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“Understand and feel
the superior joys of the inner life,
and you will prefer them
to the fleeting pleasures of the outer world.”
–Paramhansa Yogananda
Rahu and Ketu are the lunar nodes. They are not planets but shadow points where eclipses can occur and they can be thought of as shadow planets. Rahu is the shadow point in the northern hemisphere caused by the orbit of the Moon crossing the ecliptic. Ketu is the point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic in the southern hemisphere. Both of these nodes are impregnated with subtle energies.
According to Vedic mythology there was a demon serpent, Naga Vasuki, who rules the underworld. The demons and the gods were fighting a war for the control of the universe. Naga Vasuki decided he would help the Gods find the nectar of immortality, known in Sanskrit as the Amrita. The great serpent's body was used as an instrument for churning the ocean where the nectar was hidden. When the Gods found the Amrita they wanted to keep the nectar from the demons. However, Naga Vasuki secretly drank from the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu, the creator of the universe, became very angry when he discovered this and threw a disc at Naga Vasuki. As a result the serpent was cut in two, but because the serpent had already tasted the nectar he continued to live. The head of the serpent became Rahu, and his tail is known as Ketu.
Rahu and Ketu are important karmic points in a chart. Rahu gives us an intense experience of the present. He governs our desires and moves us forward on our journey through life. Ketu, on the other hand, represents the past and that which we are leaving behind.
Rahu and Ketu are always opposite one another. Their energies are very different and are often not compatible. We need to work towards their integration.
Ketu is represented by the tail of the serpent. Because he is separated from the head, Ketu is not a mental planet and does not rely on reason. His element is fire, and Ketu's energy is instinctive, subtle, intuitive and very quick.
Ketu is the tail of the serpent that was separated and cut off, and he therefore fears rejection. Ketu represents separation, rejection and non-attachment.
Ketu's energy is sometimes expressed in the behavior of one who does not want to be involved in a material reality. Through his energy we may try to escape into a fantasy world.
Ketu can bring sudden change and transformation. Chaos can follow in the wake of this change.
The tail of the serpent represents past karma and past lives. There can be a sense of separation from something without an intellectual understanding of what it is. A person with a strong Ketu can have an interest in the past--both recent and ancient. They will also often have a good memory.
Ketu represents renunciation and liberation. A Ketu person wants inner knowledge and can look beyond this world. The ability to transcend material reality can create mystics, psychics and astrologers. As the planet of worldly renunciation, Ketu is an important planet for yogis, monks and nuns.
Ketu is of the fire element and is quick, impulsive and sometimes unexpected in its actions. Ketu represents the past and its placement indicates a connection to a past life issue.
Ketu is without boundaries, it represents the unlimited. A strong Ketu gives an interest in enlightenment and spirituality. It gives the ability to look within, a strong intuition, inner knowledge and self-realization.
The Gemstone for Ketu is Cat's eye. It can be worn for protection and for increasing intuition. It can help one to gain victory over enemies and can balance and neutralize the ill effects of Ketu during its Dasha and Bukthi periods. This is a gemstone often worn by astrologers.
Ketu is without boundaries, it represents the unlimited. A strong Ketu gives an interest in enlightenment and spirituality. It gives the ability to look within, a strong intuition, inner knowledge and self-realization.
The gemstone for Ketu is Cat's eye. It can be worn for protection and for increasing intuition. It can help one to gain victory over enemies and can balance and neutralize the ill effects of Ketu during its Dasha and Bukthi periods. This is a gemstone often worn by astrologers.
Please note that every planet has positive and negative qualities. Ketu is a malefic planet. It is therefore important to determine if a gemstone for the Ketu is of benefit to you. Have your birth chart analyzed by a Vedic astrologer before you decide on a gemstone.
As a ring, Ketu gemstones are worn on the middle finger usually on the right hand.
The precious chrysoberyl cats eye gems are usually set in gold though you can wear the less expensive cats eyes set in silver.
Om Namaha Ketave
Om Hreem Ketave Namah
The Sun (Surya) represents both the ego and the Soul in an individual's chart.
