|
The
9 Grahas (Planets)
Jyotish
or Vedic Astrology uses 9 Grahas (planets) in the chart
analysis:
The Sanskrit word "Graha"
is often taken as the equivalent of the English word
planet. This is a very simplistic translation which
hides the deeper meaning of this word. "Graha"
refers to an entity that has the power to "seize,
lay hold of, or grasp". Therefore, Graha means
“to grasp” meaning the planets possess, or take hold
of us. This meaning is intimately related to the meaning
of the nakshatras (also called lunar mansions, or a
27-fold division of the zodiac), which are described in
similar terms.
Graha therefore goes
beyond the word planet and describes the ability of
celestial events to either influence or predict
occurrences on earth. This aspect is the fundamental
reason that astrology is not accepted by the scientific
community, as this connection has no known physical
basis. We prefers to use the word “Graha”
instead of planet because it conveys this deeper
meaning. Besides, using the word planet would not be
technically correct. The nine Grahas (“Planets”) are
called Surya / Ravi (the Sun), Chandra / Sandu (the
Moon), Mangal / Kuja (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru /
Brahpathi (Jupiter), Shukra / Sikuru (Venus), Shani /
Senasuru (Saturn), Rahu (Northern lunar node and Ketu
(Southern lunar node). The Sun is not a planet, it is a
star. Rahu and Ketu are not planets, and indeed do not
even represent physical entities.
The Grahas are divided
into two groups, according to their general auspicious
and inauspicious nature. The Sanskrit terms used to name
these two groups are “Saumya” or benefic and
“Krura" or malefic. The Waxing Moon, Mercury,
Jupiter and Venus are known as benefices. The Sun,
Saturn, Mars, Waning Moon, Rahu and Ketu are classified
as malefic.
The nine planets (seven
planets and the lunar nodes) have specific meanings, and
significations. The planetary rays manifest in various
ways in our lives. A planet rules each life experience
and different stages of our lives. They are the key
indicators of people and different attributes or
qualities we have. Understanding the true significations
of the planets in our lives will bring a higher
consciousness, releasing us from their grasp or hold on
us.
Rahu, Ketu, and the
Planets influence each other in various ways. The
ancient sages saw a relationship between the movement of
the planets and the ups and downs of human experience.
Vedic Astrology explores these variations in order to
help us anticipate challenges and comprehend their
meaning.
Two planets in the same
sign are conjunct. Planets in sign opposition are said
to aspect each other. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have
special additional aspects. The sign in which a planet
is located is of great importance. If the sign is
favourable to the planet, the qualities of the planet
are expressed more strongly and auspiciously. The person
in question will enjoy more benefits in different areas
of life that are signified by the planets. Contrary, if
the sign is very unfavourable, the planet will turn
inauspicious and may bring problems and struggle in
whatever area of life it represents.
We calculates all of these influences and many
more. Our Astrologers have the ability to calculate and analyse all of
the complex influences of the planets and then present
them to you in ordinary language (Interpretations).
The
Sun (Surya)
Keywords:
Soul's energy, Confidence, consistency, Power,
Self-growth and development, Ego, Father
One
of its names is Aditya ("first born"). It is
also called Bhutasya Jatah (creator or father of all
bhutas, i.e., objects and ingredients from which objects
assume form). He is the ruler of all the planets. The
Sun represents the male or father principle.
The Sun is the centre of
the Solar System of planets used in Vedic Astrology.
Therefore the Sun rules all types of central things such
as the central government, the centrally powerful person
in an organization, and so forth. In ourselves, the Sun
rules our centre, which is our soul. The Sun is the
source of light for all other planets and beings, so the
Sun rules in astrology our centre of energy. As the
source of energy in the Universe, so from the Sun's
placement in our charts we judge our level of energy.
