Fictitious Graha – Rahu

Unlike other planets, Rahu is not present physically in the solar system. Rahu is basically a cluster of imaginary points in the sky. It is a shadow planet, the north node of the Moon. Also known as the dragon’s head, it is the intersection point of the respective paths of the Sun and Moon. Even though it is not a physical planet, it is given a lot of importance in astrology. It is considered as one of the most powerful and malefic planets.

The Mythology

As per Hindu mythology, once Gods and demons agreed to form an alliance in order to produce nectar which would give them all immortality. This nectar was to be produced by churning the ocean. After the churning process was completed and the nectar was being served to the gods, one demon came and sat between the Sun and the Moon, disguised as a god. The Sun and the Moon recognized the demon and complained to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu immediately severed the demon’s head with his Chakra but by then the demon had consumed enough nectar to make him immortal. Thus, the demon’s head became Rahu and since then Rahu has been a strong enemy of the Sun and the Moon.

Rahu in Vedic Astrology

Rahu has a deep impact on human life and governs mental states like ego and aggression. Rahu takes a total of 18 years to complete the circle of zodiac signs and stays in each sign for about 1.5 years. Because it is a shadow planet, it has not been assigned to any house or sign.

At the same time, it is popularly believed that Rahu acts very strongly in Virgo and gives positive outcomes to Cancer. It is also believed to be strong in Gemini and Taurus. Despite its extreme enmity with Sun and Moon, it is very friendly with Venus, Mercury and Saturn. However, it is neutral with Jupiter and Mars.

Characteristics of Rahu

Rahu is the representation of everything that is unacceptable in human society. It is a rebellious planet, does not like authority, is mischievous, loves deception, secrecy and represents a dark side of human nature. It influences politicians the most and promotes earnings from shady sources like gambling, theft and even death. Addiction to danger, lunacy, selfishness, greed, manipulation, and betrayal are the common characteristics of Rahu.

In the Hindu religion, it is believed that Rahu is incapable of discriminating between good and evil. So it only focuses on achieving what it wants by any means possible which is not acceptable in our society.

The positive effects of Rahu

The negative effects of Rahu are known to everyone but it does not always have a bad influence. Sometimes, Rahu also influences positively. In alliance with Venus, Rahu makes the natives desirous and with Jupiter, it creates the Guru Chandal Yoga for the natives. Also, in alliance with Mercury, Rahu facilitates the natives to become a scientist or businessman. Rahu in an auspicious position takes the native to the peak of his/her profession.

The benefits of having Rahu in an auspicious position could be as follows:

Rajyog
Success in agriculture
Increase in financial savings
Journeys across the sea
A job as a jailer
Higher education
Good looks
Accomplished artist
Success in business
International fame

Professions influenced by Rahu

When it is placed negatively, Rahu can rule in shady professions like drug dealing, smuggling, poison manufacturing, occultism etc. It can also promote underground professions like archaeology, mining, cave exploration and so on. Other professions that come under the domain of Rahu are careers related to metal like iron, lead and alloys, pesticides, chemicals and gases, fertilizers, poisonous substances, toiletries, politics, sports, mass media and such.

Rahu in Zodiac Signs

Aries

Mars rules Aries, which is a very masculine and fiery planet. On the other hand, Rahu is an airy planet so the relationship between the two is not positive. Thus Rahu in Aries born people are aggressive, impulsive, reckless, confused, selfish, egotistical, and cannot trust people easily. also, Rahu is a clever planet and the natives tend to be intelligent, sharp-minded, successful and unexpectedly wealthy.

Taurus

Taurus is a friend, so Rahu brings positive results most of the time. It brings stability, love, passion, spouse from another caste, admiration from others, land ownership, and a sense of permanence. But at the same time, they also tend to be short-tempered and emotional which may create a problem with their spouses because of the harsh language. They often indulge in unnecessary arguments and are also spendthrift. The natives are also prone to addictions and may choose a shady way of earning.

Gemini

The relationship of Rahu with Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini, is positive. While Rahu makes the native manipulative and mysterious, Mercury makes him wise and intelligent. Thus, the natives are usually tactful and intelligent and skillful in many fields. Rahu does give confusion to the natives but at the same time makes them capable of finding a solution to any problem. Rahu in Gemini born natives is also good communicators, impulsive talkers, risk takers, confident, courageous, and not much of a thinker. They excel in fields like technology and computer, media and communication.

Cancer

When Rahu is placed in Cancer, it makes the native highly emotional and caring. It is very difficult for the natives to feel emotional stability. They are always overwhelmed and confused due to their feelings. They also tend to have deep thoughts but decision making is very difficult for the natives. However, the natives enjoy a lot of wealth and an authoritative position. At the same time, they go through too much responsibility, lack of peace of mind, discontent, land disputes, troubled relations from mother, and deception.

Leo is ruled by Sun and so obviously Rahu shares an enmity with the sign. Leo means fire, aggression, passion, ambition, and desire. Rahu aggravates all of these. Rahu in Leo natives are often detached from their family, troubles with father, egotistical, self-absorbed, and face problems with children too. At the same time, the natives are also super-intelligent, shrewd, travel lovers and good debaters.

Virgo

Since Virgo is ruled by Mercury and Rahu and Mercury are friendly planets, the native enjoys the good effects of Rahu. Rahu’s airy nature takes the native higher in life but Virgo’s earthy nature keeps him grounded. Rahu in Virgo natives is very good managers. They are skillful, witty and intelligent with a strong desire to earn name and fame. The natives are courageous, determined, argumentative, good communicators, skillful politicians, authoritative, as well as good writers. However, they do suffer from health problems and a bumpy ride to success.

Libra

Rahu is a master of tact, manipulation, secrecy, and illusion. Libra is all about balance. Thus, the relationship between the planets is average but friendly. Here, Rahu makes natives manipulative but still desirable of balance in life. The natives suffer from troubled relationships in the family, loss of land, difficult married life, dominative attitude, dissatisfaction, lack of loyalty and love and moral depravity.

Scorpio

Scorpio is associated with secrecy and mystery and Rahu is the master of illusion. So, a Rahu in Scorpio native is very secretive and confidential in their actions. No one ever knows what they are up to. They also possess mysterious knowledge, strong intuition, and hidden powers. Rahu also creates health issues for the native making them prone to accident. They are often burdened in life, wealthy, strong, not above using shortcuts for success and anti-social. Fields like medical and surgery appeal to them the most.

Sagittarius

The ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter which represents wisdom. Also, Sagittarius is a dual sign. So the native of Rahu in Sagittarius are double-minded, liberated spiritually, highly learned, get to travel to foreign lands frequently and active participants in discussions. But they are also prone to corruption, falsehood, relationship problems, and an ill father.

Capricorn

Saturn shares a good relationship with Rahu and so the natives of Rahu in Capricorn are leaders in life. They have heightened desires, aspirations, stable minded and have strong beliefs. The natives are also popular in their circle, live a happy and comfortable life, strong, resolute, clever minded, wicked, self-reliant and sometimes confused in work life.

Aquarius

Rahu in Aquarius gives the natives strong desires and aspirations, overly concerned with status and society, prone to making castles in the air, a want for admiration and respect from the society and running after social recognition. These natives are also detached from family, have health issues and spendthrift. But they are also financially successful, have strong willpower, and hard working.

Pisces

The combination of the airy Rahu with water sign gives depth to the spirituality and thoughts of the natives. It also encourages meditative tendencies. It also gives problems in business, chance to travel and settle abroad, distress, mental issues, sleeplessness and relationship problems with a spouse.