Welcome to the very first issue of The Sun is a Star!
The astro-aware will know all too well that this letter comes during Cancer season. Cancer is the sign that rules the home and is associated with our only satellite, the silver-faced moon. Linked to femininity, natural cycles and *ahem* werewolves, the moon has mystified humankind for centuries and continues to make cute cameos in pop culture.
An origin story
There are over 200 moons1 in our solar system but our satellite is called “THE moon” because it was the only known one until the early 17th century. She ranked numero cinco in the Biggest Moons in the Solar System contest and was created from the debris of a cosmic collision between the Earth and an ancient object half its size called Theia. Ouch.
Rahu and Ketu
In Vedic astrology, the moon’s north and south nodes2 are known as Rahu and Ketu. They were born when a demon known as Svarbhanu was beheaded after taking a sip of amrit, the nectar of immortality, which was reserved for the gods. Rendered unkillable, Svarbhanu survived as a disembodied head called Rahu and a headless body called Ketu. The two chase the sun and moon around the sky to seek revenge, swallowing them whole every time they catch them. This is believed to be the story behind eclipses.
An extra thank you to my friend Arunima for teaching me about this. If you’re based in India, you can get her book of poems here.
Comfort viewing
The moon’s presence on our screens often acts as a visual shorthand to evoke different emotions – from isolation and fear to love and magic.
My favourite lunar love scene is from the feel-good K-drama Romance is a Bonus Book.
Don’t miss the Supermoon in Capricorn on 13th July!
If our moon is just a moon, then what is a moon? A moon is a body that orbits another object that revolves around the sun. I was surprised to learn that asteroids could have moons too.
The moon’s nodes are moving mathematical points on the lunar orbit that mark the places of intersection between the sun and moon resulting in eclipses. The nodes are immensely significant in astrology in defining a person’s life purpose and direction of growth. If you know your north and south node placements, my friend Heenali has a lovely article detailing their meaning.