Rahu and Ketu have been much maligned and least-understood planets. They have always been referred to in a hushed tone and something you would not want to be in your charts. Is that right? What are Rahu and Ketu? What is their story, impact and process of appeasement? Here is all under #IgnorantHindu.
Vedic astrology talks of nine planets. We know seven planets – Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The two planets referred to and important in Vedic astrology that doesn’t have any physical form are RAHU and KETU.
SHADOW PLANETS
RAHU and KETU ( also called Shadow planets) are actually the intersection points (nodes) of the Earth and the Moon orbit. Rahu is the Northern node, and Ketu is the Southern node. They are always 180 degrees away from each other on either side of the Earth and appear in opposite houses of horoscopes. Rahu Ketu follows an 18-year cyclic pattern consistent with the rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the Earth’s ecliptic plane. Symbolically they are represented by an uppers side open horseshoe (Rahu) and the lower-side open horseshoe type of design for Ketu.
RAHU and KETU are generally considered planets with adverse effects and impacts on life. This originates from the story of their coming to form. In Vedic astrology, they are responsible for the Lunar and Solar eclipse, which happens when Sun and Moon are near to them, the nodes. The eclipses occur near Rahu Ketu during the Full Moon and the New Moon. The Solar eclipse occurs during New Moon at +/- 18 degrees from Rahu Ketu. The Lunar eclipse occurs at the full Moon +/- 11 degrees 15′ from the nodal position.
As Rahu Ketu symbolically eclipse the Sun (consciousness) and the Moon (the mind), they have a significant role in darkening our perspective to bring in a new light.
THE STORY BEHIND RAHU KETU.
Rahu and Ketu origin is collectively traced to Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Kshir Sagar- the Ocean of Milk) for Amrit (nectar of immortality) by Demons and the Gods. When they found the nectar, a dispute about who should be drinking it first erupted between the devas and the asuras.
Lord Vishnu, disguised as Mohini, an apsara, distracted the asuras and started distributing the nectar among the devas. Lord Vishnu knew that immortality to the asuras ( demons / Rakshasha) could spell disaster for the world.
Svarbhanu, one of the asuras, noticed this deceit and stood in the line of devas disguised as one of them. The Sun and the Moon saw the switch and immediately informed Lord Vishnu. Before Lord Vishnu could stop Svarbhanu, he had already tasted a drop, thus making him immortal. Lord Vishnu then split Svarbhanu’s body using Sudarshana Chakra. Now there was a head and a headless body, and as it had tasted nectar, both parts were alive.
The head and tail of a snake were joined to the disjointed parts of Svarbhanu, thus bringing life to Rahu and Ketu.
As a head without a body, Rahu is the part of us that can never be satisfied. It makes us feel an obsessive drive and can never get enough. In that case, we act with the least maturity, wisdom, and experience.
Ketu is the headless tail of the demon (or of the serpent). It is intuitive and works without knowing where the knowledge emerges from. Ketu gives us innate wisdom as well as psychic and spiritual awareness.
THE ECLIPSE.
Knowing that it happened because of Moon and the Sun, the demon Svarbhanu asked to be allowed to eat them. And so when Rahu swallows them, an eclipse occurs. However, as the Sun and the Moon also had nectar, they survive the act and re-emerge.
THE VASUKI STORY.
In some cases, Vasuki Naga, used as a rope for the Samudra Manthan, realising the dev’s intentions, immediately drinks a part of nectar and, knowing this, Lord Vishnu cuts it into two pieces.
SOUL AND RAHU KETU.
(As explained in https://www.guruji.life/blog/rahu-ketu/)
The concept of the Soul’s journey through different lifetimes is central to Vedic Astrology. The final goal of the Soul is to break this cycle of life and death. Like the beads on a necklace, various lifetimes are joined together to form a necklace, each life being different but interconnected by an invisible thread. The invisible thread holding it is Rahu and Ketu.
SOUL PUURPOSE
The Soul’s purpose in this life is to act out the given Karma, destroy the illusions of the materialistic life and move towards self-realisation. To live on the astral planes where pleasure and pain cannot hurt and the mind is still and at peace.
SOUL JOURNEY
The Soul’s journey in a particular lifetime and its connection with eternal life is indicated by the position of Rahu and Ketu. Ketu deals with the past Karma and Rahu with the future.