The Sun represents the
soul, the ego and the body of the individual, and
therefore its placement is of great importance. The Sun
is best placed in Mesha (Aries) where it is called
exalted. Opposite from there, in Tula (Libra) it is
least auspicious and called debilitated. The sun is Lord
of the sign Simha (Leo) and also of the house where
Simha is located.
Sun
signifies: Atma-Self, masculine, future, soul,
physical body and health, heart, life force, courage, ambitions, pride, dignity, ego,
vitality, will power, stamina, sense of self, power,
fame, life, health, sovereignty and clothes, glory,
inspiration, creativity, leadership, Father, teachers,
authority, law and order, bosses, political leader,
Kings or Presidents. It has anger but momentary. It’s
element is gold. East is represented by sun.
Medical
Astrology: Heart, blindness, baldness, right eye,
headaches
Gemstone: Ruby, Red Garnet
Day: Sunday
Rules: Leo Exaltation:
Aries Debilitation: Libra
Directional Strength:
Tenth House
The
Moon (Chandra)
Keywords:
Peace of mind, connection or neglect, other people, the
public, Mother, nurturing
The famous Vedic verse
Purusha Sukta, describing the cosmic man, states, "chandrama
manso jatah": "Moon was born from the mind of
the cosmic man," i.e., Virat Purusa, or Kal Purusa.
The Moon is close to us,
and reflects the light of the Sun. The Moon is the most
visible planet of all, to us here on Earth, because we
can look at it so easily. It neither burns our eyes, nor
hides in the deep darkness of space, like the others.
Rather, the Moon is up close and personal, showing
herself fully to us. The Moon is indeed very dear,
close, and friendly. It's light is very nice and
pleasing. Her full bodily lustre each month is a rising
sight to see. Unlike Western Astrology where the Sun is
most important, in Jyotish the Moon is the first
“Graha” to look at and plays a central role in many
calculations and predictive techniques.
The Moon rules the mind,
the emotions, feelings, nursing, nurturing, mothering
and the overall life of the person. An afflicted Moon
greatly shapes the personality in the direction of the
affliction, whether it is harshness of character,
sadness of mind, or an angry and aggressive nature.
Similarly, benefic influences upon the Moon in a chart,
or a well placed Moon we could also say, bestows the
reflections of helpfulness, peace of mind, cleanliness
all around, and so forth.
The Moon is best placed in the first few degrees of
Vrishabha (Taurus) where it is called exalted. Opposite
from there, in Vrishika (Scorpio) it is least auspicious
and called debilitated. The Moon is lord of the sign
Katrka (Cancer) and also of the house where Cancer is
located.
Moon
signifies: It is a cold, calm and quiet planet
and represents mind, reflective, feminine, night,
emotions, sensitivity, nurturing, security, past,
past-lives, patterns of behaviour, receptivity, caring
for others, heredity, Mother, motherland, the public or
masses, popularity, inner contentment, money, general
well-being, home, water, habits, subconscious mind,
growth in early childhood, fertility, breast, menstrual
cycle, eyes, lungs, liquids and nurses. Direction
north-east, element is silver.
Medical
Astrology: Breast, stomach, watery disturbances,
edema, phlegm, left eye
Gemstone: Pearls,
Moonstone
Day: Monday
Rules: Cancer Exaltation:
Taurus Debilitation:
Scorpio
Directional Strength:
Fourth House
Mars
(Mangal)
Keywords:
Physical strength, Focus, opinions, aggression, logic,
discipline, recklessness, friends and Brothers
Mars is said to be the
commander-in-chief of the assembly of the nine planets.
It is also personified as the god of war.
Mars is the Ksatriya of
the Gods, meaning the warrior. Mars rules aggression,
weapons, enforcement of law, emergencies, urgencies,
weapons, energy, suddenness, rashness, anger, the colour
Red, and related items and matters.
