In Vedic Astrology, there’s a simple technique of turning the birth chart so that the house occupied by the Moon becomes a secondary or ‘temporary’ Ascendant. The technique is called Chandra Lagna, meaning “Moon Ascendant”.

For example, if your natal chart has Moon in Gemini in the 6th House, you would turn the chart so that the Gemini House becomes the Ascendant and the Moon would then be in the ‘1st House’. The rest of the planets remain in their natal signs but shift houses according to the sign the Moon is in. (See sample charts below. The natal chart (left) has Moon in Gemini in the 6th House. The Chandra Lagna chart (right) has turned the natal chart so that Moon in Gemini becomes a temporary Ascendant.

Once you have the image of your chart ‘from the Moon’, you can analyze the signs, planets, and yogas as if it’s a chart on its own. However, since it is the chart ‘viewed’ from the Moon, what we’re getting is a glimpse of your feelings and your mental and emotional nature. The Moon chart is a more internalized representation, whereas the ‘regular’ birth chart (looking from the natural Ascendant) represents a more externalized picture of you and your life.

There’s debate about the use or benefit of using Chandra Lagna among Vedic Astrologers. More traditional astrologers insist on its usage for a full picture and thorough analysis. Yet others don’t use it at all and claim it’s basically useless. In my own experience and practice, I side with the traditional astrologers and use Chandra Lagna for a more complete understanding of the chart (and the person).

The planetary yogas known as Dharma Karma Adipati Yogas consider the planets from the Ascendant, Moon (Chandra Lagna), and Sun (Surya Lagna). So in looking for these yogas alone, Chandra Lagna is being used, like it or not. Although perhaps in this case the Chandra Lagna chart wouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as its own chart but only observed to determine how many DKAP yogas occur. Still, there’s a reason why these yogas are determined from all ‘three’ lagnas, In short, any yogas occurring from the Ascendant have the potential to manifest their results in a noticeable way. Should any occur from the Moon, results are more typically ‘felt’ by the native, and any DKAP yogas from the Sun would manifest within the person’s self expression and vitality. The more DKAP yogas that occur, the stronger the results will be experienced. If DKAP yogas occur from all three ‘Ascendants’ there will be integrity of body (actions), mind (thoughts/feelings), and self-awareness (ego). More can be said about DKAP yogas, including how to find them in the chart (but that would be another discussion for another time).

Getting back to the topic, what I’ve found personally revealing is checking Chandra Lagna when certain situations occur, incidents that typically happen when not paying attention, when functioning somewhat unconsciously, perhaps even when in reverie or daydreaming. Here’s a recent personal example that involved the current transit of Mars.

Earlier one morning when getting ready in the bathroom by the sink, I didn’t realize how chapped my lips were. I had walked to the bathroom without noticing (because I was focused on my thoughts, in my head still somewhat sleepy) that my lip tore slightly at the corner and blood gushed on my lips and into my mouth. When I went to brush my teeth I saw blood-covered teeth and had to figure out what the heck happened. And then, of course, (after cleaning up) I wondered what’s going on astrologically. There was nothing noticeable from the Ascendant. But when turning my chart and looking ‘from the Moon’, Chandra Lagna showed that transiting Mars was in my 2nd House of the mouth (Mars rules tears/cuts and blood).

Such a minor observation might not be so essential at a reading with a client. But it could lead to a prediction of the possibility of having some type of injury to the face (eyes, nose, or mouth) due to not paying attention or being caught up in thoughts or feelings without focusing properly. Perfect time for an accident to happen. So seeing something like this from the Moon can be extremely helpful to remind ourselves or our clients to pay attention, stay focused and alert, and be mindful during such and such a time.

These are the little nuances that you can observe in quite good detail when looking at your own chart. I recommend that you try using Chandra Lagna in your own practice. Turn the chart. Look ‘from the Moon’ and see how much you can notice in your chart with what’s happening on a daily basis, in reference to the transiting planets. Once you see how things show up, you’ll gain confidence in using Chandra Lagna with others.

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Renate Maria Bell is a certified Vedic Astrologer, Jyotish Visharada, and approved teacher with the Council of Vedic Astrology. She can be reached at renatembell@aol.com