Graha
Chandra (Moon)
चन्द्र
Chandra, the Moon, is the mind of the chart. It shows how you feel, how you take in the world and how settled you are at home. The Moon moves faster than any other graha, and the sign and nakshatra it holds at birth set your rashi and the start of your dasha cycle.
Classical reference, by the Astex Astro team.
At a glance
- Signifies
- The mind and emotions, the mother, comfort, home and nourishment, the public and popularity, fluids, sleep and the chest
- Own signs
- Kark (Cancer)
- Exaltation
- Taurus (deepest at 3°)
- Debilitation
- Scorpio (deepest at 3°)
- Moolatrikona
- Taurus 4° to 30°
- Enemies
- None
- Day
- Monday
- Gemstone
- Pearl (मोती)
- Mahadasha (Vimshottari)
- 10 years
What Chandra stands for
Chandra is manas karaka, the significator of the mind. It describes mood, memory, sensitivity and the need for emotional safety. Two people with the same lagna can feel entirely different from each other because their Moons differ, which is why Vedic astrology gives the Moon sign so much weight.
Chandra also signifies the mother, the home, comfort and nourishment. It relates to the public, to popularity and to fluids in the body, to sleep and to the chest. A person who feels cared for at home often has a Moon that sits comfortably in the chart.
When Chandra is strong
The Moon is strong in Vrishabha, where it is exalted, deepest at 3 degrees, and in its own sign Karka. A waxing Moon, from the new moon towards the full moon, is considered stronger and kinder than a waning one. Strength gives a calm mind, warm manners and an easy way with people.
A strong Chandra also helps a person recover from setbacks. The mind settles, sleep comes and the home feels like a refuge. Public work, hospitality, teaching and care of others all suit such a Moon, because people sense its warmth and respond to it. Friends and family find such a person easy to talk to.
When Chandra is weak
Chandra is weak in Vrischika, where it is debilitated, deepest at 3 degrees, and when it is dim near the new moon. Weakness can show as worry that circles, trouble settling the mind or a strong need for reassurance. These are tendencies of temperament, and awareness itself already softens them.
The Moon has no enemies among the grahas, which is why even a weak Chandra can be supported by a good friend such as the Sun or Mercury. Astrologers look at its house, its aspects and the strength of its dispositor before judging how the mind will really behave.
Traditional remedies
Tradition honours Chandra with its mantra, with the Chandra stotra and with Shiva worship on Mondays, the Moon's weekday. A Monday fast is common in many households. Spending quiet time near water, or simply keeping a regular bedtime, is also described as soothing to the Moon in older household advice.
Traditional gifts for Chandra are rice and milk, offered on a Monday. Caring for the mother and for elderly women of the family is considered the best service, since Chandra signifies them. A pearl is linked to the Moon, yet any gemstone should be worn only after a full chart reading.
Questions people ask
Which signs does Chandra rule?
Kark (Cancer). It is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio.
Why is the Moon sign so important in Vedic astrology?
Your rashi is the sign the Moon occupied at birth, and the Vimshottari dasha begins from the Moon's nakshatra. Because the Moon reflects the mind, many predictions and daily transit readings in the Parashari system are counted from it.
How long is the Moon mahadasha?
In the classical Vimshottari system the Chandra mahadasha lasts 10 years. Its results depend on the Moon's sign, house and strength in your chart, and on the planets that join or aspect it.