Yantra (kolam) for Moon

Navagraha kolams are yantras (tantric drawings) drawn to propitiate the planets and to invoke their blessings. These yantras for the the planets are said to originate from Soundarya Lahiri, a poem composed in praise of Devi by Sankara. Though yantra is typically etched on a copper plate, kolam is drawn in front of the home shrine using rice flour or can be drawn on paper also.

The image above is the kolam for the Moon. The line drawing is the kolam; I have added color and embellishments. Here are some significant astrological details regarding the Moon, one of the the most important of nine grahas (planets):

Name in Sanskrit: Chandra

Sign: Kataka (Cancer)
Day of the week: Somavar (Monday)

Direction: north-west

Season: Varsha (Rain)

Nature: Benefic, Satvic

Kaalapurusha rulership: Mind

Gender: Feminine

Father of: Budha (Mercury)

Karaka (significator): 4th house

Exalted: Taurus 3 deg; moola trikona (root trine): Taurus 4 deg -20 deg

Directional strength: 4th house

Natural friends: Jupiter, Mars and the Sun

Represents: Mother, queen, watery places, marine creatures, muhurta, pilgrimage

Represents (physical): mind, blood, left eye 

Lordship of nakshatras (lunar mansions): Rohini, Hasta, Shravana

Dasa length: 10 years

Favorable in houses: 1, 4, 7, 10, 5, 9

Aspects: the 7th house from itself

Yogas: Gajakesari (Mo-Ju conjunction), Chandramangala (Mo-Mars conjunction)

Navagraha Kirtana: Chandram bhaja manasa

Temples: Kailasanathar temple, Tingaloor, Tamilnadu
Mantra to recite: Om chandraya namah

Posted by Indira of Dharmakarmaarts whose blog can be found here.