SOUL AND MATERIALISTIC ATTACHMENT
The five instincts keeping us attached to the materialistic purpose of life are Kaam (Desire and passions), Krodh (Anger), Madh (intoxicants, drugs & alcohol etc.), Moh (Attachment), Lobh (Greed) and Matsaya (Jealousy). We should control our instincts rather than be controlled by them. Both Rahu and Ketu can keep our minds focused on these instincts. Rahu by exaggerating and Ketu by obscuring or blocking.
The Soul is tied down to the cycle of unhappiness and dissatisfaction as it cannot break away from the lower levels. It is born again and again to experience the pleasures and pains of the earthly life until, finally, the Soul recognises that it is a mere illusion.
We can grow spiritually when we start to understand the principle of letting go, enjoying what life offers but not getting attached to it. Rahu Ketu deals with the inner fight within us, the moral and the social choices we must constantly make and the internal dilemmas.
REFLECTION IN LIFE-RAHU KETU.
Rahu and Ketu are the personal eclipse points. They are areas where one needs to work out Karma, past and future. Rahu Ketu works psychologically; therefore, it is hard to pinpoint their effect. They are the axis of life which indicates the path of spiritual growth from past life ( Ketu) to the Future (Rahu).
Knowledge of the past and present is needed to truly understand life. The past shapes our personality, the negative and the positive Karma we will experience in this life. It shades our psyche to how we are going to tackle the present. The future is always uncertain and seems like darkness. It has fear and uncertainty associated with it. We have to really come to terms with our past to be able not to be afraid of the future. In vedic astrology, Rahu is for showing the direction, and Ketu is sometimes blocked due to our actions of the past.
RAHU AND ITS INTERPLAY WITH PEOPLE.
Rahu, is a karmic planet. It affects Tamasic behaviour concerned with the self, dissatisfaction and materialism) and tendencies. It urges the person to work on a specific area of life where something was left undone or incomplete in the past life. As this unfinished part is overdue between the births, leading to apparent dissatisfaction, Rahu makes the person go that extra mile to get a satisfactory settlement or closure in the present lifetime.
Rahu gives the person sudden fame, greed, passion, manipulation, conspiracy, and diplomacy. It is responsible for fear, passion, confusion and unknown or known diseases. Rahu is the cause and responsible for a person’s worldly attachment and materialistic thinking.
RAHUL ZODIAC AND PLANET CONNECTION.
Rahu rules the zodiac sign of Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18), and Shani (Saturn) is the traditional ruling planet). Mercury, Saturn and Ketu are friendly planets for Rahu. Sun, Venus and Mars are enemy planets for Rahu. Jupiter and Moon are even with Rahu. Rahu can be friends with Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Pisces and Sagittarius while is an enemy of Cancer and Leo. It is good for Taurus and Libra.
RAHU NATURE AND IMPACT.
It is of Vata by nature, a combination of air and space. It is concerned with the nervous system and controls all body movement. If the planet Rahu is powerful in the birth chart, it presents the person with power, politics and a high position in life.
It is the Karaka planet of politicians and criminals. It is the planet ruling a Kendra (Angular house) and a Trikona (Trine) simultaneously in the birth chart. (Read about Horoscope and Houses).
The angular house, or the cardinal house, is one of four houses of the horoscope, in which the angles of the chart (the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Imum Coeli (people roots and least conscious part) and the Descendant are found. They are houses 1,4,7, and 10th and are ruled by the zodiac signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
Trikona house represents three key aspects of life. The self (1st house), wisdom and creativity (5th house), and dharma or righteousness (9th house). Trikona houses are auspicious and provide knowledge, guidance, and spiritual growth to the native.
A powerful Rahu can make the person rise through wrong actions and means, including prompting to take wrong steps in life. Something which will always later have an adverse reaction.
It is not that Rahu always has a negative or adverse impact. If Rahu is in the auspicious position, it gives the person sudden prosperity, fame, success, and even winning in betting, fulfilling desires. After all, Rahu is the head.
KETU AND ITS INTERPLAY WITH PEOPLE
Ketu is a planet with a pitta nature associated with fire and water. It is the energy within us that helps us make sense of our surroundings and learning. Through pitta, one perceives what is happening in the surroundings and becomes goal-oriented.
