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What are Rahu and Ketu, and How Do They Work?
Rahu and Ketu are the names of the so-called lunar nodes. A node is the point where the Moon crosses the plane of the zodiacal circle, known as the ecliptic. The thing is, the Moon does not move strictly along the plane of the ecliptic but is slightly inclined to it.
This means that at a certain degree of the zodiac, the Moon "emerges" from the southern celestial hemisphere into the northern one and then "dives" from the north to the south. The point where the Moon "emerges" is called the north node. In Indian astrology, it is called Rahu, while in Western astrology, it is referred to as the "Dragon's Head." The opposite node is called the south node or the "Dragon's Tail," and in Indian astrology, it is known as Ketu.
Why Are Nodes Important in Astrology?
Every planet has nodes. The astrological effect of the nodes is as follows: when a planet is on the plane of the ecliptic (i.e., on its node), it amplifies its astrological influence. When a planet deviates from the ecliptic to the north or south, its influence weakens.
Thus, any planet crossing the ecliptic intensifies its impact. This also applies to the Moon, which enhances its influence when it is at its north or south node.
But why do astrologers pay so little attention to the nodes of other planets and focus on the lunar nodes? This is easy to understand by considering the role of the Moon in horary astrology.
The Moon and the Flow of Events
The Moon represents the general flow of events within a specific life situation. If the Moon reaches the north or south node, it intensifies the flow, which can either support ongoing processes or create obstacles.
For example, in the context of romantic relationships, the flow may facilitate a date or, conversely, create hindrances such as illness, lack of time, and so on.
Thus, the lunar nodes are points of intensification in the flow of events. The Moon's alignment with its nodes signifies future moments of heightened event flow.
The Influence of Nodes on Other Planets
But the question arises: how does the presence of Mars, Jupiter, or another planet at a lunar node affect the planet itself? The answer is simple. The Moon moves faster than all other planets, and if a planet is close to a lunar node, the Moon will soon reach that node while the planet remains nearby. This means that a celestial configuration will arise in the future where:
- The Moon will be at its node, amplifying either a supportive or obstructive flow of events.
- Near this Moon, a planet will manifest against the backdrop of this intensified flow of events.
Suppose the planet connected to the lunar node is relevant to the situation. In that case, the planet's future manifestation against the backdrop of an intense flow of events means that the planet's influence will either be strengthened or weakened.
For example, if Mars represents a man going on a date and Mars is at the Moon's southern node, an intense flow of events will soon arise, hindering the date. For instance, the man might be held up at work that day or get stuck in an unexpected traffic jam.
It is important to note that Rahu and Ketu indicate circumstances related to external factors beyond a person's control.
Nodes in the Natal Chart
In the natal chart, the lunar nodes have a different meaning. They do not represent the flow of events as they do in a horary chart. In the natal chart, the Moon, like any other planet, influences a whole area of life, such as money, family, travel, etc. Therefore, the conjunction of other planets with Rahu or Ketu may have no effect.
For example, the Moon may represent the native's illnesses, while Mars represents their siblings. A person's illness cannot be the cause of their siblings' existence. Thus, the conjunction of Mars with a lunar node would lack logical coherence.
Marinus, an astrologer and professor of mathematics at the Royal College of Paris, criticized astrologers in his works for paying excessive attention to nodes in natal charts. In the natal chart, lunar nodes only affect the Moon, just as the nodes of Mars only affect Mars. Nodes are meaningful only when a planet is at its node. Specifically, if the Moon reaches its node, its influence on the corresponding area of life associated with it in the horoscope amplifies.
Karma and Lessons
Some astrologers associate nodes with karma and soul lessons. However, we cannot take such claims seriously since astrology is a precise discipline based on verifiable facts. We can predict events that we can objectively verify, but we cannot interpret "lessons from the Universe" or "karmic tasks from past lives," as these cannot be experimentally tested, and thus, their validity cannot be definitively confirmed.
Using nodes for karmic interpretations is not astrology in its strict sense but rather a matter of personal belief for the astrologer. According to its natural philosophical principles, actual astrology is validated by facts and events.
Conclusion
The northern and southern nodes intensify the flow of events in charts of specific situations, such as lunar charts, transit charts, or horary charts. In natal astrology, their significance is limited—they only affect the Moon and only when it is conjunct with Rahu and Ketu.
