The Transits of Rahu and Ketu

On November 2,, 2009 Rahu and Ketu changed signs. This is a major astrological event that only takes place every 18 months. Rahu has now moved into Sagittarius and Ketu is in Gemini. This will impact each person's life differently for a period of 18 months.  Rahu will stay in Sagittarius and Ketu will stay in Gemini until May 2, 2011

Rahu is the planet of revolution and change. It represents fascination, strong attachments and desires. Sometimes the desires which Rahu symbolizes are so strong that they lead to negative results. In mythology Rahu was a demon who wanted to get some of the nectar, which makes the gods immortal. This nectar, called amrita, was being given out to the gods by Visnu at a great banquet. Although the demons were not allowed at the banquet, Rahu went anyway, disguising himself as a god. Rahu sat in between the Sun and Moon at the banquet and was able to get a sip of the amrita. At that moment the Sun and Moon saw through his disguise and turned him in. Visnu threw his discus and cut off Rahu’s head, but Rahu had already become immortal, so he did not die. In fact, as his head was toppling from his body, he cursed the Sun and the Moon for being tattle tales. The head of the demon became Rahu. The headless body became Ketu. From that time onward, whenever Rahu comes close enough to the Sun or the Moon in the sky, he gobbles them up. Because he has no body, they come out his neck.

This is how the ancients understood eclipses to happen. Today we understand that Rahu and Ketu are points of intersection where the Moons orbit around the Earth, intersects with the plane of the ecliptic, the plane in which the other planets orbit the Sun. They are responsible for eclipses.  To see a ten-minute video of James talking more about Rahu and Ketu click on the video icon in the upper right side bar of this page.

During this transit, Rahu will affect the areas of life represented by the house in which Sagittarius falls in your horoscope. Ketu will affect the areas of life ruled by the house in which Gemini is located in the chart. The following interpretations are given based on the position of the Sun in your horoscope. Remember the Vedic Sun signs are based on a sidereal zodiac and do not correspond to the signs in western astrology. Be sure to read the birth dates given for each of the signs. If you happen to know your vedic Moon sign and Lagna (Rising Sign) then you can read the interpretations given for those signs as well. These interpretations apply to the period between November 2, 2009 - May 2, 2011.

Vedic Sun Signs 

Apr 14 - May 14 (Aries)   Rahu is transiting your ninth house. During this period you will become interested in unconventional ideas that revolutionize your world view. You might make a trip to a foreign country or exotic destination as well. This is not a very good transit for your parent’s health or well-being.
 
Ketu is passing through you third house, the house of communication where it may promote intuition both in your communications and in your creative projects. On the negative side this can also suggest disappointments in communications from time to time.
 
May 15 - Jun 14 (Taurus) This period may bring some dynamic changes in your life. Rahu represents changes. It is now moving through the eighth house, the house of change, transformation, and metamorphosis. The nature of these changes could be positive or negative depending on what else is going on in your individual chart. 
 
Ketu’s transit encourages you to cultivate a sense of detachment regarding finances. On the negative side it could bring a sense of uncertainty about finances. On the positive side, it is encouraging you to learn to use your intuition regarding money. This is a good time for letting go of any foods that aren’t good for you as well.
 
Jun 15 - Jul 15 (Gemini)    Rahu is moving through your seventh house, the house of marriage, contracts, partnerships, and business. This may be a period that challenges you to revolutionize your approach to relationships. Try to remain open to all types of people and to eliminate rigidity and bias in your attitude towards others.    On the other hand, Rahu is a serpent. It is possible that you could interact with some people during this period who might behave in a dishonest or manipulative manner, so be somewhat cautious as well.   This period could also bring a sense of urgency about your various relationships.
 
Ketu in your first house may produce a general sense of uncertainty, coupled with an increase of spiritual awareness.   Take this time to open yourself to the unknown.
 
Jul 16 - Aug 16 (Cancer)   With Rahu now passing through your sixth house, the house of health, this is a good period for using alternative healing modalities to improve your health.   If any negative health symptoms arise, then it is a good idea to get more than one opinion from physicians. This period can also bring a sense of urgency regarding employment, either by worrying about it or by simply being driven to work hard.
 
Ketu is moving through your twelfth house. This is a great time for spiritual development. Take this golden opportunity to meditate more. Go on a retreat occasionally during this period   This is also a good time for traveling to exotic places and foreign countries.
 
