The Moon represents our Mind and Emotions.
The Moon transits each zodiac in 2.5 days and therefore our emotions vary accordingly.
To strengthen our Moon means being more in control of our mind, having lesser fears, more empathy and a stronger intuition. The Moon is associated with Mondays (Somvaar in Sanskrit) where Soma = Moon and vaar = day. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity.
Why do millions of people pray to Lord Shiva especially on Mondays and Shivratri? Why does Lord Shiva adorn the crescent Moon on his head?
1. The Moon-God and his wives-
The Moon-God Chandra or Soma was married to 27 daughters of the powerful ruler Daksha.
The 27 daughters represented the 27 Nakshatras or constellations, within the 12 zodiac signs. (The Moon is placed in one Nakshatra when we our born. This birth-Nakshatra also governs our nature).
Chandra was said to be in love with one of Daksha's daughters, the attractive Rohini and would spend each day with her. The other 26 daughters pleaded with their father to intervene on their behalf.
2. Daksha's Curse-
Daksha lost his temper at the Moon-God Chandra and cursed him to fade away. All the daughters panicked as they had simply craved for more attention and not for their husband to vanish entirely.
The Moon fading created havoc in the world. Everyone pleaded with Daksha and asked him to take back his curse.
Now Daksha could not revoke the words he had uttered in anger. He advised Chandra to pray to Lord Shiva and seek his guidance.
3. LORD SHIVA appears-
The Moon-God Soma established a Linga (currently where the Somnath temple is in Gujarat) and prayed devoutly to Lord Shiva (the Destroyer). Lord Shiva was pleased seeing such utter devotion. He appeared before Chandra and said,
"I cannot completely undo Daksha's curse but I can modify it. For 15 days after the Full Moon (known as Krishna Paksha in the Hindu Calendar) you will fade and diminish till the New Moon. In the next 15 days, from the New Moon to the Full Moon (known as Shukla Paksha in the Hindu Calendar) you will once again increase in size and luminescence."
4. The Moon cycle of 30 days-
The Moon-God Chandra would spend time with each of his 27 wives equally in a span of 30 days, to ensure Daksha's daughters got justice.
The Moon is still exalted in Rohini Nakshatra, as she remained his favourite wife.
It is felt that people are less energetic during Krishna Paksha as the moon wanes. The energy of people usually increases in Shukla Paksha, as the moon waxes. People have maximum energy around the Full Moon and minimum energy around the New Moon.
5. The Greatness of LORD SHIVA-
Soma was still saddened by the waxing and waning of his size and brightness. To him it was a constant reminder of the curse and reduction in his powers.
Lord Shiva said "I will adorn the crescent Moon on my head to remind all my devotees, that I am with them even at their lowest and weakest moments."
Thus, Lord Shiva is also known as Chandrasekhar or one who adorns the Moon on the crest of his head. To strengthen the Moon or the Mind one prays to Lord Shiva, especially on Mondays and Shivratri.
6. Shivratri-
The night before the New Moon is believed to be the darkest. This is called Shivratri or the Night of Shiva.
Thus, there are 12 Shivratris in a year. When we pray to Lord Shiva to give us strength on this night, we witness a natural energy upsurge. He is believed to be the destroyer of all ego and weaknesses.
The Shivratri which occurs in Feb or March each year is called MahaShivratri, the Great Night of Shiva and is also the Union of Shiv and Shakti, the ultimate masculine and feminine energies.
Therefore, MahaShivratri is believed to be one of the most powerful nights of all, to uplift our mind and ourselves.