RAHU and KETU in Astrology

Rahu & Ketu are Shadowy Points of Moon. The Moon’s orbit around the Earth intersects the ecliptic at two points. These two points are the nodes of the Moon. The north node of the Moon (Rahu) is where the Moon crosses from south to north, called the ascending node. This symbolizes the birth into the material manifestation. The south node (Ketu) is where the Moon crosses from north to south, called the descending node. This symbolizes our leaving the material plane for the spiritual realm. So Rahu takes us into the physical world and Ketu takes us out of it.

                        

According to Hindu mythology, a serpent slithered in the line between the Sun and Moon to partake of the nectar of immortality being given to the gods, planets, and luminaries. When the thief was discovered, Lord Vishnu threw a disk splitting him in half, but he had already swallowed the nectar. This was the creation of the serpent’s or dragon’s head (Rahu), and the serpent’s or dragon’s tail (Ketu). Rahu is the head that is consumed with the thinking mind. The mind separated from the senses creates illusions, and Rahu is the indicator of worldly illusions. Ketu is the quality of knowing without the thinking mind. It is the perception of spiritual insights that lead to enlightenment.

Rahu is our entrapment and Ketu is our final liberation from the karmas of the soul. Rahu will give things but always with a price. Ketu will take away but gives the gift of seeing or enlightenment. When the nodes are combined with another planet they will take on the quality of that planet. They are like mirrors magnifying the energy of that planet.

RAHU represents Indulgence & Expansion to the point of Fault, Eclipses, Dacoits, Theft, Mental-illness, Abortion, Tumor affected to body-Organs, Paternal Grand-Parents, Snakes/Serpents, Goddess-Durga, Dragons, Umbrella, Poison, Mystery, Science of Spells, Widowhood, Epilepsy, Tourism, Aeroplanes, Flying-Saucers, Air-Disastrous, Illegitimate-relationship, Foreign affairs, Transactions, Stock-Market, Undiagnosed Diseases, Wandering, Hysteria, Psychiatrist, Illusions, Intercouse with Mean-women, Treachery,  Pornographs, Tele-Serials, Controversies, Gold-Smith, etc..

   The Stone "Hessonite" [Gomedhikam] attributed to Rahu.

KETU represents Lord Ganesha, Religion, Penance, Moksham, Eternity, Bath in Ganges, Medicines, Ayurveda, Stomach trouble, Appendix, Maternal Grand-Parents, Pain, Hungry, Dark-Spirits, Depression, Prone to Spiritual, Dumbness, Control of Talk, Meditation, Yoga, Devotion to Gods, Loneliness, Ascetic, Buddhism, Mendicant, Beard, Nails,Invisibility, Super-natural, Tail, Dreams, Omens, Salvation, Balanced-Diet, Sooth-sayer, Occult-Sciences, Charity, Pilgrimage, Forgiveness, Edge, End, etc..

   The Stone "Cat's Eye"[Vaiduryam] attributed to Ketu.

Rahu and Ketu moves in reverse direction took approximately 18 Years, 220 Days for one Complete Revolution. [18 Months in one Zodiac Sign].