The position and influence of Rahu and Ketu in individual’s birth chart are determined by their placement in houses, their relationship mainly aspect and conjunction with other planets. Rahu is the north ascending node of Moon and Ketu is a descending south node of Moon. Rahu and Ketu have no physical shape hence they are called shadow planet or chayaagraha and said to cause eclipses. Hindu astrologers did not know scientific cause of eclipses until 4-5th century when Varahamihira wrote about it in detail and rejected Puranik interpretation of eclipse. He wrote that “Astrological truth is different than Puranik truth, Rahu does not causes eclipse”. Purana priests and writer of Mahabharata knew that something causes eclipse but they were not certain about what it is. For the readers some facts are being given here in details-

1. Rahu: In Vedic astrology and mythology Rahu is said to be the most powerful planets. Here are some interesting facts about Rahu:

• Rahu is one of the nine planets (Navagrahas) in Vedic astrology, and it is considered a shadow planet.
• In Hindu mythology, Rahu is known as a demon who is Simhika’s son (Samskrit: संहिका) Swarbhanu. who swallows the sun and the moon during eclipses.
• Rahu is associated with the zodiac sign Aquarius and is said to have a strong influence on individuals born under this sign.
• In Vedic astrology, Rahu is considered a malefic planet that can cause confusion, chaos, phobia and materialistic desires.
• Rahu is also associated with the north node of the moon, which is an important astronomical point in Vedic astrology.
• Rahu is often depicted with a human head and a serpent’s body, representing the duality and complexity of this celestial body.
• Rahu is associated with the color black and is often represented as a dark, shadowy figure.
• In Vedic astrology, Rahu is said to be in its exaltation in the sign of Taurus (Modern Gemini) and its debilitation sign is Scorpio.
• As per Vedic astrology, Rahu behaves mostly like Saturn hence dictum ‘shaniwat rahu’ is widely used by traditional astrologers.

2. Ketu: Ketu is another shadow planet in Vedic astrology and is mentioned always with Rahu because it other half of the main body of Simhikaputra (Samskrit: संहिका) Swarbhanu.. Here are some interesting facts about Ketu:

• Ketu is one of the nine planets (Navagrahas) in Vedic astrology, and it is also considered a shadow planet.
• In Hindu mythology, Ketu is often depicted as a comet with a tail and is associated with the south node of the moon.
• As per some opinions, Ketu is associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio and is said to have a strong influence on individuals born under this sign.
• In Vedic astrology, Ketu is considered a malefic planet that can cause spiritual growth as well as materialistic desires.
• Ketu is also associated with detachment, isolation, and liberation from worldly desires.
• In Hindu mythology, Ketu is said to be the tail of the demon king Rahu after his head was cut off by Lord Vishnu.
• Ketu is often depicted with a headless body, representing its association with detachment and renunciation.
• According to Hindu mythology, Ketu is also known as the “moksha karaka” or the planet that leads to spiritual liberation.
• Ketu is associated with the color brown and is often represented as a dark, shadowy figure.
• In Vedic astrology some have opinion that Ketu is said to be in its exaltation in the zodiac sign Scorpio and in its debilitation in the zodiac sign Taurus.