Aug 17 - Sep 16 (Leo)    Rahu is passing through your fifth house, where it stimulates mental activity. Sometimes this leads to a desire to take classes, read, study, write, or simply surf the internet. This transit can also stimulate creativity and lead to a good deal of creative output. It is also a period that can give a person a strong desire for children or a sense of urgency about children.
 
Ketu’s transit may cause you to seek out spiritually oriented friends or groups. On the negative side it could bring some disappointment or dissatisfaction regarding friends from time to time.
 
Sep 17 - Oct 16 (Virgo)    During this period you may make some changes in your environment. You could remodel or improve your home in some way.   If other factors in your chart agree, there could be a change of residence. In any case, the period may bring emotional restlessness.
 
Ketu may promote a desire to let go of conventional work in favor of more inspired  or intuitive activities. On the negative side it could produce disappointments or dissatisfaction regarding work from time to time.
 
Oct 17 - Nov 15 (Libra)    Rahu is passing through your third house. This may stimulate mental and verbal activity. It is a typical time for spending lots of time on the internet, or for studying esoteric and also technical subjects. On the negative side, it could produce some difficulties in communication. The key here is to revolutionize your approach to communication in some way.   This would be a great time to experiment with simply telling the complete truth, a novel undertaking for the typically diplomatic Libra. 
 
Ketu is promoting spiritual development. This is a great time to get into your meditation and other spiritual activities. It is also a good time for traveling to exotic or foreign countries.
 
 Nov 16 - Dec 15(Scorpio) Rahu is moving through your second house, so it may bring a sense of urgency regarding money. This sense of urgency could manifest as a strong desire to make money accompanied by a compulsion to work hard.   If the other factors in the horoscope are more negative it could produce a tendency to worry about money. This is a good period for revolutionizing your approach to money. It is also a good period for making changes in your diet, and possibly to give up addictive habits related to food or other things that go through the mouth.
 
Ketu may bring a sense of uncertainty regarding joint finances or money from outside sources. On the other hand, this is a good time for doing subtle therapies such energy work or homeopathy.
 
Dec 16 - Jan 13 (Sagittarius) Rahu is passing through your first house. Here it is challenging you to revolutionize your life in general. This is a good time for redefining your persona and doing a total makeover.   You might find yourself being more outgoing than usual. You could also become attracted to new or unconventional ways of thinking. This is a good time for making new beginnings.   It is also a good time to put new energy into your physical health routines.
 
Ketu’s transit may produce a sense of detachment in relationships. This is a good time for cultivating a sense of acceptance and compassion for all people. On the negative side you might feel disappointed from time to time by your partner or spouse.
 
 
Jan 14 - Feb 12 (Capricorn)     During this period you might travel to a distant place or a foreign country. You might also become attracted to meditation, especially forms of meditation that focus on the chakras. This period could also produce interesting dreams, and in some cases could produce a little insomnia. Rahu is passing through the twelfth house, the house of moksha, liberation, and spiritual freedom. Take the opportunity to make good use of Rahu’s energy here to open yourself to new dimensions of spiritual awareness.
 
Ketu is passing through your sixth house. This is a good time to explore subtle, alternative therapies such as energy work or homeopathy.
 
Feb 13 - Mar 13 (Aquarius)   Rahu is passing through your eleventh house. This is a good time to meet new friends from all walks of life.    This is also a time that might promote your ability to accomplish your desires and bring your plans to fruition. Pay attention to the manner in which you pursue your desires. You might find that you are approaching them in a compulsive way. If so, take a deep breath and a day off occasionaly in order to interrupt the addictive energy.
 
Ketu is passing through your fifth house. This is a good period for creative activities that put you in a stream of consciousness. This is also a good time for studying esoteric subjects like astrology or meditation. The period also challenges you to let go of romantic attachment and see your relationships clearly.
 
Mar 14 - Apr 13 (Pisces) Rahu is passing through your tenth house, the house of career. This is typically a period that promotes success by making you willing to do whatever it takes in order to succeed at your ambitious projects. Just make sure that you also take some time to smell the roses and to relax a bit.  
 
Ketu is passing through your fourth house, the house of the environment or home. This is a good time to cultivate a spiritual ambiance in your home or environment. It’s good for gardening, landscaping,  or simply for bringing plants into the house. It is also good for creating a sense of privacy.