Moon (astrology) 1453946 224334129 2008-07-08T11:40:31Z Emeraude 2283104 Removed external link to advert. Some repeated links unlinked {{for|a description of the Moon as a [[celestial body]]|Moon}} {{astrology}} The '''Moon''' is the earth's companion satellite, though some astronomers believe that it approaches being a planet in its own right. The Moon is large enough for its gravity to affect the Earth, stabilising its orbit and producing the regular ebb and flow of the tides. The Moon is also familiar to us for its different [[Lunar phase|phases]], waxing and waning in appearance in an unchanging cycle. For this reason, astrologers consider the moon to be at least secondary in importance to the [[sun (astrology)|sun]] in astrological terms, and it is widely considered to be just as important as the sun. The Moon orbits the earth in 28 days, spending a fleeting 2.33 days in each of the signs of the zodiac. Recently, more accurate measurements of the Lunar orbital period have revealed two different numbers, depending on viewpoint. The synodic period is measured relative to the Sun and gives us a period of 29.5 days from new Moon to new Moon, the start of the Lunar month. When observed from the Earth and relative to a fixed point in space, the sidereal period is 27.3 days with minor variations. In order to give a figure in whole numbers for ease of astrological calculation the Lunar orbit can be approximated to 27.75 days which then returns a period of 54 hours or 2.25 days for the Lunar transit of each sign. Also important in astrology are the [[Lunar node|moon's nodes]]. The nodes are where the moon's path crosses the [[ecliptic]], the sun's path across the sky. This means that they are the only locations where solar [[eclipse]]s can occur. The North node marks the place where the moon crosses from South to North (or ascends), while the South node marks where the moon crosses from North to South (or descends). The nodes' motion is always retrograde, so that they appear to move backwards through the [[zodiac]] . This motion is the same as the [[precession of the equinoxes]] , but in the case of the moon it only takes 19 years to complete a cycle. The two nodes are always exactly 180 degrees apart from each other at opposite ends of the ecliptic (ie. if the north node is at 23 degrees Aries, the south node will be at 23 degrees Libra). ==Western astrology== [[Image:Hevelius_Map_of_the_Moon_1647.jpg|left|thumb|Map of the Moon by [[Johannes Hevelius]] (1647).]] The [[Moon]] ([[Image:Moon symbol crescent.svg|22px]]) is the ruling planet of [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]. In Roman mythology, the Moon was represented by Diana, the hunter goddess. In Western [[astrology]] '''The Moon''' is said to represent the [[feelings|feeling]] nature of the individual. <ref> Jeff Mayo, ''Teach Yourself Astrology'' , pp18 - 19, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1964; Sasha Fenton ''Understanding Astrology'' , pp107 - 108, The Aquarian Press (Harper Collins), London, 1991; Derek and Julia Parker, ''The New Compleat Astrologer'' , pp88 - 89, Crescent Books, New York, 1971; Maritha Pottinger ''Astro Essentials'', pp12, 17, ACS Publications, San Diego, 1991 </ref> The moon is associated with a person's emotional make-up, [[Unconscious mind|unconscious]] habits, rhythms, memories and moods. It is also associated with the mother, maternal instincts or the urge to nurture, the home, and the past. The moon is used to characterise the inner child within us, as well as the past and how we have been as individuals rather than how we are now. It is also used to represent the perception one has of one's [[mother]], so someone with a [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] Moon would be more likely to see their mother as a Piscean type, even if in reality that was not the case. In the [[horoscope]] the aspects the moon makes with other planets and the [[Astronomical transit|transits]] the slower moving planets make to the moon are all said to have a strong impact on how our lives unfold. The moon is also said to represent receptivity, vulnerability, etc. but this should not suggest that its power is considered less than the sun's. From an astrological perspective (in which we assume, for the sake of argument, that the earth is fixed and everything else moves) the sun and moon are the same size. From an astrological perspective, they are equals; a solar eclipse reminds us of this so that we do not doubt the power of the moon, which is hidden and mysterious but no less influential. The first-century poet Manilius, described the Moon or ''Luna'', as melancholic. In medicine the moon is associated with the digestive system, stomach, breasts, genitals, buttocks, the ovaries and menstruation, and the pancreas. The moon is the ruler of the 4th [[Astrological house|house]]. ===Lunar phases=== Astrologers traditionally also consider the phase of the moon at the time of birth in interpreting its effects on the individual. <ref> Sasha Fenton, ''Moon Signs'' pp180-2, Aquarian Press, London, 1987 </ref>. The four phases of the moon are as follows: *First quarter (new) A person born in the first phase of the moon will have an underlying sense of youthful enthusiasm and optimism, a touch of the zodiac sign [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]] in their nature. They will probably prefer to take the initiative, especially in romance, and will be ready to look for new interests