus more on this type of astrology for my consultations than on the Western system.
Stay tuned for future posts where we explore the moon's connection with Nakshatras as well as similar posts at the crossroads of Western astrology and Jyotish – please share and subscribe!
*These attributes are also the same in traditional Western astrology.