Ketu, the South Node of the Moon means a “sign”, or a “banner” in Sanskrit. If Rahu is the planet of worldly desire, then Ketu is the planet of otherworldly desire, or spirituality. Ketu represents the spiritual process of evolution, or the refinement of materialization to spirit. Ketu is considered a worldly malefic and spiritual benefic, as it causes sorrow and loss, which ultimately turns the individual to god.

The karakas, or indicators of Ketu are focused intelligence, indicator of liberation, indicator of wisdom, non-attachment, other worldly interests, fantasy, penetrating insight, derangement, carrier of arms and weapons, invisibility and physic abilities.

Ketu’s gem is the cat’s eye (Lehsuniya). This Graha is of a Pitta natue, or fiery temperament. Ketu has the last maturity of all the planets at age 48 years, when the soul turns to the pursuit of MOKSHA the pursuit of liberation from this world.

Ketu general characteristics: Ketu is the rest of the body of Rahu, it bestows spiritual tendencies, asceticism, and nonattachment to worldly desires and ambitions. Ketu is also a half-planet that bestows wisdom, powers of discrimination, and gyana-spiritual knowledge, the knowledge of the self. It gives psychic abilities to its natives and makes them masters of the healing arts, natural healing, healing herbs, spices, foods, tantric healing, healing persons affected by evil spirits and ghosts. Ketu’s sign is Pisces – as Rahu’s is Virgo. The sign Pisces belongs to the guru, Jupiter, and Ketu also has dominion over it. Ketu’s body is supposed to be composed of a man’s torso in its upper half and a fish body as its lower half. Ketu is said to be a member of the Jaimini lineage of sages, who founded one of the several systems of philosophy of ancient India. There are wonderful myths associated with Rahu and Ketu.

Planets friendly to Ketu: Ketu is a friend of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Jupiter is neutral in friendship. Sun, Moon, and Mars are Ketu’s enemies.

Ketu Signs and Nakshatras: Ashwini, Mula, and Magha nakshatras are Ketu’s nakshatras. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces are its friendly signs. Cancer and Leo are enemy signs. The Nagas of Vedic lore is serpent like, semi-divine beings, which offer knowledge, protection, as well as wrath and retribution to those they encounter. The forked tongue of the serpent’s bite represents intoxication, the first being poison, resulting in dementia, the second being amrita, or spiritual nectar, resulting in ecstasy and divine consciousness. 

There is a story in the Puranas that goes as God Vishnu dispensing AMRITA, the nectar of immortality to the Devas. While Vishnu was dispensing this amrita, a demon, Rahu guised as Deva mingled with the Devas and was receiving the amrita when the Sun and the Moon discovered him.

With the luminaries calling alarm, Vishnu threw his discus (Soodarshana Chakra) at Rahu and cut off his head. But Rahu had already drunk the Amrita and now remained an immortal head, disassociated from an immortal body. Rahu is the strongest enemy of Sun and Moon. There is much lore and mystery surround the Moon’s Nodes in Vedic myth, and they are considered of paramount importance in chart interpretation. In fact, in assessing planetary power, the only Graha that is more powerful than the Sun is Rahu, the North Node of the Moon, because of his ability to swallow the Sun during a total solar eclipse.

Ketu brings prosperity to the devotee’s family, removes the effect of snakebite and illness arising out of poisonous matter entering one’s body. He grants good health, wealth, cattle and all-around prosperity. Lunar and solar eclipses occur because of Rahu and Ketu. Ketu, according to the author of Lal Kitab, represents son, grandson, ear, spine etc. 6th house is considered to be its Pucca Ghar. It gives its exalted effect when in 5^th, 9^th or 12^th house and its debilitated effect in 6^th and 8^th house. Dawn is its time and it represents Sunday. It’s color are black and white. Ketu is also considered to be the bed. So, the bed given by in-laws after marriage is considered to be auspicious for the birth of a son and as long as that bed is in the house, the effect of Ketu can never be inauspicious.

Ketu in 3^rd House:

3^rd house is owned by Mercury and Mars, both enemies of Ketu. Number 3 would have an important role in the life of the native. If Ketu in 3^rd house is benefic then his children would be good. The native would be God fearing and a gentleman. If Ketu is in 3^rd house and Mars is in 12^th then the native has a son before 24^th year of age. The son would be good for wealth and longevity of the native. The native with Ketu in 3^rd house usually gets a job, which entails long travels. If Ketu in 3^rd house is malefic then native loses money in litigation. He gets separated from his wife/sisters-in-law. If such a native lives in a house with its main gate facing south, he will have serious problems regarding children. Such a native cannot say no to anything and so will always have worries. He will have troubles from his brothers and will have to travel uselessly.

Remedies:

1. Use saffron as Tilak.

2. Wear gold.

3. Offer jaggery, rice in flowing water.

Ketu in 4^th House:

4^th House belongs to Moon, which is an enemy of Ketu. If Ketu is benefic in 4^th House then the native is God fearing and lucky for his father and Guru. Son is born to such a native only after getting the blessings of one’s Guru. The son born lives long. Such a native leaves all his decisions to God. If Moon is in 3rd or 4th house the result is benefic. Such a native is a good adviser and will never have shortage of money. If Ketu is malefic in this house then the native is unhealthy, his mother is troubled, there is loss of happiness. One may suffer from diabetes. A son is born after thirty-six years of age. Such a native has more daughters than sons.

Remedies:

1. Keep a dog.

2. Wear silver for peace of mind.

3. Offer yellow things in flowing water.