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Chandra , known as the Moon is the second among the Navagrahas, the nine planets. The Moon rules the zodiac sign Cancer, the 4th house in the natal chart. The Moon represents mother, the Divine Goddess. Goddess Parvati is the presiding deity of the Moon. The Moon represents the feminine creative energy. The Moon navigates roughly 2 1/2 days in each sign and takes 28 days to revolve around the twelve zodiac signs.
The Moon governs our state of mind including our thought process, emotions, intuition. The Moon rules our attachment towards things, people and how we influence others, our moods and character. The Moon gives us our soul. Pregnancy, childbirth and fertility are also governed by the Moon. Lord Chandra, the Moon is also the lord of plants and vegetation.
Chandra is portrayed as fair and young, with two hands holding a club and a lotus. He rides his chariot across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. Chandra is also known by several names like Soma, Rajanipati, Kshuparaka and Indu.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Chandra came from the sea during Samudra Manthan, the churning of Ocean. He is the father of Budha (planet Mercury). He is married to 27 daughters of Lord Daksha, after whom the Nakshatras are named.
The sacred text, Chandra Ashtottara Shatanamavali comprises of 100 names of Lord Chandra. It praises the Moon as the lord of the wise men and remover of all sins. It also helps to remove the afflictions caused by ancestors. The text also hails the Moon as the fulfiller of wishes and dreams. Worshipping Chandra is said to to bring relief from all sorrows and helps in increasing mental and emotional strength. Lord Chandra adorns the head of Lord Shiva. Worshipping Chandra on Mondays is the effective way of getting his blessing.
If the Moon is strongly placed, it signifies encouraging, caring, sensitive and receptive qualities along with being emotionally mature, mentally strong, responsible and being helpful and beneficial to others. On the other hand if the Moon is weakly placed or associated with a negative planet, it is called as an afflicted Moon. Afflcted Moon can cause mental disturbance, emotional instability, confused thoughts, poor reasoning and personality disorders. The Moon is easily influenced by the energies of other planets. It symbolizes relationships and communication with others. There are several slokas and mantras dedicated to Lord Chandra, like Chandra Gayatri, Chandra Kavasam and Sri Chandra Stotram.
The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.
