The Moon in Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)
Yes, the Moon affects the mind in profound and undeniable ways. It is continuously shaping not only our thoughts but also how our body responds and functions.
In Jyotish, the Moon is the Karaka of Mind (Chitta), holding pivotal influence over our emotional and mental landscape.
Chitta is the Subconscious Mind, an important aspect that controls almost every human experience.
It is a subtle dimension of the human mind where impressions (संस्कार – Sanskara) reside, memory (स्मृति – Smriti) is stored, and the perception (मनस् – Manas) is formed.
For centuries, curious minds worldwide have wondered how the moon truly influences our intelligence, moods, and everyday experiences.
Hence, this article unites scientific evidence with timeless Vedic wisdom.
Let us see exactly how the moon influence the human mind and, ultimately, our whole life.
चंद्रमा मनसौ जात: The Moon is the lord of the Mind
Proof that the Moon affects the Mind
The Moon affects the Mind and its influence is rooted in real and observable facts. Therefore, let’s begin with understanding the astronomy (Siddhant Jyotish – सिद्धान्त ज्योतिष) of Moon.
On the full moon day, Purnima, the oceans bulge, creating the phenomenon of high tide, a well-known principle in science.
Conversely, on the new moon day, Amavasya, the ocean recedes, resulting in a low tide.
These powerful changes occur due to the combined gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon when they align perfectly with the Earth.
Therefore, as the Moon controls all the water present on earth so significantly, I wonder, how it cannot have its significant impact on the fluids inside our body.
Hence, let’s dive deeper into this science.
Scientific Evidence - The Moon Affects the Mind
The Lunar Cycle – from Purnima to Amavasya and back, actively shape hormonal rhythms and brain functions, consistently revealing the moon’s profound influence on every form of life.
This is not a superstition; instead, cutting-edge molecular biology has firmly validated these effects. [1]
As a result, the mind’s most vital functions are fundamentally synchronized with the lunar phases. This happens through precise internal clocks (circadian rhythms), fluctuating hormone levels, and dynamic gene expression patterns.
Lunar Cycles & Tides – The high and low tides, along with different lunar phases in between create environmental triggers that all living beings respond to in their physiology and behavior.
As a result, these phases creates new probabilities every instant, as a function of current and past karmic patterns.
Physiology linked to Lunar Phases – Many organisms, especially near water, actively synchronize vital life events such as reproduction, migration, and feeding with lunar-tidal forces.
Furthermore, this alignment often occurs even when the organism cannot directly observe the moon. This reveals an internal biological clock.
This rhythm remains finely tuned to the changing lunar cycles.
Mind & Brain Function – Research reveals that key molecular pathways, clock genes (CRY1, CRY2) and hormones respond actively not just to sunlight and circadian rhythm, but also to the moon’s cycles.
Remarkably, these pathways shift in direct correlation with changing tidal forces. For instance, melatonin, the essential hormone controlling sleep and mood, fluctuates as the lunar phase changes.
Additionally, genes within the brain’s main hormone centers, such as the diencephalon and pituitary. They consistently adjust their activity to match each lunar cycle.
This research beautifully affirms the traditional belief on Jyotish Shastra.
Indeed, the Moon affects the Mind, especially during full and new moons and enhanced by the sun’s gravitational pull, and actively shapes our biological and neuroendocrine systems.
Consequently, these cosmic rhythms regulate the mind in profound ways. Both direct and indirect influences, shifting light, gravity, and electromagnetic fields – help synchronize our internal clocks and hormone cycles.
In turn, these powerful processes consistently nurture mental and behavioral states. This confirms the moon’s remarkable impact on our day to day life and wellbeing.
Scientific Astrology - The Moon & the Endocrine System
Another research confidently reveals clear connections between planetary influences and endocrine glands, actively shaping mind and body functions. [2]
Each gland in the endocrine system aligns with a specific planet and its effects, yet in this article, we focus on the mind.
The Pineal, Pituitary, and Hypothalamus glands govern the endocrine system and major mind-body activities.
This elegantly explains how nature designed the moon to control our body’s hormones through the mind, especially through the Chitta.
- Pineal Gland: The “Soul” in Jyotish, it sets the circadian rhythm, responding to solar light, Ketu (subsidiary lunar effect), Mars (iron mineral balance), and especially the Moon, which relates directly to brain activity.