There are points in all
of us when we apply our energy and quickness, usually to
prevent a disaster, or to save a situation. For example,
we move quickly to catch a falling glass object. Mars
likes to protect- we race to save a child from running
into the street. If somebody is hurt, we hurry to the
scene. Mars people are often involved in causing
bleeding with their weapons or stopping bleeding with
their medical equipment. The gun of the soldier kills
some and saves others. It's good to be on the right side
of a person under the influence of Mars. A weak Mars
makes one easily tired, jittery, easily angered, and
reactive. Mars aspects 3 signs, the 4th, 7th and 8th
signs from its own position.
Mars represents the energy, stamina and brothers of the
individual. If well placed, it brings strength and
focussed energy, if poorly placed accidents and
injuries. Mars is best placed in Makara (Capricorn)
where it is called exalted. Opposite from there, in
Katrka (Cancer) it is least auspicious and called
debilitated. Mars is lord of the sign Mesha (Aries) and
Vrischika (Scorpio) and also of the houses where these
signs are located.
Mars
signifies: Energy, action, passions, male
influence, courage, strength, motivations, anger,
violence, determination, aggression, bluntness and
boldness, injury, accidents, war, chemists, fire, anger,
surgery, initiative, motivation, courage, technical or
mechanical ability, sports - athletic, military figures,
police, fires, physical strength, operations, , muscles,
blood, sexual vitality, weapons, machines, conflict, can
inflict death, fire, selfish, criminal, goal oriented
action, self-righteousness, land, property and
real-estate, brothers, enemies, science, instruments,
guns, knives. Its element is copper. Its colour is red
and direction south.
Medical
Astrology: Blood, head, injuries, accidents,
bleeding, headaches, high fevers, inflammation, surgery,
burns
Gems: Red Coral
Day: Tuesday
Rules: Aries and Scorpio Exaltation:
Capricorn Debilitation:
Cancer
Directional Strength:
Tenth House
Mercury
(Bhudha)
Keywords:
Speech and communication, skills, intellect, dexterity,
equanimity, neutrality, curiosity, playfulness
According to
the Linga Purana, Mercury is the son of the Moon by his
wife Rohini. Yet in the Vishnu Purana, Brahma Purana,
Devi Bhagvata Bhagwat Purana, Harivansha Purana, Padma
Purana and Vayu Purana a story is told of the seduction
of Brahaspati's (Jupiter's) wife Tara by the Moon - and
Buddha is born from her. He is called Saumya, that is,
"Son of Soma [Moon]." From Buddha springs the
lunar race. The Moon, being his father, is friendly
toward him, but Mercury knows that he is son of the wife
of Jupiter and so he is in conflict with the Moon, who
seduced his mother.
Mercury is youthful and
causes youthfulness or immaturity in the chart in the
house it resides. Mercury is the negotiator, so it rules
in us the ability to be diplomats, negotiators,
deal-makers, or good liars. Mercury rules all types of
communications, spoken and written. A good Mercury in a
chart makes for careers where speaking, studying,
thinking, writing and other scholarly thinking related
matters are necessary. A bad Mercury can work towards
making a person dumb or odd in mental workings.
Mercury, being youthful,
is neither mature nor convinced about anything for
certain. He is truly a gullible boy, so, he is easily
influenced by other planets. Any planet with Mercury
will influence him. So Mercury is called
"mutable" or "changeable". This
reflects in the chart very much. Mercury always stands
for the thinking capacity in a person, which in Sanskrit
would be called your "Buddhi" or
"intelligence". Mercury's Sanskrit name is
therefore "Budha", which also means "the
intelligence".
Mercury represents the
speech, intellect and friends of the individual. It is a
very, adaptable and curious planet. If afflicted, it
gives speech problems and a poor discriminative ability.
If well placed it makes a person witty, easy going and
skilful. Mercury is best placed in Kanya (Virgo) where
it is called exalted. Opposite from there, in Meena
(Pisces) it is least auspicious and called debilitated.
Mercury is lord of the sign Kanya (Virgo) and Mithuna
(Gemini) and also of the houses where these signs are
placed. Its element is bronze and the colour is green
and direction north.