in life, new people and new ideas. The person will see how things can be improved and can spur others to action, before leaving them to finish the project. They will probably get off to an early start in life and be quite successful when young, though other factors in the chart will indicate whether this success is lasting. They need to guard against selfishness and taking others by surprise with over quick and hasty reactions. *Second quarter (waxing) A person born in the second quarter will be ambitious and sociable, with an underlying touch of the zodiac signs [[Cancer (astrology)|Cancer]] and [[Leo (astrology)|Leo]] in their nature. The person will be locked into their goals and have a strong need to create something which will be remembered by others. They will have a charismatic personality that draws others to them, but may instinctively use others for their own ends, rather than help them. They prefer a career where they are out in front and have attention and status. They also need a place of their own to express their personality, either their home or workplace. The person should achieve considerable success when young, but other factors in the chart will indicate whether that status is maintained. The person will be slow to anger, but formidable when aroused, and hates to be hurried or presented with a ''fait accompli''. However, they won't mind doing this to others if it tips the odds in their favour. *Third quarter (full) A person born in the third quarter will be sensitive to the needs of others and expects others to be sensitive to their own needs. There is an underlying sense of watchfulness reminiscent of the zodiac signs [[Libra (astrology)|Libra]] and [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]]. The person will need friendships, colleagues and relationships, and will relate well to others. They will either be drawn to highly successful people and help them achieve their goals, or else achieve success themselves with the help of others. There is a tension and nervousness at play which can lead to a short attention span and a constant search for new people and experiences, and sex will play some kind of transformative role in their life. The most successful time of life will be in the middle years. *Fourth quarter (waning) A person born in the fourth quarter will have an underlying feeling of the zodiac signs [[Capricorn (astrology)|Capricorn]] and [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]]. They will finish the projects that others start, and reorganize and sort out the problems left by others. They will often have clairvoyant insight and follow hunches rather than be logical. The person can be too sensitive and become upset by the demands of others, and can also be too inclined to sit back and let things happen. They will work best in groups and are not materialistic, but they do need job satisfaction. They may be slow to grow up, but are likely to go through some kind of metamorphosis later in life and achieve success in something unusual and completely individual. ===Lunar nodes=== While they are not considered by Western astrologers to be as important a factor as each of the planets, the lunar nodes are thought to mark sensitive areas that are worth taking into account. <ref> Derek and Julia Parker, ''The New Complete Astrologer'', p149, Crescent Books, New York, 1990 ; Jeff Mayo, ''Teach Yourself Astrology'' , p94, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1981 ; Sasha Fenton, ''Understanding Astrology'' pp146-7, Aquarian Press, London, 1991 </ref>. *[[Image:Northnode-symbol.png]] - North or ascending [[Lunar node|Node]] The North node tends to be beneficial in its effects, not unlike the planet Jupiter, and a possible source from which to derive some advantage, often through no conscious effort. Some astrologers consider the north node to represent a person's karmic task in the present life. *[[Image:Southnode-symbol.png]] - South or descending [[Lunar node|Node]] The South node tends to be somewhat adverse in its effects, not unlike the planet Saturn, and a possible source of the draining of energy from the person. It may indicate effort or even sacrifice is required, often without any expected reward. Some astrologers consider the south node to represent a person's karmic task in a past life. Many astrologers also believe that there is a relationship between social and anti-social behaviour and compatibility and incompatibility and the placing of the nodes. This can be assessed by sign and house. The nodes also have some bearing on premises, property and domestic circumstances. Planets which [[astrological progression|progress]] or [[astrological transit|transit]] the nodes often bring household changes. These are usually quite minor ones such as decorating or refurbishing a home, receiving visitors, or leaving the house for a holiday. Family members leaving the home for a while are also indicated by the nodes. In addition, if the nodes fall close to the [[ascendant]] or rising sign and the descendant opposite it, there can often be something unusual about the subject's appearance - he or she may be very tall for example. ==Chinese astrology== In Chinese [[cosmogony]] the moon is typically said to be identified with the feminine principle, the [[yin]]. This may be because a woman's [[menstrual cycle]] roughly corresponds to one [[lunar month]] that is of 29 or 30 days. In [[Chinese culture]], the sun and the moon, or [[Yin and yang|yang