☊ Rahu - The Dragon's Head
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:47 pm
☊ Rahu
Brigu Sutras
☊ Rahu and Ketu-the Shadowy Planets
Rahu and Ketu are called shadowy planets by our ancients. They are not substantial heavenly bodies with an observable body shape or mass like the Sun, Moon and other planets. Hindu mythology has in its characteristic way symbolised these two parts of a single body. According to a Puranic story after churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) came out a divine elephant, a horse, a physician, the Goddess of wealth and Amrita or immortality. About the distribution of Amrita there was a serious dispute amongst the Devas and Asuras. The Supreme Lord (Lord Vishnu) assuming the shape of an alluring Mohini, took charge of distributing the Amrita with the consent of both Devas and Asuras. She so distributed the Amrita that all of it was consumed by Devas but one among the Asuras had stealthily joined the ranks of Devas and got a share of Amrit but was discovered and exposed by the Sun and the Moon. The Supreme Lord cut the Asura in two pieces but as he had taken Amrita both the severed parts remained alive though separated. The head got the name of 'Rahu' and the body and tail 'ketu'. This made Rahu and Ketu eternal enemies of the Sun and the Moon. Periodically they succeed in swallowing the Sun and the Moon (This is during eclipses) but they escape as they are immortal. The fact that has since been universally accepted is that Rahu Ketu are celestial points on the Zodiac with regulated movement and orbit and they have a distinct and predictable influence in horoscopes. The motion of these points which is always retrograde, can be calculated as accurately as the position of the Sun or the Moon, through owing to their being without substance, this cannot be verified by visual observation. Westerners have named Rahu and Ketu as Dragon's Head and Dragon's Tail respectively. Caput and Cauda are the other names given to them by Westerners. To understand how these imaginary points are accurately located and their movements are calculated we have to consider the apparent paths in the heavens of the two planets the Sun and the Moon, that is, the paths along which the Sun and the Moon appear to an observer on earth, to rotate. The Sun appears to move along an ellipse of which Earth is a focus. The plane of this ellipse is inclined to the terrestrial Equator at an angle of 23 degrees. The Moon, as the satellite of the Earth moves round it and its path is also elliptical with the Earth as a focus, and plane of this orbit is inclined to the Equator at an angle of 28 degrees, so that the planes of the orbits of the Sun and the Moon appear to the observer on Earth to be inclined to each other at an'angle of 5 degrees. The two points at which the orbit of the Moon cuts the orbit of the Sun are called nodes, and they are exactly 180 degrees apart. The point of intersection formed when the Moon's motion is from South to North, is said to be ascending node and named Rahu, and the point of intersection formed when the Moon's motion is from north to south is called the descending node or Ketu. It has been observed that the nodes have a retrograde movement in the Zodiac at the rate of 19 degrees 20 minutes per year. Rahu and Ketu are said to stay in a sign for about 18 months. Rahu and Ketu indicate one born in a low caste; one who may have intrigue with girls; is one whose thoughts and actions will be evil. One will resort to outcastes and low born as well as in bred people. There is quite a controversy amongst the ancients about the signs owned by Rahu and ketu and signs in which they are exalted and debilitated. For example, according to Uttara Kalamrita an ancient classic on Hindu Predictive Astrology Rahu is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio, vice versa of Ketu. This work also assigns the sign Aquarius as owned by Rahu and Scorpio as owned by Ketu. Mooltrikona of Rahu has been fixed as Gemini and Mooltrikona of Ketu has been given as Virgo. Sanketnidhi another recognised work allots Gemini as the exaltation sign of Rahu, Virgo as his own sign and Sagittarius as the exaltation sign of Ketu and Pisces as its own Sign. It is also believed that Rahu acts like Saturn and Ketu acts like Mars. The Gem of Rahu is "Gomed" and that of Ketu Cat's Eye. For further information about Rahu and Ketu please see Part II Chapter Eight
https://www.indastro.com/planets/rahu-planet.html
Rahu in Astrology
Rahu planet is a reference point in the sky, not an actual planet like Sun or Mercury. Despite not having an actual physical presence, its impact is deep and powerful.
Rahu stands for materialism and mischief. It represents a fascination with foreign, travels abroad, technical professions, elderly people, theft, speculation, bad habits, revolutionary tendencies, underworld, and smoke.
When Rahu is negative in a horoscope, it causes dissatisfaction, materialistic tendencies, fears, distorted mental makeup, and fantasies. Rahu & Ketu are the shadowy planets in Vedic astrology.
