Rahu and Ketu

We will discuss in this article about some concepts in Vedic astrology. We will find out the meaning of Rahu and Ketu, their significance and the effect these ”planets” have according to the Indian astrologists.  

What are Rahu and Ketu?

Rahu and Ketu arise from Indian mythology and are important in Vedic astrology.

Rahu is the "Dragon's Head" and is associated with the North Node of the moon. Ketu is the "Dragon's Tail" and is associated with the South Node of the moon. Rahu rides a chariot of darkness drawn by eight black horses and is said to be responsible for lunar and solar eclipses.           

Rahu was the eldest of 100 brothers, born to Simhika and Viprachitthi. One day Rahu saw Lord Vishnu distributing amrit (ambrosia) to the Gods and Angels whilst denying it to Demons such as himself. Rahu decided to impersonate a God and succeeded in receiving the amrit which made him immortal.           

His pretence was discovered by Surya (the Sun) and Chandra (the Moon), who immediately beheaded Rahu. However he had already eaten the amrit and was by then immortal.           

His head continued to be known as Rahu whilst his torso became Ketu.           

Rahu and Ketu hold an eternal grudge against Surya and Chandra and Rahu takes every opportunity to devour them. This causes an eclipse, which ends when the Sun or Moon emerges from Rahu's severed neck.

What are the effects Rahu and Ketu have upon our lives?

Rahu is a planet of materialism and gives material gains in a particular area. It gives extremely good results in Kendras & Trikonas. If well placed it gives happiness. If well aspected it gives happiness, acquisition of wealth & a powerful position. But it also gives mental anxieties; it creates conditions wherein you really cannot enjoy material gains. If not well placed & not well aspected it can give loss of position, legal hassles & misfortune. Also it urges one to turn to the higher powers to seek mental peace. Ketu, on the other hand, will deprive a person of the benefits of the house it is transiting and force a person to think on a higher plane. It can result in turning the mind inwards to seek the ultimate truth.

           

Rahu or Dragons Head or North Node represents foreigners, foreign countries, foreign travel, engineering and the technical trades, smoke, old men, grand parents, theft, gambling, drinking, nonconformists, the underworld and the bad elements in the society. Its color is black, metal mixed-metal and gem is Gomedh. Rahu takes approximately 1-1/2 years to travel a sign and hence completes the round of the zodiac in 18 years.

Ketu or Dragons Tail or South Node represents grand parents, technical trades, spiritual inclinations, superstitions and electronics. Its colour is brown and gem is cat's eye. Ketu is always in the opposite sign to Rahu, i.e., exactly 180 degrees away. Ketu also takes approximately 1-1/2 years to travel a sign and hence completes the round of the zodiac in 18 years.

           

They are never considered really benefic in the sense of "all good", as they must always carry some of the heavy karma their birth is associated with, but they can be truly honorable in the right chart. They can be the source of things such as valor, endeavor, bravery, in ways, and certainly things like fleeing a hostile environment, being revolutionary, fighting bad governments, being the underdog, being a yogi or spiritualist of many good types, focusing on things such as mysticism, death, the afterlife, God's valor, God's ultimate law (Ketu especially is aware of this as he's dead because of it!).