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 11^th House:

Here Ketu is considered very good. It gives wealth. This house is owned by Jupiter and Saturn. If Ketu is benefic here and Saturn is in 3rd house, it gives enormous wealth. The wealth earned by the native is more than his paternal wealth, but one tends to worry about his future. If Mercury is in 3rd it leads to Raj Yoga. If Ketu is malefic here then the native has problem in his abdomen. The more he worries about future, more troubled he is. Grandmother or mother of the native suffers, if Saturn is also malefic. Then there would be no benefit from son or house.

Remedies:

1. Keep black dog.

2. Wear an Onyx or emerald.

Ketu in 12^th House:

Here Ketu is considered to be exalted. The native is wealthy, achieves a big position and spends on good works. If Rahu is in 6th house, along with Mercury, then the effect is even better. One has all the benefits

and luxuries of life. If Ketu in 12th house is malefic then one buys land from a childless person and the native becomes childless himself. If one kills dogs Ketu gives malefic results. If 2nd house has Moon, Venus or Mars, Ketu gives malefic results.

Remedies:

1. Worship Lord Ganesha.

2. Maintain good character.

3. Keep a dog.