The Moon is the ruling planet of the Sacral (Swadhisthana) Chakra. Our emotions like the tides of the sea raised up by the phases of the Moon, as well as all our body fluids and flows of energies, are astrologically drawn by the Moon. It is in the Sacral chakra where all the range of emotions and how we interact and react to self, others and life is operated from. This energy vortex is the seat of the self and the Moon likewise is the seat of the spirit. It is in Swadhisthana where we start to get involved with everyone and everything around us.
Anyone who has been closely involved with a baby will known that babies are responsive beings from the word go. They respond to emotional expressions like a beaming smile within the few weeks of life. Emotions such as joy, disgust, anger and sadness can be reacted to and expressed within the first three months. Babies are born with these emotional abilities to help them survive by forming strong bonds with their caregivers. Whatever the exact mechanisms occurring during babyhood, the Moon describes the way in which the individual habitually reacts and responds throughout life. Such reactions are not only very immediate, they are automatic and unconscious and are thus almost instinctive.
Swadhisthana chakra is associated to the early stages of emotional development and the behavioral patterns we form from there. The Moon represents the mother and baby in all of us. This description fits the woman who gave birth to us, as
well as other subsequent caretaking figures in our childhood, and especially those who taught us about women and mothering. Mother is not only the life-giver but potentially the one who can take life away. She is a provider of milk, comfort, unconditional love, containment and safety, and on the other hand, she is also the one who can withhold those things: the devourer, destroyer and baby-eater. As a child, one learns the signals to ensure that his needs are met. In adulthood, habits, reactions, and body language continue to maintain the same pattern.
Similarly, the placement of the natal Moon per sign, house and aspects (angles) sketches how we are emotionally wired based in how our needs have been meet or not in early life, and how we react and involve with others. It also indicates our manner to provide to others in order to bring safety and protection to them. The Moon describes what we are likely to feel about given situations (for example, whether we think them dangerous) and how we react and do in those situations in order to keep ourselves and others safe. As Swadhisthana is our emotional hub in the energetic body so is the Moon in our natal chart. Our behavior and habits, our moods and feelings, and our overall receptivity is all about our lunar energies.
When the Moon is not favorable placed in the natal chart, it is an indication of an imbalance at Swadhisthana chakra. It can point out an underactive Sacral chakra where our emotions are sort of stuck, or an overactive Sacral chakra where we tend to be impulsive or impatient with self and others. In any case, an imbalance in Swadhisthana is always reflected by an afflicted Moon at birth and vice versa, bringing us the opportunity to work with our innermost energies, our inner child.