Astro Faq Etc.

7/29/2019 Astro Faq Etc.

1/59

Bharatiya jyotish & mantra saadhana .Dear all , Welcome to the world of astrology, mantras and ancient wisdom, this blog of

mine is an effort to bring out few drops of knowledge from the vast ocean of ancient

Indian wisdom. Regards J.s.sandhu

Mars ( Tone down your aggressiveness)

Many times one hears mars is too strong in your chart. I for one am a Mars advocate, as

he represents Agni tattva, also Hanumanji. It brings creative thinking, energy, good

health, strong constitution (Ayurvedic pitta).

But lets say the person is not of a spiritual orientation and the conflaguration (fire and

heat) of Mars turns out to bring one to personal difficulties. Too much of a good thingbrings imbalances, yes? Think of a pot of water that is boiling. If too much fire is given ,

the pot boils over. Like that there are people that may have too much tejas tattva in ones

constitution, psyche, and behavior. How you you recognize this?

Excessive courage that turns to agressiveness

Violence in personality it just take a little friction to set one off (rago guna in excess)Vindictiveness and mischief to get even , even for small things.

Some say too much Mars gives lewdness

Physically their are blood or skin eruption problems

One ends up with cuts and wounds more often then not seems to be always wearing aband-aid?

Irasicible More on Tuesdays , owned by MarsSo, what can one do? From an Auyrvedic

perspective there are several remedies to bring balance in ones life. I am not proficient

here to suggest any remedies when it comes to consumption. Maybe some one withknowledge here can take the lead.

From a Jyotish perspective, the event or rasi that makes Mars passive ( or neecha =

humble) Is the sign of Cancer. Intutitively it makes sense yes? Cancer is a water sign and

will crunch the thurst of the hot fire of Mangala.

So lets go a bit further on this Cancer is owned by Chandra. Chandra too is of apa

tattva ( water element) so all is still in line with our thinking. Who is this Chandra from

a Divine standpoint? He is Krsna ( so says Krsna in the Gita). And Who is Krsna? LordHari.

So , one thing one can to assist with an over-active Mars is get closer to this mantra ofHari. This is Hari Om ( as you know , one of my favorites). This mantra removes all

kinds of negitivity and is ubiquitious. That is no initiation is required to use this

manra/vibration, needed, yet if offered by a muni/swami could only be a boon.

The beautiful part of this vibration that not only does it assist one with excess Mars in

ones being, it helps others ( not overloaded with Mars) to neutrialize negitivity that is

stimulated by Mars in ones environment. That is why I choose to start all posts with this
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/mars-tone-down-your-aggressiveness/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/mars-tone-down-your-aggressiveness/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/


2/59

simple vibration to keep my sense about me, and to , and in hopes neutralize the

environment, that may bring in steam and excessive assertiveness, if you know what I

mean. [ I apply this mantra every time I go to the airport! ]

Below is the thumb nail of Hari Om in sanscrit (some write samskrtam). Use it as you see

fit. It is good to put some energy into it for the first time with at least 108 repetitions, aswith the notion of Hari in your mind or heart. Softly repaeated japa , as it is a gentle,

sama ( same-ness) vibration.

When is a planet called retrograde?

Q.When is a planet called retrograde?A. When a planet appears to be moving in the opposite direction as compared to its

normal movement, it is

called a retrograde planet. To understand this better we should look into the movementsof planets. In Vedic

Astrology all astronomical observations are done considering the earth to be the reference

point. Thissystem of observation is called geocentric. In any system of measurements, thereference point is

considered stationary, though it may actually be moving. This may be likened to

everyones commonexperience while sitting in a moving train. If the train you are sitting in passes by another

train which is

moving in the same direction, but slower than your train, this other train seems to bemoving backwards

against the backdrop of distant trees. This is so because you consider yourself to be the

reference point and

hence stationary. Largely, a similar phenomenon takes place with the planets also, whenthey appear to be

moving backwards. In our solar system, the planets are orbiting around the Sun with

varying speeds. Theearth is also doing likewise. Inner and outer planets: The planets that lie between the Sun

and the earth are

called inner or inferior planets. These are Mercury and Venus. They can never go too faraway from the Sun.

Mercury can go a maximum of 27 degrees form the Sun and Venus cannot go beyond 47

degrees from theSun. These two planets retrograde when they are between the earth and the Sun. The

planets whose orbitslie outside the orbit of the earth are called outer or superior planets. These are Mars,

Jupiter and Saturn.The extra-Saturnine planets, i.e., Herschel Neptune, and Pluto are also in this very

category. Outer planets

retrograde when the earth is between the Sun and the planet.Q. Ignorance about Mangala Dosha causes a lot of anxiety in many home. It is justified?

A. Ignoring Mangala Dosha is also not right. Matching of horoscopes by a competent
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/when-is-a-planet-called-retrograde/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/when-is-a-planet-called-retrograde/


3/59

astrologer can save

calamitous results in many cases. Mangala Dosha by itself is generally not so serious

unless the 7th house,its lord and karaka have other severe afflictions too. Therefore, the entire horoscope must

be scruitinized as

a whole. After all, besides Mars, there are eight other planets in the horoscope which mayalso have some

bearing (benefic or adverse) on the houses related to marital harmony. An isolated

Mangala Dosha shouldnot cause much concern. One is likely to find as many happy couples with Mangala

Dosha as without it, in a

real world.

Q. Do all planets become retrograde?A. Except for the Sun and the Moon, all planets become retrograde once in a while. Since

the Moon is

essentially a satellite of the earth, its apparent and real movements are one and the same.

Rahu and Ketu,which are not physical planets are always in retrograde motion.

Q. Can one spot a retrograde planet in a horoscope without it being specificallymentioned?

A. Since Mercury and Venus are always quite close to the Sun (as viewed from the earth)

it is difficult toknow from the chart alone when they are retrograde. But the outr planets are definitely

retrograde when

they are in the 6th, 7th or 8th house from the Sun. Sometimes they are retrograde even

when they are in the5th or 9th house from the Sun, but not always.

Q. Does a retrograde planet behave differently in predictive astrology as compared to a

direct one?A. The classics have vexed eloquent about the position (longitude) of a planet in the

zodiac as far as

predictive is concerned. That is the reason we have detailed descriptions of deepest pointsof exaltation,

debilitation, own rashi placements, and what not. But they are generally silent on the

velocity of the planet.

Velocity has two components, one is speed and the other is direction. On speed there issilence again,

except when it becomes atichari; and on direction there is very little to go by. A planet is

termed atichariwhen it gains unusually fast motion immediately after it becomes direct.

Q. It does not seem possible that there is no reference to velocity of planets in predictive

astrology.Isnt astrology supposed to be dependent on astronomy which is essentially a study of

motion of

planets?

A. Cognisance of velocity of a planet has been taken only in Shadbala which is the actual


4/59

strength of a

planet arising out of six difference sources. Out of these six sources, one is termed

Cheshtabala. It canloosely be translated as attempt or intent of a planet due to its motion. A retrograde

planet gets full 60

shashtiamshas as its Cheshtabala. All other states of motion get 45 or less. This strengthis added to the

strength of a planet derived through a host of other sources. Thus its relative importance

is very low inShadbala. Nevertheless, Venkatesha in Sarvatha Chintamani gives the results of the dasha

of retrograde

planets, as under: The Sun and the Moon are never retrograde.

Mars: During the dasha-antardasha of Mars in retrogression, the native will be full of fearand trouble from

thieves, fire and snakes. He ay fall from the position held and may go to the forest, to live

in solitude.

Mercury: In the dasha of retrograde Mercury the native gets good luck, wife, son andwealth. He also gets

to hear the sacred texts from Puranas and engages in acts of charity and bathes in the sea.Jupiter: The dasha of a retrograde Jupiter bestows on the native much wealth, wife, sons,

victory in battles,

friendship with the ruling elite and perfumes. He indulges in luxuries of speech.Venus: During the dasha of retrograde Venus the native gets much honour from the ruler.

He gets vehicles

fitted with excellent music systems, fine clothes and ornaments and ruling powers.

