The Moon is a Sattvic or spiritual planet. It gives faith, love, openness, surrender, devotion, peace and happiness. As a very sensitive and mutable planet, the Moon can be easily influenced and overcome by other planetary energies. Saturn can darken it, depress it or give it detachment. The Moon represents not only responsiveness but also inertia. Through our lunar sensitivity, we can become accustomed to a life of pain, sorrow, or ignorance, as well as to a life of joy and truth.

Moon Mantras for Chanting

The following is the special name (nama) mantra for the Moon as preceded by its Shakti or power mantra. It can be used to connect with the planetary deity and to energize all the higher powers of the Moon.

"Om Shrim Som Somaya Namah"
  The word 'Shrim' in the above mantra denotes Sharana Shakti, the power of refuge, surrender, peace and delight. (The word 'Shrim' should be pronounced as 'Shreem'.)

The following mantras are also considered very good for the planet Moon. You may opt to recite one of the following mantras if you find it comparatively easy to remember.

   
• "Om shraam shreem shraum sah chandramasay namah"
   
• "Om som somaaya namah"
 

The mantras are chanted on japa beads of 108 beads per string. They are similar to rosaries.

Recitation Rules and Practices

   
• The Moon's mantra should be repeated 11,000 times on Mondays, or in the evening, specially around the time of the full Moon.
   
• Begin recitation on a Monday during the bright half of the Moon.
   
• The presence of 'Sri yantra' and/or 'Laxmi yantra' at the place of recitation may help you in achieving the desired results faster.
 

Gayatri Mantra for Moon

"Om Nisakaraaya vidmahe, kalanaathaya dhimahi, tanno Somah prachodayat"

This Gayatri mantra consists of three parts. The first is the chants to the Moon. The second is the mantra proper. The third is a summary of the mantra's energies.

The Gayatri mantra is chanted at sunrise, noon and sunset. At dawn it is called Gayatri, the youthful form of the Goddess, consort of Lord Brahma, the creator. It is called Savitri, the mature form, at noon, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is called Sarasvati, the elderly form, at sunset, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

Other Powerful Mantras

You may also opt to chant the following puranic mantra for propiating the Moon (11,000 times):

Dahhi-shankha-tusharabham kshirodarnava-sambhavam
namami shashinam soman sambhor mukta-bhushanam

When translated in English, it means: "I offer my obeisances to the Moon god, whose complexion resembles white cheese, the whiteness of conch shells, and snow. He is the ruling deity of the soma-rasa born from the ocean of milk, and he serves on the ornament on the top of the head of Lord Shambhu."