- Pituitary Gland: The anterior lobe regulates growth, stress, libido, and sleep – connected to Jupiter, Mars, Sun, and Moon; the posterior lobe oversees water balance, bonding, and relaxation (mental stability, hyper or hypo-activity) – primarily ruled by the Moon.
- Hypothalamus: This gland acts as an adviser to the pituitary, regarded as the “Prana.” It controls breathing, emotions, and senses, with Jupiter (wisdom) and the Moon (Chitta) playing key roles.
Furthermore, with every lunar phase, these vital glands adjust and harmonize, powerfully linking the cycles of the moon to mental clarity, emotional resilience, and holistic wellbeing.
Extensive scientific research provides strong evidence for the reality of lunar synchronization in essential life processes. This alignment is common across countless species, showcasing its widespread influence.
Consequently, the claim that lunar rhythms drive biological cycles stands proven and well-established in modern biology. Well, this is how the Moon affects the Mind.
How the Moon shapes Life’s Events as Karmic Patterns
The moon affects the mind, and its influence begins at the exact moment of birth.
This is the instant where an individual Kundli is formed. This the main link that connects the effects discussed above with the astronomical activities.
The moon’s position and lunar phase, whether it is Purnima, Amavasya, or any point in between, lays the very foundation for the subtle energies. Also for the hormonal processes, and mental patterns that shape your entire life.
This alignment at birth forms the baseline of both ambient conditions and internal responses.
In turn, this creates a sequence of probable events and individual tendencies that play out from the first breath until the very end.
Vedic Astrology (Jyotish), far from mere superstition, is a beautifully engineered and ancient science grounded in mathematics and probability.
Moreover, the Mother Nature always maintains perfect balance, ensuring that Earth’s intricate systems remain in harmony through the universal Law of Entropy.
In mechanical engineering, we recognize this as the Second Law of Thermodynamics, a fundamental principle governing all forms of energy and transformation.
This profound intersection of Engineering and Jyotish reveals that the instant of birth sets a vast array of probabilities or natural tendencies.
From that precise moment of birth, every individual journeys toward specific events or outcomes, guided by countless mathematical progressions.
Visualize these progressions as distinct branches on the tree (life), each shaped by your karma.
The roots represent past karma influencing the next birth conditions, the seedling is the Jeeva, the soul, and the fruits are the events you fulfil throughout your lifetime.
Therefore, the nature manifests its beautiful magic in the form of a human’s life. We should always be thankful for this life and be able to perform our duties.
Conclusion - Yes, the Moon affects the Mind Constantly
Consequently, Jyotish skillfully deciphers these cosmic patterns, revealing the intricate relationship between planetary positions and karmic potential.
I always say, myself being an engineer, where the science ends – divinity and Veda start.
Dr. Joseph Murphy reminds us of the extraordinary power within the subconscious mind: control your mind, and you steer your fate.
The moon, in your kundli chart, will always support your journey. Whether as a benefic, empowering your karma, creating a conducive environment.
Or as a malefic, presenting challenges to manifest the result of past “Adharma“, even that become stepping stones when addressed wisely with suggested remedies.
Therefore, Jyotish is no substitute for effort (karma); rather, it is a scientific guide that clarifies your karmic patterns and illuminates your individual duties.
By harnessing the moon’s energy consciously, you not only enjoy greater well-being, but also stay on the true path of karma, drawing cosmic support every step of the way.
Explore more at Pancha Siddhi and let ancient wisdom empower your modern journey!
Warmest Regards,
References
- Andreatta, G., & Tessmar-Raible, K. (2020). The Still Dark Side of the Moon: Molecular Mechanisms of Lunar-Controlled Rhythms and Clocks. Journal of Molecular Biology, 432(12), 3525–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.009. PMCID: PMC7322537
- Mike. (2019, March 2). Astrology of the Endocrine System. MikesSleepingDog. https://mikessleepingdog.com/2019/03/02/astrology-of-the-endocrine-system/
- Cleveland Clinic: Find the Balance: How Hormone Levels Affect Your Health. 25-12-2019. https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-byte/health/how-hormones-affect-your-health
- Sharma, S., & Sharma, R. (2012). Endocrine System. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3313730/
- Coon, S.L. (2024). The mammalian pineal gland: regulatory circuits and signaling mechanisms. EMBO Reports. https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/s44319-024-00196-5
- Cleveland Clinic. “Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis: What It Is.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-hpa-axis
- Balik, A., & Gökoğlu, F. (2023). Neuroendocrine system and circadian rhythm. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10216209/
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