In the majority of ancient scriptures regarding Vedic astrology, Rahu and its counterpart, Ketu, are not mentioned. The past only made references to seven planets. In this article, you will learn more about these later additions to Vedic astrological beliefs.
Rahu
The first time the name of Rahu is encountered is in the Mahabharata, which explores the tale of the churning of the Ocean of Milk. This involved the search for ambrosia, which was considered the elixir of immortality. In Sanskrit, it was called ‘amrita’.
Rahu was the son of Danava Vipracitti that he had with his wife Simhika. He is also known as the sibling of Maya Danava, who had a reputation as a respected magician and architect. In the sky, Rahu and Ketu (who we will mention later in this article) are two parts of the same danava and are positioned 180° apart from one another. Whenever either the Sun or the Moon are in line with Rahu or Ketu, you should expect a solar or lunar eclipse to occur.
In astronomy circles, Rahu is represented by the head of a dragon and is also referred to as the north node of Moon, which is the point where the Moon’s orbit crosses the ecliptic. The dragon’s tail is identified as Ketu, which is known to give birth to meteors and comets. Ketu is also the descending or the south node of the Moon.
Whenever the Sun, Moon, and Rahu or Ketu fall in the same zodiacal longitude, a solar eclipse will follow. Rahu is additionally responsible for solar eclipses, while Ketu is linked to lunar eclipses. Because of this, both Rahu and Ketu possess special meaning for both astronomers and astrologers.
Hessonite is the gemstone most associated with Rahu, as well as the number 4 in Indian numerology.
Ketu
Ketu is seen as what remains of the body of Rahu. Known as the “headless half-planet” and the shadow of Rahu, Ketu is linked to the cycle of birth and death , seen as the cause of liberation from this process. With a strong connection to spirituality, Ketu also symbolizes a “nonattachment to worldly desires and ambitions.”
The knowledge of self and overall knowledge of spirituality is linked to Ketu, who is also responsible for bestowing wisdom. Individuals connected to Ketu are thought to receive psychic abilities as a result, which makes it easier for them to follow a career in healing arts, natural healing, foods, and curing a person possessed by evil spirits or ghosts.
When taking a look at a horoscope, the positioning of Ketu could spell out destructive in some cases. Because it has a reputation for influencing the potency of a planet, it can cause an individual to exhibit uncontrolled tendencies. At times, one could become downright devious. The effects that Ketu has on a person is often comparable to Mars.
Just like Rahu, Ketu does not represent a feminine nor masculine persona. Characteristics associated with this astrological symbol includes being dominated by wind, increasing in power during the night, obsessions, compulsiveness, and not being fully aware of behavior. The cat’s eye is the gemstone linked to Ketu, as well as the lucky number 7 in Indian numerology.