Saturn: Retrograde Saturn in its dashas causes failures in actions, frustrations inundertakings, sorrows and

loss of brothers. These results should not be applied verbatim as they will be modified

due to other factorspresent in a chart. But one thing is clear from these results that the author of Sarvartha

Chintamani has

made a sharp distinction between malefics and benefics, and they remain so even if theyare retrograde in

the natal chart. The view given above is that of one author. Another author, equally

acclaimed, if not more,

Shri Mantreshwara of Phaladeepika, offers a strikingly different opinion. According tohim a retrograde planet

has the status of an exalted planet even if it is posited in an inimical sign no distinction

between maleficand benefic. This view may have some astronomical justification. The planet that is on

the verge of

becoming retrograde is almost stationary; and so is the case when it is about to becomedirect. To

understand this better, one may imagine a child on a swing. When the swing is at its

highest point, it is

momentarily stationary, since it has to change the direction of its motion. Even in-


5/59

between these extreme

points, the planet is rather slow in motion as compared to its average speed. Thus it is

possible for it to sendits radiations more strongly to the earth. This view that a retrograde planet acquires an

element of strength

and beneficence is supported by Amsayu method of calculation of longevity. In thismethod the age

contributed by a retrograde planet is to be trebled. Such additions, or bharanas as they are

called, are to bedone only in the case of those planets which are either exalted or retrograde. Howeve, our

experience points

out that the result of a retrograde planet are contrary to expectations, they are erratic,

inconsistent andunpredictable. It may be so due to it native velocity. Predictive astrology seemingly

assumes direct motion of

planets and the results are based on this tacit assumption. But results become unexpected

when thisassumption is not true.

Q. Does it matter which sign the planet is retrograde in?A. Yes, it ought to. There is a principle that states: a planet that is moving towards its

sign of exaltation,

(uchchabhilashi) acquires beneficence and the planet that has crossed its sign ofexaltation and is now

moving towards its sign of debilitation (neechabhilashi) sheds some of its power to do

good. With this

principle in mind, imagine a Jupiter retrograde in Leo and a Mars retrograde in Leo. As isobvious, though

both the planets are posited in the sign of a friend, but while Jupiter is moving towards its

sign of exaltation,Cancer, Mars is moving towards its sign of debilitation. Another principle that must be

borne in mind is that

the retrograde planet is supposed to exert its influence from its preceding house also.Now take another

example, that of Mercury and Venus, both getting retrograde in Virgo. While the exalted

Mercury would be

exerting its influence from Leo, a friendly rashi, Venus which was already debilitated,will now be deemed to

be in Leo, its inimical rashi. Therefore, which rashi the planet is retrograde in, is an

important consideration.Q. What happens if a planet becomes retrograde when it is exalted or debilitated?

A. There is an opinion held by some astrologers that a retrograde planet, if debilitated,

acts like an exaltedplanet; and an exalted planet getting retrograde behaves like a debilitated planet. The

genesis of this opinion

probably lies in the fact that a retrograde planet does not behave as it is expected to.

Therefore, results from


6/59

the other extreme are attributed to it. However, this opinion is not universally accepted.

Q. Does it matter which house the planet is retrograde in?

A. Yes. Imagine a planet in the 9th house. This is one of the best placement. Now, if it isretrograde, it would

be considered to be in the 8th house. This is one of the worst placements for a planet.

Thus, a planet whichwas the bhagya-vidhata, now becomes the mrityu-data; the planet that was to determine

the extent of luck

now has to determine the mode of death Take another example, that of a retrogradebenefic in the 5th

house. It will exert influence from the 4th house also, thus covering a Kendra and a

trikona both. It will also

influence the houses that this planet aspects from both these positions. Thus, theinfluence of such a planet,

particularly, if it si Jupiter, can change the total complexion of the chart. Yet another

feature, this time of a

retrograde malefic, takes effect when it is involved in causing a Paap-kartari yoga.Suppose, there is a

malefic in the 12th house and a retrograde malefic in the 2nd house. Together they wouldbreathe down the

neck of the 1st house and asphyxiate it!

Q. Does a retrograde planet have any influence on the health issues of the native?A. The results of a retrograde planet are definitely felt on the health and generally these

results are adverse.

One of Parashars dicta is that benefics in the kendras promote sound health. But

experience suggests thata retrograde benefic is not capable of doing so. In fact it would certainly cause some

health problem

appropriate to its significations during its dasha. Our scrutiny of retrograde planetsinfluence on the health of

the native clearly confirms that even if a benefic lagna lord is in the lagna and is

retrograde, it cannot protectthe native from the disease peculiar to the planet. Malefic retrograde planets are, of

course, worse.

Moreover, the retrograde planet passes on its adverse influence to other planets by

association or aspect.The reader is referred to Chapter III of Subtleties of Medical Astrology by Dr. K.S.

Charak for a detailed

exposition of this very important issue, with many examples.Q. Can the retrogression be extended to vargas (divisional charts) too?

A. Most of the rules of analyzing the varga chats are the same as the birth chart, be these

aspects, transit ordasha. Therefore, one would expect no harm done if retrogression is applied on varga

charts too. An

additional feature of retrogression that may have some relevance to varga charts is that

retrogression is free


7/59

from the controversy of ayanamsha. Retrogression and direct motion will take place at

the same time

irrespective of the choice of the ayanamsha. It is not the same with vargas. With adifferent ayanamsha, the

varga position of a planet often changes. This means that predictive work done based on a

retrograde planetstands on surer footing as compared to other parameters.

Q. You have addressed yourself to the role of retrograde planets in a natal chart. How

about theirbehaviour when they are retrograde in transit?

A. The predictive astrology has two major limbs to stand on. One is dasha and the other

is the transit. A

retrograde planet in transit may have a different meaning, though there may be someresonance between

the natal retrograde planet and the same planet getting retrograde in transit. For example,

a native who has

his 6th lord Saturn (R) posited in lagna has repeatedly suffered problems from one or theother employee

whenever Saturn is retrograde in transit. During the retrogression it has given him a lot ofmental anxiety.

Once the planet assumes direct motion, the problem evaporates, as if by magic. Please

note that Saturnand 6th house both denote employees. Generally, retrograde planets cause a repeat

activity or the decision

is revoked, for the time being. Often the promotions or transfers are stayed for some time.

Once theretrogression is over, the concerned event moves ahead to its logical conclusion.

Q. What is the role of a retrograde planet in Prashna (Horary) or Varshaphala (Annual

Progression)Charts?

A. Both the charts are essentially transit charts. The rules of their analysis resemble the

Parashari system inmany ways. But there are significant differences too, i.e., in aspects, yogas and dashas,

etc. Both these

charts in this respect are governed by Tajika Shastra. One of the most used yogas in Tajik

is the Ithasalayoga. If this yoga is present between the lagnesha and the karyesha (significator of the

event in question), it

is a favourable situation for the event. To appreciate the role of a retrograde planet inthese charts, let us

examine the Ithasala yoga. It literally means the yoga of intermixing. The yoga is said

to occur when:1. The lagnesha and the karyesh aare in mutual aspect. (Tajik aspects are different from

Parashari

aspects: the 3, 5, 9, 11 positions from each other are friendly aspects; 1, 4, 7 and 10

positions are


8/59

inimical aspects; the remaining 2, 12, 6, 8 positions are neutral to each other and,

therefore, do not

constitute an aspect).2. These two planets are within the orb in influence from each other. (The orb is deterined

by the

average of deeptamshs of the two planets. The deeptamshas are: Sun 15, Moon 12, Mars8,

Mercury 7, Jupiter 9, Venus 7 and Saturn 9 degrees).

3. The faster moving planet is behind the slower moving planet. (Planets in order ofdecreasing

motions are: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). Retrogression has

some

bearing on this third and the most important condition of the Ithasala yoga:1. retrograde fast moving planet at lesser longitude does not produce Ithasala yoga since

its motion is

in the opposite direction to that of the more advanced slow moving planet. They are

actuallymoving away from each other, therefore, they are not likely to intermix.

2. The intensity of Ithasala is increased if the slow moving planet is retrograde and hashigher

longitude.

3. When both the lagnesha and the karyesha (or even one of them) are retrograde,debilitated,

combust or otherwise weak, another yoga takes over this yoga. It literally means

cancellation of

the Ithasala yoga. It is an unfavourable yoga and does not allow the event to fructityfavourably.

Q. What are the results of benefic or malefic retrograde planets?

A. If in a Prashna or Varshaphala chart:1. a benefit retrograde planet is a lord of an auspicious house and has a relationships with

lagnesha

or karyesha, some repeat action is likely, e.g., an interview or promotion exercise will berepeated

and the result will be favourable.

2. The result will remain favourable even if the planet involved in a malefic one, but

besides the repeataction there would be obstacles and tensions.

3. If the benefic retrograde planet is a Trik lord, the favourable result becomes doubtful

due toproblems and obstacles.

4. If a malefic retrograde planet is a Trik lord, then cancellation of the event takes place

due to variousimpediments.

Thus we see that the retrograde condition of the planet, whether in natal chart or transit

has specific and

strong repercussions on predictive astrology.


9/59

Rahu.

Appearance

Rahus appearance is being discussed because it is seen to affect a persons appearance

when it is

in a position to do so in a nativity.

