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, snake like, 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 11^th House:

11th house is influenced by both Saturn and Jupiter. Native could be rich as long as his father is alive. Alternatively, establishing things of Jupiter would help. Native has wicked friends. He gets money from mean people. After the death of one’s father he should wear gold chain in the neck. If Mars is malefic for a native with Rahu in 11th at time of his birth, there is every-thing in his house, but every-thing gets destroyed later. If Rahu in 11th house is malefic then the native has bad relations with his father or he may even kill him. Planet in 2nd house would act as enemy. If Jupiter/Saturn are in 3rd or 11th house then wear iron chain in the neck and drink water in a silver glass. If Ketu is in 5th house, then Ketu gives bad results. There may be diseases of ear, spine, urinary problems etc. There may be losses associated with business concerned with Ketu.

Remedies:

1. Wear iron. Use silver glass for drinking water.

2. Never take any electric equipment as a gift.

3. Do not keep blue sapphire, ivory or toys in the shape of an elephant.

Rahu in 12^th House:

12th house belongs to Jupiter. It signifies bedroom. Rahu here gives mental troubles, insomnia. It also leads to excessive expenditure on sisters and daughters. If Rahu is with its enemies, then it becomes next to impossible to make ends meet, despite hard labor. It also leads to false allegations. One may even go to the extreme of contemplating suicide. One has mental worries. Telling lies, deceiving others etc. may make Rahu even more malefic. If somebody sneezes at the start of any new work if gives malefic effect. There may be theft, diseases or false allegations. If Mars is with Rahu here, then it gives good results.

Remedies:

1. Take your meals in the kitchen itself.

2. Keep Saunf (Fennel) and Khand (Sugar) under the pillow for good night’s sleep.