Rahu is ascending node of moon and it afflicts it more than any other planet.
Rahu points to the direction of spiritual growth for an individual. Position of Rahu in the birth chart influences the indulgence and obsession. In many ways, path that Rahu shows leads the individual to self-destruction. It is said that Rahu gives and Ketu takes away. However, precisely, Rahu’s giving compared to a drug dealer is very similar. Rahu gives because what he gives is intended to catch you. One becomes the need that leads to one’s own downfall.
Rahu is especially associated with the sense of emptiness. This must be fed regardless of the problems it causes. This is the emptiness of the addict, the workaholic or the serial killer.
Rahu has a very strong affiliation with the air. Airplanes, aviation, pilots and space travel are categorised under his influence. Rahu involves one in areas of life considered somewhat taboo by conventional society. These include astrology, metaphysics, occultism, witchcraft, cults, skin diseases, executions and epidemics. Also, Rahu has a tendency to drive one towards areas where deception. Even there is hidden aspect of something play a large role. These include politics, revolutions, drugs, secret societies, mysteries, inventions, scientists, deceit, affairs and taboo sexual appetites.
Meeting snakes in dreams or in life are often thought to be demonstration of Rahu.
Rahu has a special association with Garlic. It is said that garlic plant had sprung from the ground where his blood fell.
The Seagull or Gull is known to be an aspect of Rahu.
Names:
Rahu’s names include Tamas, Rahu, Asura, Swarbhanu, Vidhuntuda, Pata, Sainhikeya, Bhujanga and Ahi. The common name is Rahu.
Attributes:
Rahu represents indulgence and expansion to the point of fault. Negative aspects are smoke, mental illness [over expanded consciousness], losses, theft and death of family members. Also, Rahu causes air disasters are other negative aspects.
Rahu does have positive influence on gambling or speculation. These take place in activities like investing in the Stock Market. Another positive aspect is his ability to heal diseases. Foreigners and sudden changes also fall under the area of Rahu.
Associations:
Goddess Durga is often associated with Rahu especially on occasions of her dark counterpart Kali. The Nagas are always a manifestation of Rahu. Sometimes, snakes in general are considered the same. One might mention that Medusa of Greek mythology has similar appearance with Rahu.
The direction Southwest is given to the leadership of Rahu.
The age of 42 years is considered to be the time in which Rahu comes to full completion.
Rahu owns no particular sign. He is considered exalted in Taurus [which also has a tendency to overindulge]. However, his fall is in Scorpio.
Rahu is unfavourable as a whole. However, he definitely brings about the tendency of being “lucky”.
The black colour and “smoke” colour are associated with Rahu. His metal is Lead, like Ketu.
The wind or air is considered the element of Rahu.
Rahu has a Vatta constitution in Ayurveda.
Areas of effect to look for changes:
Rahu causes accidents, afflictions, cosmic law, rebirth, air disasters, cheating, corruption and drug addiction. Also, he influences destiny or fate, consumption, insects, poison, deceit, power hungry, widowhood and inevitability. Rahu is responsible for karma, aloneness, fear, things or people foreign, apathy and hard times. Rahu brings intense pain, snakes, radical changes, luck, and wealth through inheritance, corruption, madness, schizophrenia, delusions.
Ketu:
Ketu is the descending node of the moon through the eyes of Indian Astrology. Ketu is known to afflict the Sun more so than any other planet. This is in contrast to Rahu that is associated with the Moon.
Ketu is also associated with comets. Also, like its associate Rahu, Ketu is known to be exceedingly cruel and unfavourable. However, interpreting Ketu is slightly difficult. The basic theme seems to be release and transformation. Moreover, placement of Ketu depends on the karma during the past life of the individual.
Ketu brings about spiritual enlightenment. Unfortunately Ketu does this through placement of problems, pain and roadblocks. Hence, these negative influences are meant to help us in our spiritual growth. Ketu has a tendency to behave like Mars. As a result, fire and accidents are also often associated with Ketu.
Special note should be made of the Ketu dasha cycle. The dasha of Ketu lasts for seven years. It is common knowledge from Vedic astrology; Ketu always has a “sting” in its tail. According to this, end of a Ketu dasha cycle there would be possible problem.
Ketu and Rahu have the same association for animals that use poison as self defence. These include snakes, camels, donkey, wolves, rodents, mosquitoes, scorpions and others.
No food is associated with Ketu or Rahu.
Ketu is especially connected with the owl.
Names:
Names of Ketu are Sikhin, Dhvaja, Dhum, Mrityu Putr and Anala. The common name is Ketu.
Attributes:
In Indian Astrology, Ketu is associated with broken relationships, changing events and accidents. Electronics have also been placed under his influence in the modern era.
Other important spheres influenced by Ketu are ascetics, rejection, assassinations and cats. Ketu causes spiritualism, meditation, desire for knowledge, deep thinking. Other influences of Ketu are imprisonment [like Saturn], poison, intrigues, magical powers, poverty and mysticism.
Associations:
Ketu is associated with the Lord Brahma and Chitra Gupta. Also, popular relationship is with Ganesha. This seems more spontaneous considering Ganesha is popularly known as the “remover of obstacles”.
Ketu has an unusual association in terms of direction. He is often noted to be “centre” which is really no direction at all.
Ketu is associated with the 48th year of life.
Ketu has no sign, which it rules but it is considered high in Scorpio and fallen in Taurus.
Ketu is extremely unfavourable. Even though Ketu causes sufferings, it gives and brings about enlightenment and spiritual growth.
Ketu has special connection with the Nakshatra Abhijit.
Ketu is variegated in colour and associated with the metal Lead. Turquoise and Cats eye are associated with Ketu.
Earth is considered the element of Ketu.
Ayurvedic medicine ascribes a Vatta constitution to Ketu.
Areas of effect to look for changes:
Ketu causes renunciation, enlightenment, spiritual authority, ascetics, psychic, discontent, separations, breaks and helplessness. Ketu influences negative habits, liberation, artistic tastes, bankruptcy, sudden windfalls and lower classes of society. Ketu causes strange or foreign things, cheating, disaster, comets, smoking, philosophers, assassins and mental illness.
