Rahu and Ketu are perhaps the most misunderstood gruhas (loosely translated as planets) in Vedic Astrology. However, their impact is so significant that they are always represented in a chart when a Vedic astrology chart is cast.
Amplifier Effect of Rahu & Ketu
- Rahu and Ketu are amplifier energies in Vedic Astrology. They do not have a characteristic by itself. It is neither good/bad, satwic/tasmic, auspicious/inauspicious, just like electricity. Electricity by itself does not exhibit any characteristic or quality. However, when connected to a light bulb, it dispels darkness; when connected with an air conditioner, it heats/cools up the space, and so on but when one touches an electricity socket directly, one gets electrocuted. So, can we say electricity is good/bad? It is only its application that defines quality. Same with Rahu and Ketu.
Nature of Rahu & Ketu
- Rahu is an outward-expanding energy while Ketu is an inward-expanding energy (Note: It is not shrinking energy). Rahu explores the physical planes while Ketu explores the self and its very existence.
Why is Rahu & Ketu generally considered bad?
- It needs to be understood that both Rahu and Ketu are both very intense energies. So, when handled without caution, the dangers are unfathomable. Let me explain!
- If you have a bicycle fit with a V8 engine and take it for a ride, the accident is a very high probability. Does that mean that the V8 engine is bad? The same is true with these energies.
- Almost all the prominent personalities known in this world have Rahu/Ketu having a significant contribution to amplifying an attribute. Further, all the weak and mentally depressed people around are also likely to have a significant quality attributed to energy amplification by Rahu/Ketu.
- Let’s take an example to explain: Solar eclipse (When the Moon comes to the Rahu node) causes significant mental turmoil to mentally weak people. In fact, in hospitals where there are mentally ill people, special caution is taken. Screams and cries are anticipated. However, yogis wait for the occasion to fast-track their spiritual journey. It is like while one is running, one gets a sports car ride to cover the distance. But if a person has breathing problems and hypertension, for such a person, this journey could be fateful.
How does the degree of Rahu/Ketu affect a chart?
- Rahu/Ketu does not follow the regular rules of avsthas (like a child, adolescence, youth, and old age) unlike other gruhas. So, the degree by itself does not have an impact on the behaviour of the chart,
- however, the proximity of the degree does (need not be co-joint in same Bhava (Rashi house)). Example: If Rahu is at 10 degrees and Jupiter is at 10 (+/-) 2 degrees, the power of Jupiter gets amplified.
Why are Rahu/Ketu called Chaya gruhas (Chaya = ‘Shadow’)?
- Rahu/Ketu by itself does not have a physical existence. They are two (mathematical) nodes in the sky. When the Moon comes to the Rahu node, it is a solar eclipse and when the Moon comes to the Ketu node, it is a lunar eclipse.
- The nodes by themselves cannot impart any impact on an individual. It is the influence of the Sun, Moon, Mars, …. Saturn gruhas that is felt in an individual. However, the direction of influence, outward/inward depends on the influence of Rahu/Ketu respectively. Just like the type of shadow depends on the source of light and its direction, this gruhas influence depends on the conjugation/aspect by the gruhas.