Astronomical Facts about Rahu
Just as Ketu, Rahu does not have a physical shape or mass like a planet. It is a point in the sky, where Sun’s apparent path intersects with Moon’s track in the celestial sphere when moving from the North to South direction.
On the other hand, when Moon intersects the ecliptic during its movement towards the North, the point of intersection is called Ketu.
These points are not still in the sky, there is a slight movement in their position on an annual basis, approximately 19 degrees and 30 min.
Rahu is called the North Node of the moon and the head of the dragon in Hindu Mythology. It takes around 18 years to complete its revolution around the zodiacal circle and stays in each sign for about 1 ½ years.
Essential Details about Rahu
Transit in each sign: 18 months
Direction: North lunar node
Metal: Lead
Gem: Hessonite
Day: Wednesday, Saturday
Color: Black, Smokey
Temperament: Unpredictable
Gender: Neutral
Ruling Body Part: Upper body
Own Sign: Cancer
Exalted in: Taurus
Debilitated in: Scorpio
Mahadasha Period: 18 Years
Relation: In-laws, Ancestors
Professions: Speculation, stock broking, diplomatic work, physiotherapy, poisons, alcohol trade & manufacturing, photography, Xerox, homeopathy, information technology, politics etc.
Significance of Rahu in Hindu astrology
As per Vedic astrology, Rahu relates to unconscious desires, ambition, pleasures, fear, and uncultured behavior. It works much like Saturn and can bring unexpected losses, misfortunes, failure, and frustrations in life.
This planet is animalistic in nature. It awards the person with worldly comforts, unexpected success, gains, riches, power, and strength.
When Rahu is positioned positively in a horoscope, it gives victory over enemies and opposition too. But the problem is that there is always a sense of dissatisfaction.
Rahu makes you never satisfied with your ambitions, gains, success, money, and lifestyle. There is an insatiable hunger for more. It drowns the native into unconscious desires, which he is unable to comprehend but relentlessly pursues. This leads to addictions, obsessive behavior, overly ambitious nature, unrealistic expectations, and fantasies.
Rahu in astrology is strongly associated with occult sciences. Also to the dark side of human character. It is revolutionary in nature, stands against the norms and conventions. It represents the illegal and the dark.
The element of foreign also comes into play. Rahu also relates to spiritual energy quite conversely. It gives knowledge of the higher aspects of life, the occult and spiritual. It gives strong intuition and an in-depth understanding of psychology.
Brigu Sutras
☊ Rahu and Ketu-the Shadowy Planets
Rahu and Ketu are called shadowy planets by our ancients. They are not substantial heavenly bodies with an observable body shape or mass like the Sun, Moon and other planets. Hindu mythology has in its characteristic way symbolised these two parts of a single body. According to a Puranic story after churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) came out a divine elephant, a horse, a physician, the Goddess of wealth and Amrita or immortality. About the distribution of Amrita there was a serious dispute amongst the Devas and Asuras. The Supreme Lord (Lord Vishnu) assuming the shape of an alluring Mohini, took charge of distributing the Amrita with the consent of both Devas and Asuras. She so distributed the Amrita that all of it was consumed by Devas but one among the Asuras had stealthily joined the ranks of Devas and got a share of Amrit but was discovered and exposed by the Sun and the Moon. The Supreme Lord cut the Asura in two pieces but as he had taken Amrita both the severed parts remained alive though separated. The head got the name of 'Rahu' and the body and tail 'ketu'. This made Rahu and Ketu eternal enemies of the Sun and the Moon. Periodically they succeed in swallowing the Sun and the Moon (This is during eclipses) but they escape as they are immortal. The fact that has since been universally accepted is that Rahu Ketu are celestial points on the Zodiac with regulated movement and orbit and they have a distinct and predictable influence in horoscopes. The motion of these points which is always retrograde, can be calculated as accurately as the position of the Sun or the Moon, through owing to their being without substance, this cannot be verified by visual observation. Westerners have named Rahu and Ketu as Dragon's Head and Dragon's Tail respectively. Caput and Cauda are the other names given to them by Westerners. To understand how these imaginary points are accurately located and their movements are calculated we have to consider the apparent paths in the heavens of the two planets the Sun and the Moon, that is, the paths along which the Sun and the Moon appear to an observer on earth, to rotate. The Sun appears to move along an ellipse of which Earth is a focus. The plane of this ellipse is inclined to the terrestrial Equator at an angle of 23 degrees. The Moon, as the satellite of the Earth moves round it and its path is also elliptical with the Earth as a focus, and plane of this