Ketu affects wordily matters, and the results are normally painful. It is the karaka planet of Salvation, Spirituality, detachment, and tantra-mantra.
Ketu rules the Scorpio (Oct 23 to Nov 21 born) zodiac sign together with Mangal ( Mars) as a ruling planet. Venus and Rahu are friendly planets. Sun, Moon and Mars are enemy planets. Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury are even. Ketu is friendly towards Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Pisces and has enemy tendencies towards Cancer and Leo.
Other than the principles of friendly and enemy planets mentioned above, certain facts depict relationships between planets.
Ketu grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ashvini (associated with the star Arietis. Rrepresent the god of medicine- the horse-headed twin physicians of the gods), Magha (associated with the star Regulus- symbolically represented by a Throne) and Mula ( symbol- the branch of roots tied together and representation of elephant God. Asscoaited with Nakshatra having stars in zodiac scorpio).
When in an auspicious position, Ketu quenches their spiritual thirst. It does not mean it diverts the person towards worldly things, but rather it pushes a person away from it into a spiritual area. The person can understand complex subjects and situations easily. It can help in understanding and becoming a great healer.
Ketu is the demon’s lower torso and provides excellent intuition power.
Rahu Kala.
Rahu Kaal or Rahu Kalam is the most unfavourable time of the day. Astrologers always leave out these 90 minutes of the day while calculating shubh muhurat for any auspicious event. The belief suggests that Rahu overpowers the mind and weakens an individual’s ability to think; hence, no auspicious events like marriage, housewarming, child’s naming ceremony or other sacred events should be planned for this period of the day. beginning
RAHU DOSHA
In Rahu Dosha, Rahu adversely impacts all the planets encircled by it. They lose most of their positive effects. Troubles pursue the person, and important life events (marriage, childbirth, etc.) may get delayed. A person with Rahu Dosha will likely endure pain and sorrow for most of their life.
RAHU MAHADASHA AND YOG
Rahu Mahadasha lasts 18 years. When combined with Saturn in any house, Rahu brings on Shrapit Yoga with bad results – as the person is cursed by Chandra dosh. When Rahu and Sun sit together in any house, they create the Grahan dosh. It makes Angarak yoga combined with Mars in any house and is highly hazardous for life, career and health.
KETU MAHADASHA AND YOG.
The Ketu Mahadasha lasts for seven years. Ketu in 3,6, or the 11th house, will bring positivity, happiness, money and wealth. It gives beneficial results when it combines with Guru (Jupiter / Brahaspati), Venus, Mars and Mercury. With Jupiter, it gives Ganesha Yog. It’s a yoga of giving nature, helping others, serving others, and concentrating on doing good deeds. Jupiter Ketu makes the person kind & generous and sends on religious and good deeds. Ketu with the sun in the same bhava/chamber gives the child, uncle and other relatives bad results.
RAHU KETU, THE COLLECTIVE.
Collectively Rahu and Ketu may cause epidemics, earthquakes, mass murders, violence, bomb blasts, and natural calamities like floods, storms, etc.
Vedic astrology says that problems in our lives are as per the placements of the planets. Inauspicious and sinful planets positioned wrongly in the horoscope may create life problems and challenges. An inauspicious Rahu-Ketu can lead to losing peace of mind, making wrong decisions, stagnation in jobs and businesses, and financial problems. This can lead to mental stress.
Rahu and Ketu are the sinful and shadow planets. Rahu and Ketu have 5th, 7th, and 9th aspects and affect the house in which they are placed in the horoscope. Thus, if Rahu and Ketu and Ketu are in an inauspicious position in the horoscope, then these two together can directly affect 8 out of 12 houses of the horoscope.
REDUCING ILL EFFECTS OF RAHU AND KETU.
Multiple remedies or processes are recommended for negating or minimising the harmful impact of Rahu and Ketu. Now, which works best for a particular situation and person is best guided by an expert astrologer. Some of them, like donation and reciting mantras, may not have an adverse impact.
MANTRA AND WORSHIP.
Goddess Durga Worship is known to reduce the ill effects of Rahu and Ketu. As ancient astrology sees Rahu as the Snakehead and Ketu as the tail, worshipping lord Krishna dancing on the snake’s (Sheshnag/Kaliya) hood can help get relief from their ill effects.
