MOON AND ITS ATTRIBUTES (KARAKATWAM)

Jyotisham/Astrology is a Pratyaksha Sastra.  Sun and Moon makes this Vedic Limb a Pratyaksha Sastra where results are demonstrable from actual happenings which are evident and obvious.

अप्रत्यक्षाणि शास्त्राणि विवादस्तेषु केवलं |

प्रत्यक्षं ज्योतिषं  शास्त्रं चन्द्रार्को यत्र साक्षिणो  ||

apratyakshaani sastraani vivaadasteshu kevalam

pratyaksham jyotisham sastram chandraarko yatra saakshino

Apratyaksha Sastra is only speculative, being provable only by theorizing and discussions. Jyotisham is a Pratyaksha Shastra as Surya and Chandra are its witness.

Why Sun and Moon are called visual proof for above?  It is a fact that a Tithi (a lunar day) is calculated from the relative distance between Chandra and Surya, as viewed on the celestial equator.  Anyone can see Sun and Moon from earth and their relative distance (in degrees) can be measured by Spherical Trigonometry.

Moon is given at par importance with Lagnam (Ascendant).  Moon’s strength plays important role in giving strength to all planets.

cändraà véryaà vérya béjaà grahäëäà||

Strength of Chandra is the strength of seed of all planets.

Chandra is Queen in the planetary cabinet (a female planet, denotes mother, fourth sign in the zodiac representing mother).

Karakatwam/Attributes of Moon

Own Sign/Rasi	Karkitaka/Cancer
Moola Trikona Sign	Karkitaka/Cancer (from 4 to 20°)
Exaltation Sign	Rishabha/Taurus.  Deep exaltation at 3°
Debilitation	Vrischika/Scorpio.  Deep debilitation at 3°
Directional Strength	4th position from Lagnam or North
Strengths (other)	During Uttarayana, Paksha Balam - Sukla Paksha Panchami to Krishna Paksha Panchami, At night, Also strong even during debilitation if Moon has Paksha Balam
Direction	North West
Rising	By Head
Season	Varsham (Rainy Season)
Places	Forests
Play Ground	Rivers and Lakes
Nature	Lusty, soft, fickle, Sowmya/auspicious when She has Paksha Balam, Papa/inauspicious when She has no Paksha Balam
Gem	Pearl
Metal	Silver
Colour	White
Clothes	Soft and new
Guna	Satva
Shape	Sthoola Sarira with small rounded body
Organ in Body	Left eye, fluids in body
Hair	Fine
Eyes	Bright shining
Caste	Vaisya (Businessman, Agriculturist)
Height	Proportionate to the body
Age	Kumaran (Youth) (70 years life span – Mantreswar)
Taste	Salty
Element	Water
Deity	Durga (during Paksha balam) Kaali (not during  Paksha balam)
Diseases	Sleeping disorders, lethargy, cough, cold, mucus diseases, fever with shivering, lack of appetite, loss of taste, jaundice, blood related problems, fear from water, tired mind, memory loss etc.
Trees and its parts	Roots/Moola, Milky trees like Rubber, Aloe Vera etc.
Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)	Kapha.  It provides bulk to body, lubrications, moistness, fertility, stability, strength and memory.  It supports in binding process wherever necessary.  Kapha mostly found in chest, neck, head, stomach, body fat, nose and tongue.
Other Karakatwams	Peace of Mind, Happiness, Memory, Body, Mother, Blood, Cultivation, Paddy, Agriculture, Animals having horns, animals live in water, Kinnar etc.

Astronomical Info about Moon

The distance between Moon and Earth is 238,840 miles. Moon completes one rotation around the earth, in 27 1/3^rd days approximately.  Circumference of Moon is 2163 miles. One Moon day is about 24 hours and 54 minutes (from moonrise to moonrise). One lunar month (from Shukla Pratipada to Amavasya) is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2 seconds, whereas by the parameter of Nakshatra Month (constellation month), Moon completes a month in 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds.

The recital of the below Moon mantra will eliminate (reduce) and any troubles in one’s life due to his inimical placement. It is always good to recite the Mantra 108 times, especially on Mondays.

 दधिशङ्क तुषाराभं क्षीरोदार्णव संभवम्
नमामि शशिनं सोमं शंभोर्मकुट भूषणम्

dadhishanka thushaaraabham ksheerordarnava sambhavam
namaani shashinam somam shambhormakuta bhushanam