Rahu has a body of a serpent connected to a human head, and thus is fearful to behold.

The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts the fierce, the terrible, the appalling,the

serpent, the head, the blue, the black, the fanged, half-bodied, the smoky headed, havingblood

and red eyes, having death like looks, having big whiskers give a clue to its appearance.

Rahu is supposed to be the second eldest among the planets but the face shows no such

elderly

characteristics. In fact it has a strange, hypnotic touch to its face, which it imparts to the

natives

when placed close to the cuspal degrees of the first or the second house of a chart. Its face

is said

to be black with a smokish tinge. There is no equal of Rahu in imparting out of the

ordinary faces

and appearances.

In my view the face of Jazz legend Miles Davis is a good example of what Rahu can do

to ones

appearance. It is experienced that a lot of the present day beauty queens who get sudden

fame

through winning international beauty pageants have either Rahu in the second house or

connected in some way to the Ascendant or second house.

Rahu is seen to represent tall persons. Any connection of Rahu with the Ascendant in achart

adds to the height of the native. Rahu also has a predominantly airy constitution, which is

usually

associated with a wiry or lean physique.
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/rahu/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/rahu/


10/59

Among the five senses Rahu is especially connected with the sense of hearing. A highly

developed sense of hearing or complete deafness helps identify a Rahu personality.

According to one view it is supposed to be uncouth in appearance and shabbily dressed in

black

paupers clothing, but there are other views that show Rahu to be having the appearance

of a

fierce warrior dressed immaculately in bright-multicoloured clothing.

In a way these two types of appearances represent the dual nature of Rahu one that cangive

material prosperity and the other which gives material adversity. Usually the materialadversity

side has more spiritual benefits attached to it, which is not to say that there is no spiritualgrowth

when Rahu gives material prosperity.

The colours associated with Rahu are flame red and bright yellow, all shades and

variations of

blue like sky blue; purple and violet; all shades of brown; all the pastel shades and sunset

colours. Electric blue is a colour which is strongly connected with Rahu. In the spectrumof

electromagnetic waves or different types of light, Rahu represents ultraviolet light, whichas we

know is invisible to the human eye as it falls out of the visible spectrum of light

represented by

VIBGYOR.

There is also a certain sort of lordliness attached to its appearance and manners in much

the same

way as Sun. However there is a subtle difference as the lordliness that Sun displays has a

certain

benevolence attached to it. The charisma and magnetism attached with Rahu is also quite

different from the Sun in much the same way a light emitted by an electric bulb is

different from

the sunlight.


11/59

Despite its lordliness its glance it downwards. This can be used to trace the people with

strong

influence of Rahu on the Ascendant. It can also be used to judge the state of mind of a

person at

any given point in time. A downward glance relates to a predominantly Rahu or Saturnstate of

mind. It must be remembered that Saturn also has a downward glance.

In Vedic traditions its image is made in a variety of ways. One image has four arms

holding a

trident, a sword and a discus. The remaining hand is making a gesture, which grants

boons. Its

head is facing south and is decorated with a hessonite crest jewel. It is shown riding a

lion.

Another image has it with only two hands, one holding a blanket and the other a palm

leaf. It is

seen as riding on a chariot driven by eight horses. Another image has Rahu holding a

spear and

scimitar. As we will discover in the next few sections, all these images reveal Rahus

functionings and attributes.

Attributes

Rahu is supposed to be a mighty and naughty child of Maya (illusory power of nature),

and thus

has a lot of dualities attached to its Mayavi (illusory) nature. It relates more to theSeventh Ray

energy of esoteric astrology as it represents a force displaying all the possibilities withinthe

realm of existence.

Rahu translates into the seizer [ergreifen, fassen, packen]. It is interesting to note thatthe

Sanskrit term for a planet, graha also translates into seizer. The planets definitely are

seizers in

the sense that they seize human beings and make them act and behave in a certain way.

The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts the chief; the advisor of the


12/59

demons; the

minister of the demons; ever-angry; the tormentor; bitter enemy of the luminaries; lord of

illusions; one who frightens the Sun; the one who makes the Moon lustreless; the

peacemaker;

the immortal (having drunk the divine nectar); bestower of prosperity, wealth and

ultimate

knowledge give a clue to its basic energy and attributes.

Rahu can thus be said to be associated with the dualities of nature and their subsequentfusion. It

can be the deceitful, shady, untrustworthy sort of character when working through itslower

aspect. Its energy is supposed to be behind all sorts of criminal tendencies, unlawfulactivities,

and perversions.

It is discontent incarnate and is never satisfied in much the same vein as the famous

rolling

stone lines I cant get no satisfaction. It can lie, cheat, betray trust or go to any

extreme to

achieve its ends. Its nature in these lower aspects covers all the bad points of the dark side

of the

human psyche. Thus it comes as no surprise that is the originator of many types of

morbid fears,

suspicious, sadistic, and self-destructive tendencies.

All this negativity of Rahu can be equated with a sort of negative Saturn, Mercury and

Venus

combined. The point to note out here is that the greater degree of intensity that Rahu

possesses

makes the situation more dangerous that is the case with other planets. The saving graceis that it

only occasionally manifests the extremes of these negative qualities.

However all these negative tendencies have a positive side to them. For example the

revolutionary nature of Rahu stems from its innate dislike for authority (Sun). When the


13/59

authority is corrupt and mindless, as is generally the case in present times, this

revolutionary

spirit becomes very important. Without a revolt both on an internal and external level no

meaningful change can take place.

Rahu is the force that creates a Robin Hood. Despite being an outlaw he utilized his

tendencies

for the greater good. This is usually the case when Rahu functions through its higher

principle. It

retains some of its dual nature even when it is functioning through its highest aspect. The

main

difference when it works though this principle is that it aims become much more

unselfish and

humanitarian. It will still lie or cheat to archieve its ends but the goal would usually be in

harmony with the cosmic plan.

It is seen that it retains a quarter of its illusory nature even then functioning in its most

spiritual

mode. A very good example of this can be seen in the life of Krishna, the eighth

incarnation of

Vishnu in the present round of Ages. He is supposed to have taken birth in the ending

phase of

the Dwapara Yuga (Silver Age) around 5000 years ago.

He was a revolutionary for his times in every sense of the word as he broke all the

existing social

and religious taboos, and was the main architect of MahaBharata, a highly destructive

World

War. His chart is discussed in a later chapter that deals with the nodal axis influence in

various

houses. He did not mind using any method whatsoever including lying to fulfil his workon

Earth, but everything he did was to manifest the cosmic plan, which is exactly how Rahu

functions when working through its higher principle.

[Mercury]


14/59

Since Vishnu is the deity governing the planet Mercury and has a definite connection

with the

serpent power as discussed earlier, it is inferred that Rahu is closely related to Mercury. It

shares

qualities like wit, quickness of thought, and communication ability with Mercury.

Rahu being an illusory planet, possesses a basic Mercurial nature with some spice addedto it.

Some wise men postulate that Mercury has a quarter influence of the nodes attached to it

even

when it has no relation with them in a chart. This can be seen from its rulership of

Gemini and

Virgo, the signs that Rahu is most comfortable in. This topic is dealt in further detail

when

Rahus sign rulership, exaltation and debilitation are discussed.

It has been experienced that in a nativity, only Mercury and Jupiter can control Rahus

energy.

Rahu is also a significator of intellect in much the same way Mercury is, but thedifference is that

Rahu has to do more with the intuitive part of the intellect instead of the calculative,

informational, discriminating part. This is why Rahu when working through its higher

principle

can be seen as the higher aspect of Mercury, which related to real knowledge and the

ability to

look through illusions.

Rahu also gets influenced in a chart to a large extent by the planets it is associated with ina

chart. Like Mercury it relays their energies without losing its inherent nature in theprocess. This

mutable quality of Rahu is what makes it behave sometimes like Mars, Jupiter or even theSun

and the Moon.

[Mars]

Rahu, when relaying the energy of Mars, appears more aggressive even though a certain


15/59

degree

of aggression is inherent in its nature. It can boost the Martian energy in a chart but canalso

cause its perversion in many a case. Most of the unnecessary violence perpetuated on this

planet

has its roots in this perversion.

It has been notices in observations that most of the charts of criminals of all types have

Rahu

influencing the energy of Mars in some way or the other. The famous criminal John

Dillinger has

Mars-Rahu conjunction in eighth house. Even Saddam Hussein has Mars-Rahu

conjunction in

his fifth house!

However this combination is also found in the charts of revolutionaries, who are fightingfor a

just cause, as it provides the vitality to go ahead with ones thinking. The celebrated

Indian

revolutionary warrior, Shivaji, who fought against the Moghul rule in India, has a Mars-

Rahu

conjunction in his chart.

