by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

Rahu and Ketu have a strong impact on us collectively and as individuals. Rahu and Ketu move into new signs on March 6th where they will stay for the next eighteen months. How will the transforming power of these shadow planets affect us during their stay in Gemini and Sagittarius?

Rahu and Ketu – Shadow Planets

Rahu and Ketu are always opposite one another. Because they always move retrograde, they move through the signs in the opposite direction of the other planets.

The nodes are points where the orbit of the Moon meets the plane of the Sun and the earth. Rahu is the north node because its shadow falls north of the equator. Ketu, the south node, is the shadow south of the equator. These junction points are also places where eclipses can occur.

The effect of Rahu and Ketu

Rahu and Ketu are also referred to as the karmic axis. These shadow planets have a strong impact on us collectively and also as individuals. Rahu represents the desires that we wish to fulfill, and our attraction to new experiences.  

Ketu is the complete opposite of Rahu. Through the influence of Ketu we can experience a sense of disinterest and disappointment with material life. Through Ketu we know that the material life will not satisfy us in the end. Ketu represents change, liberation, loss and the letting go of desires. Ketu can make us interested in the intangible.

Thus we see a cosmic reality in the transits of the nodes; the manifestation of new desires and the liberation, the letting go, or loss, of old ones.

Rahu leaves Cancer

Rahu’s element is air and Rahu has stirred up some storms passing through the water sign of Cancer. The Moon’s rulership of Cancer makes matters related to home, family, security and feelings important. Many scandals have emerged. Women have gained strength. Politics around immigration, security, and health have had a big impact on society as a whole.

Ketu leaves Capricorn

Capricorns have a strong sense for organization and structure. During Ketu’s transit in Capricorn many have experienced uncertainty, doubt and upheaval regarding organization and infrastructure.

Rahu enters Gemini  

Rahu moves into Gemini on March 6th and will stay in Gemini until September 22nd, 2020. Rahu can express unusual and innovative thinking. He does well in Gemini; a sign of diversity and communication. However, for the remainder of this year Rahu in Gemini will experience a close opposition from Saturn in Sagittarius.

Rahu is larger than life, he makes everything grow. With Rahu in Gemini things such as smartphones, internet and computer science are likely to continue to advance way beyond their present development. Rahu is at the cutting edge of science and technology, artificial intelligence, and can revolutionize life as we know it.

Rahu can also be toxic. He can induce fear and cause us to feel ungrounded. We will need to watch out for secret foreign interference and the manipulation and theft of private information. It is more important now than ever to protect our computers.

Ketu joins Saturn in Sagittarius

Ketu enters the sign of Sagittarius on March 6th. Ketu moves retrograde from Capricorn into the last degrees of Sagittarius and begins his eighteen month journey through Sagittarius. Ketu is in the nakshatra Uttara Ashadha until May 8th.

Uttara Ashadha indicates that which cannot be suppressed. Ketu is the liberator of past karma and this gives victory to people who have been wronged in the past.

During the entire transit in Sagittarius, Ketu will stay very close to Saturn. This is especially true after May 8th when Ketu will join Saturn in the nakshatra of Purva Ashadha. Ketu and Saturn will stay very close together for the remainder of the year in Purva Ashadha. Such a long lasting close conjunction between Ketu and Saturn is unprecedented in modern times.

Purva Ashadha also indicates that which cannot be suppressed. “Ashadha” means “not subdued”. The Deity connected to this nakshatra is Apas, the Water God. Water has the power to cleanse and purify when it flows freely.

Sagittarius wants to pursue dharma and higher knowledge. Jupiter rules this sign and Jupiter represent laws, higher education and religion. The close Saturn/Ketu conjunction indicates karmic cleansing in areas such as organized religion, law, legal systems and education.

In Sagittarius we find the warrior fighting for righteousness and truth. But the negative side of Purva Ashadha is self-righteousness, fanatical beliefs, extremism and prejudice.

Saturn is a planet governing karmic retribution and Ketu is the past. Wrongdoings of the past can be difficult to face and are shaking the foundations of the world as we know it.

How do we live with these complex transits? Here are some suggestions:

Live simply!  
Keep your outer and inner environment clean: keep a clean diet, refrain from gossip.
Express yourself from the heart.
Organize your home and your work environment.
Declutter, let go of things you don’t need. As Marie Condo would say, “ ask yourself: Does this spark joy?” If not, let it go or give it away.

Dates to Remember: Rahu & Ketu in 2019

  • March 6th  - Sept 11 Rahu in Gemini, Punarvasu nakshatra
  • March 6th  - May 8th  Ketu in Sagittarius,  Uttara Ashadha nakshatra
  • April 22nd - Sept 19th  Saturn Retrograde in Purva Ashadha nakshatra
  • May 8th - Dec 26th   Ketu joins Saturn in Purva Ashadha
  • June 13 - June 15th   Mars / Rahu conjunction exact 24’ Gemini
  • June 13 - June 15th   Saturn / Ketu opposition exact 24’ Sagittarius
  • July 2nd     Total Solar eclipse 16’30” Gemini
  • July 16th    Partial lunar eclipse
  • Sep 11th - May 19th, 2020     Rahu in Ardra Nakshatra
  • Dec 25th 2019   Annular Solar eclipse

 

Blessings,
Lina

Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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