The Transits of Rahu and Ketu

On May 6, 2008 Rahu and Ketu changed signs. This is a major astrological event that only takes place every 18 months. Rahu has now moved into Capricorn and Ketu is in Cancer. This will impact each person's chart differently for a period of 18 months.

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.

During this transit, Rahu will affect the areas of life represented by the house in which Aquarius falls in your horoscope. Ketu will affect the areas of life ruled by the house in which Leo 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 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 June 6, 2008 - November 17, 2009

Vedic Sun Signs 

Apr 14 - May 14  (Aries)    Rahu is passing through your 10^th house, where it promotes your career by making you urgent to get things done.  You may become a little obsessed with your ambitious projects during this period, but it will probably pay off.    Ketu is passing through your fourth house.  This might bring moodiness or even an underlying sense of dissatisfaction.  This is a good period to take some time to your self.  Go on a retreat or a trip to a foreign country.  You might also feel some uncertainty related to your home, mother, or school at this time.

May 15 - Jun 14 (Taurus)   Rahu is transiting your 9^th house, so you may feel like traveling to foreign countries during this period.  You might also find yourself becoming more interested in esoteric subjects, or alternative philosophies.  This is a good time to study astrology (I know a guy who as some great online classes), metaphysics, or any thing technical.  Ketu is transiting your third house where affects communications.  This period may make you more intuitive.  On the negative side, it can also make you rather evasive in communications, and it may bring some problems in this department.

Jun 15 - Jul 15 (Gemini)    Rahu is transiting your eighth house where it creates a restless itch you can’t scratch and stimulates the desire for change.  This period may also promote business.  If you are in a relationship, the partner may become more interested in making money at this time and may also experience increased spending.  Ketu is moving through your second house where it may bring financial uncertainty and may produce expenses, especially during the first six weeks of the transit.  This transit can also produce dental issues.

Jul 16 - Aug 16 (Cancer)    Rahu is moving through your seventh house, where it affects relationships and partnerships.  This may stimulate change for your partner, or simply make you more interested in finding a partner.  Rahu is a planet of infatuation as well, so it can also produce intense romantic involvements.  Ketu is passing through your first house, so ironically, the same period may give you a desire for more privacy.  You may crave alone time.  On the negative side, you may feel like you are invisible, not recognized, or not heard.  A little meditation will go a long way to resolve this problem.

Aug 17 - Sep 16 (Leo)    Rahu is passing through your sixth house, which is related to your health and your employment.  This is a great time to increase your pro-active involvement in alternative healing modalities.  On the negative side, it can produce hard to pin down or hard to diagnose symptoms that make you want to go to a chiropractor or acupuncturist.  It can also make you work very hard, and can stimulate changes related to work.  Ketu is moving through your twelfth house where it is great for everything related to spirituality.  This is a good time to increase all you spiritual activities, especially meditation. It is also a good time to travel to exotic places, or to go on a retreat.

Sep 17 - Oct 16 (Virgo)     Rahu is transiting your fifth house, the house of children and romance.  In the children department, it can bring challenges and changes from time to time. You might find your kids acting out a bit.  It can also simply give your first child a sense of urgency about some ambitious pursuit.  Regarding romance, Rahu is a planet of infatuation, so sometimes this transit stimulates intense romantic attractions.  Ketu, on the other hand, is moving through your eleventh house where it may make you a little dissatisfied with your friend or your social group.  This is also a good period to take a hitchhikers approach to achieving your long term goals.  If you aren’t quite sure where you are headed during this period, don’t worry, just stick out your thumb and go east.  You’ll find your way through intuition.

Oct 17 - Nov 15 (Libra)  Rahu is now in your fourth house where it may stimulate a desire to change your residence or simply make you urgent to fix up or  remodel some part of your home.  This period will probably also give a global restless itch.  Ketu is affecting your career and may bring some dissatisfaction with your job or boss, or even a desire to leave your job.

Nov-16- Dec 15 (Scorpio) Ranu is influencing your third house, which is related to communications and siblings.  This may be a period of intense processing of information.  You could find yourself spending more time on the computer, studying, reading, or talking.   This is usually a very busy and productive transit, but it may also give an occasional problem in the areas of communications and siblings.  Ketu is passing through your ninth house where it is great for spiritual development.  This is a great time to increase spiritual activities such as meditation.  It is also a great time for a pilgrimage or even for a trip to an exotic country.

Dec 16 - Jan 13 (Sagittarius)    Rahu is passing through your second house, the house of money, the mouth and food.  You may spend more money during this period, but you may also be more ambitious to make money now.  Regarding food, this transit promotes addictive tendencies, so the best idea is to put positive attention on making constructive changes in your diet.  This is also a likely time for dental issues.   Ketu is in your eighth house.  This may be a period during which your partner may experience some uncertainties regarding money.

Jan 14 - Feb 12 (Capricorn)   Rahu is transiting your first house where it causes you to project yourself in a stronger way.  This is a good time to exercise, change your wardrobe, and generally reinvent yourself.  Ketu is moving through your seventh house where it may bring some general dissatisfaction or disappointment in relationships. You could feel a little distant from your spouse or partner.  You are being asked to either go of expectations and love unconditionally, or to let go of the other people and release attachment that way.  It’s your decision which way to go.

Feb 13 - Mar 13 (Aquarius)    Rahu is now in your twelfth house, where it may give you a desire to travel to a foreign country, or simply to travel in general.  Ketu is passing through your sixth house, the house of health and employment.  It can cause uncertainty or simply a little dissatisfaction in either of these places.  This is a good time to do spiritually oriented healing activities like yoga or ayurveda.

Mar 14 - Apr 13 (Pisces)      Rahu is moving through your eleventh house, the house of friends, groups, goals, and the masses.  This transit is usually good for pursuing your ambitious goals with a passion, so it is usually good for career, money and other worldly aspirations.  It may also stimulate your social activity.  Ketu is now in your fifth house where it can bring occasional disappointment or uncertainty related to children or romance.  This is a good time for creative activities, however.