THE ROLE OF THE NODES - RAHU AND KETU IN K.P. ASTROLOGY

Rahu and Ketu are the two nodes of the Moon. Generally the point of the Zodiac, where a planet crosses from the south to north latitude is the ascending node and the point of the Zodiac where a planet crosses from the north latitude to south latitude is called the descending node.

      Rahu and Ketu are considered as Chaaya Grahas or shadow planets. They do not have a physical body and hence more of a metaphysical concept. Therefore, these planets (although we refer to them as planets, it is not true in the physical sense) are not allotted the ownership of any sign in the zodiac. There are differing explanations given about Rahu and Ketu in classical Vedic astrological literature. Some do not allot any ownership or characteristics to them, but some consider them equivalent to Mars and Saturn respectively.

       Considering what Guruji has taught the students of K.P. Astrology, it should be understood as follows:

Rahu and Ketu are nodes and do not have any ownership of the signs (Rasis). However, in effect, they are more powerful than other planets and when they compete for importance with other planets; one should prefer the nodes in place of the other planets. If a node represents a planet, then the node is considered instead of the planet in judging the results.

      a. Rahu and Ketu in the first place, give the results of the planet they are conjoined with. There is a controversy even in K.P. Astrology as to what such a conjunction means – is it merely occupying the same sign as another planet, or do we take the orbs into consideration? There are people who support both views, but a majority feels that if Rahu or Ketu occupies the same sign as another planet, one should consider them as being in conjunction with the other planet.

      b. If Rahu and Ketu are not conjoined with any planet, then they will give the results of the planet who aspects them. For this purpose, again, there are different views – some say that only the special aspects ascribed to the three planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn need to be considered and the 7th aspect common to all planets should not be considered. This view is probably there because, if we look at any chart, Rahu and Ketu are always 180 degrees apart. Therefore, if one of them is aspected by any planet by the 7th aspect, then the other node will be deemed as being in conjunction with the planet and according to rule a), the node should give the result due to conjunction more strongly rather than aspect. Logically speaking, this appears to be correct. It is left to you to make a decision regarding the results ascribed to Rahu and Ketu. However, we do not consider the aspect of Rahu and Ketu on other planets in the KP system.

      c. Guruji, in his 3rd Reader has clearly mentioned that, “if Rahu and Ketu are neither conjoined nor aspected by any planet, then the node should offer the results of the lord of the constellation in which the node is deposited.” This form of representation takes precedence.

      d. Lastly, Rahu and Ketu will offer the results of the lord of the sign in which they are posited.

Therefore, we can summarize the effects of Rahu and Ketu as:

1. Primary Results – offered are that of the planet conjoining the node,

2. Secondary Results – offered are that of the planets aspecting the node,

3. Tertiary Results – offered are that of the star lord of the node,

4. Quaternary Results – offered are that of the sign lord of the node.

Also, Guruji has time and again mentioned that Rahu or Ketu gives the results to a much greater degree than the planet it represents. Therefore, Rahu or Ketu are considered as agents of the planet under consideration and they even wholly replace the planet under consideration.

      The last aspect to consider in this write-up is, what happens to a planet who is in the star of Rahu or Ketu – what results should that planet give?

If any planet is in the star of Rahu or Ketu, then that planet,

1. Will signify the matters of the house occupied by the node,

2. Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the star lord of Rahu or Ketu,

3. Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the sign lord of Rahu or Ketu.

Thus, the effects of Rahu and Ketu should be judged in any chart – be it a Birth (Natal) chart or a Horary (Prashna) chart.

      It is kept in mind that Rahu and Ketu are stronger than any other planet in terms of giving the results at all. So, if Rahu or Ketu represents any significator planet, Rahu-Ketu should be given first preference in place of that significator planet.