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A common portrayal of Rahu is a demonic head. His vehicle is the lion or tiger. In astrology it is a natural malefic with characteristics similar to Lord Saturn. In fact it is considered the strongest malefic planet of the Zodiac.In Hindu Astrology (Jyotish), unlike the planets, who are all revered demi-gods of the pantheon, the Lunar Nodes are demonic entities. The Lunar nodes are the points where the Moon’s path in the sky crosses the ecliptic, the Sun’s path. The two points are called Rahu and Ketu and are treated as planets. The question arises how these Lunar Nodes come to occupy a place as important as the planets in Hindu Astrology. We need to trace their origin in Hindu mythology and Puranic ( ancient ) legends.
The demi-gods ( Devs) and their antitheses the Titans and demons ( Asurs) are shown in a state of constant conflict to acquire control over the heavenly regions ( Swarg Lok ) and the earth ( Prithvi Lok ). The Demons rule the nether worlds ( Patal Lok ) from where they mount their attacks to win heaven and thereby gain power over the forces of nature enabling them to dominate the earth and destabilize it by polluting the minds of earthlings, and by causing earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities. Allegorically it is the struggle between the forces of good and evil. The demi-gods are often outwitted and heaven and earth fall under the spell of the demonic forces. Numerous legends speak of the rise of one great Titan after another threatening heaven and earth. The demigods then rush to the holy Trinity of Godhead ( Brahma the creator, Vishnu the sustainer and Shiva the annihilator) beseeching their help to oust the demons. Often the plight the demi-gods are in are of their own making. The demons succeed in gaining the upper hand when the demi-gods fall in righteous behaviour with bloated egos and indulgences. After being duly reprimanded the Godhead then deigns to assist them through the employ of subterfuge and trickery. This becomes necessary because great demonic entities after engaging in extraordinary feats of penance, piety and meditation succeed in gaining the blessings of the Godhead. The Godhead is obliged to grant them their wishes. Once thus empowered, the Demons cast away the mask of piety and launch attacks gaining control over the heavens.
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Both the Devas and the Asuras were keen to acquire Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu suggested to the Devs that the only way to get that nectar was by churning the cosmic oceans for which it would be necessary to get the Asurs to join them in the exercise. The churning then began by winding the king of serpents, Vasuki ( seen coiling round Lord Shiva’s neck as adornment) round Mount Meru, the Hindu Olympus. Lord vishnu assumed the form of a giant turtle on whose back Mount Meru was placed. The Asurs were to hold the head of the serpent while the Devs were to hold the tail. It was hoped that the fumes from the enraged serpant would confuse the Asurs, but the Asurs were not to be deterred. The churning first produced a pot of deadly poison which threatened to annihilate the universe. Lord Shiva magnanimously intervened by offering to drink it and save the world. As the deadly poison went down he confined it to his throat which turned blue – henceforth the saviour was called Neelkanth, Lord Blue-Throat.
When the churning finally produced the coveted pot of nectar, the Asuras usurped it, refusing to share it with the Devs. To save the day Lord Vishnu assumed the form of an enchanting damsel and charming the gullible Asurs stole the pot away, dancing towards the Devs and pouring the nectar quickly into their goblets. Rahu, a leading Asur realizing the subterfuge transformed himself into a Dev and joined the ranks of the demi-gods, being served the nectar.
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The Sun and the Moon discovering his alien presence drew the attention of Lord Vishnu, now the divine damsel with the pot of nectar but too late, as Rahu had already drunk the nectar of immortality. Vishnu then let fly his famed discus severing Rahu’s neck from his body. but the two halves had already gained immortality and henceforth continued to haunt the Zodiac, seeking revenge on the Sun and the Moon by pursuing them and swallowing them time and again causing eclipses. The two nodes are however not associated with any Zodiac sign through lordship or ownership.
Rahu signifies all manner of separation, from tribe, family, home, region, country of origin – ones essential roots. This could manifest as incessant travel or a career overseas, away from ones origins, even exile and execution. Separation could also imply absence of parental support or on account of being orphaned. Rahu’s adverse placement also indicates tendency to have addictions and obsessions, which could mean alcoholism, drug abuse and obsessive sex. Pronounced Rahu effects could even mean insanity and forms of mental instability, particularly when it afflicts a weak Moon ( which symbolizes the mind in the horoscope). On account of its ability to eclipse the Sun, its influence can create grandiose illusions about ones importance. In the psychic area it could mean supernatural possession or susceptibility to adverse occult influences. His adverse influence can also be indicative of the possibility of being bitten by a snake. Viewed philosophically, Rahu signifies the spirit or soul’s contact with the material world and its machinations. It engenders desire and greed and is associated with materialism.
Another characteristic of Rahu effects is sudden or unexpected developments, both negative and positive. For instance sudden gain in wealth, through legacy or lottery or other fortuitous events or unforeseen calamities.However the gains would be of a dubious nature. Rahu can also produce beneficial effects like making the subject very prosperous, enhancement of status and ability to overcome enemies. Like all planets he is therefore also capable of facilitating Rajyoga – extremely beneficial effects.
