The Moon in Vedic Scriptures🔗

One day, Gaṇeśa was given a lot of sweets by his devotees. He swallowed all the sweets, then he went back home, riding his mouse. It was sunset and in the darkness, the mouse suddenly stumbled over a snake. Gaṇeśa fell to the ground.

He had so much eaten that his over-filled stomach burst and the cakes poured out.

Gaṇeśa collected and replaced them in his widely open belly. He caught the snake that had caused the disturbance and tied him around his waist. Looking at this funny occurrence, the Moon started laughing.

Gaṇeśa was very annoyed and thought she had offended him. Resentful, he removed his right tusk and threw it at the moon's face. At the same time, he put a curse on her, so that she would stop shining at night and disappear from the sky. At that time, the story says that the moon was full every night.

Since then, with the moon being missing, there was neither moonlight nor twilight. Nobody could sleep, because the sun was bright even nightly. Without the moon, the gods found heavenly life as unbearable as men found life on earth. So, they rushed to Gaṇeśa's house, supplicating him to manage the situation.

He complied with their urgent requirement, but decided the moon would not be allowed to shine brightly every night as she did before. Henceforth, she was sentenced to wax and wane, alternating a shining fortnight and a dark fortnight, with each of these periods ending either by the full moon or the new moon.

'The moon is phlegmatic. She is learned and has a round body. She has auspicious looks and sweet speech, is fickle-minded, and very lustful.'

Symbol: The crab

Element: Water

Ruling Planet: Moon/Candra

Ayurvedic constitutiok: Kapha (earth and water)

Healing stone: Pearl

The symbol of cancer is a crab, an animal whose carapace covers a soft belly. In the same way, the native protects itself from the outer world and tends to be secretive, shy and discreet.

This sign stands for the four states of consciousness in which we live, symbolized by the moon: Jāgrat (wakeful state), Svapna (the dream state), Suśupti (deep sleep) and Samādhi (deep meditation). The moon is a changing planet; it waxes and wanes, and its movements are representative of the principle of time and space in the Universe.

Those born under Cancer operate in the inner world with a strong emotional nature, as well as the outer world, as it enjoys being active.

Its natives are often uncertain of their power and potential. They need to build up self-confidence. They are friendly, caring, show sympathy; they are nurturing and have motherly qualities. They like to be surrounded by people, with whom they can share their feelings and affection. Often, they become too emotionally sensitive and dependant on others. They can become much attached, which can make them nervous and weak. Their imagination and visualization is powerful and receptive; they have the power to create and realize their dreams.

Very talkative, the sign will be honest in its relationships and unbending once it has made up its mind to something. Once cancer feels confidence about himself, he will show pro-active behavior, initiative and power to shine over others like the moon, and can have great influence over masses.

Punarvasu is ‘the star of renewal’. It represents new beginnings and a life mission to carry forward successfully. The sky is the limit for this nakṣatra! It reflects purity, truth and strong moral values and confers ‘the ability to gain wealth and abundance’.

If you are born under Punarvasu’s auspices, you will have many friends, you will enjoy reading sacred texts and scriptures, and will possess gems, jewels and ornaments. Your spirit is able to rise from the ashes, and your approach to life is very optimistic and curious; you may be childlike and playful at times. You will have a good height and an oval face.

You are generally calm but tend to get into disputes to exhibit your intelligence. This may give rise to arguments with other family members. You are good natured; even when you go through difficulties you will always help others. Easily contented, you are self- controlled, though occasionally indecisive.

Be careful not to over intellectualize life, and therefore become too critical. Your mental vacillations do not allow you to be in the present moment, and this nervousness compels you to speak when you should keep silence.

You will have abilities to work in the publishing field, the entertainment area, or as a teacher, as well as in fields that include dealing with social groups and the public. Great potential in the communication field can be developed here.

The moon in Puśya nakṣatra is supposed to be the most auspicious of the twenty seven nakṣatras. Its basic temperament is dharma, or the seeking for right action, and it has the 'ability to create spiritual energy'. All forms of spiritual practices are encouraged here.

The star shows tranquility, absence of agitation, faith in oneself and fullness of life. This attitude can happen because the native inherently has faith in the divine and his own self. It flowers into a good inner stability, and enables the person's creativity and productivity to bear fruit. There will be great activity and dynamism under this nakṣatra.

You are able to control your desires, and are popular because of your sympathetic and compassionate nature. You are learned and fond of doing charitable work. You may be a little fat, liking to eat and nurture yourself. You also have this latter tendency towards others and like to take care of them physically and emotionally.

But stubbornness and selfishness can be shown. You can be quickly shaken by others' criticism, and may doubt yourself. This can paralyze you in life. Therefore, you should learn to become independent of others opinions. Using your wisdom and studying the teachings of enlightened Master will help.

Generally, Puśya natives are well placed in society; they can be rulers, directors, food merchants, teachers, psychologists or priests, and often they will be masters to others.

Āśleśa is an intense nakṣatra that stands for 'the entwined', symbolized by a coiled snake. The serpent is a symbol of divine wisdom, procreation and prosperity, as well as poison, danger and trouble. This lunar mansion denotes the challenge of being addicted to pleasures. It shows a dual attraction towards enlightenment and the seeking of the truth on one hand, and a life immersed in the outer world and comforts on the other.

When your moon sits in Āśleśa's constellation, you may have very penetrating eyes. You may be complex and misunderstood because of your contradictory character. You may at times be very spiritual, thoughtful, austere, silent and independent; then on occasion, show rude selfishness, dishonesty, cunning and aggressiveness. You cannot bear humiliation, which can lead you to hide many things to others.

It is hard for you to forget the past. Strong temper can be seen here also; you should learn to control your diet and not to eat too much when you are upset about something. Be aware of food poisoning and poor diet and take care of your nervous system. You could be good at writing, astrology, studying mystical sciences and may be attracted to politics, or work with animals.

Āśleśa people would benefit by cultivating gratitude and courage to welcome life as it is, rather than how they dream it to be.