THE NODES  -- Rahu and Ketu

       Rahu  and Ketu are not Planets, these are nodes and called shadowy planets. In Western astrology these are called Dragon’s Head and Dragon’s tail or Ascending node and Descending node respectively. They have always retrograde motion at the rate of about 19 degrees 20 minutes per year.

       According to Kalidasa, Rahu  owns Aquarius and rules Scorpio, exalted  in Taurus, debilitated  in Scorpio. Rahu has friendly signs as Libra and Capricorn, inimical signs Leo also Cancer and its neutral signs are Aries, Sagittarius and Pisces.

       But for Ketu, Kalidasa says that Ketu   owns  scorpio, exalted in Scorpio also, debilitated in Taurus  and its moola  thirikona sign is Virgo. Ketu has its friendly signs Libra and Capricorn, inimical   signs are Cancer and Leo and its neutral signs are Aries, Sagittarius and Pisces.

       Generally these nodes are considered as malefic, but  the general rule is that these are strong when exalted. Rahu is considered benefic when posited in 4.7,9, or 10 or 11 th house where as  Ketu in 3 rd house. But the lord of constellation in which these are posited should be considered.

      Rahu denotes Saturn and Ketu Mars. Rahu and Ketu indicate love affairs, evil thoughts, dis-satisfaction, maternal grandfather , leprosy, fear complex, liar, illegal cohabitation, harsh speech, pilgrimage, denial of progeny and may one adopt, defective eyesight, ill health, amputation of body part, secluded life, insanity, wound by accident, fire, injury, delays, impediments, obstacles, disfavour of superiors and Government renunciation, slow working, change of residence, unable to lead independent life means dependents, wicked temperament, worries due to children, financial gain, may give dual marriages, suspicious nature and mind, Jewellery and stammering (when Ketu is in 5^th house as it aspects to the house of speech viz  2  nd house). They will act according to the planet to which they conjoined or planets aspect them or the lord of the house where the nodes are posited. They are strong when exalted.

Rahu                                                                                                                           

Nature – Neutral                                                                                          

Dasa period – 18 years                                                                                  

Colour – Black                                                                                               

PositionWhere strong – Aries,Taurus,Cancer,Scorpio,Aquarius,10^th,                

                           Gemini, conju.of Sun, Moon and Venus.

Own house – Cancer, Capricorn,                                                                  

Exalted house - Virgo -21 degrees

 Mol.tri kona -    Gemini 20 degree                                                             

Debilitated – Scorpio 15 degree.                                                                   

Friends --    Saturn, Venus.                                                                           

Neutral -  Mars, Jupiter.                                                                                    

Enemies – Sun, Moon, Mars.                                                                            

Stones – Gomed.                                                                                                

Metals – Iron                                                                                                      

Constellations --  Aridra , Swathi, Satbisha                                                                           

 Ketu

Nature –        Neutral   

Dasa period – 7 years                                                                                  

 Colour –        violet

Position

Where strong – Tauras, Virgo, Libra, Pisces,  conju.of  Jupiter and in
                              Molatikona.            

Own house –     Aries . 

Exalted house -- Pisces 20 degrees.                  

Moolatikon  -- Sagitarius 20 degres.

Debilitated  –    Tauras  15 degree.

Friends       --   Sun, Moon& Mars.

Neutral        --    Mercury, Jupiter.

Enemies      –-    Venus,Saturn.

Stones        –-    Cat’s eye.

Metals        –-    Steel.

Constellations --   Aswini, Makha, Moola.