[Jupiter]

Rahu also functions in a Jupiterian manner as advocated by Western astrology, only when

when

it is associated with Jupiter in some way. Rahu has an airy disposition and thus possesses

an

inherently expansive nature, but there are a lot of differences, as Jupiter is the planet of

law while

Rahu is lawlessness incarnate. The merging of these two energies can sometimes create agood

balance and at other times cause disaster through over-expansion especially on the

material

plane.

This over expansive nature of Rahu causes unnecessary scattering or wasting away of


16/59

energies in

a lot of cases, but there is a lesson to be learnt in the events that follow as a result. The

disintegrating influence of Rahu through ungrounded optimism and expansion is in fact

one of its

most dangerous traits.

Although Rahu is an airy planet it is quite fixed in its approach. The perfect example of

how the

airy element can be unrelenting and powerful as a tornado, which blows everything thatcomes in

its way.

[Sun]

There is a creative side of Rahus nature and disposition, which resembles that of Sun.

Rahu is a

force which can either nourish a personality like Sun nourishes all life on earth, or just

consume

it like the harsh desert which is not conducive to life. Rahu is also related to the egoicselfconsciousness

in much the same way as Sun, the only difference being the fact that Rahu is not

the real thing but only a mirage.

It can be said that while Sun represents our true personality, and related directly with the

spark of

the Godhead within us, Rahu represents the outer personality we have formed through

our

experiences in our numerous lives. This is why Rahu is sometimes known as theArtificial Sun.

Rahus presence in the sign Leo or the Ascendant or any association with Sun assists ineasy

expression of the soul personality. This expression manifests in the outer world asselfconfidence,

self-assurance and creativity. In a negative sense it can manifest as selfishness, pride,

self-aggrandizement and megalomania.

[Moon]


17/59

Rahu has an innate reverence for the Universal Mother principle, which in our solar

system

manifests through Moon. Even though Rahu is said to have enmity with Moon, the major

scope

ot its activity is lunar in a lot of ways. This is because Rahu is born out of the causativeforce

sustaining this Universe, which is supposed to be feminine in its attributes.

It is termed as the Negative Moon by some astrologers as it seems to represent the dark

side of

the lunare nature. Though true to an extent, as Rahu does further hallucination, illusion,

paranoia

and other such mental states, this is still a lopsided view, because certain very spiritual

yogas

(combinations) involving the Rahu-Moon combination find mention in the works of

ancient

Vedic seers.

Another reason for this identification is that is has the power to strengthen, weaken orcompletely

neutralize the lunar forces. The presence of Rahu in the sign Cancer or fourth house or its

association with Moon in a chart is a sure indicator of importance of a mother figure in

the life of

a native in some form or the other.

Again a lot depends upon the aspect, lower or higher, through which Rahu is functioningin a

chart. For example, there is a difference between a negative trance induced by use ofdrugs or

other negative methods, and a spiritual trance induced by dissolving the mind and the egoin the

divine consciousness. In both cases Rahu has a significant part to play, and the catch liesin the

difference in degree of evolution. Since in the present day and age Rahu functions

through its

higher principle in relatively few individuals, the Negative Moon theory holds true for


18/59

the

majority.

[Saturn]

The planet, which Rahu most closely resembles, is Saturn, and as we will discover later iteven

shares a rulership of a sign with Saturn. Besides sharing an airy temperament, another

thing they

have in common are the colours black and white.

Rahus close relationship with Saturn can be seen from the fact that it represents Ultra

Violet

light, which falls just before the Violet light of the visible spectrum, represented by

Saturn. In

this way Rahu can be seen as a higher octave of Saturn. The fact that Ultra Violet light is

not

visible to human eyes highlights the more mysterious functionings of Rahu as compared

to

Saturn.

Just like Saturn, Rahu is supposed to have a lazy disposition and is a long-term planner.In can

thus give a constantly worrying nature. The human follies like greed, avarice andselfishness

resulting from an excess of Saturnine energy are also attributed to the lower aspects of

Rahu.

Most of the devilish (to use a Christian term) aspects of human nature attributed by

astrologers to

Saturn are in fact related to Rahu. Rahu and not Saturn is the Devil (or Satan), which all

the

puritans and pseudo-religionists fear, but they dont realize that in their own extreme waythey

are falling prey to the same force that they term as devilish. As the wise know, there is no

such

thing as evil or pure in nature everything that exists is sacred!

Rahu can be considered to be the expert among the planets when it comes to scheming


19/59

and

plotting. It is the master of manipulation.This is why it can be said to be a betterpolitician than

Saturn. It comes as no surprise that the polity of Rahu is not always orthodox or bound by

prevailing social standards. Insensitivity is a term that can be ascribed to Rahu in much

the same

way as Saturn.

The adversities that both these planets seem to inflict are just lessons that always turn outto be

rewarding in the long run. Success when it comes through Rahu or Saturn arrives onlyafter some

sort of a struggle. The only difference is that Rahu gives it with a certain degree ofsuddenness

while Saturn grinds slowly. Rahu like Saturn is quite an expert at raising people up andthen

bringing them down, but gives lasting success as well, if one does not completely lose

ones

heads.

Rahu however acts in a predominantly Saturnine fashion only when it is associated with

Saturn

in a nativity, or is placed in the tenth/eleventh house, or is placed in the signs

Capricorn/Aquarius.

[Venus]

There is a strong Venusian tinge to Rahus nature, which usually shows itself in a love ofshow

and pomp when Rahu is functioning through its lower aspect. Rahu is capable ofmanifesting

highest Venusian energies like universal love, compassion and harmony as well thenworking

through its higher principle.

The Venusian tendencies of Rahu are highlighted when it is placed in the sign Taurus or

the


20/59

second house, or is in association with Venus. There is a strong urge for comfort and

luxury

when Rahu is manifesting these energies on an earthy plane. In my view earth is the

secondary

element of Rahu.

This is where the materialistic side of Rahu comes out, and probably this is the reasonwhy it is

seen as a planet giving great material prosperity in the Western system. The problem is

that this

materialistic side of Rahu usually knows no boundaries and can be said to be responsible

for the

terrible phenomenon known as greed, which is the core reason behind all the present day

mess in

which humanity finds itself.

Rahu also has a diplomatic nature, which is very similar to that of Venus. Rahu like

Venus is by

nature a social planet and enjoys company. Rahu is supposed to give an artistictemperament in

much the same way as Venus, but as always there is a touch of unorthodoxy involved.Rahus

Venusian side is highlighted when it is either associated with Venus in a nativity, or isplaced in

the second/seventh houses, or is posited in the signs Taurus/Libra.

Rahu has a peculiar heavy, hypnotic and sarcastic tone to its voice, which it usually

imparts to a

native when it is related in some way with the second or third house. The voice of the

famous

songwriter/singer Bob Dylan who has Rahu placed in his second in his chart is a very

good

example of a Rahu-voice.

Sarcasm is one of the main aspects of the nature and disposition of Rahu and it is second

only to

Ketu when it comes to giving a sarcasting and hurting tongue. There is often a wonderful


21/59

sense

of humour attached to Rahus sarcastic nature. This is why Rahu along with Mercury canbe

regarded as the king of satire among planets.

Rahu shares some of its nature with two of the outer planets as well. Rahu is a

revolutionary,

creative, shocking, individualistic force in much the same vein as Uranus. As we would

discover

later, it is assigned co-rulership of a sign in the Vedic system that has Uranus as its co-

ruler in the

Western system.

Rahu knows no national boundaries and thus has a very international and all-inclusive

perspective on things, a quality very similar to that of Uranus. The international

perspective of

Rahu also causes major problems when it is working through a lower principle, im much

the

same way the negative use of Uranian energies can be quite destructive.

There is a special relationship between Rahu and Neptune as both are the planetsrepresenting

the ocean of illusion, which forms a backdrop for the play of existence. Rahu whenworking

through its higher principle displays positive Neptunian qualities like heightened

awareness of

higher realms, true compassion for all existence and a need for rising above the illusion

of the

material realm.

When working through its lower principle it drowns one in illusions and fantasies usually

relating to the lower dark sides of existence. Rahu is the planet of intuition, extra sensory

perception and other such phenomenon related with the astral body. Rahu, like a negative

Neptune, can makeone lose ones self in chasing after mirages or hallucinations, whichcan either

be induced by drugs or other techniques.


22/59

Cloudiness is a term common to both these planets when functioning through their lower

aspect.

Rahu is the force or emotion behind such things as suicide and homicide, where it totally

clouds

the capacity of clear thinking. This vagueness, cloudiness and confusion, usually relatedwith

Neptune, is attributed to Rahu in the Vedic system. Rahu is the planet of delusions and

psychosis.

