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 1^st House:

If Ketu is auspicious or benefic in this house, the native will be laborious, rich and happy, but will always be concerned and troubled because of his progeny. He may fear frequent transfers or travels, but ultimately it would always be postponed. Whenever Ketu comes in 1st house in Varsha Kundli there may be birth of a son or nephew. There may also be a long journey. The native with Ketu in 1st house will always be beneficial for his father and/or Guru and causes exaltation of Sun.

If Ketu in 1st house is malefic, the native would suffer from headache. His wife would have health problems and would have worries concerning kids. If 2nd and 7th houses are empty then Mercury and Venus would also give bad results. There would be travels, transfers with no gain. If Saturn is malefic it would destroy father and Guru. If Sun is in 7th or 8th house then after the birth of a grandson the health would suffer. No alms should be given in morning and evening.

Remedies:

1. Feed jaggery (Gur) to monkeys.

2. Apply saffron as Tilak.

3. If offspring is troubled then donate a black and white blanket to temple.

Ketu in 2^nd House:

2nd house is the house where Moon is exalted, which is an enemy of Ketu. If Ketu in 2nd house is benefic then one gets paternal property. One has to travel a lot and his travels are fruitful. Venus gives good results, irrespective of its position. Moon would give bad results. If Sun is in 12th house then one starts earning his livelihood after twenty four years and is happy. If Jupiter is exalted along with Ketu in 2nd house, then income would be in lakhs of rupees. If Ketu in 2nd house is malefic, then one has to travel to dry areas. One cannot rest at one place and would be wandering from place to place. Income may be good, but so would be the expenditure. Thus, net gain would be negligible. If there is Moon or Mars in 8th house then native’s life would be short and he would have serious problem at the age of sixteen or twenty years. If 8th house is empty then Ketu would give malefic results.

Remedies:

1. Apply turmeric or saffron as Tilak.

2. One should not be of loose character.

3. If one religiously visits temples and bows his head there then Ketu in 2nd house would give good results.