Mercury
signifies: Mercury is talkative and tactful, but
not harmful. It is a good trader, mathematician, editor
and publisher. It has excellent argumentative and
analytical power and mind. Intelligence, wisdom, speech,
education, matters relating to communication such as
speech and writing, humour, trade, commerce, sales,
education, ideas, thoughts, school, analytical and
rational mind, cognitive intelligence, sense of humour,
youth, trickster, truth, telephones, television,
computers, travel especially short distances, childhood,
aunts and uncles, neighbours, adaptability, twins,
astrology, nervous system. It represents memory, throat,
arms, maternal uncles.
Medical
Astrology: Lungs, hands, arms, nervous system
Gemstone: Emerald, Green
Tourmaline
Day: Wednesday
Rules: Gemini and Virgo Exaltation:
Virgo Debilitation: Pisces
Directional Strength:
First House
Jupiter
(Guru)
Keywords:
Knowledge, Expansion, (children, education,
spirituality) teachers and teaching, Optimism
Jupiter in
Sanskrit is known as Brahaspati or Guru. In the
Taittiriya Upanishad Jupiter is said to be the intellect
and speech of the Virat Purusha, the Cosmic Body. In the
Brihat Parasara Hora (1.26.31) he is said to be the
dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. In the Vishnu Purana he is
said to be Brahma. Sometimes he is identified with
Ganapati (Ganesh), and sometimes with Angiras (the
priest of the gods and lord of sacrifices).
There is
also a story that the wife of Angiras gave birth to
Brahaspati (Jupiter), who is the presiding deity of
mental powers and the teacher of gods. He is the teacher
of the science of light, that is, vedic astrology and
astronomy. He is the ruler of the Sun and the Moon and
controls the movement of the planets.
In the Rig
Veda Brahaspati is said to be born in the sky with seven
faces and seven rays. Brahaspati defeats his enemies and
breaks their forts. No ritual sacrifice can be complete
without invoking this teacher of gods. He is the seer
who perceived and wrote one of the hymns of the Rig Veda
(10.72).
In the
Skanda Purana it is said that Brahaspati worshiped Shiva
for a thousand years and as a reward Shiva made him the
planet Jupiter.
Jupiter is the "Guru
of the Gods". Jupiter is called "Guru" in
Sanskrit. Guru means "teacher" because he is
"heavy with knowledge". Jupiter is also called
Brihaspati (bree-haws-putt-tee). Brihaspati is the name
of the Guru of all the demigods in the higher planets.
He is the advisor, or teacher, of the demigods.
A good Jupiter in a chart which leans towards Jupiter in
a positive way will grant good relations with Priests,
Law, Higher Education, the Legal system, the Financiers
of the world, and so on. Jupiter encourages
righteousness when he is strong.
Jupiter is a large
planet, and so rules largeness in things. Jupiter tends
to expand things. Wherever he sits and wherever he
aspects in a chart will tend to grow based on
Jupiter’s influence. For example, if Jupiter affects
the Lagna, which rules the body, then the body will tend
to be large, or fatty. When a good Jupiter affects house
ruling money then the money will tend to grow. Jupiter
in the second house or third, which rules speaking, will
tend to make the person speak often, and with a tone of
divine advice, one of Jupiter’s other natural
tendencies.
Gurus and advisers are
always well wishers, so Jupiter is very giving or kind,
and is known as a great giver or granter of fortune.
Jupiter is considered the most benefic planet, because
of his nature of always wanting to give and grant
benedictions. Because children are an expansion of life
in many ways, as well as a gift from God, Jupiter rules
children. Because Jupiter represents God through his
many advices he has a tendency to be related to the
ninth house, which rules God in our lives.
Jupiter represents
knowledge, wisdom and the offspring of the individual.
It is a planet of expansion, growth and good fortune.
