It is representative of interaction with the public, or public businesses, water, liquids and the tides of the sea, over which it rules. It also has dominance over the waters and liquids within our bodies.

Emotions and sensitivity may be understood by the position of the Moon in a person's chart. The Moon's nature is tenderhearted and wise. It rules peace of mind and gives a general sense of comfort and well-being. The Moon reflects understanding and sense of purpose, intuitive ability, sensuality, love for fine arts, music and jewels. It also rules our moods, emotions and sensitivity.

A strong Moon in the chart will indicate a happy mental state, good mother, opportunities for travel over water and success in businesses that has to do with the day to day needs of the public. It may bestow a wonderful social life and pleasure from different modes of enjoyments if the Moon is beneficially disposed, or well respected. A powerful Moon gives emotional strength, makes for good relations and love for others. It will give good intuition, purpose to life, an attraction for the fine arts and make a person attractive to others.

If the Moon is weak in the chart you may be subject to mental anxiety. There may be emotional instability and an inability to relate well to others. If badly aspect, the Moon can make one unfriendly and unable to share intimacy, or will cause you to lack contentment or peace of mind. An ill-placed Moon may make for inclinations to moodiness and feelings of depression, with an unclear mind. Depending on how severely afflicted it is, there may be a tendency towards neurosis, hysteria or insanity. It can make a person feel lack of joy or satisfaction, there by bringing about acute realization of the sufferings felt in this material world. There may be indications towards ill health of the mother, or difficulties in social advancement.

Physically an afflicted, debilitated, or otherwise ill-disposed Moon may indicate anemia, lack of body fluids or body weight, constipation and dryness of the skin. It can cause colds, fevers, bronchitis, intestinal problems, or even susceptibility to cancer. Organs, such as the lungs and kidneys, may also be weak and there may be menstrual or infertility problems in women.

The Moon is the ruler of the sign Cancer or the Zodiac and is strong there in its own sign. It is most powerful, or exalted, in Taurus and fallen, or debilitated, in Scorpio. Jupiter, Sun and Mars are the Moon's natural friends. Moon is very strong in its nakshatras of Rohini, Hasta and Shravan. It is still quite strong in Jupiter's nakshatras of Punarvasu, Vishakha and Purvabhadrapada. It is also giving good effects when in Karttika, Uttara Phalguni, Ashlesha, Jyestha, Uttarashadha and Revati.

The Moon is auspicious for those born during the waxing of its cycle but causes difficulty if born during the descending cycle. It is always a benefit planet and is strongest from the tenth day of waxing to the fifth day of its waning. Its effects are powerfully felt in childhood, as Moon rules over this period of life.

The Pearl
Pearl is to be worn to strengthen a weak Moon in the horoscope and may help to alleviate conditions caused by a weak placement. It has an extremely calming influence on the mind and increases feelings of love, and compassion for other people. The pearl may increase peace of mind and enable the practice of spiritual meditations with greater concentration.

On the physical side, the pearl may help balance bodily fluids and reduce heat in the body. The pearl can calm the nerves thereby decreasing feelings of anxiety. It is good for women in general and can help fertility, as well as help a woman deal with the stresses of motherhood.

Most people, especially in the west, are only familiar with cultured pearls. Although they can be quite expensive, especially in strands of good size, shape and color, they do not have the potency of natural pearls.

The source of pearls with which we are all familiar are those produced by a mollusk (oyster). It starts with a tiny irritation within the shell of the mollusk, possibly a piece of sand or other foreign matter. The oyster, as a protective measure, begins to coat this irritation with two substances, nachre and conchiolin; the layers are coated one after the other, with the greatest part being the nachre. This is a "natural" pearl, meaning man has not induced the oyster to create a pearl. Most natural pearls have been taken long ago from the seas to the point that they are very rarely, found today.

Cultured pearls are produced on pearl "farms", in the far east or the South Pacific. The South Pacific produces the largest pearls in white, silver and black colors. Other sources include the Persian Gulf, South America, India and Sri Lanka. Cultured pearls may be used to strengthen an afflicted Moon, but one natural pearl, worn either in a ring or pendant, is more effective than several cultured pearls.

The only natural pearls we are still able to obtain, although in very limited quantities, are "keshi pearls". These are "accidental" naturals. Using the keshi pearls has produced incredible results for an afflicted Moon, and its supply is dwindling.

As with all gems it is important to know its source. The only foolproof way of knowing if the pearl is cultured, or not, is by X-raying the pearl, which will reveal the nucleus, if there is one. If the pearl is drilled, it can be seen under magnification easily but, for healing purposes, PEARLS SHOULD NOT BE DRILLED. They should be set only in silver, so that the pearl comes into contact with the skin.

Moonstone may also be used as a substitute for pearl, although the potency is somewhat less