Donating Satnaja Potli (a bag containing seven types of grains – often used in Tantra), tobacco, urad, raw coal, radish, mustard, coconut, oil, blue cloth, metal lead, etc., pleases Rahu. Donating black and white blankets, woollen clothes, goat, Satnaja Potli, and black and white sesame seeds pleases Ketu. They favour Saturday and Saturday, and Tuesday for fasting to appease them.
MANTRAS
One of the ways to appease the shadow planets is to chant 108 times their Bee Mantra (ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः for Rahu and ॐ पद्म-पुत्राय विदमहे अमृतेशाय धीमहि तन्नो केतुः प्रचोदयात्॥ are the beej mantra) in the evening after sunset or reciting 108 times ‘ओम नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमः’ also helps appeasing the shadow planets. Additionally, reciting Shiva Sahasranama. Don’t get confused within the 8 different versions that are available of it. The one in Anushasana Parva (book 13) of the Mahabharata is considered the main version but no harm if you use the version featured in Linga Purana or any of the other six versions. It is, anyway, just the recitation of the 1,000 names of Shiva.
Shri Hanumant Sahasranama written by Sant Goswami Tulsidas, also has a similar impact. Depending upon your choice, you could recite any of them. It leads to prosperity, and good fortune, removes obstacles, and removes curses and sins, takes the consciousness to upper levels.
SHIVA RUDRAKSHA
Chanting the Panchakshari mantra’ Om Namah Shivaya’ with a rosary of Rudraksha (the dried seeds of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree that grows in the foothills of the Himalayas, are made from the tears of Lord Shiva) every day in front of the Lord Shiva Panchmukhi idol helps appease Rahu and Ketu. Maha Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is also effective, but there are a lot more rituals and practices for the proper recitation of Maha Mhamrityunjay Mantra. Hence, everyone is not able to follow it. Worshipping the fierce form of Lord Vishnu- Narshima and of Shiva- Bhairav also appeases Rahu and Ketu.
Chanting 108 times the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” daily, Offering belpatra (leaves of Bilva tree), raw milk, fruits, and water to Shiva Linga at a Shiva temple or performing Rudra Abhishekam.
SARASWATI
Worshipping Goddess Neel Saraswati lead to peace with Rahu and worshipping Ganesha peace with Ketu. The planet Ketu is also appeased when the person regularly serves monks, sanyasis, fakirs or other spiritual masters.
KALA SARPA NIRVANA PUJA
Perform Kala Sarpa Nivarana Pooja in Srikalahasti temple, Andhra Pradesh, or other temples where such Poojas are done. The temple, 36 km from Tirupati Temple, is known
for its Vayu Lingam (Wind Lingam), one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. This temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketu Kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam.
For information, Pancha Bhoota Sthalam refers to the locations of five temples dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, each representing the five prime elements of nature: land, water, air, sky, and fire. Flickering lamps in the Srikalahasti temple shows the play of wind (Vayu Linga), the Water spring in the innermost sanctum of the Tiruvanaikkaval ( near Trichy) temple shows the temple’s relationship to the element water, Annual Kartika Deepam (giant lamp is lighted atop the Annamalai hill) shows the Arunachaleswar’s (Thiruvannamalai) manifestation as fire, Swayambhu lingam of sand at Kanchipuram in the Ekambareswara temple signifies the Siva’s association with the Earth. In contrast, the formless space (Akasa) at Thillai Nataraja temple at Chidambaram shows lord’s association with formlessness or nothingness.
As Jupiter (Guru) is the only planet that can, respecting and worshipping your Guru is one of the best ways to save from the harmful effects of Rahu.
Offer a copper or gold cobra or Naga snake to any Shiva temple.
WEARABLES AND DONATIONS
Wearing Ashtmukhi (8-faced), Rudraksha is supposed to decrease the negative impact of Rahu.
Rahu and Ketu are also appeased by donation of Onyx stone (Sulemani Stone is a type of Chalcedony, whose black colour is evolved from the presence of iron and carbon- preferred are the Oynx with parallel and not curved bands. ) on Saturdays and Lehsunia Gem ( Cat Eye- available in Greenish, Yellowish, Brownish, and colourless shades) on Tuesday.