Jupiter is best placed in Katrka (Cancer) where is
called exalted. Opposite from there, in Makara
(Capricorn) it is least auspicious and called
debilitated. Jupiter is lord of the signs Dhanus
(Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces) and also of the house
where these sign are located. Jupiter aspects 3 signs,
the 5th, 7th and 9th signs from its own position.
Jupiter
signifies: Spiritual teacher, guide, truth,
religion, philosophy, spirituality, grace, law, the
great benefic, fortune, wealth, expansion, higher
education like colleges, optimism, generous, joy, luck,
self-indulgent, excessive, faith, children, money,
husband in a females chart, long distance travel
Medical
Astrology: Liver, hips, overweight, edema, high
cholesterol, growths such as tumors
Gem: Yellow Sapphire,
Yellow Topaz, Citrine
Day: Thursday
Rules: Sagittarius and
Pisces Exaltation: Cancer
Debilitation: Capricorn
Directional Strength:
First House
Venus
(Shukra)
Keywords:
Pleasure, love, sex, happiness, sensual desire, service,
devotion, courtesy, manners, vitality, respect,
improvement
Venus, known as Shukra in
Hindu mythology, is the son of the great seer Bhrigu.
Bhrigu was an astrologer and taught his son all of the
spiritual sciences and scriptures. Because of Shukra's
enmity toward Brahaspati (Jupiter), he (Shukra) agreed
to be the teacher of the asuras (antigods). When Shukra
became the preceptor of the antigods, in order to
protect them against the gods and subgods he worshiped
Shiva and learned from him the method by which he could
bring them back to life even after they were killed in
battle. Shukra in Sanskrit means "semen".
Venus is called Shukra in
Sanskrit. Shukra literally means "semen", but
more generally means "refined things". Venus
rules over all types of refined things that are
desirable such as art, music, flowers, love, beauty,
etc. A well placed Venus in a chart that is well
disposed towards Venus will grant to the person a life
full of "the good things" such as those things
mentioned above.
The Vedic way of
understanding of life, and the process of elevation, is
such that addiction to material gratifications are known
to be often "an-arthas" or
"unnecessary". Too much stress is laid upon
material gratifications in ungodly societies. So, Venus
is loved and followed when the person or society is of
the materialistic type. For Westerners, a good Venus is
considered a good thing, because it helps in bringing in
material wealth, sense gratifications, and all types of
material fortunes. Famous, rich and beautiful people
often have strong Venus, as these blessings are highly
desirable to the materialistic masses, who love to
worship such "achievements" in life. People in
general are much more interested in the "Lives of
the Rich and Famous" than they are in the
"Lives of the Intelligent and Devoted".
While Jupiter tends to
give advice leading to surrender to higher principles,
Venus gives advice which works for us in the here and
now. Jupiter is more about dharma, or religion for
higher principles, whereas Venus is more about a-dharma,
or self serving ways. The entire Vedic principle is to
surrender to the greater laws of God, whereas Venus
teaches us to maximize things as they are now, for
ourselves. But it is not that one is bad and one is
good- it's that priority has been established correctly.
It is not wrong to have material quality in our lives,
or pleasures and enjoyments, but they should not direct
us and dictate our actions when higher principles of
goodness are at stake.
Venus represents the
enjoyment, taste, sexuality and relationships of the
individual. It can give a person a great sense of
aesthetics and very pleasant personality, or sensual and
tasteless, dependant on how well it is placed in the
chart. Venus is best placed in Meena (Pisces) where is
called exalted. Opposite from there, in Kanya (Virgo) it
is least auspicious and called debilitated. Venus is
lord of the sign Vrishabha (Taurus) and also of
Tula(Libra) and of the houses where these signs are
located.
Venus
signifies: The feminine spirit, beauty, grace,
charm, refinement, luxuries, wealth, sensuality, vanity,
charisma, glamour, good taste, sexual attraction,
elegance, comforts, arts, music, theatre, love, wife in
a males chart, pleasure of the senses, sugar,
affections, conveyances, flowers.
