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Pearl
Pearl is called Mukta or Shashiratna in Sanskrit and Moti in Hindi whereas it is called Mukharid in Urdu. Pearl is worn to provide extra strength to Moon. This gemstone transfers energy of Moon into the body of the wearer and through such energy, Moon may gain extra strength in his horoscope as well as in his aura.
Looking at the composition of Pearl, this gemstone is made by oysters during the process of defense against some foreign bodies or elements. Pearls are available in a variety of colors like white and white with hints of yellow, blue or black. At times, it can be bluish, yellowish or blackish in color. In general, Pearls which are pure white or white with hints of yellow or blue are suitable for most people. The ones that contain yellow, blue or black in significant amounts should be avoided; unless specifically recommended.
In case of Pearl, quality often becomes a concern. This is because Pearls are produced by oysters. Different types of oysters produce different types of Pearls. Since it is difficult to look for oysters as well as Pearls of good quality, out in the open; Oyster farming is used. Oysters of specific types are farmed in fresh water. At suitable times, suitable foreign elements are inserted into oysters.
They release a substance called nacre in order to counteract such foreign elements. Nacre gets deposited on these elements and Pearls are formed. They are then removed from oysters with due care, so that oysters are not hurt. One of the most common and effective varieties of Pearl is called South Sea Pearl. These Pearls are generally obtained through oyster farming.
If you choose to get your gemstones tested in a lab to check whether they are natural or fake; all genuine gemstones except Pearl may reflect the result as natural. It means the lab test report for Ruby may mention ‘Natural Ruby’ along with other details. The same holds for all other gemstones for navagraha, except for Pearl. In case of Pearl, the report may mention ‘Pearl’ in most cases and ‘Cultured Pearl’ in some cases. In both these cases; it means that the Pearl has not been obtained naturally from salt water oysters and it has been obtained through the process of oyster farming.
This is fine and you should not worry about it. Such Pearls are not fake but they have been cultured. Most of the best quality Pearls available today (within financial reach) are cultured. They produce proper results and there is nothing to worry about. Drawing a comparison, though a salt water Pearl may be mentioned as ‘Natural Pearl’ in lab test report; it may be less or much less in quality as well as efficiency than a cultured Pearl for the same price.
Appropriate weight of this gemstone is an important factor. Different weights may be suitable for different natives, depending on their overall horoscopes. In general, weights between 5 and 15 carats of this gemstone are suitable for most people.
Moon represents mother, mind, emotional wellbeing, mental health, education, healing abilities, creativity and a number of other things in general. It also represents the ability to produce children in case of female natives along with Venus. Depending on which house it rules in a horoscope, it may represent a number of other things and people for the native. For example, if Moon rules the first house in a horoscope; it represents health, lifespan, immunity, vitality, profession, overall personality and many other things; in addition to its general significances.
Though this gemstone may produce wonderful results when Moon is benefic in the horoscope of the wearer, it may cause serious problems when Moon is malefic in the horoscope of the wearer. Hence care should be taken when wearing Pearl.
Pearl is generally worn on the little finger of right hand in Silver. However, based on a native’s requirements as well as on his overall horoscope, it may be worn on some other finger or in a pendant or bracelet.
Vedic astrology recommends practicing some procedures before wearing Pearl. They include purification and energization of this gemstone. Since these procedures have already been discussed in the chapter for Ruby; we’ll skip them and move on.
Once you’ve got your duly purified (optional) and energized (optional) Pearl, fitted in a ring, pendant or bracelet; the next step is to wear it. Vedic astrology recommends that Pearl should be worn on a Monday morning, when wearing it for the first time. Before wearing Pearl for the first time, you should put the ring, pendant or bracelet in Gangajal (water of Holy River Ganga) or in a mixture of unboiled milk and pure water for about 12 hours prior to wearing it. This means you should do so on a Sunday evening so that you may wear it on the following Monday morning.
You should take bath on the chosen Monday morning, sit or stand in front of the ring, pendant or bracelet and you should chant Mool Mantra or Beej mantra of Moon for 108 times or 27 times. After doing so, you should take the Pearl ring, Pendant or bracelet and you should rinse it with clean water, in case you had put it in a mixture of unboiled milk and water. You should then wipe it with a clean cloth and wear it.
If you had put it in Gangajal, simply wipe it with a clean cloth and wear it. In case you’ve got it purified through Vedic procedures, you don’t need to put it in Gangajal or a mixture of unboiled milk and water. In such case, simply keep it at a clean place after purification and wear it on the chosen morning after chanting Mantras.
For the sake of convenience, here are Mool Mantra and Beej Mantra of Moon:
Moon Mool Mantra: Om Chandraay Namah
Moon Beej Mantra: Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraay Namah
You may wear your Pearl anytime between 6 AM to 11 AM in the morning, when wearing it for the first time. Though more specific details about timing may be obtained specifically based on your horoscope; they may not be needed. Once you have worn it, you may keep wearing it permanently; unless you’re asked to wear it for a specific period of time. If you wish or need; you may take off this gemstone for an hour or two as that may not compromise the results given by this gemstone.
However, removing Pearl for days and months may gradually reverse the effects given by this gemstone. Hence this practice should be avoided.
Himanshu Shangari