If Rahu is working through its higher aspect, then this confusion usually leads to wisdomand

enlightenment. Rahu has a Dionysian way of thinking very similar to that exemplified byAldous

Huxley road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

In Vedic astrology Rahu is supposed to maintain friendly relations with Mercury, Venus

and

Saturn. It is neutral towards Jupiter and Mars and maintains enmity with Sun and Moon.

Rahu is

also said to have a predominantly tamasic disposition.

According to the ancient Vedic wisdom, nature has three major gunas (attributes) rajasic

(active), sattwic (balanced) and tamasic (passive) the interplay which creates, sustainsand

finally ends the Universe. One must remember that Rahu can function in all the above

mentioned

modes Rahu functions in a Rajasic mode when giving prosperity, in a Sattvic mode

when

giving knowledge and wisdom. It can also function in a state beyond the three attributes

the

eternal state beyond time, space where the source of everything manifest and unmanifest

lies.

AppearanceRahus appearance is being discussed because it is seen to affect a persons

appearance when it isin a position to do so in a nativity.Rahu has a body of a serpent

connected to a human head, and thus is fearful to behold.The various names assigned toRahu in Vedic texts the fierce, the terrible, the appalling, theserpent, the head, the blue,

the black, the fanged, half-bodied, the smoky headed, having bloodand red eyes, having


23/59

death like looks, having big whiskers give a clue to its appearance.Rahu is supposed to

be the second eldest among the planets but the face shows no such elderlycharacteristics.

In fact it has a strange, hypnotic touch to its face, which it imparts to the nativeswhenplaced close to the cuspal degrees of the first or the second house of a chart. Its face is

saidto be black with a smokish tinge. There is no equal of Rahu in imparting out of the

ordinary facesand appearances.In my view the face of Jazz legend Miles Davis is a goodexample of what Rahu can do to onesappearance. It is experienced that a lot of the

present day beauty queens who get sudden famethrough winning international beauty

pageants have either Rahu in the second house orconnected in some way to theAscendant or second house.Rahu is seen to represent tall persons. Any connection of

Rahu with the Ascendant in a chartadds to the height of the native. Rahu also has a

predominantly airy constitution, which is usuallyassociated with a wiry or lean

physique.Among the five senses Rahu is especially connected with the sense of hearing.A highlydeveloped sense of hearing or complete deafness helps identify a Rahu

personality.According to one view it is supposed to be uncouth in appearance and

shabbily dressed in blackpaupers clothing, but there are other views that show Rahu to

be having the appearance of afierce warrior dressed immaculately in bright-multicolouredclothing.In a way these two types of appearances represent the dual nature of Rahu one

that can givematerial prosperity and the other which gives material adversity. Usually thematerial adversityside has more spiritual benefits attached to it, which is not to say that

there is no spiritual growthwhen Rahu gives material prosperity.The colours associated

with Rahu are flame red and bright yellow, all shades and variations ofblue like skyblue; purple and violet; all shades of brown; all the pastel shades and sunsetcolours.

Electric blue is a colour which is strongly connected with Rahu. In the spectrum

ofelectromagnetic waves or different types of light, Rahu represents ultraviolet light,

which as weknow is invisible to the human eye as it falls out of the visible spectrum oflight represented byVIBGYOR.There is also a certain sort of lordliness attached to its

appearance and manners in much the sameway as Sun. However there is a subtle

difference as the lordliness that Sun displays has a certainbenevolence attached to it. Thecharisma and magnetism attached with Rahu is also quitedifferent from the Sun in much

the same way a light emitted by an electric bulb is different fromthe sunlight.Despite its

lordliness its glance it downwards. This can be used to trace the people withstronginfluence of Rahu on the Ascendant. It can also be used to judge the state of mind

of a person atany given point in time. A downward glance relates to a predominantly

Rahu or Saturn state ofmind. It must be remembered that Saturn also has a downward

glance.In Vedic traditions its image is made in a variety of ways. One image has fourarms holding atrident, a sword and a discus. The remaining hand is making a gesture,

which grants boons. Itshead is facing south and is decorated with a hessonite crest jewel.

It is shown riding a lion.Another image has it with only two hands, one holding a blanketand the other a palm leaf. It isseen as riding on a chariot driven by eight horses. Another

image has Rahu holding a spear andscimitar. As we will discover in the next few

sections, all these images reveal Rahusfunctionings and attributes.AttributesRahu issupposed to be a mighty and naughty child of Maya (illusory power of nature), and

thushas a lot of dualities attached to its Mayavi (illusory) nature. It relates more to the

Seventh Rayenergy of esoteric astrology as it represents a force displaying all the

possibilities within therealm of existence.Rahu translates into the seizer [ergreifen,


24/59

fassen, packen]. It is interesting to note that theSanskrit term for a planet, graha also

translates into seizer. The planets definitely are seizers inthe sense that they seize

human beings and make them act and behave in a certain way.The various namesassigned to Rahu in Vedic texts the chief; the advisor of the demons; theminister of the

demons; ever-angry; the tormentor; bitter enemy of the luminaries; lord ofillusions; one

who frightens the Sun; the one who makes the Moon lustreless; the peacemaker;theimmortal (having drunk the divine nectar); bestower of prosperity, wealth and

ultimateknowledge give a clue to its basic energy and attributes.Rahu can thus be said

to be associated with the dualities of nature and their subsequent fusion. Itcan be thedeceitful, shady, untrustworthy sort of character when working through its loweraspect.

Its energy is supposed to be behind all sorts of criminal tendencies, unlawful

activities,and perversions.It is discontent incarnate and is never satisfied in much the

same vein as the famous rollingstone lines I cant get no satisfaction. It can lie,cheat, betray trust or go to any extreme toachieve its ends. Its nature in these lower

aspects covers all the bad points of the dark side of thehuman psyche. Thus it comes as

no surprise that is the originator of many types of morbid fears,suspicious, sadistic, and

self-destructive tendencies.All this negativity of Rahu can be equated with a sort ofnegative Saturn, Mercury and Venuscombined. The point to note out here is that the

greater degree of intensity that Rahu possessesmakes the situation more dangerous that isthe case with other planets. The saving grace is that itonly occasionally manifests the

extremes of these negative qualities.However all these negative tendencies have a

positive side to them. For example therevolutionary nature of Rahu stems from its innatedislike for authority (Sun). When theauthority is corrupt and mindless, as is generally the

case in present times, this revolutionaryspirit becomes very important. Without a revolt

both on an internal and external level nomeaningful change can take place.Rahu is the

force that creates a Robin Hood. Despite being an outlaw he utilized his tendenciesfor thegreater good. This is usually the case when Rahu functions through its higher principle.

Itretains some of its dual nature even when it is functioning through its highest aspect.

The maindifference when it works though this principle is that it aims become muchmore unselfish andhumanitarian. It will still lie or cheat to archieve its ends but the goal

would usually be inharmony with the cosmic plan.It is seen that it retains a quarter of its

illusory nature even then functioning in its most spiritualmode. A very good example ofthis can be seen in the life of Krishna, the eighth incarnation ofVishnu in the present

round of Ages. He is supposed to have taken birth in the ending phase ofthe Dwapara

Yuga (Silver Age) around 5000 years ago.He was a revolutionary for his times in every

sense of the word as he broke all the existing socialand religious taboos, and was themain architect of MahaBharata, a highly destructive WorldWar. His chart is discussed in

a later chapter that deals with the nodal axis influence in varioushouses. He did not mind

using any method whatsoever including lying to fulfil his work onEarth, but everythinghe did was to manifest the cosmic plan, which is exactly how Rahufunctions when

working through its higher principle.[Mercury]Since Vishnu is the deity governing the

planet Mercury and has a definite connection with theserpent power as discussed earlier,it is inferred that Rahu is closely related to Mercury. It sharesqualities like wit, quickness

of thought, and communication ability with Mercury.Rahu being an illusory planet,

possesses a basic Mercurial nature with some spice added to it.Some wise men postulate

that Mercury has a quarter influence of the nodes attached to it evenwhen it has no