Medical
Astrology: Reproductive system, bladder, kidneys,
and pancreas -diabetes
Gemstone: Diamond, White
Sapphire, Clear quartz crystal
Day: Friday
Rules: Taurus and Libra Exaltation:
Pisces Debilitation: Virgo
Directional Strength:
Fourth House
Saturn
(Shani)
Keywords:
Ambition, fear, responsibility, the perseverance and
capacity for hard work, stress, isolation, Old people
In
Sanskrit he is called Shani or Shanaishchara (the slow
mover), because he takes about two and a half years or
so to pass through each constellation of the sidereal
zodiac.
In
the Linga Purana it is said that Shani was born from the
solar deity Rudra. The Markandeya Purana states that
Shani is the son of the Sun god by his wife Chaya
(shadow).
Saturn is known for his
ring. Saturn rules restrictions- or things that surround
us on all sides. All types of blocks, restrictions and
obstacles are the ruling lot of Saturn. The wedding ring
is related to Saturn, because it represents a
restriction that prevents certain types of actions-
namely, courting other spouses and therefore the ring is
a symbol of a block or restriction.
Saturn is the outermost
planet in the Vedic scheme of things, and so has
"the last laugh". Saturn is final, being the
last one. Saturn rules all types of final things, or
things which are insurmountable. Saturn is "the
bottom line" in many ways. Therefore, Saturn rules
Death as well as Unconquerable Time. All things decay in
time, and Saturn rules this decay, or the effects of old
age. Saturn is old, and low, the worker, the
downtrodden, and the dirty.
Saturn rules the colours
Navy blue and black, which are akin to seriousness,
coldness, and finality. Things turn dark when they are
dead, when the colour of life has gone out. The sky is
either blue or black because the distance we are looking
at when we look at the sky is always insurmountable,
being such a far distance. When we look across the land
the trees in the distance are more "greyed
out" than the closer trees, because that distance,
being insurmountable, takes on the dulling effects of
Saturn. If something is hazy or unclear, it is because
it is "out of reach" and that is Saturn again.
When Saturn affects a house or planet in a chart, then
it "shuts it down" to some degree, by means of
its strong oppressing power. Saturn has the ability to
oppress anything. When it aspects the Moon, or Mind,
then the person feels the effects of Saturn in their
mind, which basically leads to depression.
Saturn is large and slow,
and so it rules these things. Large slow things cause a
lot of pressure, and so does Saturn. When Saturn affects
something, it slows it down, puts it under pressure, and
ultimately crushes it under its tremendous weight and
restrictive power. On the good side, these things give
it rule over focus. Focus is a funny thing- it means
application of pressure for a certain goal. Saturn can
make things it affects highly focused or controlled,
which at times is a very good quality.
Because of all these
things, Saturn is considered a "first class
malefic", or in other words, a planet capable of
doing great harm. But that is spoken from the angle of
vision of the materially oriented. Materially speaking
Saturn is usually malefic, except when his reduction and
crushing capacity is used, in the chart, against the
enemies of our material progress. For example, if Saturn
is situated in such a way as to crush the twelfth house,
or the house of losses, then our losses are crushed,
which means we don't lose as much.
But Saturn has another
good side. Consider the diamond- it is created from
black coal under great pressure for a long time. Saturn
rules coal, pressure, and long periods of time. So,
Saturn creates the diamond, which is very beautiful and
extremely hard. When a person is under Saturn, they
eventually become beautiful and hard, or shining and
strong. The trials and struggles that Saturn puts us
through teach us hard lessons.
Therefore Saturn rules
the side of the religious peoples which is strong in
principal, unbending, renounced from material
motivations, and so forth. Saturn has a lot to do with
the dark blue colour worn by most Police officers, and
the black worn by many Priests. Men often wear dark
suits to do business, because it promotes a no-nonsense,
dead-serious demeanour in their business dealings.