Rahu is exalted in Taurus debilitated in Scorpio and favours Aquarius. It is friendly to Saturn, Venus, Mercury, neutral to jupiter and inimical to the Sun and Moon and Mars. In association with a planet it assumes its nature and magnifies it.
RAHU YANTRA Credit: astrodevam.com
Search for The Soul - Indrajit Rathore 
This is so well explained, Indrajit. Thank you. It is very fascinating that in modern Western astrology (besides Hellenistic astrology) Rahu, which is called the North Node, is the lunar node responsible for our evolutionary growth and very difficult to activate. But I like this Indian idea of the nodes bringing in the forces of Chaos. In Chaos there is growth also.
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thanks – evolutionary growth through Rahu is not indicated by Jyotish, though the southern node Ketu allows for liberation ( Moksha ) through death and cessation of rebirth, which could be interpreted as evolutionary growth for the soul though not for the material person.
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Thank you for sharing your understanding of Rahu, Indrajit. I am an astrologer who uses the tropical zodiac, but I have been working on developing a stronger sense of the meaning of Rahu. I have worked with the North Node of the Moon as a point of potential evolutionary growth, as Monika alluded to in her comment above. Yet I know in Jyotish this is not the case, and I know from people practicing Hellenistic and other forms of traditional astrology that they also do not use the North Node as a point of evolutionary growth. I wonder, is it possible at all to make choices and cultivate consciousness in one’s life in order to gain a more positive impact from Rahu? Or is it going to more than likely lead to disastrous results. I noticed you mentioned that Rahu can help with material success, and I am wondering how this can occur as well as if there is anything besides material wealth that Rah can be beneficial. I have wondered before if it is possible to interpret Rahu as a sort of chaos, greediness, and grandiose illusion if one is operating without doing the work of gaining greater self awareness and realization; and yet, if one does cultivate greater self realization, is it possible to grow in consciousness through Rahu? In general are we likely to experience the shadow side of the signs or planets when Rahu is involved always, or is it ever possible to learn how to work with the energy of Rahu in one’s chart in order to grow in one way or another, and if this is the case, what type of growth can Rahu help us with? I have my Moon conjunct my South Node of the Moon, with Mercury squaring Rahu and Ketu- in Jyotish is this bound to bring me great chaos, disgrace, and challenges, or is there a way for me to work with this productively?
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My presentation is basically a journalistic tour of the subject providing broad facts and the myths and legends behind them. I must confess that I am no astrologer and have no capability for astrological interpretation of charts. If you go to the internet and enter’ Rahu Ketu effects’ you will find voluminous information which may help you in interpreting your chart, yet true interpretation can only come from a Jyotish practising astrologer. My impression is that there in no inherent evil in any planet, even those described as malefic – they are all there to help us in our evolution even when their effects appear sinister. the good that Rahu can do is to help one in achieving ones material aspirations and Ketu in helping one achieve ones spiritual goals – two sides of the coin – they can produce great effects, though always through trials, and negative effects to further ones evolution. the effects are determined by their placement in the houses, the signs, their aspects and their being aspected by other planets and so on and on – really complicated considerations for an astute astrologer to determine. I reproduce two quotes from presentations on the net which may be relevant to your queries;
1. . As a node of moon, Rahu shall not provide adverse results so long as 4th house or moon is not afflicted. He gives good results when Mars occupies houses 3 and 12, or when Sun and Mercury are in house 3, or when he himself is posited in 4th house. Rahu further provides good results if placed together with Mercury or expected by him.
On the positive side, the influence of Rahu can put us in harmony with collective trends and give popularity, prestige, fame and power. It imparts an almost psychic sensitivity to mass trends and a capacity to use them. Ketu, in the positive sense, can create great powers of concentration, powerful perception, independence, the capacity to transcend external influences, psychic and spiritual insight. In terms of yoga and the spiritual life it ultimately becomes the significator of liberation itself (Moksha karaka). Aligned with Mercury it gives good insight and is helpful in the pursuit of such subtle subjects as astrology.
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Thank you, Indrajit, this is all very helpful for me. I have tried looking on the Internet before but never sure about best information to read. Your selections are illuminating for me. I think I am understanding and can agree even through my tropical zodiac and western astrology-influenced perspective- I feel you answered my question that there is growth associated through Rahu and Ketu. I see this as a way to help us purify through difficult and challenging, chaotic and disastrous experiences, and mistakes- I have learned so much about myself through past excess and I can at least be proud today at who I have become through experiences in my past where looking back I am not happy about what happened and in how I responded in situations, but I see how this all directed me toward the path I am on now. Your quote here on Ketu is very interesting to me, about the powerful concentration and perception and ability to transcend external influences. Thank you. I hope to make the time to read through some of your earlier posts. I like your writing style and it is help me to understand. I recently have been coming across Vedic and Jyotish Astrology information and really liking it. I heard a lecture on Saturn by a Vedic Astrologer, as well as one on the Moon, and I found I resonated deeply with the information.
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thanks – about past excesses – who does not have them? – we are all in the same boat, else we would not be sailing at all ( lol )
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