Friends, writing after a short hiatus, my sincere apologies for the same. Got caught up with increased work burden. The Corona lull is over and work is catching up with me and yes, credit for the increased business also goes to Rahu Maharaj as I complete 41 Years on this planet earth and step into my 42^nd Year.

Stepping into the 42^nd year of life is crucial as this is the time when Rahu gets activated in your birth chart. Well, what it means exactly is that the promise what Rahu carries in your birth chart is delivered once you complete 41 years. The rewards or punishments one can expect purely depends on the position of Rahu in your birth chart and also your Navamsha (D-9 chart). A powerful and well-placed Rahu both in your birth chart and Navamsha will take you to the pinnacle of success. On the contrary an afflicted Rahu will open up the flood gates of misery and misfortune. Now the million-dollar question is what kind of Rahu is present in your birth chart. Well, there are many factors to check the strength of Rahu in your chart. If your Rahu scores high in all the parameters then Congratulations you are blessed with a strong Rahu. If it fares good on some parameters and poor on other parameters then the effects would be average. If your Rahu scores poorly on all fronts then you are in for a trouble.

Before we assess the strength of Rahu in your chart let us understand what is Rahu. Rahu is not even a planet; it is just a North node. Rahu is just a shadow which creates eclipses. Rahu is the son of Simhika. The element of Rahu is air and its direction is South-West. The dusk time when the day meets night is the Rahu Kaal or Rahu period. Rahu is the demon who impersonated himself as a Devata and stealthily drank the elixir of immortality (Amrut). Sun and Moon informed this to Vishnu and that is the reason Vishnu chopped off his head with Sudarshan Chakra. As a revenge against Sun and Moon, Rahu causes both Solar and Lunar eclipses. Rahu represents materialism, mischief, magic, deception, fear, obsession, dissatisfaction, and even confusion. Rahu is also associated with politicians and occult sciences. Rahu is considered to be Elephant and Mars (Mangal) is its controller or the Mahaut. Professions associated with Rahu are photography, cinema (make believe concept-a Rahu trait), magician, drug peddlers, insincere and immoral acts, operations in foreign land (as Rahu is a Mallech, meaning foreigner). Rahu is considered as the king of Chemical industry. It governs all kinds of poisonous chemicals and pungent smelling gases. Diseases associated with Rahu are Mental problems, suicidal tendencies, snake bites, murder or unnatural deaths, swelling of uterus, constipation, etc. The gemstone associated with Rahu is honey colored hessonite (Gomed). Rahu is considered similar to Saturn in giving effects. Smoky blue is its color and instinctual and animalistic its nature. Rahu is very focused and it concentrates on achieving all that it wants. Even if it achieves everything it is never satisfied. It does not have ownership over any zodiacal sign but it is considered powerful in Virgo sign. It rules three Nakshatras viz. Aadra, Swati and Shadbhisha. Now let us discuss the factors to determine the strength of Rahu. Rahu is super powerful in the 6^th house which is the house of competition, diseases, debt and enemies. The Maha-dasha for Rahu runs for 18 long years and Rahu stays in particular sign for 1.5 Years.

Rahu placed in which Nakshatra?

The nakshatra in which a planet is placed determines the innate and intrinsic energy of that planet. Naturally Rahu performs better in its own nakshatras Aadra, Swati and Shadbhisha. On the contrary Rahu will be inimical and give adverse results if placed in the Nakshatras of Sun viz. Kritika, Uttar Falguni and Uttar Aashadha and also in the Nakshatras of Moon viz. Rohini, Hasta and Shravan. Also, Rahu will give adverse results if Sun and/or Moon are placed in Rahu Nakshatras viz. Aadra, Swati and Shadbhisha. Rahu placed in the Mercury Nakshatras like Ashlesha, Jyestha and Revathi will also give good results as Rahu is buddy of Mercury.

Rahu placed in which Sign?

Rahu placed in Leo and Cancer which are the signs of Sun and Moon will give adverse results. However, this is just one of the factors. Other factors also need to be checked. Rahu placed in the sign of Virgo (its exaltation sign) will give good results provided Mercury the ruler of Virgo sign is also well placed in the chart.

Position of depositor of the sign in which Rahu is placed?

This principle is not only for Rahu but for all planets. The sign in which Rahu is placed, one has to check the strength of the ruling planet of that sign. For example, if Rahu is placed in Capricon or Aquarius which are ruled by Saturn and Saturn is ill placed in the Sign of Aries (sign of debilitation for Saturn) and also in the fourth house which is bad for Saturn then Rahu will definitely work negatively in the chart.

Company Matters?

If Rahu is placed conjunct with Sun and/or Moon and also Sun or Moon is devoid of strength then Rahu will give ill effects. Weak Sun means placed in the sign of Libra (sign of debilitation) or placed in 4^th house where it loses its directional strength. Weak Moon means placed in the sign of Scorpio (sign of debilitation) or placed in 10^th house where it loses its directional strength or the Moon is close to Sun (causing Amavasya in chart). The stronger the conjunction of Rahu with Sun and/or Moon degree wise (within 10 degrees) the poorer the results of Rahu.

Elephant runs Amok without the control of Mahaut

Influence of Mars on Rahu makes it behave well. Meaning, if Rahu and Mars are conjunct or 5th and 9^th from each other. Again, caveats apply. Astrology is full of caveats and ifs and buts. What if the Mahaut itself is Mad will it be able to control the Elephant properly. The answer is anybody’s guess. If Mars is afflicted by Ketu its bitter enemy, meaning 1^st, 4^th and 8^th house are occupied by Ketu or Mars and Ketu are in close conjunction (less than 10 degrees) then Rahu will be under the ill influence of Mars and will give negative results. Relationship between Rahu and Mars could be by way of aspect, conjunction or even nakshatra exchange.

One of the remedy to control the ill effects of Rahu is to wear Gomed under the guidance of astrologer

There are many other factors as well, which I will cover in some other posts. Hope you loved this post, you can apply above principles on your near and dear ones chart to see the impact of Rahu and how their life changed when they completed 41 years!