Unlike other planets of the solar system Rahu and Ketu are not observable, substantial heavenly bodies, with shape or mass content. Rightly termed as shadowy planets, their movement is interrelated and as parts of one body they are at all times just opposite to each other. Greater significance has been attached to the role of Rahu in influencing human affairs in various dimensions, especially in Kaliyug. The author of Lal Kitab describes Saturn as a serpent and Rahu and Ketu as its head and tail respectively. As a node of Moon, Rahu shall not provide adverse results so long as 4th house or Moon is not afflicted. He gives good results when Mars occupies houses 3 and 12, or when Sun and Mercury are in house 3, or when he himself is posited in 4th house. Rahu further provides good results if placed together with Mercury or aspected by him.

The North Node of the Moon is called RAHU in Vedic astrology and the South Node is called KETU. They are called dark or shadow planets, because of the Nodes’ association with the phenomena of eclipses. They have no sign ruler ships, although they are said to favor Mercury and Jupiter’s signs according to some authorities, while others claim that Rahu favors the sign of Aquarius and Ketu the sign of Scorpio. Rahu, the North Node of the Moon means to conceal, engulf or hide in Sanskrit. 

This planet is associated with the world of material manifestation and worldly desire. Rahu is associated with the spiritual process of evolution, or the engrossing of spirit in materialization. Rahu is a karaka, or indicator, of worldly desire, fame, greed, high intelligence, manipulation, obsessive behavior, foreigners, mass disease, dementia and inertia. The nature of this planet is Vata, or Airy. He’s the significator of an irreligious person, outcast, harsh speech, logical fallacy, falsehoods, uncleanliness, abdominal ulcers, bones, and transmigration. Rahu is instrumental in strengthening one’s power and converting even an enemy into a friend. Poisonous snake bites can be healed by the grace of Rahu. In Buddhism Rahu is one of the Krodha Devatas (terror-inspiring gods).

Rahu professions: Rahu is a legendary master of deception who signifies cheaters, pleasure seekers, operators in foreign lands, drug dealers, poison dealers, insincere & immoral acts, photography, magicians, etc.

Rahu Diseases: It gives suicidal tendencies, fears, phobias, poisonous bites, murder, theft, imprisonment, and diseases like cholera, dysentery, skin diseases, swelling of the uterus, and constipation.

Rahu Signs: Friendly signs are Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Cancer and Leo are its enemy signs. Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are friendly planets. Rahu is an enemy of Sun, Moon, and Mars. Rahu gives auspicious results in Taurus and Libra. Rahu is capable of giving power when rightly posited or exalted, and it gives fame, success in politics, money, and physical beauty (i.e., attraction).

Rahu behaves like Saturn: Rahu is regarded as similar to Saturn in its effect. Smoky blue is its color, instinctual and animalistic its nature. Rahu is interested only in achieving all that gives pleasure, and even if it achieves all it wants, it is never satisfied (which is true of our animalistic nature). Although Rahu rules no sign of the zodiac, the zodiacal sign Virgo is its sign. Virgo is in fact assigned to Mercury, but Rahu being akin to Saturn and Mercury being a friend of Saturn, Rahu thus has authority over Virgo.

Rahu god of Chemical industry: Rahu governs all sorts of poisonous chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, and disinfectants that are in use in the present times. It also governs all the substances with a strong pungent smell like the sulphur-di-oxide gas. In other words, Rahu has a role to play whenever a poisonous substance is involved. There is nobody equal to Rahu when it comes to giving upliftment in Name and Fame , Sudden Luck Gambling, which is probably the reason why Western astrologers regard it as the greatest benefic force.

The gemstone associated with Rahu is a honey colored Hessonite (Gomed). Its element is air and direction is south-west. Rahu reaches full maturity at age 42 years. The Puranas describe Rahu as half-bodied, born of a lioness, snakelike, having a huge body and being extraordinarily powerful. The Skanda Purana says that Rahu is instrumental in strengthening ones power and converting even an enemy into a friend. The effect of snakebite is removed by his grace. The lunar and solar eclipses are attributed to Rahu and Ketu. Rahu and Ketu stay 1 1/2 years in each sign or rashi.

Rahu offers highly beneficial effects if placed in houses earlier than Saturn. But if it is otherwise, Saturn becomes stronger and Rahu acts as his agent. Sun provides very good results when Rahu is aspected by Saturn, but Rahu gives the effects of a debilitated planet when Saturn is aspected by Rahu. Rahu gets exalted in houses 3 and 6, whereas he gets debilitated in houses 8, 9, and 11 house. Rahu proves highly auspicious in houses 3, 4 and 6. Saturn, Mercury and Ketu are his friends, whereas Sun, Mars and Venus are his enemies. Jupiter and Moon are neutral to him.

If Sun and Venus are placed together in a horoscope, Rahu will generally provide adverse results. Similarly, Rahu will provide bad results if Saturn and Sun are also combined in a horoscope. Here, Mars will also become negative. If Ketu is placed in houses earlier than Rahu, Rahu will provide adverse results, whereas Ketu’s effect would be zeroed.

Rahu in 3^rd House:

It is the Pukka House of Rahu. 3rd house belongs to Mercury and is influenced by Mars. When Rahu is benefic the native will enjoy great wealth and a long life. He will be fearless and a loyal friend. He would be a clairvoyant for seeing future in his dreams. He will never be childless. He will be victorious over his enemies; can never be a debtor. He would leave behind property. 22^nd year of his life would be of progress. However, if Rahu is malefic in 3^rd house then his brothers and relatives would waste his money. His money once borrowed would never be returned. He would have defective speech and would be an atheist. If Sun and Mercury are also there (in 3rd house) with Rahu then his sister would become a widow in 22nd or 32nd year of his life.

Remedies:

1. Never keep ivory or things of ivory in the house.

Rahu in 4^th House:

This house belongs to Moon, which is an enemy of Rahu. When Rahu is benefic in this house the native would be intelligent, wealthy and will spend money on good things. Going on pilgrimage would be beneficial for him. If Venus is also benefic then after marriage the native’s in-laws could also become rich and the native would also benefit from them.

When Moon is exalted, the native would become very rich and would benefit from the works or relatives associated with Mercury. If Rahu is malefic and the Moon is also weak then the native will suffer from poverty and native’s mother would also suffer. Collecting char coal, changing toilet commodes, installing oven in the ground and alteration of the roof in the house would create troubles in life.

Remedies:

1. Wear silver.

2. Offer 400 gm coriander or almonds, or both in flowing water.