The Rahu (Northern Lunar Node) in Astrology

As you guys have already made it out by the title, next in the series is the turn of the deadliest one (laughs). Yes, today we gonna learn about the planet in the Vedic astrology which is in reality not even a planet rather a shadowy or an imaginary reference point in the universe. Despite not having a concrete structure and actual physical existence, it has an eclectic mix of impacts and mighty effects on human beings' life and events in general. 

It is one of the nine major astronomical bodies in ancient Vedic texts and considered equally important as other actual planets by our Gurus, Rishis or seers.

In Hindu Mythology, it is known as the Dragon's Head that causes eclipses and often considered as the King of Meteors. It also represents snakes and poisons.

Astronomical/Scientific significance of the Rahu.

As above-mentioned, unlike other planets, Rahu doesn't have an actual physical form. It is basically the reference point in the sky signified by the intersection of the Moon's orbit and the Sun's ecliptic (Sun's apparent path).

The Lunar orbit is inclined at 5 degrees and 9 minutes to the ecliptic (Horizontal plane which passes through the centre of the Earth and the Sun) and the ascending and descending nodes of the Moon's orbit, the point at which the Moon crosses the ecliptic into the Northern and Southern celestial hemispheres respectively regress (move clockwise if seen from the North) to complete a whole revolution after 18.6 years. 

These points of intersection at the northern hemisphere is referred to as the Northern Lunar(Moon) Node i.e. the Rahu. While the intersection point at the southern hemisphere is what we refer to as the Southern Lunar(Moon) Node i.e. the Ketu (will be discussing in the next post). 

Astrological significance of the Rahu.

In Vedic astrology, a lot of importance has been given to Rahu and Ketu, despite their physical non-existence. Hence, astrologers consider these as full-fledged planets and conceived the Moon's nodes as the crossroads of magnetic influences full of potency and gave them the status of being planets in so far their effects are concerned. Therefore the real character of Vedic astrology is said to be dependent on these two shadowy planets to quite an extent.

As per Hindu Mythology and ancient texts, there is a very interesting tale that basically describes the existence of both Rahu and Ketu. The story goes like :

Once the Gods and Demons decided to obtain the Amrit (nectar i.e. elixir of immortality) by churning the milk ocean. In the process, nectar was obtained through the churning. When the nectar was being distributed amongst the Gods, one demon, Svarbhanu, disguised himself into a God and sat in between the Sun God and the Moon God in the row and consumed the nectar.

Both the Sun and Moon Gods noticed it and informed Mohini, the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu (who was distributing the nectar to gods). Lord Vishnu as Mohini got furious on this betrayal and cut off the demon's head with his Sudarshan Chakra but by that time the demon had already consumed the nectar and became immortal. The chiselled head without the body became immortal called Rahu and the severed body without the head became Ketu.

Since then, the Sun and the Moon are inimical to Rahu and the latter is responsible for the eclipses involving the formers. 

And since both the head and the headless body got into the exact opposite direction on being severed, therefore Rahu and Ketu would always occupy exact opposite houses in the natal chart i.e. 180 degrees apart from each other (for example, if Rahu is in 1st house, Ketu would automatically be placed in 7th house of the natal chart), this placement often being termed as the Rahu-Ketu Axis in the natal chart.

Let us quickly see what more Rahu is all about:

Planetary Cabinet: Shadowy Planet

Planetary Nature: Malefic

Planetary Complexion: Black, smokey, Bluish-gray

Sex/Gender: Male

Relationship Governed: Ancestors, In-laws, Very old people 

Physical Appearance: Tall stature, black complexion, fierce-looking, rheumatic and aggressive.

Transit: 18 months

Direction: South-West

Metal: Lead

Gem: Hessonite(Gomed)

Body Parts Ruled: Skin, spleen, adrenal glands, boils, intestines, upper body parts, etc.

Own Sign: Aquarius (a fixed sign) along with Saturn

Mooltrikone sign: Taurus

Exalted sign: Taurus 20 degrees

Debilitated sign: Scorpio 20 degrees

Friendly Planet: Mercury, Venus, Saturn

Inimical Planet: Sun, Moon, Mars

Neutral Planet: Jupiter

Mahadasha Period: 18 years

Career/Profession Associated: Speculation business, stock-marketing, Gambling business as in Casinos, Alcohol or Drug Trades and manufacturing, Photography, actors, magicians, politicians, Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occult, Healers(especially Tantric Healers), Travel industry, etc.

BENEFIC RAHU EFFECTS:

Well placed Rahu makes a person rich and wealthy suddenly. It gives access to various other realms where a native enjoys worldly riches, power, strength, luxuries, and comfort through sudden gains. Victory over enemies mainly in the second half of life. Abroad travelling or settlement. Together with Mercury, it makes an excellent entrepreneur having sharp business intelligence. Lots of fame and prosperity. Such a person is good at making money through Stock markets or betting games as Rahu is the planet of gamblers (here, I would like to put a sort of disclaimer as there is no such encouragement to entering into such strata whatsoever)  Such a person can be a good Reiki healer too, provided other planetary placements produce the same effect synergistically. 

#Note: Despite the fact that well placed Rahu is capable of rendering wealth, fame, comforts and luxuries, yet it would always impart a sense of dissatisfaction in the area where it is placed in the natal chart. This is due to the insatiable hunger and obsession Rahu has (as this is the head without a body)and that is what it gives a person especially in the house concerned. It makes the native highly passionate, over-ambitious and hungry for the traits related to the house it sits in. It sort of magnifies the desires and hence the native relentlessly pursues the path to achieve these at any cost which further makes the person adopt unethical means to get the same.

MALEFIC RAHU EFFECTS:

The native under the mal effect of negative Rahu easily gets addicted to alcohols and drugs. It also includes gambling, betting, etc.  Has a strong tendency for many relations and often end up being promiscuous. Badly placed Rahu especially in 12th and 6th house may lead to imprisonment too. Harsh speech and quarrelsome nature. Aggressive, irrational, irascible and materialistic. Gives distorted mental make-up and person often lives in fantasy world. A dissatisfied soul and highly obsessed over matters governing to the house it is placed in. Lots of hurdles and struggles in achieving the desired results and their hard work never pays off in accordance with the amount of efforts.



##DISCLAIMER: 
This was my take on the shadowy planet Rahu in a very general form without taking into consideration the other aspects of astrology such as placements, aspects, conjunctions, etc. Proper analysis of the entire birth chart is of utmost importance in the process of final prediction for the person concerned.


So don't get too excited or disheartened by the general outlook or effects of the planets. Astrology is much deeper than it appears. So enjoy the ride!!


You may also refer:

https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2019/10/the-saturn-in-astrology.html

https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2019/10/the-venus-in-astrology.html

https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2019/09/the-jupiter-planet.html