25/59

relation with them in a chart. This can be seen from its rulership of Gemini andVirgo, the

signs that Rahu is most comfortable in. This topic is dealt in further detail whenRahus

sign rulership, exaltation and debilitation are discussed.It has been experienced that in anativity, only Mercury and Jupiter can control Rahus energy.Rahu is also a significator

of intellect in much the same way Mercury is, but the difference is thatRahu has to do

more with the intuitive part of the intellect instead of the calculative,informational,discriminating part. This is why Rahu when working through its higher principlecan be

seen as the higher aspect of Mercury, which related to real knowledge and the ability

tolook through illusions.Rahu also gets influenced in a chart to a large extent by theplanets it is associated with in achart. Like Mercury it relays their energies without losing

its inherent nature in the process. Thismutable quality of Rahu is what makes it behave

sometimes like Mars, Jupiter or even the Sunand the Moon.[Mars]Rahu, when relaying

the energy of Mars, appears more aggressive even though a certain degreeof aggression isinherent in its nature. It can boost the Martian energy in a chart but can alsocause its

perversion in many a case. Most of the unnecessary violence perpetuated on this

planethas its roots in this perversion.It has been notices in observations that most of the

charts of criminals of all types have Rahuinfluencing the energy of Mars in some way orthe other. The famous criminal John Dillinger hasMars-Rahu conjunction in eighth

house. Even Saddam Hussein has Mars-Rahu conjunction inhis fifth house!However thiscombination is also found in the charts of revolutionaries, who are fighting for ajust

cause, as it provides the vitality to go ahead with ones thinking. The celebrated

Indianrevolutionary warrior, Shivaji, who fought against the Moghul rule in India, has aMars-Rahuconjunction in his chart.[Jupiter]Rahu also functions in a Jupiterian manner as

advocated by Western astrology, only when whenit is associated with Jupiter in some

way. Rahu has an airy disposition and thus possesses aninherently expansive nature, but

there are a lot of differences, as Jupiter is the planet of law whileRahu is lawlessnessincarnate. The merging of these two energies can sometimes create a goodbalance and at

other times cause disaster through over-expansion especially on the materialplane.This

over expansive nature of Rahu causes unnecessary scattering or wasting away of energiesina lot of cases, but there is a lesson to be learnt in the events that follow as a result.

Thedisintegrating influence of Rahu through ungrounded optimism and expansion is in

fact one of itsmost dangerous traits.Although Rahu is an airy planet it is quite fixed in itsapproach. The perfect example of how theairy element can be unrelenting and powerful

as a tornado, which blows everything that comes inits way.[Sun]There is a creative side

of Rahus nature and disposition, which resembles that of Sun. Rahu is aforce which can

either nourish a personality like Sun nourishes all life on earth, or just consumeit like theharsh desert which is not conducive to life. Rahu is also related to the egoic

selfconsciousnessin much the same way as Sun, the only difference being the fact that

Rahu is notthe real thing but only a mirage.It can be said that while Sun represents ourtrue personality, and related directly with the spark ofthe Godhead within us, Rahu

represents the outer personality we have formed through ourexperiences in our numerous

lives. This is why Rahu is sometimes known as the Artificial Sun.Rahus presence inthe sign Leo or the Ascendant or any association with Sun assists in easyexpression of the

soul personality. This expression manifests in the outer world as selfconfidence,self-

assurance and creativity. In a negative sense it can manifest as selfishness, pride,self-

aggrandizement and megalomania.[Moon]Rahu has an innate reverence for the Universal


26/59

Mother principle, which in our solar systemmanifests through Moon. Even though Rahu

is said to have enmity with Moon, the major scopeot its activity is lunar in a lot of ways.

This is because Rahu is born out of the causative forcesustaining this Universe, which issupposed to be feminine in its attributes.It is termed as the Negative Moon by some

astrologers as it seems to represent the dark side ofthe lunare nature. Though true to an

extent, as Rahu does further hallucination, illusion, paranoiaand other such mental states,this is still a lopsided view, because certain very spiritual yogas(combinations) involving

the Rahu-Moon combination find mention in the works of ancientVedic seers.Another

reason for this identification is that is has the power to strengthen, weaken orcompletelyneutralize the lunar forces. The presence of Rahu in the sign Cancer or fourth

house or itsassociation with Moon in a chart is a sure indicator of importance of a mother

figure in the life ofa native in some form or the other.Again a lot depends upon the

aspect, lower or higher, through which Rahu is functioning in achart. For example, thereis a difference between a negative trance induced by use of drugs orother negative

methods, and a spiritual trance induced by dissolving the mind and the ego in thedivine

consciousness. In both cases Rahu has a significant part to play, and the catch lies in

thedifference in degree of evolution. Since in the present day and age Rahu functionsthrough itshigher principle in relatively few individuals, the Negative Moon theory

holds true for themajority.[Saturn]The planet, which Rahu most closely resembles, isSaturn, and as we will discover later it evenshares a rulership of a sign with Saturn.

Besides sharing an airy temperament, another thing theyhave in common are the colours

black and white.Rahus close relationship with Saturn can be seen from the fact that itrepresents Ultra Violetlight, which falls just before the Violet light of the visible

spectrum, represented by Saturn. Inthis way Rahu can be seen as a higher octave of

Saturn. The fact that Ultra Violet light is notvisible to human eyes highlights the more

mysterious functionings of Rahu as compared toSaturn.Just like Saturn, Rahu is supposedto have a lazy disposition and is a long-term planner. In canthus give a constantly

worrying nature. The human follies like greed, avarice and selfishnessresulting from an

excess of Saturnine energy are also attributed to the lower aspects of Rahu.Most of thedevilish (to use a Christian term) aspects of human nature attributed by astrologers

toSaturn are in fact related to Rahu. Rahu and not Saturn is the Devil (or Satan), which all

thepuritans and pseudo-religionists fear, but they dont realize that in their own extremeway theyare falling prey to the same force that they term as devilish. As the wise know,

there is no suchthing as evil or pure in nature everything that exists is sacred!Rahu can

be considered to be the expert among the planets when it comes to scheming andplotting.

It is the master of manipulation.This is why it can be said to be a better politicianthanSaturn. It comes as no surprise that the polity of Rahu is not always orthodox or

bound byprevailing social standards. Insensitivity is a term that can be ascribed to Rahu

in much the sameway as Saturn.The adversities that both these planets seem to inflict arejust lessons that always turn out to berewarding in the long run. Success when it comes

through Rahu or Saturn arrives only after somesort of a struggle. The only difference is

that Rahu gives it with a certain degree of suddennesswhile Saturn grinds slowly. Rahulike Saturn is quite an expert at raising people up and thenbringing them down, but gives

lasting success as well, if one does not completely lose onesheads.Rahu however acts in

a predominantly Saturnine fashion only when it is associated with Saturnin a nativity, or

is placed in the tenth/eleventh house, or is placed in the signsCapricorn/Aquarius.


27/59

[Venus]There is a strong Venusian tinge to Rahus nature, which usually shows itself in a

love of showand pomp when Rahu is functioning through its lower aspect. Rahu is

capable of manifestinghighest Venusian energies like universal love, compassion andharmony as well then workingthrough its higher principle.The Venusian tendencies of

Rahu are highlighted when it is placed in the sign Taurus or thesecond house, or is in

association with Venus. There is a strong urge for comfort and luxurywhen Rahu ismanifesting these energies on an earthy plane. In my view earth is the secondaryelement

of Rahu.This is where the materialistic side of Rahu comes out, and probably this is the

reason why it isseen as a planet giving great material prosperity in the Western system.The problem is that thismaterialistic side of Rahu usually knows no boundaries and can

be said to be responsible for theterrible phenomenon known as greed, which is the core

reason behind all the present day mess inwhich humanity finds itself.Rahu also has a

diplomatic nature, which is very similar to that of Venus. Rahu like Venus is bynature asocial planet and enjoys company. Rahu is supposed to give an artistic temperament

inmuch the same way as Venus, but as always there is a touch of unorthodoxy involved.

