Last Updated on October 30, 2024 by Tejaswini
If you are a student of Jyotish, do remember these two points about Rahu and Ketu.
1. Always use the True Rahu and Ketu position in your calculations. There is nothing like a ‘Mean’ averaged out position of a graha in Jyotish. We have to use the specific precise position of the graha at the time /space. Never use Mean Rahu Ketu as you will make errors in your predictions.
2. Rahu and Ketu are not always retrograde. They move in the forward / direct motion for about 25 – 30days in a year. They change directions about 2 – 4 times in a year. (Just like the 5 Tara graha – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). Rahu Ketu also go briefly stationary as they change their direction of motion. Their stationary phase can be prolonged during the eclipse time direction changes, where it can go for upto 10 days. They can also be direct for a few days during any time of the year.
Rahu Ketu’s direction and speed depends on the ‘wobbling’ of the Moon. This ‘wobbling’ is caused by the interaction of the gravities of the Sun, Earth and the Moon. Thus this is a combined effect on the movement of the Moon. Rahu and Ketu’s direction and speed are thus a result of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth together. Thus their effect on the living beings, non living things and the events on this earth is very critical. (The direct – retrograde motion of the Tara graha is dependant on their position relative to the Sun.)
- So about 10% of us have Rahu and Ketu in the forward direction in our birth charts. This is birth condition, thus a a life time energy for a significant population.
- Also all of us experience the direct Rahu Ketu energy around 2- 4 times in a year. This is a temporary transit energy but significant karmic events occur during this time frame in all our lives.
I will discuss both these aspects of the direct Rahu Ketu – birth and transit energies, in this post.
Rahu Ketu are the two lunar nodes. They are the flow of experience through your individual soul. Rahu is the desires you wish to experience. And Ketu is the deepest learnings you have gained through the desires you have already experienced to the full. (I have written over 50 posts on Rahu Ketu so do refer the index page)
Rahu Ketu direct in the birth chart
If you have Rahu Ketu direct in your birth chart then you are a different personality. You are more interested in the ‘other’/ non material things in life. You may have loads of wealth, fame, position, power etc. As direct Rahu Ketu eventually do give these material things. But your primary focus will be the ‘other’ things. And this is not a conscious decision. It is pure instinct which turns you away from the material gains and you run after this infinite internal gain. You are not bothered about things like your education, job, money, romance, etc. You are after the greatest wealth that is possible, you want to realise the ‘Self’ itself. Your Rahu has now the greatest Desire possible and your Ketu is ready with the greatest Learnings possible. Both push and pull you relentlessly towards the Self. And you want this to the core of your being.
You have a very real chance of completing your entire karmic cycle in this life itself. Depending on the power of rest of the chart, Self realisation, Moksh is a distinct possibility in this life itself.
In your life, you will go through highly karmic and mostly unavoidable situations. And each situation will unveil a hidden aspect of your self, always pushing you on a progressive curve upwards. You will internally feel desperate in a way. As you know that you have to finish off all unfinished business with others now. There is an underlying sense of urgency. You might have this overwhelming feeling that your time is very short. And you have to complete a lot in this very limited time. Life, for you is on an overdrive. You will make every attempt to assimilate all the experiences you go through in this life. You want to convert them into the deepest learnings. You know that you can convert these learnings plus your unending thirst for Knowledge into that ultimate prize, Self Knowledge.
To the others around you, you will seem dynamic, intelligent and always on the move. You are never deeply attached to people or situations. Yet you seem very highly engrossed and involved in these too. You are simultaneously involved and disinterested. eg You are quite helpful as you do not wish for others to go through what all you went through. But despite this deep concern for others, you are not actually involved in any one else’s life. This behaviour may sometimes confuse the people around you. Thus you will not have close friends but you will have admirers and followers.
On the material levels, direct Rahu Ketu will give you lots of opportunities for success. You will have money, fame, respect, etc. You will be known as a public figure in some way or the other. People will look up to you.
Even if the rest of the chart is not that powerful, you will complet one entire cycle of evolution in this life itself. Rahu Ketu direct in the birth chart is an assurance that you will make a big leap in evolution.
One tip for you. Observe yourself very systematically when the nodes go direct in transit. They go direct about 2 – 4 times in a year for a few days here and there and for weeks around the eclipses. Note the events in your life in this time frame. Keep track of the omens, dreams and any other indications you get in your Dhyan etc.
Rahu Ketu direct in transit affect everyone on this earth.
This part is applicable to all of us. Even for those who have Rahu Ketu retrograde in their birth charts. You can make use of the energy of the direct Rahu Ketu in the transits. This is how you do it,
- First note the time frame when Rahu and Ketu are stationary or in direct motion. They are stationary for a few days around the eclipses. They are often direct around the eclipses. And also go direct for few days here and there during the rest of the year.
- Note if your ascendant lord is conjunct this transiting stationary/ direct Rahu or Ketu. If so, note the events which occur during these few days in your life. These events will have a life changing impact on you. Especially if your ascendant lord is Mars, Jupiter or Saturn then it can be a lifetime energy change. Eg – 2025 March eclipse season will see Saturn with Rahu. So then Capricorn and Aquarius ascendants will go through unavoidable karmic events. Eg – if you are a Leo or Cancer ascendant, then you might always see something karmic triggered around eclipses.
- Note which other planets are getting conjunct with this stationary / direct Rahu Ketu in transit. Suppose it is the Moon, then see which houses in your chart are controlled by the Moon. These houses will experience karmic events which have a long term effect. Actually this is the real reason why eclipses have so much power on us. It is an interaction of the Sun and the Moon both, with the stationary /direct nodes.
- Note if the stationary /direct Rahu or Ketu are falling on any of your birth planets or your ascendant degree. If so, then that specific area of your life will see some significant change linked to karma.
The nodes changing their direction in transit have an impact on all of us. Especially if you are reading a Prashna chart and the nodes are direct on that day, be very careful when interpreting. Often the results will be opposite of what you would normally expect. This unexpectedness is evident even in business or in the stock market or in sports or competitions and exams etc. Especially in business, Rahu and Ketu can give helpful pointers for managing unexpected turbulence and contrary results. If you have sample charts with Rahu and Ketu stationary/ direct at birth then do observe these individuals. Jyotish is basically observing human nature and behaviour and correlating this with the graha.
Students of Jyotish should learn basic math and astronomy as it helps in understanding the graha. Get into the habit of opening the Panchangam daily. Note the planetary movements – direction, speed, conjunctions. This will help you get better with your predictions with time.
(I randomly started writing this post on 10th Aug. As I checked the planetary positions, the nodes are direct for 4 days from 9th to 12th Aug. )
Dr. Tejaswini Arvind Patil
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