Saturn rules the low
workers or Shoodras, as we say in Sanskrit. This is
because he rules all things low and difficult. Things
which are cold, dark, hard and created under pressure
are ruled by Saturn, so he rules many types of metal
like iron and steal, as well as the tools of hard work.
Because he is an old man, he rules old things.
Saturn is the slowest
moving graha, and represents the more time related
aspects in life: endurance, sense responsibility, hard
work, longevity and reclusion. It is typically described
as the bringer of grief and misery in life, but if it is
auspiciously placed in a chart it will be one's best
insurance against poverty. Saturn is best placed in Tula
(Libra) where is called exalted. Opposite from there, in
Mesha (Aries) it is least auspicious and called
debilitated. Saturn is lord of the sign Makara
(Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius) also of the houses
where these signs are located.
Saturn
signifies: Discipline, order, structure,
dependable, stability, separation, solitude, limitation,
obstruction, poverty, death, disease, oppression,
pessimistic, worry, fear, bad luck, old age, delays,
retards things, concentration, paralysis, depression,
stunted, deprivation, bondage, fixed assets, land,
property, endurance and lasting, doubt, phobias,
darkness, sorrow, longevity, detachment, decay
Medical
Astrology: geriatrics, death, bones and teeth,
osteoporosis, arthritis, degenerative diseases,
dehydration, premature aging, cancer
Gem: Blue Sapphire,
Amethyst
Day: Saturday
Rules: Capricorn and
Aquarius Exaltation: Libra
Debilitation: Aries
Directional Strength: Seventh
House
Rahu
(the Northern Lunar node)
Keywords:
Obsession, attachment, distorted perception, blowing
things out of proportion, psychic ability
In the most
ancient scriptures on vedic astrology we do not find the
names of Rahu and its counterpart, Ketu. Instead, only
seven planets are mentioned.
The name of
Rahu first appears in the Mahabharata, when we read the
story of the churning of the Ocean of Milk in the search
for ambrosia - the elixir of immortality known as amrita
in Sanskrit. Rahu was the son of Danava Vipracitti by
his wife Simhika, and a brother of Maya Danava, the
great magician and architect.
Rahu and
Ketu are two parts of the same danava and are 180°
apart from each other. Whenever either Sun or Moon are
conjunct with Rahu or Ketu, a solar or lunar eclipse
takes place.
Rahu is the point in the
zodiac where the paths of the Sun and the Moon cross. If
the Sun and Moon in their movement meet in this point,
then an eclipse takes place. Eclipses "seize"
the light of the Sun or the Moon, and it is this seizing
quality that is characteristic for Rahu. Rahu is not an
actual planet-ball, as the other planets are, but a
point in space that is of great influence. The nodes
Rahu and Ketu are always opposite each other in the
Zodiac. They are calculated from the orbits of the Sun
and Moon in relation to the Earth. They are
gravitational line up points. They cause the Moon to
actually wobble in it's orbit.
It is a scientific fact,
that when the Moon gets close to the nodes in it's real
orbit, that it wobbles due to the gravitational pull of
the point. So, when in a chart we see that the person
was born at a time when the Moon was close to one of the
nodes (Rahu or Ketu) that the mind is disturbed, since
the Moon rules the mind. This is a fact which you will
see played out in the lives of those who have this.
Since the nodes occupy two signs, roughly one sixth of
the population has this. However, it is strongest when
the Moon is really close to the Node it conjoins- or in
other words, when the two are close by degrees within
the sign- say within 5 degrees of each other. Then the
effects become pronounced.
Rahu's nature is that of
anger, upsetness, anxiety, suddenness and other things
which we would feel if we got our heads cut off right
when we were getting something we wanted. Think of it:
Just when you are about to get what you always wanted,
right then something comes to totally ruin your plans.
But, the secret is this: Anyone who is killed by the
weapon of Vishnu is also highly benefited spiritually,
so this plays out in our lives as well. So, the effects
of Rahu can be said like this: Painful and troublesome,
but ultimately for a higher cause.
