The Moon: effects and importance in Indian astrology

The Earth’s Moon is also considered as a planet in Indian Vedic Astrology. In the solar system Moon rotates our Earth. Moon is the natural satellite of planet Earth. Being the closest celestial body, it profoundly impacts on all life forms on our planet.
Moon is beneficial to those born in ascending moon cycle and unfortunate to those born in descending moon sign. Moon is believed to influence the human personality, thinking process, human instincts, human subconscious mind, human feelings and all other mental processes. In abstract, moon represents our mind and is supposed to govern the power of mind. Moon also deeply affects water, tides as well as our body fluids. The Moon also dominates over the waters and liquids within our bodies. Moon is also responsible for our long distance travel, mental peace, memory, relation with our mother and childbirth. A good and powerful moon in our horoscope provides us with excellent emotional strength and harmonious life. A weak moon in our horoscope can result in mental anxiety, emotional disturbance and tough relations with our mother and people around us.
The Moon rules Cancer Zodiac sign and is strong there in its own sign. It is dominating in Taurus and out of action in Scorpio. The planets - Jupiter, Sun and Mars are the Moon's natural friends.
In addition to our sensitivity and emotions, according to Vedic Astrology, our looks, love for fine arts, intuitions, imagination, creativity, and sensuality is deeply connected with the placement of Moon in horoscope.
The Moon governs over impregnation, birth of a child and the animal instincts. The Moon represents mother, mother’s family, grand mother, old woman, horse, navigation, agricultural land, lord shiva, love, kindness, mental peace, heart, services rendered for other’s welfare and the fourth house.
The Moon effect comes up in the 16th, 51st and 86th year of the native and similarly its first cycle falls in the 24th year, the second in the 49th year and the third cycle falls in the 94th year of the native. The Jupiter, sun and mars are moon’s friends, whereas Saturn.Rahu and ketu are inimical to her. For her protection, the moon sacrifices her friendly planets-sun, mars or Jupiter. Moon is the lord of the 4th house in the horoscope chart, stands exalted in the 2nd house of Taurus sign and becomes debilitated in the 8th house of sign Scorpio. The Moon provides very good results if placed in the horoscope houses 1, 2, 3,4,5,7 and 9 whereas the 6th, 8th, 10th 11th and the 12th houses are bad for the moon in horoscope chart. The death of a domestic milk animal or a horse, drying up of a person’s well or pond, the loss of the senses of touching and feeling are the signs of Moon turning malefic.
The Placement of the ketu in the 4th house in the horoscope chart causes Mother’s debt. In such a situation pieces of silver of equal weight and size be collected from every member of family and the same should be thrown together into the running water of a river. Consequently all the ill effects would be warded off.