Rahu Ketu is the name given to the Nodes of the Moon. Rahu and Ketu are the ecliptic points where the plane of Moon’s orbit intersects the plane of Sun’s orbit. Zodiac point where a planet crosses from south to north Latitude is called North Node. North node is called the Ascending Node, and South Node is called the Descending Node. Rahu is considered a planet in Vedic Astrology but a shadowy planet. Astronomically it has no body hence it is not a planet as such, however, due to its major impact on human’s life, it is considered as a planet in astrology. The tail of dragon is Ketu and head it Rahu.

Rahu is a planet which creates illusion and has desires of materialistic gains. Rahu gives Raj yoga, fame and material things when it is posited in 10th house in good sign. It has a devouring nature and wants to consume each materialistic thing of the world. Rahu is a great hoarder. He never gets satisfied with what he has. He always seeks for a new opportunity. It takes Rahu up to 18 months to transit from one zodiac sign to another hence Rahu mahadsha runs for 18 years.

As per Purana texts, Lord Vishnu befooled Asuras and served nectar to all Gods and poison to all Demons at the time of “Samudra Manthan”. However, one of the demons, named Swarbhanu, noticed it and sat in the row of Gods and managed to get a few drops of nectar or Amrit. In the meantime, Sun and Moon saw that activity and gave signal to Lord Vishnu, who beheaded Swarbhanu. But by that time, he was immortalized.  The head of the body of demon Swarbhanu is called as “Rahu” and torso is called as “Ketu”.

The mysterious planet Rahu is considered bodiless, hence he doesn’t know how much he wants something. He remains unsatisfied due to his bodiless head. He has the passion and wants more and more. Rahu creates obsession within the person’s mind. Rahu is considered malefic in astrology due to its origin related to demons and also because he swallows Sun, hence causing Solar Eclipse.

In Western Astrology, Rahu is known as the head of the Dragon. Caput is also another name of Rahu given in western astrology. According to Western people, Rahu is considered benefic whereas Ketu is malefic. They don’t consider these planets while analyzing birth chart.

Nature of Planet Rahu

Rahu has no lordship over any house or rashi in horoscope. Only seven physically existing planets rule over the houses and rashis. Few astrologers believe that nodes also occupy houses and signs. We should keep in mind while analyzing the horoscope that these nodes are important as they react on the basis of the house and signs in which they sit and conjoined with any planet in that particular house or sign. Though Rahu doesn’t own any house so it acts as a lord of that sign only. In case of conjunction, they provide results of the planet which aspects them. Rahu rules over Ardra, Swati and Satabhisha Nakshatras.  Rahu gets exalted in Taurus or Gemini and gets debilitated in Scorpio or Sagittarius. If Rahu occupies the beneficial houses kendra and trikon in the horoscope, it gives good results.

What does Rahu signify in Astrology?

Rahu indicates the paternal grandfather, distant thought, queer mind, irreligiosity, philosophy, chandal, Buddhist, Left handed script, lies, thuggery, wine shop etc. It doesn’t rule over any zodiac sign. According to Vedic Astrology, planet Rahu indicates one born in low caste, one who may have been involved with girls, one whose thoughts and actions will be evil, one will resort to outcaste and low-born. One who is dissatisfied, likes residences facing in south direction, fond of travelling, stay outside or in a big jungle, finds pleasure in uttering falsehood, continues to speak untruth, one who doesn’t have courage and look downwards while walking and talking with others. Gas troubles and sharp acute pain are denoted by nodes. Buddhist, snake catchers, ass, ram, wolf, camel, serpent, poisonous insects, a dark place, bug, insects, owl etc. belong to the nodes.

To live in a rented house, enjoy life at others expense, use others vehicles, have an office car, take one in adoption, danger to the offspring, pilgrimage, ill health to the native and defect to the children and in vision are judged from the position of nodes in the horoscope.

Rahu in 12 houses

Here is how Rahu works in all 12 houses —

• Rahu in First House: Moles or scars in head, wicked temperament, unsympathetic, diseased, still-born child to the native.
• Rahu in Second House: Dark complexion, may have more than one wife, will have a mark or mole near the chin, does not hesitate to pick up quarrels, ever in want, diseased, worries due to loss of children.
• Rahu in Third House: Bold, rich, interested in agriculture, never suffers from the scarcity of foodstuff.
• Rahu in Fourth House: It may be inauspicious to mother until and unless it is connected with the benefic, will engage servants, puts on jewels, mostly a person of suspicious mind, not reliable.
• Rahu in Fifth House: It may cause danger to children, it is evil, likely to stammer, Cruel minded, may be punished by the Government, may live in dirty house or village, funky, sympathetic, miserly.
• Rahu in Sixth House: Native will enjoy life, he will be very bold and brave. If moon is also in 6th house, he will be liked by career women or ladies in good position, waste money, will win in any dispute, will have long life, will be ever victorious.
• Rahu in Seventh House: Native may have two wives especially when there is another malefic, benefic may ward off the evil, yet he will be proud, arrogant, headstrong, diseased.
• Rahu in Eighth House: Native will always be ill, ever worried, confused, delay in achieving one’s aim and depressed.
• Rahu in Ninth House: native will be unhelpful to children, native will enjoy with one born in a low caste. The native will have servants, will never oblige any, will hate parents. Native will become rich and popular.
• Rahu in Tenth House: Native prefers widow’s company and lives in dirty places if Rahu is not connected with benefic. Native can compose songs. Native can not be straightforward. He will be wicked person.
• Rahu in Eleventh House: Native may have many children and wealthy. Native will own lands and building. Native will be little deaf, a learned man, will achieve victory over enemies.
• Rahu in Twelfth House: Native will have a few children, will have defective vision, will be a sinner, unprincipled and unscrupulous, many get amputated. Native will be helpful to others.