orbit is inclined to the Equator at an angle of 28 degrees, so that the planes of the orbits of the Sun and the Moon appear to the observer on Earth to be inclined to each other at an'angle of 5 degrees. The two points at which the orbit of the Moon cuts the orbit of the Sun are called nodes, and they are exactly 180 degrees apart. The point of intersection formed when the Moon's motion is from South to North, is said to be ascending node and named Rahu, and the point of intersection formed when the Moon's motion is from north to south is called the descending node or Ketu. It has been observed that the nodes have a retrograde movement in the Zodiac at the rate of 19 degrees 20 minutes per year. Rahu and Ketu are said to stay in a sign for about 18 months. Rahu and Ketu indicate one born in a low caste; one who may have intrigue with girls; is one whose thoughts and actions will be evil. One will resort to outcastes and low born as well as in bred people. There is quite a controversy amongst the ancients about the signs owned by Rahu and ketu and signs in which they are exalted and debilitated. For example, according to Uttara Kalamrita an ancient classic on Hindu Predictive Astrology Rahu is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio, vice versa of Ketu. This work also assigns the sign Aquarius as owned by Rahu and Scorpio as owned by Ketu. Mooltrikona of Rahu has been fixed as Gemini and Mooltrikona of Ketu has been given as Virgo. Sanketnidhi another recognised work allots Gemini as the exaltation sign of Rahu, Virgo as his own sign and Sagittarius as the exaltation sign of Ketu and Pisces as its own Sign. It is also believed that Rahu acts like Saturn and Ketu acts like Mars. The Gem of Rahu is "Gomed" and that of Ketu Cat's Eye. For further information about Rahu and Ketu please see Part II Chapter Eight
https://www.indastro.com/planets/rahu-planet.html
Rahu in Astrology
Rahu planet is a reference point in the sky, not an actual planet like Sun or Mercury. Despite not having an actual physical presence, its impact is deep and powerful.
Rahu stands for materialism and mischief. It represents a fascination with foreign, travels abroad, technical professions, elderly people, theft, speculation, bad habits, revolutionary tendencies, underworld, and smoke.
When Rahu is negative in a horoscope, it causes dissatisfaction, materialistic tendencies, fears, distorted mental makeup, and fantasies. Rahu & Ketu are the shadowy planets in Vedic astrology.
Astronomical Facts about Rahu
Just as Ketu, Rahu does not have a physical shape or mass like a planet. It is a point in the sky, where Sun’s apparent path intersects with Moon’s track in the celestial sphere when moving from the North to South direction.
On the other hand, when Moon intersects the ecliptic during its movement towards the North, the point of intersection is called Ketu.
These points are not still in the sky, there is a slight movement in their position on an annual basis, approximately 19 degrees and 30 min.
Rahu is called the North Node of the moon and the head of the dragon in Hindu Mythology. It takes around 18 years to complete its revolution around the zodiacal circle and stays in each sign for about 1 ½ years.
Essential Details about Rahu
Transit in each sign: 18 months
Direction: North lunar node
Metal: Lead
Gem: Hessonite
Day: Wednesday, Saturday
Color: Black, Smokey
Temperament: Unpredictable
Gender: Neutral
Ruling Body Part: Upper body
Own Sign: Cancer
Exalted in: Taurus
Debilitated in: Scorpio
Mahadasha Period: 18 Years
Relation: In-laws, Ancestors
Professions: Speculation, stock broking, diplomatic work, physiotherapy, poisons, alcohol trade & manufacturing, photography, Xerox, homeopathy, information technology, politics etc.
Significance of Rahu in Hindu astrology
As per Vedic astrology, Rahu relates to unconscious desires, ambition, pleasures, fear, and uncultured behavior. It works much like Saturn and can bring unexpected losses, misfortunes, failure, and frustrations in life.
This planet is animalistic in nature. It awards the person with worldly comforts, unexpected success, gains, riches, power, and strength.
When Rahu is positioned positively in a horoscope, it gives victory over enemies and opposition too. But the problem is that there is always a sense of dissatisfaction.
Rahu makes you never satisfied with your ambitions, gains, success, money, and lifestyle. There is an insatiable hunger for more. It drowns the native into unconscious desires, which he is unable to comprehend but relentlessly pursues. This leads to addictions, obsessive behavior, overly ambitious nature, unrealistic expectations, and fantasies.
Rahu in astrology is strongly associated with occult sciences. Also to the dark side of human character. It is revolutionary in nature, stands against the norms and conventions. It represents the illegal and the dark.
The element of foreign also comes into play. Rahu also relates to spiritual energy quite conversely. It gives knowledge of the higher aspects of life, the occult and spiritual. It gives strong intuition and an in-depth understanding of psychology.