Jupiter is the only planet that can control Rahu and Ketu.
Wearing or keeping a Nivaran Yantra, Silver Nirvana ring, or Rudraksha mala on a person helps.
Donating mustard oil is also recommended.
Taking care of dogs and offering shelter to street dogs decreases the Ketu Dosha.
COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS.
In the case of Ketu Dosha, do not wear black clothes; instead, prefer Yellow and white, which are colours for Ketu.
FASTING.
Observing ‘Technological Fasts’, i.e. avoiding using gadgets for regular periods at regular intervals, is also favoured by Rahu Dosha management. People with Rahu Dosha should avoid blindly following mass trends, keep aspirations to a minimum and avoid getting into new experiences without proper deliberation.
GOOD HOUSES FOR RAHU IN HOROSCOPE.
(for detailed house-by-house impact of Rahu- click here, and to make a free horoscope and check Rau Ketu’s position in your horoscope – click here)
The best place for Rahu in the horoscope is the Upachaya Houses, i.e. 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses.
THE 3rd HOUSE RAHU.
Rahu in 3rd house stands for valour, loving siblings, willpower and communication. Rahu improves the person’s intellect and social awareness improve. They are courageous and take challenges head-on. They like being spiritual and develop a sense of self-belief. The person develops a strong passion, and this helps in the accumulation of wealth.
THE 6th HOUSE RAHU.
Rahu in the 6th house, the house of enemies, debt and health issues. The person is protected from enemies, can cure health ailments and gets permanent relief from most diseases. However, Rahu with Venus in the 6th house is not favourable as it may lead to extramarital affairs. When Rahu sits with Mercury in the 6th house, it may make the child in the family a bit selfish and rude. Similarly, Rahu with Saturn in the 6th house leads to Progeny.
THE 10TH HOUSE RAHU.
Rahu in the 10th house, the house of materialism, will lead to a successful career, overcome limitations, and gain the support of authoritative people. Media, entertainment and software are the best professions for people with this placement. However, Rahu in the 10th house is influenced by the placement of Saturn, the ruler of the 10th house. Also, though Rahu and Moon are enemies, but the placement of Moon in the 10th house with Rahu is a sign of Raj Yog- a period of great success and fame. Rahu in the 11th house. 11th house lead to success and wealth, but mostly after age 31 or above. However, it may make the person egoistic.
RAHU in 1st AND 4th HOUSE.
Additionally, Rahu in 1st house makes the person very self-focused and may appear selfish. Rahu in the 4th house will intensely focus on the home environment. Rahu represents focus and where you are most likely to put your efforts, which can also represent insatiable desires. One of our challenges with Rahu’s presence and guide is to curb or control desires to find balance in our lives.
GOOD HOUSES FOR KETU IN HOROSCOPE.
Ketu is highly idealistic and is concerned with transforming and surrendering the ego to a higher power, which can eventually lead to enlightenment.
Ketu in 3rd house helps in excellent managing of expenses and does well in terms of finances. Special attachment to siblings develops and inspires doing good deeds. However, it may make the person greedy.
Ketu in the 9th house will easily overcome enemies and keep good health in mind and body. They have a positive attitude towards life and help to acquire wealth and longevity of children. However, it may make the person argumentative and easily irritable.
Ketu in the 12th house leads to a spiritual bent and will move towards enlightenment, including developing introverted qualities. It leads to being secretive about money and wealth. However, in addition to eye and sleeping disorders, it can cause pain or problems below the waist area. For women, Ketu in the 12th house leads to menstrual issues.
RAHU KETU WILL CHANGE THE SIGN TOWARDS THE END OF 2023.
On Oct 30, 2023, Rahu will move from Aries to Pieces. And Ketu moves from Libra to Virgo. Aries, Taurus, Virgo and Pieces must be cautious of this transit as it will impact them more. Better check the astrologer for birth chart-based transit impacts.
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DISCLAIMER. Reading this, you may have become more familiar with Rahu Ketu, their impact and suggestive remedies. This collation of information does not guarantee the correctness of the calculation and information. Hence, please don’t self-treat or self-guide your play with these shadow planets. It is recommended to get a personalised analysis of your horoscope by some expert astrologer and know it in detail.
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SOURCES:
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