RahusVenusian side is highlighted when it is either associated with Venus in a nativity,

or is placed inthe second/seventh houses, or is posited in the signs Taurus/Libra.Rahu hasa peculiar heavy, hypnotic and sarcastic tone to its voice, which it usually imparts to

anative when it is related in some way with the second or third house. The voice of thefamoussongwriter/singer Bob Dylan who has Rahu placed in his second in his chart is a

very goodexample of a Rahu-voice.Sarcasm is one of the main aspects of the nature and

disposition of Rahu and it is second only toKetu when it comes to giving a sarcasting andhurting tongue. There is often a wonderful senseof humour attached to Rahus sarcastic

nature. This is why Rahu along with Mercury can beregarded as the king of satire among

planets.Rahu shares some of its nature with two of the outer planets as well. Rahu is a

revolutionary,creative, shocking, individualistic force in much the same vein as Uranus.As we would discoverlater, it is assigned co-rulership of a sign in the Vedic system that

has Uranus as its co-ruler in theWestern system.Rahu knows no national boundaries and

thus has a very international and all-inclusiveperspective on things, a quality very similarto that of Uranus. The international perspective ofRahu also causes major problems when

it is working through a lower principle, im much thesame way the negative use of

Uranian energies can be quite destructive.There is a special relationship between Rahuand Neptune as both are the planets representingthe ocean of illusion, which forms a

backdrop for the play of existence. Rahu when workingthrough its higher principle

displays positive Neptunian qualities like heightened awareness ofhigher realms, true

compassion for all existence and a need for rising above the illusion of thematerialrealm.When working through its lower principle it drowns one in illusions and fantasies

usuallyrelating to the lower dark sides of existence. Rahu is the planet of intuition, extra

sensoryperception and other such phenomenon related with the astral body. Rahu, like anegativeNeptune, can makeone lose ones self in chasing after mirages or hallucinations,

which can eitherbe induced by drugs or other techniques.Cloudiness is a term common to

both these planets when functioning through their lower aspect.Rahu is the force oremotion behind such things as suicide and homicide, where it totally cloudsthe capacity

of clear thinking. This vagueness, cloudiness and confusion, usually related withNeptune,

is attributed to Rahu in the Vedic system. Rahu is the planet of delusions and psychosis.If

Rahu is working through its higher aspect, then this confusion usually leads to wisdom


28/59

andenlightenment. Rahu has a Dionysian way of thinking very similar to that exemplified

by AldousHuxley road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom.In Vedic astrology

Rahu is supposed to maintain friendly relations with Mercury, Venus andSaturn. It isneutral towards Jupiter and Mars and maintains enmity with Sun and Moon. Rahu isalso

said to have a predominantly tamasic disposition.According to the ancient Vedic wisdom,

nature has three major gunas (attributes) rajasic(active), sattwic (balanced) and tamasic(passive) the interplay which creates, sustains andfinally ends the Universe. One must

remember that Rahu can function in all the above mentionedmodes Rahu functions in a

Rajasic mode when giving prosperity, in a Sattvic mode whengiving knowledge andwisdom. It can also function in a state beyond the three attributes theeternal state

beyond time, space where the source of everything manifest and unmanifest lies.

Indu lagna

According to ancient jyotish texts, the Indu lagna shows thesources of wealth for an individual. The planets on the Indu lagna, 11th,

2nd, planets in kendras, or planets aspecting the Indu lagna, are

able to provide wealth to the person.

The Indu lagna is computed as follows:

1. Determine the lord of the 9th house from the lagna.

2. Determine the lord of the 9th house from the Moon.

3. Assign a value to the lords found above by using the following

scores: 30, 16, 6, 8, 10, 12, 1 (starting from the Sun to Saturn).

4. Add the values assigned to the lords of the 9th houses.

5. Divide the total by 12 and determine the remainder of the

computation.

6. Count the number of the remainder from the position of the

Moon.

Thus, the Indu lagna is determinedAccording to the interpretations made by Dr. KS

Charak, author

of Elements of Vedic Astrology, all of the planets are capable ofproviding wealth to an individual provided that they are located at

the houses mentioned in the previous email. Accordingly, the planets

located on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 12th from the Indu Lagnacannot provide such wealth, unless they aspect the Indu Lagna.

In practical terms, the jyotishi needs to synthesize the informationfrom this perspective with the indicators provided from the rest of
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/indu-lagna/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/indu-lagna/


29/59

the chart. As such, the jyotishi can have a fair evaluation of the

strengths and weaknesses inherent in the persons life.

What is Indu Lagna? How is it used in predictive astrology?

THE Tamizh authority, Jataka Alankaram gives rules for determining Indu Lagna. Kala

values of planets are as follows: Sun:30; Moon:16; Mars:6; Mercury:8; Jupiter:10;Venus:12; Saturn:1. The Kala of the Ninth lord from Lagna, and that of the Ninth lord

from the moon should be added and the total divided by 12. The remainder, counted from

the moons Rasi in the horoscope, leads us to Indu Lagna. For a Dhanu Lagna, ThulaRasi native, e.g., the 9th lord is the sun with Kala value 30; the lord of the Ninth from

Thula is Mercury, whose Kala is 8. The total is 38. This is divided by 12. The remainder

is 2. From Thula Rasi, the second Sign is Vrischika, which is the Indu Lagna for this

horoscope.

Horoscope and your career choice

Based on 10th house and stronger planet(s)

Deep inside us we long to do something. That is thecall of our destiny. But due to otherreasons we may do something else.

For those who are successful in life, we have alwaysnoticed that they followed the lineindicated by the planets and that theperson also liked it at his/her sub conscious level. In

some cases, we have nochoice. Destiny wants us to do something else while the inner

soul seeksanother line. For such people we would say the livelihood should yetbeconnected to the planets as per Karma, but as a hobby the person may pursuewhat he

likes or at least it may be done as a part-time activity.

To find out the right profession we have to find thedominating planet related to the

houses of livelihood like the 10th house,which is considered the most important house.

There are many rules that will help us find thedominating planet. Next to the dominatingplanet we have a secondary or even atertiary planet, which helps or co rules the areas of

profession and income ina person?s life.

Of the many rules what help us determine thedominating planet as far as livelihood is

concerned the foremost is theoccupant of the 10th house of Karma or activity in this life.

If many planetsare occupying the 10th house there will be mixed influences which meanstheperson may follow different activities at different times or pursue it at thesame time.

The strongest planet in the chart gives anotherreliable clue. This process of finding the

strongest planet is not a simpleone. To know this we will have to find out the Shadbala ofeach planet. It maytake a person at least one full day to do it manually since there are

about 30formulas to find this out. With computers these are easy. Moreover the

numbersinvolved are numbers like 0.23453324 etc, which means only an astrologer whoisalso a good mathematician, can possibly do it. Even if the astrologer does itsuccessfully

the question arises whether it was correct. Assuming that he doesit correctly, the next

question is why should an astrologer waste so much timeto calculate something for which
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/horoscope-and-your-career-choice/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/horoscope-and-your-career-choice/


30/59

computers are naturally good at.

There is another important rule, the Dasamsa chart.This is a chart, which is derived fromthe Rasi Chart which no doubt is themost important chart. However, the Dasamsa chart is

a finer view of thesituation relating to ones livelihood. This chart is cast by dividing the

rasichart into 10 parts. The rules of casting this chart are given in BrihatParasara HoraSastra Volume I, Chapter 7. The author of this book is none otherthan the great Maharshi

Parasara, to whom was born the great Sage Vyasa ofMahabharata times.

The planets occupying the Ascendant in the DasamsaChart, the planets occupying the

10th, the 7th and the 4th give the final clue.

There is yet another rule to be followed. In case the10th house is vacant, then the famousNavamsa Rule should be considered moreimportant. The 10th house lord should be

occupying a particular Navamsa. Thegreat sages have said, by following the line

indicated by the planet owningthat Navamsa the person gains more or easy money.

Other rules are: The planets aspecting the 10thhouse, the planets with the 10th lord are

also in the race to become the dominatingplanet.

Now is the final clue.

If from several rules, a particular planet appears torepeatedly show up on the top in terms

of influencing Karma, then such a planetshould be considered dominating.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Ravi (Sun) dominates then the possible lines are:

Govt service, medicine, politician, gold, finance,foreign exchange, fruits, metals (not

iron), paramedical, spices, govt.-authorised, pungent, chemicals.

If by this method,if in your chart, Chandra (Moon) dominates then the possible lines are:

Food products, nursing, pearls, textiles,agriculture, milk, farms, laundry, silver, water,

sailor, wines, catering,gynaecologist, fish, salt and bakery.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Kuja (Mars) dominates then the possible lines are:

MBA, administration, machineries, engineering, anygadget/tools, chemicals, managers,

cooking, land, military, police, surgeonsand weapons.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Budha (Mercury)dominates then the possible lines are:

Books, computers/telecom, agencies, printing, postal,commissions, clerical, trading,export/import, documents, literature, travels,writer and astrology.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Guru (Jupiter) dominates then the possible lines are:

Accounts, finance, consultants, law, publisher,astrology, bank, manufacture, teaching,

software, hotels, lending, chit funds,judges, economics and temples.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Sukra (Venus) dominates then the possible lines are:


31/59

Cinema, music, TV, sports, stocks & shares,jewellery, gems, glass, lottery, garments,

travels, vehicles, glass, artist,decoration, horse race.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Sani (Saturn) dominates then the possible lines are:

Land, drill/underground items, leather, ice, woodfactory, farms, oils, iron, insurance,

geology, recycling, fish, dead products,research of diseases.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Rahu dominates then the possible lines are:

Medicine/Chemicals, gas, routine-life, jobs, stones,assistants.

If by thismethod, if in your chart, Ketu dominates then the possible lines are:

Research, clerical, assistants, spiritual pursuitsand occult research.

We have not listed here all the possible lines ofprofession for each planet.

