The Importance of the Moon in Astrology
Western Astrology gives the Sun Sign (The Zodiac Sign where the Sun was at birth) the greatest emphasis. While the Sun is important in Vedic Astrology, Sun Charts are always used together with the Birth Chart and the Moon Chart. The importance of the Moon comes second only to the Birth Chart, and no predictions are possible in Indian Astrology without calculations based on the Moon.
Chandra (the Moon) in traditional Indian iconography
The Birth Chart in Vedic Astrology is drawn up to show the exact moment of birth. The Zodiac Sign rising on the Eastern horizon at the time of birth is known as the Ascendant or Rising Sign. Naturally, in the Birth Chart this is the Sign (Rasi) that will be the 1st House (Lagna), and the rest of the Houses will be the Signs that follow the Ascendant in the order of their appearance on the horizon.
The Birth Chart gives vital information for the person's life, but if one wants a very accurate insight into the character of the person, and the details of how planetary energies will play out, the Moon Chart is needed.
The Full Moon
The Moon Chart is drawn up with the Astrological Sign where the Moon is placed as the 1st House. The position of the Planets will be the same as in the Birth Chart, but they will occupy different Houses.
Planetary Periods (Dasha) can only be calculated if the exact position of the Moon is known, and knowing the Dasha is one of the most important tool for predictions. The Moon also represents the Mother (or the Feminine). It is a receptive, yet nurturing force, a person's Moon Chart will show the "how" and "when" relating to events predicted in the Birth Chart, as our actions and reactions in life are the product of our mental state and emotional response, which are mainly affected by the Moon.
The 27 Nakshatras
A wonderful way of working with the Moon Chart is the Sudarsana Chart. In this configuration, the Birth Chart, Moon Chart and Sun Chart are drawn up in concentric circles joined at the 1st House of each Chart. The Sudarsana Chart makes it very easy visually to see the different areas of life, as each House (Bhava) is in the same segment of the circle.
Sudarsana Wheel aligns the Lagna, the Moon Rasi and the Sun Rasi
Looking at the Sudarsana makes it very easy to see all the combined effects from Ascendant, Moon and Sun on each House, providing a very thorough look at the different areas of life determined by the Houses.
The Moon represents mental state, mind, emotions, imagination, our link to the subconscious and creativity. This is why in order to see life opportunities and obstacles in Astrology, one has to take the Moon Chart in consideration, as the true life path is determined how we will react to the situations encountered. The position of the Moon in the Chart is given by Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions) The ruling planet of the Moon's Nakshatra is very important, as the character of the Ruler will have a great influence on the person's nature.