and yin]], are said to represent the masculine and the feminine, respectively. One way to think about the interaction of the sun and moon signs in one particular person's horoscope is [[Carl Jung|Jung]]'s theory of the [[Anima (Jung)|anima/animus]], which is very similar to the Chinese idea that every human being should strive to balance the yang and the [[Feng Shui#Yin and Yang|yin]], or the masculine and the feminine, in her/his own personality and life. ===Lunar phases=== Chinese astrology also considers the phase of the moon at the time of a person's birth to be significant. <ref> Theodora Lau, ''The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes'', ppxxxvi - xxxix, Souvenir Press, London, 2005 </ref>. The sigificance of the four phases are as follows: *First quarter (new) 1 - 7.5 days The first quarter symbolizes birth, renewal, sowing and awakening, and is associated with spring, the east and the element [[Wood (classical element)|wood]]. People born in this phase are lively and innovative, and are free spirits with a love of new ideas and adventures. They are generally impressionable, inventive and outgoing, but also impulsive and restless. This lunar phase governs the signs of [[Tiger (zodiac)|Tiger]], [[Rabbit (zodiac)|Rabbit]] and [[Dragon (zodiac)|Dragon]]. *Second quarter (waxing) 7.5 - 15 days The second quarter symbolizes potency, maturity, full growth and development, and is associated with summer, the south and the element [[Fire (classical element)|fire]]. People born in this phase are likely to be strong minded, competent fighters and doers, capable of aggressive and forceful action. Full of potent energy, they are the leaders of the lunar cycle. This lunar phase governs the signs of [[Snake (zodiac)|Snake]], [[Horse (zodiac)|Horse]] and [[Sheep (zodiac)|Sheep]]. *Third quarter (full) 15 - 22.5 days The third quarter symbolises organization, harvest, collection and storage, and is associated with autumn, the west and the element [[Metal (classical element)|metal]]. People born in this phase like to organize, restore order, resolve problems and settle disputes with intelligence and calm reason. They are the people who harvest and consolidate resources. This lunar phase governs the signs of [[Monkey (zodiac)|Monkey]], [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]], and [[Dog (zodiac)|Dog]]. *Fourth quarter (waning) 22.5 - 29 days The fourth quarter symbolizes completion, conclusion, hibernation and rest, and is associated with winter, the north and the element [[Water (classical element)|water]]. People born in this phase are the thinkers, keepers of confidences and makers of analytical decisions. They conserve energy and burst forth into life when the time is right. This lunar phase governs the signs [[Pig (zodiac)|Pig]], [[Rat (zodiac)|Rat]] and [[Ox (zodiac)|Ox]]. ==Indian astrology== In [[Indian astrology]], (also called Jyotisa or Vedic astrology) the Moon is a [[lunar deity]] called [[Chandra]]. Chandra is also identified with the [[Veda|Vedic]] lunar deity [[Soma]]. He is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and having in his hands a club and a lotus.<ref>Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.131</ref> He rides his [[chariot]] (the moon) across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. He is connected with [[dew]], and as such, is one of the gods of fertility. He is also called Nishapati (lord of the night) and Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night).<ref>Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.132</ref> He as Soma, presides over ''Somvar'' or Monday. In Indian astrology the moon represents the mind, queenship, mother, emotions, sensitivity, softness and imagination. ===Lunar nodes=== {{Main|Rahu}} {{Main|Ketu (mythology)}} The north [[lunar node]] (called [[Rahu]]) and the south lunar node (called [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]) are considered to be of particular importance in Indian astrology, and are given an equal place alongside the seven classical planets as part of the nine [[navagraha]]. The north node Rahu is considered to be inauspicious and to be associated with mystery and cruelty. The south node Ketu is connected with karmic collections (both good and bad) and with spirituality. ===Lunar mansions or nakshatras=== {{Main|Nakshatra}} Unique to Indian astrology is the idea of the [[nakshatra]] ([[Devanagari]]: नक्षत्र) or '''lunar mansion''' , one of the 27 or 28 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, that the Moon passes through during its [[Month|monthly]] cycle, as used in [[Hindu astronomy]] and [[Jyotisha|astrology]]. Each nakshatra represents a division of the [[ecliptic]] (of 13 degree 20 minutes) similar to the [[zodiac]] signs. The mansion associated with a given date corresponds to the constellation which the Moon is passing through at that time. Traditionally, the nakshatra position of Moon is computed for a native's mental make-up, and calculations of planetary periods ([[Dasha (astrology)|dashas]]). Each nakshatra is further partitioned into four equal segments known as charan or pad. Nakshatra contains an important place in ''[[astrological match making]]'', ''Mahurtha'', ''Panchanga'' and ''Prashana'' affairs. ==References== <div class="references-small> <references/></div> == See also == * [[Solar system in astrology]] [[Category:Moon myths]] [[Category:Planets in astrology]] [[ja:月 (占星術)]] [[sk:Mesiac (astrológia)]]