Once the key matter for each planet is known then agood astrologer can easily know towhich planet is a particular line relatedto.

For example Mars rules weapons or fire or wounds asper ancient textbooks of astrology.In modern times engineering is related toMars, surgery is related to Mars, Military is

related to Mars etc.

If Budha deals with numbers, letters and information,then modern printing is related toBudha (Mercury). Computer is related to thisplanet. Telecommunications, Electronics etc

are related to this planet.

Sometimes the person is following the line indicatedby the 3rd most dominating planet.

Then what happens? He or she will be able tosucceed marginally but never make it to the

top. Those at the top are obviouslyfollowing the line indicated by the most dominatingplanet.

So try and find out what is your dominating planet!

Rahu.

Appearance

Rahus appearance is being discussed because it is seen to affect a persons appearance

when it is

in a position to do so in a nativity.

Rahu has a body of a serpent connected to a human head, and thus is fearful to behold.

The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts the fierce, the terrible, the appalling,the

serpent, the head, the blue, the black, the fanged, half-bodied, the smoky headed, having
http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/rahu/http://bharatiyajyotishmantrasaadhana.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/rahu/


32/59

blood

and red eyes, having death like looks, having big whiskers give a clue to its appearance.

Rahu is supposed to be the second eldest among the planets but the face shows no such

elderly

characteristics. In fact it has a strange, hypnotic touch to its face, which it imparts to the

natives

when placed close to the cuspal degrees of the first or the second house of a chart. Its face

is said

to be black with a smokish tinge. There is no equal of Rahu in imparting out of the

ordinary faces

and appearances.

In my view the face of Jazz legend Miles Davis is a good example of what Rahu can doto ones

appearance. It is experienced that a lot of the present day beauty queens who get suddenfame

through winning international beauty pageants have either Rahu in the second house or

connected in some way to the Ascendant or second house.

Rahu is seen to represent tall persons. Any connection of Rahu with the Ascendant in achart

adds to the height of the native. Rahu also has a predominantly airy constitution, which isusually

associated with a wiry or lean physique.

Among the five senses Rahu is especially connected with the sense of hearing. A highly

developed sense of hearing or complete deafness helps identify a Rahu personality.

According to one view it is supposed to be uncouth in appearance and shabbily dressed in

black

paupers clothing, but there are other views that show Rahu to be having the appearanceof a

fierce warrior dressed immaculately in bright-multicoloured clothing.

In a way these two types of appearances represent the dual nature of Rahu one that cangive

material prosperity and the other which gives material adversity. Usually the material


33/59

adversity

side has more spiritual benefits attached to it, which is not to say that there is no spiritualgrowth

when Rahu gives material prosperity.

The colours associated with Rahu are flame red and bright yellow, all shades and

variations of

blue like sky blue; purple and violet; all shades of brown; all the pastel shades and sunset

colours. Electric blue is a colour which is strongly connected with Rahu. In the spectrumof

electromagnetic waves or different types of light, Rahu represents ultraviolet light, whichas we

know is invisible to the human eye as it falls out of the visible spectrum of lightrepresented by

VIBGYOR.

There is also a certain sort of lordliness attached to its appearance and manners in much

the same

way as Sun. However there is a subtle difference as the lordliness that Sun displays has a

certain

benevolence attached to it. The charisma and magnetism attached with Rahu is also quite

different from the Sun in much the same way a light emitted by an electric bulb isdifferent from

the sunlight.

Despite its lordliness its glance it downwards. This can be used to trace the people with

strong

influence of Rahu on the Ascendant. It can also be used to judge the state of mind of a

person at

any given point in time. A downward glance relates to a predominantly Rahu or Saturn

state of

mind. It must be remembered that Saturn also has a downward glance.

In Vedic traditions its image is made in a variety of ways. One image has four arms

holding a

trident, a sword and a discus. The remaining hand is making a gesture, which grants

boons. Its


34/59

head is facing south and is decorated with a hessonite crest jewel. It is shown riding a

lion.

Another image has it with only two hands, one holding a blanket and the other a palm

leaf. It is

seen as riding on a chariot driven by eight horses. Another image has Rahu holding aspear and

scimitar. As we will discover in the next few sections, all these images reveal Rahus

functionings and attributes.

Attributes

Rahu is supposed to be a mighty and naughty child of Maya (illusory power of nature),and thus

has a lot of dualities attached to its Mayavi (illusory) nature. It relates more to theSeventh Ray

energy of esoteric astrology as it represents a force displaying all the possibilities withinthe

realm of existence.

Rahu translates into the seizer [ergreifen, fassen, packen]. It is interesting to note that

the

Sanskrit term for a planet, graha also translates into seizer. The planets definitely are

seizers in

the sense that they seize human beings and make them act and behave in a certain way.

The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts the chief; the advisor of the

demons; the

minister of the demons; ever-angry; the tormentor; bitter enemy of the luminaries; lord of

illusions; one who frightens the Sun; the one who makes the Moon lustreless; the

peacemaker;

the immortal (having drunk the divine nectar); bestower of prosperity, wealth and

ultimate

knowledge give a clue to its basic energy and attributes.

Rahu can thus be said to be associated with the dualities of nature and their subsequent

fusion. It

can be the deceitful, shady, untrustworthy sort of character when working through its

lower


35/59

aspect. Its energy is supposed to be behind all sorts of criminal tendencies, unlawful

activities,

and perversions.

It is discontent incarnate and is never satisfied in much the same vein as the famous

rolling

stone lines I cant get no satisfaction. It can lie, cheat, betray trust or go to anyextreme to

achieve its ends. Its nature in these lower aspects covers all the bad points of the dark side

of the

human psyche. Thus it comes as no surprise that is the originator of many types of

morbid fears,

suspicious, sadistic, and self-destructive tendencies.

All this negativity of Rahu can be equated with a sort of negative Saturn, Mercury and

Venus

combined. The point to note out here is that the greater degree of intensity that Rahu

possesses

makes the situation more dangerous that is the case with other planets. The saving graceis that it

only occasionally manifests the extremes of these negative qualities.

However all these negative tendencies have a positive side to them. For example the

revolutionary nature of Rahu stems from its innate dislike for authority (Sun). When the

authority is corrupt and mindless, as is generally the case in present times, this

revolutionary

spirit becomes very important. Without a revolt both on an internal and external level no

meaningful change can take place.

Rahu is the force that creates a Robin Hood. Despite being an outlaw he utilized histendencies

for the greater good. This is usually the case when Rahu functions through its higherprinciple. It

retains some of its dual nature even when it is functioning through its highest aspect. The

main

difference when it works though this principle is that it aims become much more

unselfish and


36/59

humanitarian. It will still lie or cheat to archieve its ends but the goal would usually be in

harmony with the cosmic plan.

It is seen that it retains a quarter of its illusory nature even then functioning in its most

spiritual

mode. A very good example of this can be seen in the life of Krishna, the eighth

incarnation of

Vishnu in the present round of Ages. He is supposed to have taken birth in the ending

phase of

the Dwapara Yuga (Silver Age) around 5000 years ago.

He was a revolutionary for his times in every sense of the word as he broke all theexisting social

and religious taboos, and was the main architect of MahaBharata, a highly destructiveWorld

War. His chart is discussed in a later chapter that deals with the nodal axis influence invarious

houses. He did not mind using any method whatsoever including lying to fulfil his work

on

Earth, but everything he did was to manifest the cosmic plan, which is exactly how Rahu

functions when working through its higher principle.

[Mercury]

Since Vishnu is the deity governing the planet Mercury and has a definite connection

with the

serpent power as discussed earlier, it is inferred that Rahu is closely related to Mercury. It

shares

qualities like wit, quickness of thought, and communication ability with Mercury.

Rahu being an illusory planet, possesses a basic Mercurial nature with some spice addedto it.

Some wise men postulate that Mercury has a quarter influence of the nodes attached to iteven

when it has no relation with them in a chart. This can be seen from its rulership of

Gemini and

Virgo, the signs that Rahu is most comfortable in. This topic is dealt in further detail

when


37/59

Rahus sign rulership, exaltation and debilitation are discussed.

It has been experienced that in a nativity, only Mercury and Jupiter can control Rahusenergy.

Rahu is also a significator of intellect in much the same way Mercury is, but the

difference is that

Rahu has to do more with the intuitive part of the intellect instead of the calculative,

informational, discriminating part. This is why Rahu when working through its higher

principle

can be seen as the higher aspect of Mercury, which related to real knowledge and the

ability to

look through illusions.

Rahu also gets influenced in a chart to a large extent by the planets it is associated with ina

chart. Like Mercury it relays their

Astro Faq Etc.

Documents

Transcript of Astro Faq Etc.