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 7^th House:

7th house belongs to Mercury and Venus. The wealth increases in proportion to the children one has. The native’s enemies are frightened of the native. If one has the help of Mercury, Jupiter or Venus then the native is never disappointed. If Ketu in 7th house is malefic then the native is usually ill, makes false promises and is troubled by enemies till thirty-four years of age. If there are more than one planet in Lagna then one’s children are destroyed. If one uses abusive language then the native is destroyed. If Ketu is with Mercury then after thirty four years of age the native’s enemies are destroyed by themselves.

Remedies:

1. Never make a false promise, be proud, or abusive.

2. Use saffron as Tilak.

3. In case of serious trouble use the remedies of Jupiter.

Ketu in 8^th House:

8th house belongs to Mars, which is an enemy of Ketu. If Ketu in 8th house is benefic then the native begets a son at thirty four years of age, or after the marriage of one’s sister or daughter. If Jupiter or Mars are not in 6th and 12th house then Ketu does not give malefic results. If Ketu in 8th house is malefic then the native’s wife has ill health. Son will not be born, or may die. The native may suffer from diabetes or urinary problem. If Saturn or Mars are in 7th then the native is unlucky. In case of malefic Ketu in 8th house the native’s character determines the health of his wife. After twenty six years of age the family life suffers.

Remedies:

1. Keep a dog.

2. Donate a black and white blanket in any temple.

3. Worship Lord Ganesha.

4. Wear gold in the ear.

5. Use saffron as Tilak.