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| The Mythology of Rahu/Ketu across different civilization: |
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The remaining body of Sharvanu was attached to the head of a serpent and was also conferred the status of planet because of Lord Brahma’s boon and became known as Ketu. Sharvanu now divided into two became a bitter enemy of Sun and Moon. He decided to afflict Sun and Moon eternally through his newfound planetary status. This is how the eclipses were born according to this Puranic legend, when Sun and Moon are swallowed by Rahu /Ketu during Solar and Lunar eclipses.
The nodes in Western Astrology: Western astrologers relate Rahu with the positive image of Jupiter and they relate Ketu with the negative image of Saturn. Rahu is treated as a generally benefic planet and Ketu is treated as a generally malefic planet in the chart.
It interprets North node as a point of easy expansion of energy, towards material success.
Whereas the south node is interpreted as a point of obstruction, limitations and misfortune.
They also relate the two nodes Karmically. The north node is considered as a trigger for manifestation of good Karma from unselfish past life which provides energies to perform good Karma in this life. The south node is regarded as a trigger for manifestation of bad karma from past life through which the individual further his own selfish interest at the cost of others.
The nodes in Vedic Astrology: In traditional Vedic astrology both the nodes are considered malefic forces in our chart. Rahu is considered like Saturn, the greater malefic and Ketu is considered like Mars, the lesser malefic. In today’s context, this is a too simplistic interpretation of the nodes. Also there is a fundamental contradiction in this approach with the inherent nature of these planets which is otherwise recognized by Vedic astrology.
I, for one would rather relate Rahu with its active outward energy with Mars, and Ketu with its active internal and secret forces with Saturn. What is more important that in order to understand the impact of Rahu and Ketu we have to examine with which other planets and houses they are associated in the natal chart or connected in terms of aspect and lordship of signs in the houses they are located. Also there is a need to synthesize the western concept of Karmic triggers, especially when we are analyzing their impact during transit in present day interpretation of Rahu/Ketu. We just cannot take a simplistic view, that it is all bad and condemn the individual who is experiencing the period/ sub-periods of Rahu/Ketu or experiencing a difficult transit through different houses.
I will take up these issues in my next article.
-Satrajit Majumdar
Reference: -
1. Astrology of Seers- David Frawley
2. The Rahu –Ketu Experience- Prash Trivedi
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