Rahu
signifies: Fame, extremes, foreigners and foreign
lands, fulfilment of worldly desires, status, prestige,
power, worldly success, outer success with inner
turmoil, obsessive, addictions, psychic, disturbances,
collective trends, disturbances, poisons that destroy
and heal, medicine, drugs and alcohol
Medical
Astrology: Plagues, epidemics, possessions, manic
depression, insanity, addictions,
hormonal imbalances, suicide, insomnia, hysteria,
neurosis, nervous disorders, cancer
Gem: Hessonite Garnet (Gomehda)
Exaltation: Taurus Debilitation:
Scorpio
Directional Strength:
Tenth House
Ketu
(The southern lunar node)
Keywords:
Dissatisfaction, detachment, solitude, intense scrutiny,
liberation, explosive nature
Ketu is what
remains of the body of Rahu.
Ketu is a
headless half-planet, shadowy as Rahu and malefic,
though not as malefic as Rahu. It is therefore
considered a moksha-karak (cause of liberation from the
cycle of birth and death). It bestows spiritual
tendencies, ascetism and nonattachment to worldly
desires and ambitions.
Ketu is also
a half-planet that bestows wisdom, powers of
discrimination, and gyana - spiritual knowledge, the
knowledge of the self. It gives psychic abilities to its
natives and makes them masters of the healing arts,
natural healing, healing herbs, spices, foods, tantric
healing, healing of persons possessed by evil spirits,
ghosts and astral forces. Ketu natives also have the
ability to go unnoticed or merge into the crowd of
common folk.
Ketu is not really a
planet, but rather a mathematically calculated point in
the heavens. Because of its lack of a "body"
it represents uncertain, unexpected and unpredictable
phenomena. It is intelligent and relates to mathematics
and other abstract knowledge.
Wherever Ketu sits in a
chart there we will find the sucking black hole effect.
It feels forever like a hole into which we tend to want
to put more and more of that thing to satisfy it. We
cannot get enough where Ketu sits- we feel the lack of
that house in our lives very much. Therefore many say
that Ketu rules separations, cuts, loses and
deprivations.
For the spiritually
minded Ketu is very good, and for the materialistic,
very bad. It is good for the spiritually minded because
it rules liberation from bondage. When Rahu's body was
separated from his head, the body no longer was under
the influence of Rahu's mind, and so was free. Ketu
represents the ultimate freedom from ourselves, our
spiritual liberation. Ketu is very final in this sense.
In Vedic thought,
liberation, called "Mukti" or "Moksha"
is considered the highest goal of life. After all our
material role playing is through, we are to seek
liberation from material bondage and misidentification,
and seek out union with God (Yoga means union). So,
liberation is the highest goal and Ketu is the "Moksha
Karaka" or significator of Moksha in our charts.
When reading astrological
books, one must remember that many of them were written,
oddly enough, from the materialistic viewpoint. Indeed,
today also, many people who are into astrology are into
it for reasons of bettering their material positions, or
finding out just how good their life (here on Earth) is
going to be. Therefore, the books often say that Jupiter
is the highest benefic. However, spiritually minded
astrologers know that, in terms of real spiritual
development, Saturn is above Jupiter and Ketu is above
Saturn. Jupiter rules Wisdom, but Saturn rules Truth,
yet Ketu rules Moksha, the highest achievement of all.
So, Ketu is the most spiritual planet, with Saturn being
next in line, and Jupiter takes third place.
Ketu
signifies: Loss, liberation, perception, wisdom,
lack of confidence, negation, self doubt, fantasies,
confusion, indecision, illusions, drug addiction and
alcoholism, psychic influences, fire, injury, death,
spiritual insight
Medical
Astrology: Psychic disorders, radiation diseases,
cancer, surgery and malpractice
Gem: Cat’s Eye
Exaltation: Scorpio Debilitation:
Taurus
Directional Strength: Twelfth
House
|
